N64 - all the reasons you should own one

[ShenmueFan]

^^^ When I brought up KIller Instinct, Mischief Makers and Mario Party I was mainly talking about the controls of the game. The games themselves all had redeeming qualities (well, cept for Mario Party LOL) but I remember playing these games and either hurting my hand on the awkward prongy N64 controller, dealing with a strange feeling D-Pad or having to use those yellow C-buttons in some strange funky way.


Concerning modern day gaming and why hi-def visuals are being pushed so much, it's mainly because HD visuals was the simplest feature Microsoft and Sony could add on to justify the "need" to buy a 360 or PS3. Where as you or I would be like, "Hey, lets invest our time and money into developing awesome games using a lot of what we know technically already works", the people in charge of game publishing say the opposite like "Don't worry about making a sequl any good - just bump it up to 1080p, throw in some hi-poly models and Dolby Surround sound - most consumers will still buy it even if the game's the same"

[NinjaJoey23]

My fiancee and I both have the matching Pikachu N64s. I love how those look. She's an SNES and N64 fan, and she's a Pokemon Snap fiend. It easily gets the most play of any of my N64 games.

Problem for me is the joystick. I am so damn scared to even play the thing for fear of messing up the joystick. When I was younger I had an N64 instead of a PSX, and therefore have that bias of nostalgia. But, that being said, the joystick is one of its major downfalls. To me it has enough good games that I enjoy playing, but it usually just collects dust b/c I don't want to have to replace the controllers anymore. I've done that enough.

[ShenmueFan]

If you don't want to replace your controller because of a broken analog stick, DON'T play Mario Party, that's all I'm sayin'...

[NinjaJoey23]

If you don't want to replace your controller because of a broken analog stick, DON'T play Mario Party, that's all I'm sayin'...

True dat

[PentiumMMX]

If you don't want to replace your controller because of a broken analog stick, DON'T play Mario Party, that's all I'm sayin'...

Quoted for truth.

[FantasiaWHT]

I think, in general, 16-bit 2D graphics were more artistically successful than 3D games.

The camera is still the most annoying part to me. The fact that after - what, 10-12 years? - the camera is STILL a major problem in a substantial number of 3D platforming/action/adventure games, and even in the best is far from perfect, shows the basic flaw of trying to play games in 3D on a 2D screen. Bring on spherical enclosed displays! hehe

[Frica89]

If you don't want to replace your controller because of a broken analog stick, DON'T play Mario Party, that's all I'm sayin'...

I gonna agree with that. Another game that busted one of my controllers was Paper Mario. Great game, I highly recommend it, but there were some moves that forced you to rotate the analog stick rapidly, like in some parts of Mario Party. By the time I got up to the last level, I needed to replace my controller because the analog stick stopped working altogether.

[Nature Boy]

You know, it's one thing to say you're not a fan boy and are not anti-Nintendo this or anti-Sony that, and another to get fired up when someone calls a system you adore pathetic/weak/terrible/worst ever/whatever.

Get over it. It's an opinion on an internet message board. Why do you care if someone doesn't like a system or game you happen to like? Does their opinion matter that much to you?

Good debate is always fun, but it just so quickly devolves into name calling and opinion disguised as fact.

And because I like actually commenting on the topic at hand, here's my N64 thoughts.

I owned it not at launch, but within the year. Loved Mario. Hated the fact that (a) games cost me a fortune, and (b) I had zero choice. Loved GoldenEye. Loved Conquer. But after getting a PS1 a few years later, I loved lower prices and more selection more.

Is the N64 my least favourite of the Nintendo machines? Absolutely. I never feel the need to fire it up again and play Mario or Zelda or GoldenEye, whereas I still enjoy playing NES/SNES/Cube games. Would I call it the worst system ever? Nope - I'd give that to the Saturn any day of the week. I'd play three N64 games before i'd fire up my Saturn.

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

Get over it. It's an opinion on an internet message board. Why do you care if someone doesn't like a system or game you happen to like? Does their opinion matter that much to you?
If you're going to fault people for trying to defend a system just because the opinions of the people who dislike the system don't matter to us, shouldn't we go right to the root and silence the people who first criticized the N64, especially if as you say their opinions don't matter? In fact, doesn't this mean that all opinions should be kept private? Shouldn't humans only be allowed to make declarative statements of fact?

