The Nintendo 64, released in 1996, faced an uphill battle as the last major cartridge-based home console. However, it left a lasting legacy thanks to revolutionary games that redefined 3D graphics and depth.
This guide will highlight the absolute best N64 action titles across genres like first-person shooters, 3D platformers, and more. I‘ll share what made these games so special, how they pushed boundaries, rating details, and where you can play them today!
Understanding the Nintendo 64
Before diving into the games, let‘s look back at what defined the Nintendo 64 itself:
| Console | Release Year | Max Resolution | Media Format | Best Selling Game | Total Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo 64 | 1996 | 640×480 | Cartridge | Super Mario 64 – 21M | 33M |
| PlayStation | 1994 | 640×480 | CD | Gran Turismo – 11M | 102M |
| Sega Saturn | 1994 | 720×576 | CD | Virtua Fighter 2 – 2M | 9M |
Despite low sales, the N64 delivered groundbreaking 3D graphics and tight gameplay thanks to the PowerPC central processing unit and 64-bit SGI graphics chip. This advanced hardware enabled never-before-seen sprite counts, lighting effects, and seamless camera movement.
Developer Rareware president Tim Stamper praised the N64 as "easy to develop for. The graphics were brilliant, the controller was absolutely superb for 3D control and Nintendo had solved most of the problems that had plagued previous generations”.
However, slower CD drives and higher manufacturing costs held back hit potential. Let‘s see how top studios overcame cartridge limitations to redefine genres.
#7: Donkey Kong 64
Donkey Kong first brought barrel smashing action to arcades in 1981. While remaining a 2D sidescroller on SNES and Gameboy, Rareware (Goldeneye, Banjo-Kazooie) finally brought the big ape into 3D on the Nintendo 64.
In Donkey Kong 64, you explore naturalistic temples, mills, caves, and reefs spread across islands as one of five playable Kongs like desktop shortcuts. Each Kong has unique weapons and talents vital to collecting items and navigating obstacles. Swapping feels seamless thanks to character-specific controller paks saving individual progress.
DK64 pushes platforming excellence with mine cart challenges, slide races, and whimsical shooting. Finding collectibles unlocks cool perks like increased health and double damage. Short minigames add variety like playing as a spider or competing in tank battles versus Kremlings.
- Metascore: 90
- Genre: 3D Platformer
- Developer: Rareware
- Release Date: November 1999
- Copies Sold: Over 5.27 Million
While some criticize steep collectible goals, there’s no denying the richness of its 3D adventure. Collecting upgrade coins never feels repetitive when stages feature so many unique puzzles and environmental tricks. After Super Mario 64, DK64 set a new benchmark for creative 3D action not yet matched in the series.
#6: Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Rayman’s limbless levitation brought gorgeous 2D platforming to the original PlayStation. For Rayman 2, creator Michel Ancel (Beyond Good and Evil) built an equally eye-catching 3D universe under siege by Robo Pirates.
Traverse worlds like lush jungles, murky swamps, and lavish castles collecting yellow Lums to access new zones. Confront menacing foes with laser fists, hovering hair whips, and magic projectiles. Later levels introduce racing and underwater stealth for fresh challenges.
The captivating world routinely breaks gameplay for humorous cutscenes with effective audio and expressive animations. Diverse level design logic like rising lava and moving pillars keeps the difficulty climbing at the perfect pace for beginners and experts.
- Metascore: 87
- Genre: 3D Platformer
- Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
- Release Date: October 1999
- Copies Sold: Approximately 1 Million
Forget Mario, Rayman 2 proved N64 owners had their own limbless mascot able to stand eye to eye thanks to flawlessly responsive controls and dazzling style. While Nintendo ruled, Rayman offered a worthy alternative with charm and challenge to last the ages. If you overlook Rayman’s adventure, your N64 library remains incomplete.
#5: Conker‘s Bad Fur Day
Rareware struck gold modernizing Nintendo icons like Goldeneye and Donkey Kong. So creating the pandemonium-causing Conker seemed fitting. Beneath Conker‘s cuddly exterior lies a foul-mouthed alcoholic courts chaos throughout crude parodies of famous scenes.
Conker just wants to return home after an especially rowdy birthday night out. Sobering up demands battling through twisted locations like dung-filled barns and macabre vampire estates. Quirky weapons like slingshots, katanas, and sniper rifles offer creative extermination.
- Metascore: 92
- Genre: Platformer
- Developer: Rareware
- Release Date: April 2001
- Copies Sold: 1.87 million
While controversial for Nintendo’s family-friendly image, Conker contrasted stale mascots with brazen authority. The contextual interaction and living world sell shock humor and horror past face value. Conker brought the first M-rated irreverence proving Nintendo systems could appeal beyond all ages.
#4: Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo-Kazooie follows a good-natured honey bear on a quest to rescue his sister from an ugly witch with the help of Breegull sidekick Kazooie. Cross vast worlds like tropical isles and haunted mansions collecting musical notes and puzzle pieces.
Banjo has basic attacks like claw swipes and rolls. But Kazooie steals the show with aerial wing flaps doubling jumps or firing eggs that hatch into scurrying allies. Combining their skills unlocks special moves like the Egg Aim trajectory shot ideal for puzzles.
