The Nintendo 64 turns 29 this year, and it’s hard not to feel a wave of nostalgia thinking back on its incredible lineup. I decided to put together a list of my favourite titles on the console. For long-time viewers, you may know that I have memory issues due to a cerebral event, so I thought it might be nice to share some of the memories I still have about these games. For this list, I’ve only ranked games that are available on the Nintendo Switch Online service. That means some amazing classics didn’t make the cut, but it also gives you a list of games you can jump into right now. These are the ten titles that left the biggest mark on me, whether through unforgettable gameplay, amazing music, or memories shared with friends and family.
#10 WinBack: Covert Operations
WinBack: Covert Operations (1999, Koei) was one of the first games to feature a true cover-based shooting system. Players controlled Jean-Luc Cougar as he infiltrated a high-tech facility, using walls and corners to peek out and fire. At the time, critics were divided on the graphics and pacing, but many praised the game’s innovation. Looking back, its influence is clear. Elements of WinBack’s design can be seen in later classics like Metal Gear Solid 2 and Gears of War. Its arrival on NSO surprised many fans, but it has aged into a cult favourite. Here in Australia, we had a magazine called N64 Gamer (shout out to Stephen O’Leary and Narayan Patterson) that shared a preview of Operation WinBack. The game had a shaky release date in the AU market, so I kept checking my local retailer every weekend. One weekend, I found a lone copy and snapped it up. I played it so much. The cover and fire core mechanic was so addictive. I was so surprised when it dropped on NSO, considering I always thought it was a niche title, but it was so great to experience the game again.
#9 Mario Golf
Mario Golf (1999, Camelot) is a golf game that combines approachable gameplay with the charm of the Mario universe. Players can choose from a colourful cast of characters, each with unique stats, and compete across a variety of creative courses. Critics praised its balance of fun and challenge, noting that it appealed both to casual players and those looking for a deeper golf experience. Its mix of skill shots, power-ups, and multiplayer options helped it stand out from traditional golf games and cemented its place as a fan favourite. I don’t recall much about playing Mario Golf on the original N64, but I frequently play it with one of my friends on NSO during our weekly catch-ups. It is a really fun golf game. I know there are other titles like Everybody’s Golf and Easy Come Easy Golf, but this one is a colourful and enjoyable romp with Mario and friends.
#8 1080° Snowboarding
1080° Snowboarding (1998, Nintendo) was a more grounded take on snowboarding compared to the N64’s more cartoonish titles like Snowboard Kids. It focused on realistic physics, precise controls, and a true sense of speed. Critics praised its smooth gameplay, challenging courses, and technical depth, making it one of the standout sports titles on the system. Its mixture of slalom, trick modes, and competitive racing set a benchmark for snowboarding games of the era. While we had games like Snowboard Kids for high-flying and over-the-top aerobatics, 1080° Snowboarding provided a more realistic experience. I still play it a lot on NSO, and although I’m very rusty, it’s always a good time until you have to board on gravel! Here’s hoping we get the amazing sequel, Avalanche, on the Gamecube NSO app soon!
#7 Wave Race 64
Wave Race 64 (1996, Nintendo) was one of the first racing games to really show off the N64’s 3D capabilities. The game featured dynamic water physics that affected how the jet skis handled, and tracks offered a variety of challenges with changing tides, waves, and obstacles. Critics praised its smooth controls, technical innovation, and multiplayer fun, making it one of the system’s standout titles. The trick system and competitive modes added even more replay value, cementing its place as a classic. So many people had this game, and it was crazy fun. While the core of the game was racing around tracks that would sometimes change between laps with lower tides and rough conditions, I wager many players, myself included, spent a lot of their time in Dolphin Park doing jumps and flips. Follow that dolphin!
#6 Star Fox 64
Star Fox 64 (1997, Nintendo) is a 3D rail shooter that combined fast-paced aerial combat with memorable characters and branching mission paths. Players control Fox McCloud and his team, flying through varied environments and battling enemies while collecting medals to unlock alternate routes. Critics praised its tight controls, cinematic presentation, and engaging multiplayer modes. The game’s voice acting, including the iconic “Do a barrel roll!” line, made it one of the most quotable and beloved N64 titles. Despite my memory issues, I remember getting Star Fox clear as day. I was having a bit of a rough time with school, and my parents took me to see Galaxy Quest, which was a fantastic movie, but I digress. We were walking past the games store, and my dad asked me what a cool game was, and I said “Laylat Wars,” which is the Australian name of the game. He purchased it, and we went home, and I played it for hours. It is a memory I hold very dear of my parents, and a game I still revisit to try to take new paths every time.
