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The Nintendo 64 is an incredible console for what it achieved. Yes, you can certainly argue that the original PlayStation had a larger library of games, but many of those wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the N64 writing the 3D gaming rulebook. There’s a reason that the original DualShock launched after the N64’s analog stick and rumble pak, after all.
If you’re looking to brush up on your video game history and dive into some classic Nintendo games, the N64 is the best place to play. Games here feel truly retro, while still being remarkably playable and enjoyable in the modern era.
For 20 of the best N64 games of all time, just read through our list below. If you're looking for a variety of retro games, see our list of the best old games.
20. Mario Party
You just can’t argue with what Mario Part has achieved since its inception. A collection of minigames to play with friends? The concept is so simple, and decades later, it’s still a staple of parties with friends.
19. Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
A minor FPS classic. The original Turok takes a few cues from Doom and Quake to make its own thing entirely, complete with slightly dodgy platforming and loads of dinosaurs to shoot.
18. Diddy Kong Racing
Yes, Mario Kart 64 is great, but Diddy Kong Racing’s story mode made it a fan favorite.
17. Mario Golf
The first Mario Golf game, and some say still the best.
16. Donkey Kong 64
Too many collectibles, but all-in-all another great platformer for the console.
15. Banjo-Tooie
Fewer collectibles than DK64, but still far too big. Still a much more enjoyable time than a lot of modern imitators.
14. Conker’s Bad Fur Day
The game so controversial that Nintendo refused to publish it. This just might’ve been what pushed Nintendo executives to sell their shares in Rareware to Microsoft. A product of its time now in more ways than one, Conker’s BFD is still seen by many as a classic, and it has some of the most ambitious audio and setpieces of any N64 title.
13. Star Fox 64
The definitive 3D rail shooter, Star Fox 64 has hidden paths, optional objectives, and your in-game performance is the only thing that separates you from the true ending.
12. Perfect Dark
Joanna Dark’s debut is a spiritual successor to GoldenEye 007, and is one of the best N64 games that requires an expansion pak to actually play most of the game.
11. Pokémon Snap
It’s a game about taking pictures, and that sounds silly and simple, but there’s a reason that this game has been a firm fan favorite ever since. Nintendo Switch fans shouldn’t skip over New Pokémon Snap, either!
10. Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber
One of the N64’s only RPGs, Ogre Battle 64 is the tactical strategy game the console deserved after missing out on getting a Fire Emblem game.
9. F-Zero X
F-Zero X is a fantastic racing game, only beaten by its eventual GameCube successor. But that doesn’t mean that you should skip over this gem.
8. Pokémon Stadium 2
Throw in Pokémon battles, a great lesson system, and some Mario Party-style minigames, and Pokémon Stadium 2 is a smash hit, even better than the original.
7. Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros. wasn’t actually beloved by critics on release, but a long line of hardcore fans keep it alive even today. A great game, and a humble origin story for one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises.
6. GoldenEye 007
The original multiplayer console FPS. This game’s last-minute multiplayer mode changed the industry.
5. Paper Mario
Paper Mario is one of the N64’s few RPGs, and it’s a great spiritual successor to the original Super Mario RPG, while starting a beloved Mario spin-off series.
4. Banjo-Kazooie
The best N64 game not made by Nintendo, Banjo-Kazooie is the only 3D platformer on the console that competes with Super Mario 64 head-to-head. Banjo’s soundtrack, stages, and world are still beloved, even if we’ll probably never get a new Banjo game.
3. Super Mario 64
This is it. This is the game that changed the course of the games industry, and wrote the book on 3D camera control. It needed some tweaks still, no doubt, but it’s hard to put into words how revolutionary Super Mario 64 really was at the time. The worlds, Peach’s castle, the abilities – it was truly incredible and filled with secrets. An all-time classic, even by modern standards.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
It doesn’t get much better than this. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time took the template laid out by A Link to the Past, and transformed it into a 3D adventure, one that truly feels like a tour of an entire world. The simple but smart mechanics and puzzles combine for a truly memorable adventure, and the Water Temple really isn’t as bad as you remember. There’s only one N64 game that could possibly outdo this masterpiece.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is the first time the Zelda series got truly experimental, and it was a monumental triumph. Getting to know the cast of Termina and Clock Town as their lives literally tick away is harrowing, but you can save them all, while getting to know the the people of each area intimately. A genuine banger, and the best Nintendo 64 game of all time.
