Five N64 games remain especially rewarding to revisit: Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64, Star Fox 64, and GoldenEye 007. They offer very different kinds of play, from exploring 3D worlds to racing with friends. This is a genre-diverse selection, not a ranked list; whether each one feels good today depends partly on how comfortable you are with the design and controls of early 3D games.
Which N64 games are still worth playing?
Nintendo’s current N64 classics catalog includes all five picks, spanning platforming, adventure, racing, space shooting, and first-person action. Nintendo dates the games to 1996–1998 on its UK catalog page; those are copyright years, not necessarily the precise release dates in every region. The N64 launched in the United States on September 29, 1996, alongside Super Mario 64, according to Nintendo’s company history. The appeal of these games is not that every control or interface feels modern, but that each still offers a distinct play experience.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Retrotech Super 64 Plus 340 In 1 Multi Game Cartridge For N64 Video Game Console - Includes... | $89.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Super Mario 64 Game for N64 (Renewed) | $85.78 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Donkey Kong 64 - Nintendo 64 | $64.97 | Buy on Amazon |
1. Super Mario 64: varied goals in a 3D playground
Super Mario 64 makes its worlds feel like places to revisit rather than stages to clear once. Different goals send Mario through familiar spaces in new ways: one might ask him to race a Koopa, another to find a lost penguin, and another to collect red coins. That variety gives a level a different rhythm each time you return, and rewards curiosity alongside platforming skill.
It is a strong choice if you enjoy exploring and experimenting at your own pace. Its camera and controls are products of early 3D design, however, and may take adjustment if you are used to contemporary platformers. Nintendo lists the game in its N64 classics catalog.
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2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: an adventure with a sense of journey
Ocarina of Time is the pick for players who want a broader adventure built around exploration, dungeons, varied settings, and a story that carries you from one place to another. Its sense of scale and discovery remains a major part of its appeal, rather than any single isolated challenge.
Expect some older conventions along the way. Its interface and combat do not necessarily feel contemporary, so it suits players willing to meet a classic adventure on its own terms. Nintendo still includes it in the N64 classics offering.
3. Mario Kart 64: racing that works best as a repeatable group game
Mario Kart 64 is a natural choice for quick races with other people. Its imaginative tracks, time trials, and multiplayer support give it more than one way to play: compete for a better time alone, or turn a session into a contest with friends. Nintendo currently promotes online races with friends through its service, while the original game’s multiplayer was played locally.
For modern access, Nintendo says compatible N64 games support multiplayer through Nintendo Switch Online, including online Mario Kart 64 races. The Switch and Switch 2 library requires a paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. Details and catalog availability can vary by region and platform.
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Star Fox 64 brings a compact-feeling space-shooter option to a list otherwise centered on platforming, adventure, and racing. It is a good fit if you want a change of genre instead of committing to a longer exploratory game. Nintendo dates it to 1997 and includes it in its current N64 classics catalog.
Available source descriptions provide less detail about its specific mechanics than they do for the other games here, so the clearest recommendation is its role as a distinct genre alternative rather than a promise about particular routes, scoring systems, or session length.
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- Four Players can join in on super split screen action or duke it out in a single screen free for all.
- Use of the required Expansion Pak(not included) allows incredible real time lighting effects and massive environments.
5. GoldenEye 007: mission objectives and multiplayer
GoldenEye 007 pairs first-person action with missions whose objectives vary across difficulty levels, giving players reasons to revisit stages beyond simply reaching the end. Its multiplayer is another part of its enduring appeal, especially for players interested in the social side of N64 history.
It is also the game on this list most likely to make its age immediately apparent: reported weaknesses include an uneven frame rate, and its controls and performance can feel dated by current standards. That context helps explain its historical appeal without mistaking it for a modern shooter. Nintendo includes it in its N64 library and identifies a 1997 copyright year.
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How to choose among the five
| Game | Best fit | Play style | What to expect from controls today | Modern access noted by Nintendo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 64 | Players who like exploring and revisiting levels for different goals | Solo platforming with varied objectives | Early 3D camera and controls can take adjustment | N64 classics catalog; Switch and Switch 2 library through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack |
| The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Players who want a larger adventure with exploration and dungeons | Story-led solo adventure | Interface and combat conventions may feel older | N64 classics catalog; Switch and Switch 2 library through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack |
| Mario Kart 64 | Players looking for repeatable races with friends or time trials | Racing; original local play and modern online option | Not specified in the cited descriptions | N64 classics catalog; Nintendo promotes online races, subject to service conditions |
| Star Fox 64 | Players who want a space-shooter rather than a longer exploration game | Space shooting | Specific control detail not established in the cited descriptions | N64 classics catalog; Switch and Switch 2 library through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack |
| GoldenEye 007 | Players interested in objective-based missions and multiplayer | First-person action, solo missions, and multiplayer | Control conventions and uneven frame rate can feel dated | N64 classics catalog; Switch and Switch 2 library through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack |
How to play these games now
Nintendo offers a selection of N64 games on Switch and Switch 2 through a paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. The catalog and access conditions can change, and availability may depend on region and platform. Nintendo also cautions that reproduced games may differ in performance and presentation from the originals.
Nintendo lists a wireless Nintendo 64 controller for members as an optional way to play. Original cartridges are another route if you already have compatible original hardware. Check Nintendo’s current catalog and service details before subscribing or buying an accessory:
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
