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Ten Nintendo 64 games remain especially easy to recommend today, from the free-roaming platforming of Super Mario 64 to the multiplayer races of Mario Kart 64 and the tactical shooting of Perfect Dark. This is a varied shortlist, not a universal ranking: the best choice depends on whether you want exploration, a focused solo adventure, or games to play with others—and how much you enjoy adapting to older controls.
Which Nintendo 64 games are still worth playing?
Nintendo says the N64 library exceeded 300 games, spanning genres that include platforming, adventure, racing, and role-playing. That variety is the reason to choose by play style rather than expect one old game to suit everyone. Nintendo’s history page highlights several of the series represented below: Nintendo’s account of the N64.
| Game | Best fit | What still works | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 64 | Exploration and platforming | Open-ended levels built around collecting stars | Camera and analogue movement take adjustment |
| The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | A substantial solo adventure | Dungeons, puzzles, and a clear journey through a broad fantasy world | Older targeting and menu conventions |
| Mario Kart 64 | Racing and local multiplayer | Distinct tracks, power sliding, and Battle Mode | Handling and track layouts feel different from newer entries |
| Banjo-Kazooie | Collectible-focused platforming | Characterful worlds and a steady stream of objectives | Progress often means searching levels for items |
| GoldenEye 007 | Mission-based shooting | Objectives and varied approaches give missions structure | Its original aiming and movement scheme is dated |
| Star Fox 64 (Lylat Wars in Nintendo Australia’s catalogue) | Short, replayable action | Arcade-style missions and a brisk pace | It is a guided rail shooter, not a free-roaming space game |
| F-Zero X | High-speed racing | Fast races and a focus on precision and momentum | The speed can be demanding, especially at first |
| Paper Mario | A story-led role-playing game | Turn-based battles and a playful presentation | It is a slower, more deliberate choice than an action game |
| The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask | A distinctive, concentrated adventure | A memorable world structured around recurring days and character schedules | Time pressure is central to the experience |
| Perfect Dark | Mission-based shooting and multiplayer | Flexible objectives and a broad set of modes | Older controls and presentation may take getting used to |
How to choose based on the kind of game you want
For exploration and platforming
Super Mario 64 is the clearest starting point if you want to explore at your own pace. Levels are open spaces with multiple goals, so the fun is often in finding a route or discovering a new corner rather than simply reaching the end. Banjo-Kazooie suits players who like that kind of movement but want more collectibles and objectives woven through each world.
Both games ask for patience with older camera conventions. The N64’s analogue Control Stick was designed to provide 360-degree movement, but a modern player should not expect the same camera control or movement feel as a recent platformer.
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For a solo adventure
Ocarina of Time is the more natural pick for a broad quest built around dungeons, puzzles, and progression. Majora’s Mask takes a more unusual approach: its repeating-day structure makes learning how the world and its characters operate part of the puzzle. Choose the former for a more conventional epic journey; choose the latter if a tighter, time-structured world sounds appealing.
Paper Mario is the best fit here if you want turn-based battles rather than action. Its different pace and presentation make it a useful change of mood from the platformers and shooters in this list.
Rank #2
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For racing and replayable action
Mario Kart 64 offers four cups of four tracks each, three engine sizes—50cc, 100cc, and 150cc—power sliding, and Battle Mode. Nintendo also describes eight familiar characters and differences in how individual karts handle. That combination makes it a strong choice for short sessions and shared play. See Nintendo’s Mario Kart 64 game page for its game details.
F-Zero X is the better fit if you want speed and precision without the item-based chaos of kart racing. Star Fox 64, known as Lylat Wars in Nintendo Australia’s listing, is another compact option: its guided missions make it easy to dip into, though it is not an open-world flight game.
Rank #3
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- 🎮 Includes various gaming genres from racing and adventure to fighting and puzzle games for diverse gaming experiences.
- 🎮 Includes Retrotech printed instructions for a classic feel.
For shooting and multiplayer
GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark are both mission-based shooters. Their appeal lies in objective-driven levels and the freedom to approach them, but their original control schemes can feel less intuitive than modern shooters. If you are curious about the games’ historical standing, a 2016 Nintendo Life retrospective names both among notable N64 releases; that is the publication’s assessment, not a guarantee that their controls will suit every player today: Nintendo Life’s N64 retrospective.
For multiplayer, check the specific game and the way you plan to play. Nintendo says compatible games support up to four players and require one compatible controller for each player. A game’s presence in this list alone does not mean every mode works with every controller setup.
Rank #4
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How to play these games now
For readers in Australia, Nintendo currently lists a selection of N64 games on Switch and Switch 2 through Nintendo 64 Classics. Access requires a paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. The catalogue page includes Super Mario 64, Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Majora’s Mask, F-Zero X, Paper Mario, and GoldenEye 007. It lists more than 30 titles and offers regional-version choices for selected games. Availability can differ by country, so consult the catalogue for your region rather than assuming Australia’s list applies elsewhere: Nintendo Australia’s Nintendo 64 Classics catalogue.
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Best Value
- 【INCLUDED】- ED64 Latest N64 Plus + 16gb SD Memory Card (No ROMS/GAMES are included)
- 【DISCLAIMER】 - No ROMS/GAMES are included
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- 【COMPATIBILITY】- Support PAL and NTSC consoles-- American and Japanese N64 Console
- 【SUPPORT】 - Support SD and SDHC card with FAT, FAT16, FAT32 format (maximum 32GB)
Nintendo also lists an N64-style wireless controller for Nintendo Switch Online members. It is an optional accessory for people who prefer the original layout; check Nintendo’s regional page for current compatibility and availability. The catalogue information cited here does not establish that every game in the ten-game shortlist is currently available in every region or service catalogue.
Which one should you start with?
- For an accessible first pick: start with Mario Kart 64 if you want races or Star Fox 64 if you prefer short action missions.
- For a game to explore over time: choose Super Mario 64 or Ocarina of Time.
- For something unusual: try Majora’s Mask for its recurring-day structure or Paper Mario for turn-based role-playing.
- For shooters: pick GoldenEye 007 or Perfect Dark if you are willing to adapt to older controls.
“Still holds up” does not mean every camera, control scheme, or presentation choice feels modern. It means these games still offer distinctive play—exploration, memorable adventures, fast races, or mission-based action—that can make them rewarding if you choose the one that fits your tastes.
Quick Recap
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