5 Perfect N64 Games No One Remembers

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While the Nintendo 64 didn’t sell as well as the Super Nintendo – 32.93 million units compared to 49.1 million – it was still a successful console with many memorable games. It introduced hugely popular franchises like Super Smash Bros. and Mario Party, and games like Ocarina of Time redefined established series.

While many classic Nintendo 64 games are still well-loved, there are some truly excellent titles that have faded into obscurity. Just because these games aren’t widely remembered doesn’t mean they aren’t still fun and worth checking out.

Unlike most games of the 1990s, Mischief Makers stood out on the N64 by doing things its own way. While everyone else was focused on 3D graphics, this game largely stuck with 2D visuals and featured a really original gameplay twist: you shake everything you can to progress!

In the game Mischief Makers, you can pick up nearly anything and either shake it to reveal hidden treasures or throw it at enemies. Each time you shake an object, the character cheerfully yells “shake shake!” While this might seem repetitive, it unexpectedly became one of the most memorable sounds in Nintendo 64 gaming.

When Mischief Maker first came out, people were pretty divided on it. But honestly, over time, it’s become a real fan favorite – a lot of us call it a cult classic now! I’m really hoping Nintendo puts it on the Switch Online N64 service eventually, because it deserves a new audience to enjoy its crazy, fun gameplay.

Rare’s first game for the Nintendo 64 was Blast Corps, and many fans consider it their best. The premise is wonderfully over-the-top – you demolish everything around you to create a clear path for a speeding nuclear missile carrier – but it’s surprisingly addictive and enjoyable. While Rare went on to create beloved titles like Banjo-Kazooie, Blast Corps remains a standout game for the console.

In Blast Corps, the main goal is demolition! Players control powerful vehicles like bulldozers and mechs to tear down buildings, farms, and everything else in their path. But it’s not just about destruction – the game also includes clever puzzles that add variety and keep the gameplay engaging.

When Blast Corps first came out, critics loved it. However, despite being popular with Nintendo 64 owners, it only sold a million copies – much less than Rare expected. If you enjoy games where you cause a lot of destruction, like Donkey Kong Bananza, you should give this Rare game a try.

Man, Mario Kart 64 was HUGE on the N64 – almost 10 million copies sold! But it wasn’t the only fun, colorful racer around. I remember Snowboard Kids being a blast too. It was kinda like Mario Kart, with power-ups you could throw at your friends, but instead of racing on tracks, you were shredding down snowy mountains. Definitely a hidden gem!

Both games are great, but Snowboard Kids 2 is the standout title. The sequel improved on the original with new tracks and characters, and it even added a Story Mode – something that would have been a welcome addition to Mario Kart. Plus, it features challenging Boss Stages and unlockable consoles, adding even more to the experience.

Snowboards Kids 2 was a really fun racing game, and it’s too bad it didn’t become as popular as the Mario Kart series. While the graphics aren’t as modern now, the game is still enjoyable to play. It would be great to see a new installment released on the Switch 2.

The Nintendo 64 was ideal for group gaming, supporting up to four controllers. While Goldeneye 64 was a popular choice for parties, Gauntlet Legends often flew under the radar as a fantastic multiplayer experience. This game revived the classic Gauntlet series from the 1980s, letting players team up to battle enemies, explore dungeons, and collect treasure.

Gauntlet Legends let players choose from a wide variety of characters, each with different classes and colors, ensuring everyone could find a hero they enjoyed. The simple three-button combat system made it easy to learn, allowing players to quickly team up with friends and embark on an adventure.

Although the single-player mode in Gauntlet Legend was fun, it was the multiplayer that really made the game stand out, and it’s still considered one of the best cooperative games on the Nintendo 64. A sequel, Gauntlet Dark Legacy, was released for the GameCube and other systems, but unfortunately, neither game received the recognition it deserved.

Body Harvest was a promising game for the Nintendo 64. It was a sci-fi action game inspired by ’80s movies, where players fought aliens trying to capture humans for resources. The game offered open-ended levels, allowing players to steal enemy vehicles and destroy as many aliens as possible.

So, get this – Body Harvest was originally supposed to be a launch title for the N64! But it got a little too intense for Nintendo, so they backed out of publishing it, and for a bit, the game was totally up in the air. It finally came out in ’98, and a lot of us fans actually think it’s one of the best, but honestly, it didn’t sell super well. It kind of flew under the radar, which is a shame!

The team behind Body Harvest later created Grand Theft Auto III, and you can definitely see similarities between the two games. It’s interesting to think about how successful Body Harvest could have been – perhaps even influencing gaming like the GTA series – but currently, it remains a lesser-known, standout title.

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2026-02-18 07:39