I think that would be the result of following your logic here. I can't say I agree, even when the opinions voiced are ridiculous...like this one:

Would I call it the worst system ever? Nope - I'd give that to the Saturn any day of the week.
I think you should be allowed to voice that opinion even though your opinions don't matter and are in addition quite foolish from what I've seen.


...word is bondage...

[bangtango]

Here are a few facts that most people would agree with. In 2007, the best games on the N64 are a lot cheaper than the best games on the Saturn. At least people can get the best of the N64 library without having to import and without having to mod their system. Nintendo had an expansion pak that some games needed but so did Saturn. I have both systems and enjoy them. Just stating the obvious and all of the above are facts.

[Insaneclown]

I'm an N64 hater!!! I dont need to say anything else. All the other Nintendo systems are great but the 64...so blah blah blah. Haha! :)

[SaturnFan]

Rare 64 :)

Thats what the N64 should've been called. Lets face it without Rareware where would the 64 been?

[veronica_marsfan]

Lets face it without Rareware where would the 64 been?

It would have been a MediocreGameCube.* The Gamecube was really hurt by its lack of Rareware sequels. (I use the term "mediocre" because that's what the games are. Poor-quality sequels.)

N64
---
Banjo-Kazooie (MASTERPIECE PLATFORMER, HUMOROUS, CHALLENGING)
Banjo-Tooie (DITTO)
Beetle Adventure Racing (FUN AND FUNNY)
Castlevania 64 (blah)
Conkurs Bad Fur Day (FUN)
Diddy Kong Racing (SUPERIOR VERSION OF MARIO KART)
F-zero X (GREAT RACER)
Goldeneye 007 (GREAT SHOOTER AND STORY)
LOZ - Ocarina of Time (MASTERPIECE - GREAT STORY)
LOZ - Majora's Mask (GOOD)
Mario Golf (MAKES SPORTS FUN AGAIN)
Mario Kart 64 (GREAT TRANSITION TO 3D)
Ms. Pac-Man Maze Madness (SURPRISINGLY GOOD PUZZLER)
Paper Mario 1 (dull battles, story, music)
Perfect Dark (EXCELLENT)
Resident Evil 2 (BEST STORY; BEST GAMEPLAY OF A MEDIOCRE SERIES)
Super Mario 64 (GREAT PLATFORMER, CHALLENGING, FUN)
Super Smash Bros (GREAT FIGHTING GAME)
Turok 2 Seeds of Rage (tedious)

[Pilotwings]

I'm an N64 hater!!! I dont need to say anything else. All the other Nintendo systems are great but the 64...so blah blah blah. Haha! :) I take it you never owned the travesty which is the Gamecube

[Pilotwings]

Rare 64 :)

Thats what the N64 should've been called. Lets face it without Rareware where would the 64 been? lets face it without nobody were would the Gamecube have been. :)

[j_factor]

Gamecube's other games more than compensated for the lack of Rareware games, which were always overrated on N64 anyway IMO. Dressing up a 3D platformer with a bunch of poop talk or adding 6 different items to collect doesn't make for a great game.

And anyway, what did Gamecube really miss? Grabbed by the Ghoulies? lol

[Rob2600]

Gamecube's other games more than compensated for the lack of Rareware games...

And anyway, what did Gamecube really miss? Grabbed by the Ghoulies? lol

Yes, Rare's lineup of home video games over the last five years has been severely lacking, so the Game Cube didn't miss out on anything. It's unfortunate, but with all of the people who left the company over the last six or seven years, Rare is a shell of its former self.

[veronica_marsfan]

Another reason I like N64:

The electronic-generated sound used in virtually all the games. I don't like the prerecorded orchestral or band pieces found on Disc-based consoles like PS1. I prefer the "synthesized" sound that I grew up with (from Atari through to N64).
And anyway, what did Gamecube really miss? Grabbed by the Ghoulies? lol
Goldeneye Sequel
Perfect Dark 2
Banjo-Kazooie 3 and 4
Blast Corps (or similar whacky rare game)
Diddy Kong Racing GX
And yes the Ghoulie game.

