It finally happened: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Classic Edition. This has left fans with two burning questions: will we actually be able to get our hands on this prized collector's item, and, secondly, will they ever release a Nintendo 64 Classic Edition?
The heated debate concerning the latter question has continued to rage across the web, but we thought that, rather than comment on the likelihood (or lack thereof) that N64 receives a celebratory re-release, we would focus on the one aspect that fans care about: the games.
The N64 is a quirky, albeit loveable console that has given gamers more than a handful of classic titles. Franchises like Super Smash Bros., were created, and the Japanese gaming giant was giving chances to weird, off-the-wall ideas like Pokémon Snap and Paper Mario.
Sure, the controller was oddly obtrusive and early polygonal graphics do not hold up nearly as well as the 8-bit or 16-bit aesthetic, but, nevertheless, some of these games deserve to be revisited.
So, in order to get the hype train rolling, we decided to throw out some of our picks for the N64 Classic library. We have compiled a countdown of over two dozen of the console's best titles, spanning a wide range of genres and play styles.
Here are the 25 Games We NEED On The Nintendo 64 Classic.
25. Resident Evil 2
PlayStation title, but the Nintendo 64 port of this survival horror classic is ed by its fans just as fondly. On a console that was largely bolstered by its first-party lineup, Capcom offered the N64 a proven title in a genre that the platform was particularly lacking: horror.
Known as more of a family-friendly gaming company, it is unlikely that Nintendo would include a Mature-rated title preinstalled on its re-released N64 Classic, but stranger things have happened.
With the release of Street Fighter 2 on both the Nintendo Switch as well as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Classic Edition, it would appear as though the two are currently working well together.
Not to mention, Resident Evil 2 would serve to diversify the N64 Classic’s lineup just as it did to the original console back in the late ‘90s.
24. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
Battlefront are unfortunately skipping Nintendo consoles altogether.
Additionally, there are questions as to whether or not the gaming giant’s latest system – the handheld/home console hybrid, the Nintendo Switch – could even run the latest Star Wars titles, but we digress.
December of 1998 saw the release of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, an arcade-style dogfighting action game on the Nintendo 64. This critical and commercial success spawned several sequels and spiritual successors, but arguably none as revered as the original.
Aside from the Star Fox franchise, Nintendo does not have another series quite like Rogue Squadron, and the Star Wars property alone should be enough to warrant more than a few impulse purchases.
23. Jet Force Gemini
Those who claim that the N64’s gaming library is thin are likely forgetting about cult classics such as Rare’s Jet Force Gemini. This ‘80s arcade, Super Metroid-inspired title is a true sci-fi shooter gem.
It may not be as talked about today as some of Rare’s other celebrated titles, like Banjo-Kazooie or Donkey Kong Country, but make no mistake, Get Force Gemini is every bit as fun, thoughtful, and well-crafted as other titles in the developer’s catalog.
This third-person shooter is one of the platform’s more unique titles, and it would certainly stand out in a re-release of the N64 as well. Additionally, as more of a cult favorite, the inclusion of Jet Force Gemini on the N64 Classic could be incentive enough for gamers to pick this title up for the very first time.
22. Conker’s Bad Fur Day
Another Rare title cracks our list in the form of Conker’s Bad Fur Day. This N64 title is not only one of the more memorable gaming experiences on the console, but is arguably one of the best.
Originally designed as a cutesy 3D platformer, Conker’s Quest, as it was first referred to in development, was criticized for being largely similar to countless other games already available on the N64. Influenced by critical reception early on, however, a massive overhaul of the game took place and the project received a new moniker: Conker’s Bad Fur Day.
The story of Conker’s Bad Fur Day follows the titular red squirrel as he attempts to return home to his girlfriend after a long night of drinking with friends. With crude humor reminiscent of South Park, the game received a Mature rating and thusly falls into the same “not likely to happen” category as Resident Evil 2. But hey, we can dream, can’t we?
