10. Wave Race 64
If you told us that on a console featuring football, tennis, baseball and hockey titles, a jetski game would be the best sports title, we’d be laughing you out of the room for sure. But Wave Race 64 proves to be an absolute blast! With water physics that other games of the time could only dream of, it strikes a near-perfect balance between realism and arcade fun, that’s just as fun in single player as it is in multiplayer. As well as finishing first, you can also earn points by executing a variety of tricks, making it feel like part racer, part Tony Hawk Pro Skater. And if you can think of a better combination, we haven’t heard of it.
9. WWF No Mercy
Remember when wrestling games were good? Well, WWF No Mercy might be the best of that esteemed bunch. Featuring over 30 wrestlers, including Rock ‘The Dwayne’ Johnson, you can compete in all manner of bouts such as ladder matches, steel cage brawls and backstage hardcore slobber knockers. With responsive controls, a wide array of movesets and a compelling story mode, there’s plenty to entertain wrestling and non-wrestling fans alike.
8. F-Zero X
When you’re four Red Bulls deep and Mario Kart isn’t doing it for you anymore, F-Zero X has you covered. This futuristic racer amps up the speed and the challenge as you square up against other racers to not only try to top the podium but also finish the course with your racer in one piece. With plenty of different modes to try out such as time trial and the battle royale-esque ‘Death Race’, there’s plenty to keep any speed freak’s twitchy fingers satisfied.
7. Doom 64
Like a lot of great art, Doom 64 wasn’t appreciated fully in its own time but has since built a cult following that insists it’s one of the best games in the series. Taking place after the events of Doom II, you can expect all of the frenetic demon-slaying action that makes Doom so much fun, yet with a brand new art style that helps it to stand out from its 90s counterparts. When it comes to single-player, first-person action on the N64, you can’t do any better than Doom.
6. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
It’s not often you see movie tie-ins in the running for best game, but Rogue Squadron bucks this trend in a big way. Allowing you to relive some of the key space battles from the original Star Wars trilogy, it has some of the tightest, most satisfying controls of any flight sim, and the power fantasy you get from blasting the Empire’s forces out of the sky is bound to put a smile on your face.
5. Pokemon Stadium
Pokemon Stadium is what happens if you took the turn-based battles (i.e. the best bits) out of the mainline games and made it the whole experience. The first home console release to feature our beloved pocket monsters, the graphics have been upgraded from black and white 2D sprites into colourful, full 3D models. By focusing on this one element of a wider experience, there’s room for more depth in the combat, meaning you can personalise how you approach each opponent, learning all the strengths and weaknesses of the extensive roster. It can be such a hoot to play, there’s some of us here at CeX Towers that prefer Stadium over regular Pokemon games!
4. Banjo Kazooie
One of the most beloved platformers of the ‘90s, Banjo Kazooie sees you take control of the titular bear and bird as you embark on an adventure to stop the evil witch Gruntilda. What really helps Banjo to stand out from its competition is its excellent story and sense of humour. It feels like you’re playing through a Pixar or Dreamworks film, complete with vibrant locales and enough edge to entertain older players too.
3. Mario Kart 64
Mario Kart 64 took everything that made the first game so good and made it better. With more tracks, more characters to choose from and a clever mix of 2D and 3D graphics, this is where the series first matured into the franchise that we all know and love today. You can also now play with up to three friends in multiplayer races, as well as chaotic balloon popping action in battle mode. A staple of house parties to this day, it’s one of the best racing games on the console.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Often touted as one of the greatest video games of all time, Zelda’s first 3D adventure is an essential experience. The evil Ganondorf has captured the titular princess, spreading his evil throughout the land of Hyrule, and it’s up to you as Link to save the day. With a mixture of exciting, heartwarming, and some genuinely creepy moments, it’s still a magical experience exploring the different areas and dungeons in what’s undoubtedly an all-time classic.
1. Super Mario 64
Although there had been games with 3D graphics before, Super Mario 64 effectively ushered in this era of gaming. Taking the classic Mario formula of running, jumping and platforming into a new dimension gave us an unparalleled level of immersion, while retaining all of the charm that made the series so iconic. Whether you’ve never tried this classic before or are on your 100th replay, it’s impossible not to fall in love with it every time.
