Best Nintendo 64 Games, Ranked

Few consoles hit quite like the Nintendo 64. The chunky controller, the late-night split-screen chaos, the arguments over who screen-peeked first, it all just felt different. And somehow, nearly 30 years later, it still does.

So, is the Nintendo 64 still worth it in 2026? Honestly, yes. Whether you’re a collector, a nostalgia-chaser, or just someone who values true couch multiplayer, the N64 holds up. Emulators might be convenient, but nothing beats the low-latency feel of original hardware and a cartridge you can actually blow into (don’t pretend you didn’t).

This list isn’t just about the best-selling Nintendo 64 games, although they’re in there, too. It’s about the titles that defined an era, blending critical acclaim, cultural impact, and pure replayability. So, whether you’re revisiting classics or discovering them for the first time, here are (in our opinion) the best Nintendo 64 games of all time.

Why This List? (Powered by Nostalgia, Stats, and Strong Opinions)

We didn’t just dust off an old cartridge and call it a day. This ranking pulls from:

• Metacritic scores (for critical acclaim)
• Sales data (yes, the best-selling Nintendo 64 games matter)
• Fan debates, forums, and long-standing community favorites
• And, of course, our own slightly biased love for these retro games

Because this isn’t just about numbers, it’s about the games that shaped gaming history… and possibly ended a few friendships along the way. And why did we go for 15, you may wonder? Well, with such a legacy, the N64 deserved more than just a top 10.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (The Undisputed GOAT)

If you’re asking what is considered the best N64 game, this is it. With a near-perfect 99 Metacritic score, Ocarina of Time didn’t just define the Nintendo 64, it redefined gaming itself. The Z-targeting system revolutionized 3D combat, while its world, story, and music set a standard that still holds up today. Gaming heaven.

Super Mario 64 (The Blueprint for 3D Gaming)

Not just a classic. This Mario gem is also the best-selling Nintendo 64 game ever made (11.91 million copies), and for good reason. Super Mario 64 was the first true 3D platformer to work, offering players a level of freedom of movement that felt revolutionary. You could walk, run, jump (accompanied by the most iconic sound effect ever), as well as swim, punch bricks, and even backflip your way around Princess Peach’s Castle. 

GoldenEye 007 (The Multiplayer Game-Changer)

Before online lobbies, it was four-player split-screen and absolute mayhem.

GoldenEye 007 brought first-person shooters to consoles in a way that actually worked, setting the blueprint for everything that followed. Originally, development of the game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System was intended to be a side-scrolling game, but throughout the production it became a 3D shooter for Nintendo 64, taking inspiration from games like Doom that were released a few years before. 

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (The Dark Horse Masterpiece)

The second Legend of Zelda title on our list, Zelda truly ruled the N64 (along with Mario, of course. Move aside Peach). Though unlike Ocarina of Time, there came a weird, haunting, and completely unforgettable installment with Majora’s Mask. Its three-day time loop mechanic gave the game a sense of urgency and depth that still feels unique today.

Perfect Dark (The Evolution of FPS Excellence)

Rare Ltd took everything they had learned from GoldenEye and dialed it up a notch. Martin Hollis, who directed Goldeneye 007, led the production of Perfect Dark for the first part of its three-year development, bringing many shared features with its predecessor. 

While Perfect Dark shared similarities, it also evolved beyond to bring deeper missions, bots in multiplayer, this was the FPS formula perfected. And we loved it. Who knows (or cares) how many days were lost to this classic?

Mario Kart 64 (The Ultimate Couch Rivalry Simulator)

Second only to Mario himself in sales, Mario Kart 64 defined multiplayer racing.

Blue shells were thrown, friendships were tested, and shortcuts were fiercely defended. Heavy characters like Bowser, Donkey Kong, and Wario had the top speeds, but with their slow acceleration, nothing was guaranteed.

Banjo-Kazooie (The Collectathon King)

Not heard of this one? We’d be surprised, as it has been re-released a number of times across different consoles, including Xbox 360 and even available on the Nintendo Switch. But back in 1998 with its first release on N64, Banjo-Kazooie brought tight platforming, memorable worlds, and a bear-bird duo full of personality. This is one of the best games for Nintendo 64 if you love exploration. 

Super Smash Bros. (The Beginning of a Gaming Dynasty)

We all saw this one coming. Released in 1999, Super Smash Bros. was the ultimate playground, ditching traditional health bars for “damage percentages,” the more beat-up you got, the further you’d fly. It turned the fighting game genre on its head by making the goal about knockouts, not just draining a bar.