Lots of great N64 games would have made great sequels on the Cube. Rare made a mistake leaving Nintendo.

The absence of those N64 sequels makes the Cube a weak successor.

[Nature Boy]

shouldn't we go right to the root and silence the people who first criticized the N64, especially if as you say their opinions don't matter?

I think you misunderstood my post my friend. I'm not anti-opinion. I'm anti-fanboy. I love a good discussion about what's great and what isn't. I hate a discussion that starts like this, a reaction to negative feedback, and really does nothing other than list a bunch of games everybody already knows about, and contains a lot of back slapping and me too posts. It's boring. It's been done. Let's move on.

[YoshiM]

Kinda late to the party based on one of my favorite consoles. First console I stood outside waiting for the stores to open.

Is the N64 great? In my mind yes. A lot of firsts came with this console and that can't be denied. There were a good deal of solid titles (most of which were already mentioned) released and most still hold up pretty dang well almost eleven years later.

But I'm going to be honest: a lot of the games haven't really aged well. For those who dip into the retro pond every once in a while to take a break from modern gaming, it's kinda hard to play some of titles-especially for those who never really played an N64. A great example is Perfect Dark: the visuals are pretty dang murky where it's sometimes hard to actually SEE your targets. And that's with the Hi Res turned on. Then there's the wasteland levels of Body Harvest-lotta fog and spartan environments. Even for me who loved these games back in the day it takes a bit for the nostalgia factor to kick in to help make these titles playable.

In the system's defense, I still don't know why people have so much hate for the controller. For a majority of the games you hold it like a pistol: left hand gripping the center "prong" with the thumb resting on the stick and index finger resting on the Z button and the right hand grabbing onto the right side, index finger resting on the R Trigger. I will agree the stick is prone to getting worn out quickly but one has to admit that the N64 stick is pretty tight in the control department. But then, I loathe the Playstation controller, so what do I know ;) .

[Rob2600]

a lot of the games haven't really aged well. ... A great example is Perfect Dark: the visuals are pretty dang murky where it's sometimes hard to actually SEE your targets. And that's with the Hi Res turned on. Then there's the wasteland levels of Body Harvest-lotta fog and spartan environments.

That's funny, I think the graphics in Perfect Dark still hold up. There are nice details and effects that weren't common back then. However, the graphics in Body Harvest were never great. In fact, the graphics were pretty bad, even back when it was released, so of course they don't look good now. Still, Body Harvest received above average ratings and positive reviews based on its game play.

I played Beetle Adventure Racing last week for the first time in a few years and I was surprised by how good it still looked. Yoshi's Story and Super Mario 64, too.

[blissfulnoise]

I'm still baffled by all the GameCube hate...

[j_factor]

Goldeneye Sequel
Perfect Dark 2
Banjo-Kazooie 3 and 4
Blast Corps (or similar whacky rare game)
Diddy Kong Racing GX
And yes the Ghoulie game.

Lots of great N64 games would have made great sequels on the Cube. Rare made a mistake leaving Nintendo.

The absence of those N64 sequels makes the Cube a weak successor.

First of all I don't think Rare leaving Nintendo had much to do with the lack of those sequels. The only post-N games Rare released within the Gamecube's lifespan were Grabbed by the Ghoulies (which sucked), Conker: Live and Reloaded (which is practically the same game as the original), Perfect Dark Zero (mediocre FPS that few were impressed with), and Kameo (looked great, turned out disappointing). There would never have been a Blast Corps 2 either way (and Rare never had the rights to do a Goldeneye sequel).

Second, I agree that Gamecube is weak as a successor to the N64. But in its own right it's quite a good system, better than N64 IMO. N64 is Gamecube's weak predecessor. The lack of N64 sequels doesn't detract from Gamecube's overall library -- I could name tons of NES cames that could've had nice sequels on SNES, but the lack of them doesn't make SNES a weak system.

[YoshiM]

That's funny, I think the graphics in Perfect Dark still hold up. There are nice details and effects that weren't common back then.
To each their own. The graphics are pretty angular and, after just playing it to make sure I'm not talking out of my butt, the framerate is kinda jerky. When it comes to FPS games, THAT'S hard to go back to when you're used to smoother frames and sharper images even back in 2000/2001.