21. Banjo-Kazooie
You might have started to notice a pattern as Banjo-Kazooie marks this countdown’s third consecutive Rare-developed title. Unlike the previous two games, however, Banjo-Kazooie was originally published by Nintendo.
Making its debut stateside in June of 1998, Banjo-Kazooie was one of the first Rare-developed titles on the N64, and was the only game from the developer to receive a sequel on the console (Banjo-Tooie).
Like Donkey Kong 64 and Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie is a 3D-platformer, but it is one of the best, and a title that deserves a spot on the N64 Classic, should such a product ever exist. If Rare was not on the map as one of the industry’s most talented developers prior to the game’s release, it certainly was afterward.
20. Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark marks yet another great title in the Rare-developed N64 catalog. So, if you were not aware of the relationship between these two celebrated developers prior to reading this article, you certainly are now.
As the spiritual successor to another Rare game on the Nintendo 64, Golden Eye 007 (a fan-favorite shooter), Perfect Dark shares a lot of the same gameplay mechanics, but without the James Bond characters and license.
Unfortunately for fans hoping that the previous four games might arrive on the N64 Classic, Microsoft now maintains rights to each of these titles, so that might be a little tricky. Fortunately, however, Microsoft already re-released each of them, in addition to several other fan-favorites, all in a single package, The Rare Collection exclusive to the Xbox One.
19. Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2
Like Resident Evil 2, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 is often thought of as more of a PlayStation title rather than a N64 game. This is likely due to the fact that the game first debuted on the PlayStation console in September of 2000, and did not see a release on the N64 until nearly a year after.
The N64 port was, in fact, graphically smoother in comparison to the version on its rival console, and it did feature an additional level that wasn't featured on PlayStation copies. That being said, the song library was reduced and edited, so mark that as a win for Sony.
The sequel to the critically acclaimed Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater is arguably better than its predecessor, as it stands as one of the best critically reviewed video games of all time. Come on, Nintendo, please bring this one back.
18. 1080˚ Snowboarding
Each of the previous titles on this list could fall into the “not likely to happen” category, but nearly all of the games on the countdown moving forward are certainly within the realm of possibility – 1080˚ Snowboarding included, seeing as how it was both developed and published by Nintendo.
Featuring memorable single-player and multiplayer gaming experiences, 1080˚ Snowboarding is arguably the best fan-favorite extreme sports racing title for the console.
The game's legacy was not merely cemented on the N64, as a sequel later released on the GameCube under the name “1080˚ Avalanche.”
Additionally, the original saw new life on the Wii’s Virtual Console, so do not be surprised to see this title on the N64 Classic if we are, in fact, lucky enough to see this item come to store shelves in the relatively near future.
17. Harvest Moon 64
Harvest Moon 64 is a retro farming (and dating) simulator with a ticking clock. Now, this may not sound like a game for everyone, but those who gave the quirky title a chance found it to be one of the most rewarding and most replayable video games on the Nintendo 64.
Despite the aforementioned “ticking clock,” this game offers players a fairly relaxing experience. Harvest Moon 64 is truly one of the N64’s more unique titles (a comment that should not be taken lightly), and is a beloved entry in the Harvest Moon franchise.
Like Jet Force Gemini, the inclusion of cult hit Harvest Moon 64 on a N64 Classic would offer many gamers an excuse to experience this series for the first time.
16. Mario Tennis
When gamers discuss some of their favorite multiplayer experiences from the N64 era, titles like Mario Kart 64, Golden Eye 007, and Super Smash Bros. are usually (and rightfully) brought up first. Despite this, Mario Tennis definitely deserves to be in the conversation, as it is one of the console’s more addictively fun titles.
Mario Tennis spawned several sequels across various Nintendo platforms, but none of them were as critically well-received as the original.
Mario Golf is another critical success for Nintendo that could easily make its way to the N64 Classic library, but, given the fact that the sales numbers for Mario Tennis were notably better, it seems more likely that Nintendo would opt for the latter if they were to choose a single Mario-themed sports title.