Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Ten Nintendo 64 games remain strong choices today, but for different reasons: some still make exploration or racing feel lively, while others are best enjoyed with friends. This is a varied shortlist, not a definitive ranking. It also does not mean every camera, control scheme, or visual effect feels modern.
Which N64 games are still worth playing?
Nintendo says the N64 library grew to more than 300 games, spanning genres that include platforming, adventure, racing, and role-playing. The ten picks below cover several of those play styles rather than treating one kind of game as the measure of the whole system.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Retrotech Super 64 Plus 340 In 1 Multi Game Cartridge For N64 Video Game Console - Includes... | $89.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Super Mario 64 Game for N64 (Renewed) | $74.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Donkey Kong 64 - Nintendo 64 | $64.91 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Game | Best fit | What makes it worth considering | Adjustment to expect | Listed on Nintendo Australia’s N64 Classics page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 64 | Solo platforming | Open-ended stages built around movement and exploration | Its camera and three-dimensional controls take some acclimation | Yes |
| The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Solo adventure | A substantial adventure combining exploration, puzzles, and combat | Its interface and combat reflect the N64 era | Yes |
| Mario Kart 64 | Racing and local multiplayer | Four cups, varied tracks, power sliding, and Battle Mode | Handling differs by kart, and the racing feel is older than current entries | Yes |
| Banjo-Kazooie | Solo platforming and exploration | A character-led collect-and-explore adventure | Its pace and collection-focused objectives may not suit players seeking a direct route | Yes |
| GoldenEye 007 | Shooting and multiplayer | A notable N64 shooter with both solo and multiplayer appeal | Its controls and presentation belong to an earlier generation of shooters | Yes |
| Star Fox 64 (Lylat Wars in Nintendo Australia’s catalogue) | Action and replayable runs | A focused, fast-paced alternative to long adventures | Its action is structured around a more directed experience | Listed as Lylat Wars |
| F-Zero X | High-speed racing | A racing option for players who want a faster pace than kart racing | The speed can make its racing feel demanding | Yes |
| Paper Mario | Solo role-playing | A story-driven RPG option within the N64 library | Its turn-based format is a different pace from the action picks | Yes |
| The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask | Solo adventure | A distinct follow-up choice for players who want another Zelda adventure | Its structure and mood differ from a straightforward adventure | Yes |
| Perfect Dark | Shooting | A further N64-era shooter to consider after GoldenEye 007 | Expect older controls and presentation | Not listed on the cited page |
“Listed” refers to Nintendo Australia’s catalogue, not every region’s service. Nintendo’s own history page identifies several of these games as part of the N64’s notable library, while a 2016 Nintendo Life retrospective also highlights a number of the system’s major releases. Whether they still suit a particular player is a matter of taste, so the notes below focus on the kind of experience each offers.
Which game suits the way you want to play?
Super Mario 64: movement-led platforming
Choose this if the appeal is learning how a character moves through a three-dimensional space and exploring stages at your own pace. The game remains a useful pick for players interested in the N64’s shift to 3D platforming. Be prepared to adjust to its camera and controls rather than expecting the precision or conventions of a newer platformer.
#1 Best Overall
- MASSIVE GAME LIBRARY: Enjoy 340 classic N64 games on a single cartridge for a diverse gaming experience.
- REGION-FREE COMPATIBILITY: Supports compatible USA, European, and Japanese N64 consoles for flexible gaming across regions.
- DIVERSE GAMING GENRES: Enjoy a variety of games, including racing, adventure, fighting, and puzzle titles.
- GAME SAVE SUPPORT: Save your progress in compatible games and continue playing later.
- DOCUMENTATION INCLUDED: Includes Retrotech-printed instructions for a nostalgic retro gaming experience.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: a long-form adventure
This is the natural choice for a player looking for exploration, puzzles, and combat in one solo adventure. Nintendo includes it among the system’s classics. Its age is most apparent in the interface and the way combat and navigation are handled; those are part of the original design, not evidence that the game plays exactly like a modern release.
Mario Kart 64: racing with a multiplayer option
Nintendo describes four cups of four tracks apiece, three engine sizes—50cc, 100cc, and 150cc—power sliding, and Battle Mode. It also notes that the eight familiar characters have kart-specific handling differences. That mix makes it a flexible pick for solo races or compatible multiplayer sessions, though players should expect a different feel from newer kart racers.