However, the graphics in Body Harvest were never great. In fact, the graphics were pretty bad, even back when it was released, so of course they don't look good now. Still, Body Harvest received above average ratings and positive reviews based on its game play.
It's basically and early GTA 3D, as the same people pretty much made the game. I used Body Harvest as an extreme.


I played Beetle Adventure Racing last week for the first time in a few years and I was surprised by how good it still looked. Yoshi's Story and Super Mario 64, too.
Yoshi's Story went for a 2D look and unless you've got some bad artists, 2D can stand up for a LONG time. Super Mario 64 was done simplistic and cartoony plus the animation and camera work was brilliant.

[bangtango]

I'm still baffled by all the GameCube hate...

It has a lower price than a handheld system like the PSP, to boot! It did for its entire life cycle, unless I am mistaken. Along with a better library, depending on who is giving their opinion. Yet more people want to bury the Game Cube than the PSP. They say love conquers all. So does the all-powerful force that is Sony hype :)

[veronica_marsfan]

N64's games may look bad (ditto the PS1 games),

but they are still FUN.

I'd rather replay the "ugly" Mario64 than go back & wash landscapes in Mario Sunshine. Mario64 was the better game.

[YoshiM]

N64's games may look bad (ditto the PS1 games),

but they are still FUN.

I'd rather replay the "ugly" Mario64 than go back & wash landscapes in Mario Sunshine. Mario64 was the better game.

If this is directed to my posts, I did say Mario64 was "done simplistic and cartoony plus the animation and camera work was brilliant." That's a positive and I agree-Mario 64 has gameplay in spades over Sunshine along with environments that were way more interesting.

However there are genres (like the FPS) that have been refined and improved over the years. More consistent frame rates, better control (thanks to the move to dual analog) and I hate to say it, better graphics. In some genres graphics go hand in hand with the gameplay and the FPS genre is the perfect example. So after playing a game like Halo or Painkiller, going back to Perfect Dark or Goldeneye takes some extra willpower.

[SaturnFan]

I have no problems going from next gen to playing N64 games. You just need to pick the right games to play. Super Mario 64 is great because the graphics are such simple textures and nothing is blurry and jaggie like ps1 games. Also Indiana Jones for n64 is still very playable and looks fantastic with high res clean looking textures.

I definity enjoying the N64 right now and they are much more playable that ps1 games in my opinion.

[YoshiM]

If anyone gets the chance and you like shooters you gotta try the import game Sin and Punishment. It's amazing what Treasure was able to make the N64 DO. That game has been owning me lately.

[ConsoleFreek]

I have no problems going from next gen to playing N64 games. You just need to pick the right games to play. Super Mario 64 is great because the graphics are such simple textures and nothing is blurry and jaggie like ps1 games. Also Indiana Jones for n64 is still very playable and looks fantastic with high res clean looking textures.

I definity enjoying the N64 right now and they are much more playable that ps1 games in my opinion.

I agree.

Me hugs N64 collection.

[Retsudo]

I dont hate the N64, I just dont have any use for 1. Not my cup of tea.

[cyberfluxor]

If anyone gets the chance and you like shooters you gotta try the import game Sin and Punishment. It's amazing what Treasure was able to make the N64 DO. That game has been owning me lately.

I have Sin for PC, it's a nifty little FPS, never seen the N64 version in action.

[j_factor]

I have Sin for PC, it's a nifty little FPS, never seen the N64 version in action.

Sin and Sin & Punishment are two completely unrelated games...

[GhostDog]

N64 is a good system. Check out this topic:

http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=910&topic=26372049


Games that all N64 owners should own:
007: Goldeneye (FPS)
Banjo-Kazooie (Platform/Adventure)
Diddy Kong Racing (Racing/Adventure)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Action/Adventure)
Mario Kart 64 (Kart Racing)
Perfect Dark (FPS)
Star Fox 64 (Shooter/Fantasy)
Super Mario 64 (Platform/Adventure)
Super Smash Bros (Fighting)


