The Nintendo 64 had a controller with three handles and a feeling that anything could happen. Some of it was a technical miracle. Some of it was a camera that had opinions.
These ten games are the reason people still talk about the console with a misty look in their eyes.
Super Mario 64
The game that taught the industry how to move in three dimensions. Mario’s controls are delightful, the castle is a playground and the paintings are portals to small, perfect worlds.
It’s still the reference point for what a 3D platformer should feel like.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The adventure that defined 3D action games for a generation, with a targeting system that solved a problem nobody knew how to solve. It’s long, magical and endlessly imitated.
Yes, we mention the Water Temple. No, we’re not over it.
GoldenEye 007
A console shooter that proved split-screen multiplayer could be the main event. The campaign is solid, and the multiplayer is a legend.
Nobody agrees on the rules, and everybody remembers the proximity mines.
Mario Kart 64
The kart racer that taught a generation to hold a grudge. Four players, shortcuts and blue shells made for the kind of chaos that ends in laughter and, occasionally, yelling.
The tracks are iconic, the soundtrack is cheerful and the rubber banding is brutal.
Super Smash Bros.
Nintendo’s mascots punch each other, and a franchise is born. The simple controls hide a lot of depth, and the idea of a crossover fighter proved irresistible.
It’s the game that started a thousand arguments about who is the best character.
Banjo-Kazooie
A bear, a bird and a witch with a rude sense of humor. The worlds are huge, the music is wonderful and the collecting is genuinely fun.
It’s one of the best 3D platformers of its era, and it deserves its fans.
Star Fox 64
Rail-shooter action with talking animals and a rumble pack that still feels like a gift. The branching paths encourage replays, and the voice acting is delightfully cheesy.
Do a barrel roll. You know you want to.
Perfect Dark
The spiritual successor to GoldenEye, with more weapons, more features and a sci-fi spin. The multiplayer is deep, and the campaign is surprisingly ambitious.
The frame rate may not have aged well, but the ideas have.
Paper Mario
A charming RPG with a clever battle system and a flat art style that became its signature. The writing is funny, the partners are memorable and the pacing is brisk.
It is a perfect entry point for anyone curious about the series.
Pokémon Stadium
The first time many players saw their monsters in 3D, and the mini-games alone could keep a sleepover alive. The battles are fun, and the Transfer Pak was an impressive trick.
It’s the fan-service game that made the franchise feel huge.