10 N64 Games That Are Fun from the Start

When the Nintendo 64 first came out, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. I was already a big PlayStation fan, and I questioned whether a console that used cartridges could really impress me. I’m happy to admit I was wrong! The N64 proved to be innovative, especially through its own games, and it successfully brought many of Nintendo’s popular series into the world of 3D.

To be honest, I still have some reservations about the Nintendo 64 controller, even after using it for years. However, I got used to it because so many fantastic games were exclusive to that console. Ultimately, it was worth it – the N64 had a huge impact on gaming, and many of its games were truly excellent.

If you’re interested in exploring the Nintendo 64 and want games that are easy to pick up and enjoy right away, these titles are a great place to begin.

10. Pokémon Snap

Strike a Pose

I absolutely love relaxing Pokémon games, and Pokémon Snap is a perfect example! The whole point of the game is to capture amazing photos of Pokémon. You travel through levels on a fixed path, but instead of battling, you simply try to get the best possible pictures. It’s a pretty simple concept, though you do need to replay levels several times to discover all the hidden secrets and perfect photo opportunities.

This game is incredibly relaxing and simple to pick up – it’s fun from the very beginning! Just try to stay on Snorlax’s good side.

9. Blast Corps

Demolition Man

If you were a kid who loved trucks and construction equipment, Blast Corps was a dream come true. The game let you control bulldozers and other powerful vehicles, switching between them to clear any obstacle in your way. As you progressed, you could even unlock massive robots to completely destroy everything in your path.

Blast Corps is a truly one-of-a-kind game – it’s hard to find anything quite like it. It’s incredibly inventive and easy to pick up and play.

8. Perfect Dark

What We Do in the Shadows

Rare was incredibly successful during the Nintendo 64 era, consistently releasing fantastic games. Perfect Dark was their ambitious effort to push the console’s technical and visual limits, and it also stood out as a genuinely great first-person shooter – a feat considering how challenging it was to play shooters with the N64 controller.

Perfect Dark built on everything Rare learned from GoldenEye, allowing them to create a truly original game that pushed the console to its limits. I remember playing it constantly on my breaks when I used to work at Toys’R’Us.

7. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron

Red Leader Standing By

I especially love Star Wars games where you get to pilot iconic spaceships, even more than the ones focused on being a Jedi. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron lets you fly a variety of ships, like the X-Wing and the Millennium Falcon, completing missions to support the Rebel Alliance.

Considering the technology available back then, this game handled surprisingly well and quickly became one of my favorites. I actually bought my Nintendo 64 just to play it! You don’t have to be a huge Star Wars enthusiast to enjoy Rogue Squadron, though being a fan definitely adds to the experience.

6. Star Fox 64

A Space Dog Fight

If you enjoy sci-fi spaceship shooters, Star Fox 64 is a standout title in a fantastic, yet often overlooked, Nintendo series. It built on the success of the original SNES game while staying true to what made it fun. Many consider it one of the best rail shooters of all time, and its multiple paths and endings give it great replay value.

Star Fox 64 is easy to pick up and play, but it’s a shame you can’t find it on today’s consoles. If you have an original Nintendo 64 or one of the consoles it was released on later, it’s a classic you should definitely experience – and don’t forget to try a barrel roll!

5. GoldenEye 007

Slappers Only!

Man, GoldenEye 007 on the N64 was just incredible. It was probably the most popular first-person shooter on that console, and for good reason. The single-player campaign was really solid – you got to feel like a proper secret agent, moving between missions and, of course, having plenty of gunfights. But honestly, the real magic happened in multiplayer. As long as nobody chose Oddjob – seriously, that guy was broken! – deathmatches with friends were unbelievably fun. And unlocking all those little extras, like big heads or paintball mode, just made it even better. It was a classic!

When GoldenEye 007 was released, it was the ultimate party game for home consoles. It’s a great way to experience what first-person shooter games were like in their early days. Definitely worth checking out!

4. Mario Party

It Was Never About Winning

Let’s be honest, the name says it all – “Party”! Parties are supposed to be fun, and that’s a good place to start when talking about Mario Party. It’s basically a board game where you compete in quick, silly mini-games with friends to collect stars. But don’t be fooled – it can be surprisingly cutthroat! One wrong move – landing on a Bowser space or getting backstabbed by a friend – and you could lose all your hard-earned stars.

Ultimately, Mario Party has always been more about having fun with friends than actually winning. It’s still a popular series, and there are lots of different games available to play.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

I Will Play You the Song of my People

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time revolutionized adventure games when it brought the series into 3D. Its vast world and groundbreaking gameplay were incredibly impressive for their time. Players could explore everything from the Great Deku Tree to Hyrule Castle, offering a huge amount of discovery.

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Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild are clearly connected, with many ideas from the older game laying the groundwork for modern open-world adventures. It’s essential playing for fans of the genre.

2. Super Mario 64

Running into Walls

I’m a big fan of 2D Mario games, so I hesitated to switch to Super Mario 64. But once I did, I was really impressed! It was a fantastic and groundbreaking game. From battling King Bob-omb to reuniting a penguin mother with her baby, Super Mario 64 was consistently fun and engaging.

This game really launched the age of 3D platformers, and it immediately demonstrated the power of the Nintendo 64. Though the graphics look dated now, it’s still fun to play and explore with Mario!

1. Super Smash Bros.

The Beginning of a Fighting Legacy

Before Super Smash Bros., a fighting game where you and up to three friends could just brawl in an arena was totally new. Nintendo took a bunch of their famous characters – and even a few you might not know as well – and let us have at it. What’s cool is you don’t need to memorize crazy button combos. Honestly, fights are usually just wild and fun, like seeing Jigglypuff get absolutely blasted by a Falcon Punch – it’s awesome!

Super Smash Bros. was originally designed as a fun, accessible fighting game for parties. Now, it’s become one of the most beloved and well-known fighting games ever made, boasting an incredibly large and diverse selection of characters.

2026-04-05 16:40