Rareware perfects 16-bit tropes in 3D by integrating snappy platforming, puzzling mini-games, and nonlinear progression. With tight controls and vibrant worlds, Banjo nails Nintendo’s magical formula through a distinct lens.
- Metascore: 92
- Genre: 3D Platformer
- Developer: Rareware
- Release Date: June 1998
- Copies Sold: 3.68 Million
Instead of stopper mascots, Rare had the Midas touch for cultivating icons that could stand beside Mario himself thanks to ingenious level design and heart. Banjo-Kazooie refined Nintendo’s winning 3D blueprint in an infectious package brimming with spirit.
#3: Super Mario 64
The mustached marvel’s Nintendo 64 debut remains an impeccable standard for 3D platforming and evolving franchises through reinvention. Spreading whimsical chaos makes each star collection journey around Princess Peach’s castle grounds magical.
Acalculator-esque camera perfectly frames action. Floaty physics empower acrobatics while contained level design tightens exploration. Mario permanently changes suit powers like metal density and transparent invisibility adding layers to progression.
- Metascore: 94
- Genre: 3D Platformer
- Developer: Nintendo EAD
- Release Date: June 1996
- Copies Sold: 11.91 Million
With an impact rivaling 1985’s iconic Super Mario Bros, Mario 64 didn’t just debut Nintendo’s mascot into the 3D arena with grace. Its creative liberty and design genius codified benchmarks 3D games follow decades later. Mario 64 forever resides on best games lists through re-releases for its boundary-breaking risks.
#2: GoldenEye 007
Bond games existed before, but GoldenEye realizing Pierce Brosnan’s 1995 spy thriller through Rareware’s expertise took 007 mainstream. Blending covert stealth action with explosive set pieces crafted an enthralling adventure propped up by multiplayer milestones.
Ramble through archives and bases equipping spy gadgets for silent infiltrations or loud firefights. Objective variety like photograph evidence, destroy structures, or rescue hostages pushes adaptability. Robust gunplay delivers visceral reactions selling danger even on aged graphics.
The campaign entertains alone, but competitive split-screen cemented GoldenEye as the ultimate party experience. With tight performance, clever layouts fostering rivalry, and customizable rules, it revolutionized social shooters.
- Metascore: 96
- Genre: First-Person Shooter
- Developer: Rareware
- Release Date: August 1997
- Copies Sold: 8 million
By honoring the Bond legacy through diverse design, GoldenEye propelled console shooters into new generations by valuing stealth, action, and multiplayer parity. Its successful risk-taking proved franchises could successfully shift genres through smart implementation.
#1: Perfect Dark
Instead of chasing Goldeneye‘s success, Rareware topped themselves with original cyberpunk spy Joanna Dark uncovering an alien conspiracy threatening global stability in Perfect Dark. Tight shooting, reactive foes, and varied loadouts make eliminating extraterrestrial crooks unique to each difficulty playthrough.
Joanna can bend time briefly to avoid fire or turn invisible to sneak past guards. Upload weapons like guided rocket launchers into training sims to practice new gear. Camera drones and x-ray scopes facilitate monitoring enemy routes before engaging. Outmaneuvering intelligent guards is always exhilarating.
Like GoldenEye, local/online multiplayer hosts deathmatch, capture the flag, and more for up to four players. But based on campaign performances, unlockable mods like big heads or alien settings keep rivalries refreshing. Rareware exploited the N64 Expansion Pak to enable split-screen perfection.
- Metascore: 97
- Genre: First-Person Shooter
- Developer: Rareware
- Release Date: May 2000
- Copies Sold: Over 2.87 million
Perfect Dark razed genre barriers by honoring stealth and guns blazing mentalities equally thanks to creative gadgets and modes enhancing single/multiplayer longevity. Its mission diversity and multiplayer rewards blueprint engrossing progression systems responsible for addicting shooters today. We still await the elusive Perfect Dark sequel.
Lasting Legacy of N64 Action Games
The Nintendo 64 library feels limited against contemporaries boasting thousands of titles. However, memorable masterpieces like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time catalyzed enduring franchises by rethinking formulas through innovative designs that still influence games today.
Technical disadvantages pushed studios like Rareware and Nintendo EAD to maximize cartridge potential. Restrictions fostered focused creativity that birthed genres thanks to industry-propelling entries like GoldenEye popularizing console first-person shooters through excellent pacing and multiplayer.
Graphics don‘t make games, but immersive worlds realized through technical mastery provide fertile ground for compelling interaction as these seven games proved over two decades ago. Their responsive controls, vibrant gameplay loops, and charming details represent masterful refinement only possible through daring to try new things.
Parting Thoughts
I hope reminiscing about these seven brilliant action titles rekindled fond Nintendo 64 memories! Each game pioneered new territory for beloved franchises thanks to bold vision. They remain must-own classics for good reason even if modern graphics advanced.
If you somehow missed these gems originally or crave some retro collecting, grab used cartridges at retailers like Amazon before prices climb higher! Relive childhood screen peeking grudges fueled by the ideal multiplayer offerings of Goldeneye or Perfect Dark. New gamers should play them just to respect all the genre traditions started thanks to Rareware and Nintendo’s risk-taking pedigree.
Have a favorite Nintendo 64 action game memory or recommendation? Share your thoughts in the comments below! I’m happy to chat more. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to replay Conker and work on restoring my reputation…