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TODAY'S BEST
Troubling news emerges on Bears QB Caleb Williams’ workout with HC Ben Johnson
It might have been a good thing the Chicago Bears didn’t play Caleb Williams on Sunday. The Bears might need to hide their second-year quarterback as he irons out his wrinkles in the pre-snap process and with accuracy issues. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft struggled with timing and accuracy during the Bears’ joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Friday. Caleb Williams was inaccurate in the red zone against no defenders On Sunday, head coach Ben Johnson chose not to play Williams against the Dolphins in the Bears’ first preseason game. Instead, Johnson led a workout with Williams and wide receivers Rome Odunze and DJ Moore before the game. Per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears ran a total of 87 plays during the workout. All of the plays were routes in the air with no defenders on the field for the scripted practice. Despite going against no defenders bringing pressure or guarding his receivers, Williams struggled to hit his targets in the red zone. "Williams would stand next to Johnson, who would give him the play," Biggs wrote. "Then, the quarterback simulated a huddle with the player (only one ran a route on each snap) and gave the play call. They’d break the huddle, go to the line of scrimmage, Williams would simulate pre-snap actions and then the play would be run… "Before ending the session with eight deep balls, there was a 25-play set of snaps in the red zone. One thing Williams struggled to connect on was out routes to Moore and Odunze near the goal line. Those throws were not close and Williams consistently led the receivers too much." A closed-door problem for the Chicago Bears The throws weren’t close during routes on air… in the red zone… seriously? Williams wasn’t ready to take the field for the preseason game. For all of the flak he’s been getting from practice reports, the quarterback would have been relentlessly mocked for having these issues shown during an NFL Network broadcast. Biggs’ report is troubling, with a month to go before the season. Williams has much to improve upon, and the Bears are very much trying to do so without cameras present for a reason.
Bryson DeChambeau divulges Scottie Scheffler's biggest advantage
We all know Scottie Scheffler is the best golfer on the planet by a fairly large margin, but what makes him so much more consistent than other stars in professional golf? Bryson DeChambeau, one of Scheffler's biggest rivals in major championships, thinks he knows the answer. In Tuesday's appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," DeChambeau detailed how Scheffler dominates the PGA Tour weekly. "He's got the best spin and distance control I've ever seen," DeChambeau said. "He controls the golf ball from a spin perspective so much better than everybody else. Like, if you're 175 yards out, and it's 10 miles [an hour] into the wind, he knows how to control the flight and spin to get that ball to land right next to the hole every time. Probably since Tiger [Woods], he's the best that we've seen." The stats confirm DeChambeau's breakdown. Scheffler has ranked first on the PGA Tour in strokes gained on approach in three straight seasons. He also ranks first in proximity to the hole and greens in regulation percentage over the last four years. Iron play is Scheffler's superpower, but it wasn't always that way. "I played with him in college a bunch, and I've said it before, but he's definitely improved since college for sure," DeChambeau said with a chuckle. "It's impressive to see what he's done, and we're all aspiring to do that. That's something I've gotta get better at. I can hit it farther than him. I can hit it probably straighter than him. I can make just as many putts as him, but, really, it's about my iron play right now and wedges to get a little more consistent." Iron play is the biggest indicator of success in professional golf. If you're giving yourself more birdie chances from close range than anyone in the field, you're going to have the best chance to win by Sunday afternoon. No one is better at hitting specific distances more consistently than Scheffler. Just look at how accurate he is. DeChambeau has the best chance to catch Scheffler as the best player in the world because he's elite off the tee and on the greens, but that won't happen unless he makes a major improvement to his iron game.
Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green could factor into future Phoenix Suns trades
The Phoenix Suns have made no secret of their ambition to remain in the NBA championship conversation. Two players who could quietly shape the team’s next roster shift are newcomers Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green. The Suns’ front office has shown a willingness to adjust the roster by balancing the urgency to win now with the flexibility to retool quickly. Whether the team is eyeing another blockbuster trade to add another star or a strategic move to bolster depth, Brooks and Green provide two very similar trade profiles. For Suns fans, their presence is about more than just the current rotation for the upcoming season. It’s about keeping the door open for deals that could reshape the Suns’ path to a title. In a league where the right midseason trade can define a playoff run, Brooks and Green may be the keys to the Suns’ next big move. Could the Phoenix Suns move on from Jalen Green and Dillon brooks this early? With Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green now on the roster, the Phoenix Suns face a big decision. Keeping the pair as part of their core or flipping them in a trade to fit the team’s long-term vision is a question the Suns are facing. Brooks brings elite defensive intensity, and a strong defender that can guard the opposing team’s best scorer. His toughness and edge can set a tone for the entire roster, and his playoff experience makes him valuable for a contender. Green, meanwhile, offers youth and explosive scoring upside. At just 23, he averaged 21.0 points per game last season and has the athleticism to grow into a premier offensive weapon. On the other hand, keeping them could provide a defensive anchor and a future star, balancing short-term competitiveness with long-term flexibility. Though if the opportunity does arise to get a star point guard to pair with Devin Booker, Phoenix might just have to pull the trigger.