Banjo-Kazooie: exploration and collecting
Pick this for a platform adventure whose appeal is exploring its world and finding things along the way, rather than simply moving from one obstacle to the next. Its collection-oriented pace is a strength if you enjoy searching through stages; it can feel less direct if you prefer a tightly guided route.
GoldenEye 007: an older-school shooter
GoldenEye 007 is worth considering for its place among the N64’s notable releases and for its combination of solo and multiplayer appeal. It is also one of the clearest cases where age matters: the control scheme and presentation do not follow the expectations set by modern shooters. Approach it as an influential game from its era, not as a contemporary shooter with a retro skin.
Star Fox 64: a focused action pick
Choose this when you want a more directed action experience rather than a large adventure or a long role-playing game. Nintendo Australia’s catalogue calls the game Lylat Wars; readers in other regions may know it as Star Fox 64. The title difference is regional naming, so check the name shown in your own catalogue.
F-Zero X: speed over kart-style racing
F-Zero X is the racing choice for a player after a faster, more demanding pace than Mario Kart 64. It gives the shortlist a different racing style rather than another variation on character-based kart racing. If you want gentler competition or a more relaxed multiplayer session, the kart game is likely a better fit.
Paper Mario: a role-playing alternative
For a slower, story-led solo game, Paper Mario offers a different kind of N64 experience from platforming, racing, and shooting. It is one of the titles Nintendo includes in its N64 history and one Nintendo Australia lists for N64 Classics. Choose it for role-playing rather than expecting the pace of an action game.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask: another kind of Zelda adventure
Majora’s Mask is a strong next choice for someone who wants another N64 Zelda game but not simply a repeat of Ocarina of Time. Nintendo lists both among the system’s classics. Its presence here gives the shortlist a second adventure option for players who want to explore more of the series’ N64 period.
Perfect Dark: a second shooter to seek out
Consider Perfect Dark if you want another shooter from the N64 era after GoldenEye 007. Nintendo Life’s retrospective names it among notable releases. It is not listed on the Nintendo Australia N64 Classics page cited here, so that page does not establish current access to it; check your regional catalogue or consider original hardware if you already have a compatible setup.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How can you play these games now?
Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
Nintendo Australia’s N64 Classics page lists a selection of N64 titles for Switch and Switch 2, including Super Mario 64, Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Majora’s Mask, F-Zero X, Paper Mario, and GoldenEye 007. Access requires a paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. Availability can differ by country, so the Australian catalogue is not a guarantee that the same games are available in another region.
Rank #3
- Don't forget the mini games! Challenge a seal to a race around the lagoon. go on a crazy mine cart ride, and be on the lookout for a blast from the past..
- 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.
Nintendo cautions that the reproduced games can differ from their original versions in performance and presentation. The Australian page says Switch 2 supports rewind and that per-game control customisation is available on both Switch and Switch 2. These options can help make a replay more comfortable, but they do not turn an original N64 design into a modern remake.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Controllers and multiplayer
Nintendo says compatible games can support up to four players, with one compatible controller required per player. The number of players depends on the game. Nintendo also lists an N64-style wireless controller for Nintendo Switch Online members; it is optional, but its layout may appeal to players who prefer a design closer to the original three-pronged controller. Check current model compatibility and availability before buying an accessory.
The original N64 controller’s analogue Control Stick offered 360-degree control, according to Nintendo UK. A modern controller may feel more familiar, while the N64-style layout may better match the original input design. Neither is necessary for every game or every player.
Original hardware and older digital editions
If you already own an N64 and compatible cartridges, original hardware remains an option. For Mario Kart 64, Nintendo notes that its old Wii U Virtual Console edition used the US version; new Wii U and 3DS eShop purchases ended on 27 March 2023. That store route is historical, not a current purchase option.
What does “still holds up” mean for N64 games?
Nintendo’s library exceeded 300 games, according to its UK history page, and Nintendo Life’s 2016 retrospective described just under 33 million N64 consoles as sold globally as of 2009. That sales figure is a dated historical estimate, not a current total. Neither number can prove that a game will suit every player today.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →A more useful test is whether a game’s core appeal survives its period-specific controls and presentation. Mario Kart 64 offers a clear mix of track racing and Battle Mode; Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie suit players interested in 3D platforming and exploration; the Zelda games and Paper Mario offer solo adventure and role-playing choices; and the shooters and racing games provide faster, more competitive alternatives. Use the table to match the experience you want, and treat control feel as part of the decision rather than a detail to discover only after starting.
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.
