When the Sega Saturn, PlayStation, and Nintendo 64 were competing for dominance in the fifth generation of consoles, the Nintendo 64 stood out for having four controller ports right out of the box. I always found this made it a popular choice for gamers who enjoyed playing with friends, since you didn’t need to buy a separate adapter to connect extra controllers. The N64 had plenty of great multiplayer games, though the number of games offering cooperative play was a little more limited.
While not as popular as it would later become, cooperative gameplay was still possible on fifth-generation consoles if you knew where to find it. You could play through a game’s story with a friend, or enjoy traditional multiplayer modes with different team setups, like two-on-two or one-on-three. Nintendo has always excelled at creating consoles perfect for gatherings, and those gatherings could be intimate – just two players – or involve a whole group of four.
Just to be clear, we’re only looking at games where you can play cooperatively as part of the game itself. Simply teaming up with friends in a game like Mario Party doesn’t fit what we’re interested in.
9. Worms Armageddon
Wormy Warfare
Although the Nintendo 64 wasn’t known for being super versatile, it did get some games that originally came out on computers, like Doom and Starcraft. One of the best of these was definitely Worms Armageddon, a fun and strategic game with a lot of charm.
Worms Armageddon has always been a fantastic game to play with friends, no matter the system. It’s designed for ‘hot-seat’ multiplayer, meaning players take turns using a single controller. This made it perfect for families or groups with limited controllers who still wanted to include up to six teams in a match – even more than was easily possible on the Nintendo 64.
I loved the co-op! Each of us had our own team of worms, but you could team up with another player by picking the same color. It was hilarious chaos though, because friendly fire was always on. You’d try not to blow up your friends, but accidents happened – and honestly, that’s what made playing Worms so much fun and unforgettable!
8. BattleTanx: Global Assault
Everything’s Better in a Tank
Few things are as fun in multiplayer games as driving a tank – right up there with go-karts! There’s something incredibly satisfying about controlling a powerful tank and blasting enemies, especially with friends. While the first BattleTanx game on Nintendo 64 offered competitive multiplayer, Global Assault was a better choice for players who preferred to team up and play cooperatively.
Building on the multiplayer modes from the original game – including Deathmatch, Convoy, Battlelord, and Frenzy – Global Assault introduced a cooperative mode for the main campaign. You experience the same missions, but now control two tanks instead of one. Players share a common fund of in-game currency (Tank Bucks) to buy new tanks as they replace damaged ones, so teamwork and coordination are key to avoid spending it all prematurely.
What’s great about this game is that both players get to drive their own tanks, unlike some other vehicle combat games where one person drives and the other controls the weapon. It’s a fair fight for everyone!
7. Rampage World Tour
Half Co-Op, Half Competitive
The Nintendo 64 received many games originally made for arcades, and its ability to connect four players at once was perfect for multiplayer games. A particularly fun arcade port on the N64 was Rampage World Tour, where players destroy cities as giant monsters.
Rampage World Tour lets up to three players control massive monsters – George, Lizzie, and Ralph – as they wreak havoc across the globe. The main goal is simple: destroy every building in each city! If you take too long, you’ll be forced to leave and return later to finish the job. That’s where playing with friends comes in handy – three monsters working together mean even more destruction!
Teamwork is important in this game, but it also has a competitive side. Players earn individual scores by eliminating opponents, wrecking buildings, and destroying vehicles. While everyone is working together to win, there’s also a reward for being the top scorer.
6. Goemon’s Great Adventure
Ninjas are Good at Coordinating
The Mystical Ninja series, also known as Ganbare Goemon, has switched back and forth between letting players play alone or with a friend. The first game on the Nintendo 64, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon, could only be played by one person. However, the next game, Goemon’s Great Adventure, allowed for two players, similar to the earlier games on the Super Nintendo.
Goemon’s Great Adventure is a fast-paced action game for two players. Players choose from four characters – Goemon and Ebismaru at the start, with Sasuke and Yae unlocking as they play. Each character has different skills for jumping and fighting, and some can even find hidden paths. Switching between characters is encouraged, as it helps players discover secrets and overcome challenges.
Okay, so this game is a big one – seriously, my friend and I know we’ll be playing it over several weekends! But that’s actually perfect because it gives us a great excuse to hang out. And the best part? When you fight the huge robot bosses, you and your partner both get to control a robot! You can even tag-team by passing a giant baton back and forth. It’s totally ridiculous and a blast to play together!
5. Mario Tennis
Find Your Ideal Doubles Partner
I enjoy playing doubles tennis sometimes. Tennis courts are large, making it tiring to cover the whole area, so having a partner helps share the workload. Interestingly, this is also true in the video game Mario Tennis.
