The Nintendo 64 launched in 1996 and ushered in the era of 3D gaming. While its library was smaller than the PlayStation’s, the N64’s best games are among the greatest ever made. Let’s revisit the titles that defined a generation.
Super Mario 64
The game that proved 3D platforming could work. Mario 64’s analog stick controls, dynamic camera, and brilliantly designed worlds set the template that countless games would follow. Playing it for the first time in 1996 was a genuine “future of gaming” moment.
GoldenEye 007
Before Halo, before Call of Duty, there was GoldenEye. Rare’s FPS masterpiece proved that shooters could thrive on consoles. The multiplayer — four players crowded around a split-screen TV — remains one of gaming’s most iconic social experiences. No Oddjob allowed.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Frequently cited as the greatest game ever made, and it’s hard to argue. The first time you walked onto Hyrule Field, heard that music swell, and realized the sheer scale of the world ahead of you — nothing in gaming had ever felt like that before.
Other essentials: Mario Kart 64, Super Smash Bros., Star Fox 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Majora’s Mask, and Paper Mario. We carry many of these in our N64 collection — just know that prices reflect the enduring love for this console.
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