The Nintendo 64 is still ed and renowned today for a myriad of reasons. Not only was it Nintendo's first real foray into the 3D realm, but it also introduced and popularized various innovations used in gaming today.
Features like the thumbstick, vibration , and 4-player gaming made the machine particularly appealing and interesting. On a literal and figurative level, the N64 brought an added dimension to games, offering a whole new way to experience franchises like Zelda, F-Zero, and others.
Being an early arrival on the 3D scene though - and one that adhered to the cartridge format - some in its library are susceptible to looking and feeling dated. In an era where visuals are inching near photorealism, the jagged, blocky graphics of most N64 software don't quite seem as stunning as they once did. Still, thanks to some more stylistic efforts, along with gems whose quality still shine through, there are plenty of games that do hold up.
This list will highlight 5 particularly timeless examples, along with 5 that, for one reason or another, haven't aged too well.
Aged Well: F-Zero X
Racers of the early 3D era can be dicey - and typically don't tend to hold up too well. But in the futuristic world of F-Zero, different rules seem to apply. While its GameCube successor, GX, certainly outdoes it in of visual sleekness, the N64 rendition of Nintendo's high-speed racer is no slouch either.
The vibrant color scheme and thick atmosphere allow the game to pull off a lot with a little. Moreover, the gameplay is just as thrilling as ever, with adrenaline-fueling speeds and solid mechanics that allow this futuristic racer to hold up.
Didn't: 1080° Snowboarding
1080° Snowboarding was ironically a bit ahead of its time with regards to downhill racers containing ramp-launching stunts. It helped open the door for franchises such as SSX and Shaun White Snowboarding. But generally speaking, these spiritual successors refined the mechanics and visuals while dialing up the speed, bringing greater thrills and appeal.
Younger players and newbies going back to this clunky, blocky romp are likely to find it tough just staying on their feet - let alone pulling off the slew of stunts and jumps the game demands. Its own successor, 1080° Avalanche, tends to be more playable too, even if it's not quite as iconic.
Aged Well: Yoshi's Story
Despite the cute, simple exterior of this Yoshi game, the platformer ironically holds up more than some of its 3D counterparts, which relied more on graphical prowess. Yoshi's Story demonstrates of the merits of artistic style over raw horsepower and flashier visuals, and its ability to weather the age of time.
The crisp 2D layout and colorful storybook vibe give it a timeless quality that many developers - particularly on the indie front - are using even today. And while it's received criticism for stressing simplicity and brevity, it's still a delightful experience that's easy to get into.
There will always be a desire for a more cheery, ive brand of video game, and Yoshi's Story delivers.
Didn't: Donkey Kong 64
Many 3D platformers have been susceptible to aging rather poorly - and Rare's library wasn't impervious to this. While some of their titles have managed to stand on the strength of their stellar quality, there are at least a few, like the more tepid Donkey Kong 64, that haven't quite held up as well.
The game attempts to wow with its range of collectibles, 5 distinct characters, and massive biomes. Ironically though, it's these traits that can make it tough to get into today. Not only does the design feel very "late '90s," but the abundance of backtracking and some convoluted gameplay make for an experience that's a bit cumbersome.
It doesn't help that the Donkey Kong Country games have proven more timelessly appealing, making this feel clunky and dated by comparison.
Aged Well: Mario Party 2
Mario Party is still one of the most popular go-to's for parties and social gaming. There's a reason for this, and it can largely be traced back to the series' stellar roots on N64 - and its renaissance on Switch with Super Mario Party.
But while the '98 debut feels a tad rough around the edges today, the sequel polishes up the experience somewhat and fills in some more details to boot. For many fans, this is Mario Party at its peak.
Gone are the blister-inducing joystick games and various multiplayer limitations. In their place are a number of more interesting board games, creative minigames, and new ways to face off against friends. Thanks to the rise of social gaming and multiplayer romps, Mario Party 2 feels as timeless as ever.
Didn't: Goldeneye 007
Ironically, one of the most iconic console shooters has managed to feel quite dated. Despite the innovations for its time, it's quite difficult to get past the clunky c-button aiming and polygonal jaggies that make up the graphics. On top of this, you had the rise of efforts like Halo, which popularized rechargeable health meters - luxuries that are absent here.
Goldeneye's age really becomes apparent in the campaign, which tends to feel somewhat restricted and lifeless today. Moreover, the limitations of the cartridge format means no flashy pre-rendered cutscenes - which even the original PlayStation was pulling off at the time.
Aged Well: Conker's Bad Fur Day
As is the case with solid gameplay - a great sense of humor can help produce a timeless experience too, if executed right. Luckily, this zany platformer from Rare nails it on both fronts.
The game contains a formula that balances action and exploration - along with an amusing plot and comedy that blends toilet humor with cheeky pop-culture references. Its wacky and lude sense of humor certainly feels ahead of its time in of gaming.
These traits have allowed Conker's Bad Fur Day to stand out and remain one of the most memorable 3D platformers to this day. And since it's a late N64 entry crafted by a studio with ample 3D experience by this point - its graphics aren't half-bad.
Didn't: Quest 64
Credit where credit is due - Imagineer was able to craft a pretty competent, full-3D RPG on a cartridge, which didn't exactly lend itself to this style. This is impressive considering we're talking '90s. Its semi-open worlds and dynamic battle system was certainly irable for its time, too.
Still, with all the rich, vibrant, and massive RPGs that have come out since, Quest 64 tends to feel clunky and somewhat void of detail. Some sluggish pacing and tricky navigation make this one pretty tough to get into today. Still, it has its place in history, and gamers should at least respect it for being a rare role-playing romp for N64.
Aged Well: Paper Mario
While the rich, imaginative Origami King might make this look tame by comparison, this iconic originator still shines today. Much like Yoshi's Story, this paper adventure benefits from being a rare (mostly) 2D experience on the 3D-heavy N64.
The game still conveys a stylistic charm in of its delightful visuals and sound design. And the grind-it-out gameplay, majestic worlds, and fun dialogue are just as enjoyable now as they were 2 decades ago. It's also a particularly robust experience at 23 hours, with addictive combat that ensures you'll rarely get bored.
And speaking of paper...
Didn't: Paperboy 64
It's interesting that such an iconic series can beget one of the crudest and most dated games of the late '90s - and this includes Sony's less-capable PlayStation.
Even the original Paperboy on NES manages to hold up better than this venture into the 3D realm. Blocky visuals, warped environments, and rough draw distances make for an experience that's not just dated, but borderline unplayable at times.