Mario Tennis lets you play both one-on-one and team-based tennis in almost every game type. You can play against the computer by yourself, or team up with a friend to compete against the computer or another pair of players. This version of the game focuses on classic tennis gameplay with fast-paced rallies and precise shots, as it came before the addition of special moves and power-ups. While most matches are traditional, there are also unique courts and modes that introduce fun extras like special items inspired by Mario Kart.
Beyond playing exhibition matches, you can team up with a friend in the tournament mode and compete against other teams. These tournaments can be quite challenging and lengthy, making it much more fun to play with a partner who can share the experience and help you reach the top.
4. Gauntlet Legends
Axes, and Arrows, and Spells, Oh My
When it comes to classic arcade games, Gauntlet was the first to really popularize the idea of players teaming up to explore dungeons. While the original Gauntlet is enjoyable, I think Gauntlet Legends – particularly the version for Nintendo 64 – truly perfected the formula that made the series so successful.
Gauntlet Legends was a classic fantasy adventure game for up to four players (with the Expansion Pak), letting you choose from four different character classes focused on things like strength, defense, speed, and magic. While not overly complex, it was a fast-paced and thrilling experience, filled with challenging, close-call moments – making it a great game to play with friends.
I quickly learned I needed a Controller Pak with Gauntlet Legends on the N64 – it was one of the first games that made me realize it! Having to constantly replay the beginning levels with friends really took away from the enjoyment.
3. Diddy Kong Racing
“JOINTVENTURE”
You’re right to point out that Diddy Kong Racing doesn’t normally have a co-op mode – it’s typically a single-player or competitive multiplayer game. However, for those who aren’t aware, the fifth generation of consoles was known for powerful cheat codes, and Diddy Kong Racing had plenty. The code “JOINTVENTURE” specifically changes the single-player adventure mode into a cooperative experience.
The game’s co-op adventure lets one player control the map exploration. When a race starts, the screen splits, and both players compete against the computer. If either player wins, they both win! For boss battles, players alternate racing against the boss – if one player loses, the other gets a turn.
Okay, so it’s maybe a bit of a stretch to call it true co-op, but honestly, having a friend jump in for the adventure mode races using a cheat code is a blast! Those computer opponents are seriously unfair, so I’ll take any advantage I can get, and playing with a buddy definitely helps level the playing field.
2. Perfect Dark
Meet Velvet Dark
It’s interesting to learn that Joanna Dark, the main character in Perfect Dark, has a sister named Velvet! But here’s the catch: Velvet only appears in the game if you play co-op. So, if you’re looking for a reason to team up with a friend, enjoying one of the greatest N64 shooters is a great benefit, and it also gives Velvet a chance to exist within the game’s world.
Co-op mode lets two players team up for the game’s single-player missions, effectively doubling your firepower. Only one player needs to complete the mission – if one falls, the other can revive them. Otherwise, you can simply finish the mission as usual. Interestingly, if the second player completes the mission, Velvet will appear instead of Joanna in the cutscenes that follow.
As a huge fan of first-person shooters, I always thought Perfect Dark was ahead of its time. Looking back, its co-op mode really feels like where a lot of today’s popular co-op FPS games got their start. Seriously, next time I’m teaming up with a friend in Halo, I’ll be sure to remember and appreciate what Perfect Dark and its awesome agent, Velvet Dark, brought to the table!
1. Super Smash Bros.
“Free-for- Team Battle!”
It’s no surprise that the original Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64 is still the go-to party game for almost any group of friends. While the game usually started as a free-for-all, you could easily switch to Team Battle, letting players join color-coded teams for even more fun and chaos.
Super Smash Bros.’s Team Battle mode plays just like the standard game: you damage opponents until their damage percentage is high enough to launch them off the stage. The key difference is you can team up with a partner who assists in the fight without being vulnerable to attack themselves.
Team Battle matches can include up to three teams – Red, Blue, and Green – and teams don’t have to be the same size. You can play a standard two-versus-two match, a one-versus-three match, or even a more unusual two-versus-one-versus-one to give someone a slight advantage. Team Battle works with any of the game’s battle rules, like time or stock limits. While Smash is always fun, it’s especially satisfying when three players team up to take on a single opponent!
Read More
- How to Build Muscle in Half Sword
- YAPYAP Spell List
- Epic Pokemon Creations in Spore That Will Blow Your Mind!
- Top 8 UFC 5 Perks Every Fighter Should Use
- How to Get Wild Anima in RuneScape: Dragonwilds
- Bitcoin Frenzy: The Presales That Will Make You Richer Than Your Ex’s New Partner! 💸
- Bitcoin’s Big Oopsie: Is It Time to Panic Sell? 🚨💸
- Gears of War: E-Day Returning Weapon Wish List
- One Piece Chapter 1174 Preview: Luffy And Loki Vs Imu
- The Saddest Deaths In Demon Slayer
2026-02-12 22:41