Good Games you should own, if you wish:
Aero Fighters: Assault (Flight/Shooter)
Banjo Tootie (Platform/Adventure)
Blast Corps (Idiosyncratic)
Body Harvest (Shooter)
Bomberman 64 (Puzzle/Adventure)
Bomberman 64: Second Attack (Puzzle/Adventure)
Conker's Bad Fur Day (Platform/Shooter/Racing/Adventure)
Diddy Kong Racing (Kart Racing/Adventure)
Donkey Kong 64 (Platform/Adventure)
Dr. Mario 64 (Puzzle)
Excitebike 64 (Racing)
Extreme G (Racing/Fantasy)
F-Zero X (Racing/Fantasy)
Harvest Moon 64 (Simulation)
Jet Force Gemini (Shooter/Platform)
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Action/Adventure)
Mario Golf (Party/Sport)
Mario Tennis (Party/Sport)
Mario Party 1, 2, or 3 (Party)
Ogre Battle 64 (Strategy RPG)
Paper Mario (Idiosyncratic RPG)
Pilotwings 64 (Flight)
Resident Evil 2 (Survival Horro)
Ridge Racer 64 (Racing)
Shadowman 64 (Action/Adventure)
Snowboard Kids (Racing/Fantasy)
Star Wars: Episode I Racer (Racing/Fantasy)
Star Wars: Rogue Squadon (Shooter/Fantasy)
The New Tetris (Puzzle)
Turok: Rage Wars (FPS [Multiplayer only])
Vigilante 8
Waverace 64 (Racing)
Wipeout 64
World Driver Championship

Games that are enjoyed by many, but you may not enjoy them:
Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage (RPG)
Bomberman Hero (Platform/Adventure)
Castlevania 64 (Platform/Action)
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness (Platform/Action)
Crusin' USA/World/Exotica (Racing)
Duke Nukem: Zero Hour (FPS)
Flying Dragon (Fighting)
Goemon's Great Adventure (Platform)
Hybrid Heaven (RPG-like/Adventure)
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (2.5D Platform)
Mischief Makers (2D Platform)
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (Platform)
Space Station Sillicon Valley
Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (FPS/Flight/Racing/Adventure/Action)
Tetrisphere (Puzzle)
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (FPS)
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (FPS)
Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion (FPS)
Winback (Stealth Shooter)
Yoshi's Story (2D Platform)

[YoshiM]

I have Sin for PC, it's a nifty little FPS, never seen the N64 version in action.

S & P is basically a ground-bound Space Harrier mixed with the separate control aiming style of Abuse (can't think of another behind-the-shoulder rail shooter that has a separately control reticule from the character control at the moment). There's some platforming (still on rails but entertaining), some flying, some controlling of large living mecha....good stuff.

[kataboom]

i cant say anything more that hasnt already been said in defense of the N64 in this thread. my 2 cents: i love it!

[SaturnFan]

After playing through almost 150 N64 games some that are really show peices for the system would be IMO...

Rayman 2- the best looking and playing game on the system.
Perfect Dark-like goldeneye but better
Jet Force Gemini- Great sci-fi type game, love the gooie textures
Conkers Bad Fur Day- Funny game with great graphics
Goldeneye 007- great multiplayer
Southpark- great and extreamly funny multiplayer(singleplayer blows though)
Indiana Jones- really fun
MK4- best MK game since mkII
Super Mario 64-great game
Blast Corps-great demolition game
Pilotwings 64-Still the best flying sim game
Excitebike 64- best moto racer ever and includes original nes excitebike
Diddy Kong Racing- better than mario kart IMO
Banjo Kazooie-great game
Turok 2-awesome game
Star Wars SOTE- really good star wars game, love the story and characters for the Shadows of the empire books.
Zelda OOT- Great if you like RPG's(really not my bag though)
Zelda MM- same as OOT
Starfox 64- great shooting game
Killer Instint Gold-best fighter for the system
Road Rash 64- very fun beat em up racer
WWF 2000-2nd best wrester to date
WWF No Mercy- Best wrestler ever
WCW vs now revenge- great games and brings back memories of watching WCW monday nitro.
Mario Kart- fun go cart racer, not as good as Diddy Kong though.
1080 Snowboarding- best snowboarding sim
Duck Dodgers- fun little game starring my fav warner bros cartoon
Mario Golf- good golf game

Games I havent played but expect to be good
Paper Mario
Harvest Moon
Ogre Battle
Banjo Tooie