#5 Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo-Kazooie (1998, Rare) is a 3D platformer that blends expansive worlds, clever puzzles, and quirky humour. Players control Banjo the bear and Kazooie the bird as they explore themed levels, collect items, and battle the evil witch Gruntilda. Critics praised its inventive level design, charming characters, and the playful soundtrack composed by Grant Kirkhope. The game is widely regarded as one of the greatest platformers of its generation and helped define the N64 era. This could make the list for Grant Kirkhope’s legendary soundtrack alone. I had so much fun hunting down jigsaw pieces and playing this game. Every level, every musical track, every character, was an absolute delight. It is still revered as one of the greatest platformers today. Fans of Banjo might want to check out Yooka-Replaylee when it comes out next week.
#4 Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark (2000, Rare) built on the success of GoldenEye 007 while introducing its own original characters and a rich sci-fi world. Players take control of Joanna Dark, a skilled agent navigating missions full of stealth, combat, and high-tech gadgets. Critics praised its advanced AI, refined gunplay, cinematic presentation, and the depth of its single-player and multiplayer modes. Its ambitious design made it one of the standout shooters on the N64 and a classic still celebrated today. Perfect Dark took GoldenEye’s hugely successful formula and ran with it, creating memorable characters and fleshing out an amazing sci-fi world. The game had reload animations, refined gunplay, and a massive scope of levels that make it one of the best shooters of all time.
#3 Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 (1996, Nintendo) was the game that defined 3D platforming. It introduced true analogue stick movement, dynamic camera controls, and open-ended, non-linear level design. Players explored Peach’s Castle, collecting Power Stars through inventive challenges, puzzles, and platforming feats. Critics praised its precision, creativity, and soundtrack, calling it a revolutionary experience that set a new standard for the industry. Its influence is still felt in almost every modern platformer, from Mario Galaxy to contemporary indie titles. Mario 64 was the absolute pinnacle of 3D platformers of its time. Everything from the level design to the soundtrack and epic battles with Bowser felt perfect. I remember the first time I explored Bob-omb Battlefield and felt the freedom of moving in a fully 3D world; it was unlike anything I had played before. In replaying it on NSO, I’ve rediscovered the thrill of each Power Star challenge. It has only further built my hype for the upcoming Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 pack, and it reminds me why Mario remains such a timeless character.
#2 GoldenEye 007
GoldenEye 007 (1997, Rare) is a first-person shooter that defined multiplayer gaming on consoles. Players control James Bond across a series of missions based on the film, combining stealth, shooting, and objective-based gameplay. The single-player campaign was praised for its variety, AI, and level design, while the split-screen multiplayer quickly became legendary. Critics and fans alike consider it a groundbreaking FPS that set the standard for future console shooters. Its enduring popularity stems from its perfect blend of accessibility and tactical depth. GoldenEye 007 was my first game on the N64, along with Shadows of the Empire. I remember the night of my birthday, inviting some friends over and playing Remote Mines on the Facility all night without sleeping. It was the perfect multiplayer game and seemed to gain in popularity the longer it was on the market. Ask any gamer who was alive during these days, and they will tell you that this is the greatest FPS of all time.
#1 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998, Nintendo) is widely regarded as one of the greatest games ever made. It introduced fully 3D exploration, lock-on targeting, and time-travel mechanics that were groundbreaking at the time. Players control Link on a quest to save Hyrule, solving puzzles, exploring expansive dungeons, and collecting iconic items. Critics praised its storytelling, level design, and musical score, and it has influenced countless games since. Its combination of adventure, exploration, and innovation has made it a timeless masterpiece. Could it have been anything else? That first time entering Hyrule Field while the music played, as the game unveiled a vast open world at your fingertips, was perfection. The time-travelling mechanic was well ahead of its time, and the dungeon designs (not you, Water Temple) were nearly perfect. When saving Hyrule got too tough, you could just spend your time fishing at Lake Hylia, trying to catch the infamous Hylian Loach. Ocarina of Time still remains, in my opinion, an absolute masterclass in video game design.
The Nintendo 64 was truly iconic because of the wide variety of games it offered, from groundbreaking 3D adventures and innovative shooters to quirky platformers and unforgettable sports titles. Everyone’s N64 experience was different, and there are so many classics that didn’t make this list. I’d love to hear from you… What games did you spend the most time with, and which ones are your personal favourites? Share your memories, and let’s celebrate this incredible console together.