Featuring other much-loved characters from across the Nintendo universe, featuring Donkey King, The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and of course the icon Kirby; the game was such a huge success a sequel was developed in just 13 months. 

Paper Mario (The RPG With Personality)

Think of Paper Mario as the game that proved the Mushroom Kingdom could be as funny as it is flat. It traded 3D polygons for a gorgeous aesthetic, turning Mario into a literal paper cutout on a quest to rescue the Star Rod from a surprisingly competent Bowser. Accessible, charming, and surprisingly deep.

Star Fox 64 (Do a Barrel Roll Into Nostalgia)

If Star Fox 64 had a middle name, it would be ‘Intensity’. It wasn’t just a space shooter; it was a cinematic masterpiece that fit on a tiny grey cartridge. Arcade-style perfection. Fully voiced dialogue, branching paths, and endlessly replayable missions made this a standout.

Donkey Kong 64 (The Big, Bold, Banana-Filled Epic)

If you like collecting things, Donkey Kong 64 is your ultimate final boss. It was so massive it actually required the Expansion Pak just to run, turning your N64 into a high-powered jungle machine. It was originally designed as a 2.5D game but was later reworked using the same game engine from Banjo-Kazooie to make it 3D.

Diddy Kong Racing (Mario Kart’s Underrated Rival)

While Mario Kart 64 was for parties, Diddy Kong Racing was for the true adventurers, with karts, planes, and hovercrafts. It wrapped a high-stakes racing game inside a full-blown 3D world, where you explored Timber’s Island to kick an intergalactic pig wizard named Wizpig off your turf.

Wave Race 64 (The Physics Pioneer)

If you want to feel the spray of the ocean without leaving your couch, Wave Race 64 is the gold standard. Not just a racing game, it was a technical flex that showed everyone exactly what the N64’s “64 bits” could actually do.

WWF No Mercy (The Wrestling Game That Still Holds Up)

Widely considered one of the greatest wrestling games ever made, it’s often ranked among the best Nintendo 64 games of all time, and arguably the peak of wrestling games. Period. For many players, this was the go-to game for late-night sessions, button-mashing battles, and creating custom wrestlers that somehow always ended up overpowered.

Mario Tennis (Simple, Addictive, Surprisingly Deep)

Mario Tennis is a high-octane, racket-swinging riot. This wasn’t just a sports sim; it was Camelot showing everyone that the Mushroom Kingdom could turn a baseline rally into an absolute war zone. It’s fast, it’s frantic, and the reason your thumb had a permanent “A-button” dent after a session.

The Best-Selling Nintendo 64 Games (And Why They Matter)

While sales don’t tell the whole story, they do show which games truly reached the masses. These best-selling Nintendo 64 games didn’t just sell well: they helped shape gaming as we know it.

What Was the Last N64 Game Ever Released?

The final licensed Nintendo 64 game was Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, released in 2002. By then, the GameCube was already out, but this final release marked the end of an era, and what an era it was.

What’s the Rarest Nintendo 64 Game to Own?

If you’re a collector, the holy grail is ClayFighter: Sculptor’s Cut. Released as a Blockbuster (remember them?) rental exclusive, only around 20,000 copies exist.

Other rare titles include:

• Bomberman 64: The Second Attack: Late release with low sales and low production.
• Stunt Racer 64: Another Blockbuster rental exclusive.
• Super Bowling: Rare late-release title.
• Worms Armageddon: Limited production run.

Why the Nintendo 64 Still Matters Today

The N64 remains a powerhouse because it perfected local multiplayer long before online gaming took over. Its bulletproof cartridges and rock-solid mechanics mean these games aren’t just nostalgic relics; they are genuinely fun masterpieces that still play like a dream today. The N64 was no mere console. It was an experience.

Ready to Press Start Again?

Whether you’re diving back into Hyrule, settling old scores on Rainbow Road, or reliving the madness of four-player GoldenEye, the N64 proves one thing: great games don’t age; they level up.

These aren’t just some of the best Nintendo 64 games of all time. They’re moments. The kind you remember long after the console’s been switched off. And if you’re building the ultimate retro setup, don’t stop at the cartridge.

Explore Displate’s full collection of gaming metal prints, spanning everything from retro gaming classics and arcade classics to modern titles like Elden Ring, cult-favourite franchises like Valorant, and even movies and shows inspired by the games we grew up on. Whether you’re into old-school nostalgia, cinematic universes, or bold, statement artwork, there’s no shortage of ways to upgrade your space.