USC Trojans, Lincoln Riley Dealt Another Harsh Ranking Ahead of Season
The common theme for this USC Trojans team has been exclusion, whether it's a Big Ten or top-25 ranking. In a recent ranking of all 136 programs in the FBS, USC was ranked as the No. 29 team in the country. USC Trojans Ranked No. 29 In FBS Rankings USC was placed No. 29 in CBS Sports' ranking, falling right behind SEC's Missouri Tigers. While the Trojans poor 2024 performance could have been ranked even lower, USC's progress in the offseason needs to be accounted for. Here are the teams ranked above the Trojans: 1. Texas Longhorns 2. Penn State Nittany Lions 3. Ohio State Buckeyes 4. Clemson Tigers 5. Georgia Bulldogs 6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish 7. Oregon Ducks 8. Alabama Crimson Tide 9. LSU Tigers 10. Miami Hurricanes 11. Arizona State Sun Devils 12. Florida Gators 13. Illinois Fighting Illini 14. Kansas State Wildcats 15. Michigan Wolverines 16. South Carolina Gamecocks 17. SMU Mustangs 18. Texas A M Aggies 19. Iowa State Cyclones 20. Tennessee Volunteers 21. Texas Tech Red Raiders 22. Ole Miss Rebels 23. Indiana Hoosiers 24. Oklahoma Sooners 25. Utah Utes 26. Baylor Bears 27. Louisville Cardinals 28. Missouri Tigers 29. USC Trojans While majority of the teams listed have proven talent and forged a playoff-caliber season, some could argue teams like Utah should not be ranked as high. The Utes finished their 2024 campaign 6-7 with a seven-game lose streak. USC might not have much to argue with their one extra win, however, their scores and opponents speak heavily on the competition difference both programs. The Trojans finished 2024 7-6 and 4-5 in their first Big Ten conference season. No, it's not their best record or most desired results, but the statistics on paper show that USC has the potential to compete, but not enough was done. USC went 1-5 in one-score games, five fourth-quarter mishaps that could have been resolved into wins. A flip from the losses to wins could prove their dominance in the Big Ten and be the USC Trojans they used to be in the past years. The Trojans secured wins over two SEC opponents to start and end the year, USC defeated LSU in a comeback win in the Model Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas for their season opener, and returned to Las Vegas and defeated Texas A M in the Las Vegas Bowl to close out their season. The Trojans Must Capitalize in One-Score Situations College Football analysts have noticed the dire need to capitalize in one-score situations, especially after dropping multiple last season. Joel Klatt believes if the Trojans can find a solution, they could very-well be a first time College Football Playoff competitor. “They’ve got tough games against Oregon on the road. Don’t think that they’re going to win that one. So now you’re just talking about like, can you steal a victory here or there,” Klatt said on an episode of the Joel Klatt Show. “At Notre Dame is going to be difficult. But again, those close losses could turn into close wins this year, and if they do, they could be a team making their very first playoff appearance.” USC's schedule is deemed as favorable, but will face some of their toughest opponents on the road including Notre Dame, Oregon, and a rising favorite in Illinois. After this year's Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas and the start of fall camp, the Trojans and coaching staff have only nodded to their positive progress to their roster. Roster Improvements are Paving a Path for Success Coach Lincoln Riley pointed out quarterback Jayden Maiava's impressive progress that has proved his leadership and readiness to take on the starting quarterback position. “I think he would say he feels like it’s his team,” Riley told the Media after a fall camp practice. “I think he knows the guys better, he knows what he’s doing as a player better....We challenged him as coaches pretty heavily...He's responded." Coinciding with the offensive progress, positive reinforcement has also arrived on defense. The addition of linebackers coach Rob Ryan and defensive analyst Adrian Klemm only bolster the Trojans coaching staff alongside defensive D'Anton Lynn in his second year leading USC' Linebacker Eric Gentry, the leader and veteran of his position group, suffered multiple concusions all last season and saw few snaps. Defensive back Maliki Crawford missed all of last season and defensive end Anthony Lucas was ruled out all season. While USC may not have not displayed top-25 ranked talent last season, college football fans should not count them out this season, especially with their rapid progress made in the offseason.
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