Genre: Game Compilation
Players: 1-4 Competitive (Local / Online) 2 Co-Op (Local / Online)
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Review:
(Note: The games in the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics: Mature 17+ are on a separate page. You can find them here.)
I’ll start by saying that this isn’t going to be a normal review. You won’t find an overall grade at the end telling you what I think of this collection of classic Nintendo 64 games ranging from the console’s original release in 1996 through to when the console was discontinued in 2002. This is for multiple reasons – firstly, the service is still receiving (presumably sporadic) updates that add more content. Secondly, this is not a collection you can purchase and own – rather, this is an included perk of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscription, and as such every player who subscribes to that service will have access to this compilation as long as they continue to have that subscription.
This app currently provides access to 37 games. All of the games in this collection have added display options, the ability to create multiple save states, and the games with multiplayer can now be played both locally and online. In addition, this collection allows players to sort games by title, release date, play time or last date played, or even create a custom order.
I should note that this app gives each game getting its own unique button mapping (decided by Nintendo, apparently), and although players originally could not alter this button mapping, in 2025 the ability to remap buttons for each game was added, with the app saving each individual game’s button mapping for later use.
The app’s menu this time around is opened using the – button. Upon starting up a new game, I highly advise you to press – and then X to check the button mapping for the game before starting. It also bears mention that only games that originally supported the rumble pack make use of the Nintendo Switch’s rumble feature, and any games that used the controller pack (the Nintendo 64’s version of a memory card) do not have that feature supported here (thankfully, an issue largely mitigated by this app’s save states).
I should also note that the games here are emulated pretty much as they were originally released, although some games do benefit from improvements to framerate and overall resolution. Early on, this app was noted to have quite a bit of input lag, though this has since been improved with post-launch patches. In any case, this didn’t bother me when I played these games, unless otherwise noted.
So… out of 37 games, what’s still worth playing today, and what isn’t? Well, here’s a rundown of what I thought of each and every one of these titles:
| Game | Genre | # of Players | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080 Snowboarding | Sports (“Xtreme”) | 1-2 Competitive (Local Split-Screen, Online) | B- |
tl;drIt’s surprising just how well the visuals in this game have aged (as long as you can overlook the pop-in and low-poly character models), and the use of rumble here is phenomenal. On the other hand, the gameplay has aged somewhat less gracefully – 1080° Snowboarding is extremely unforgiving, and players will find themselves collapsing after anything less than the most perfect of landings. It’s still a lot of fun if you can learn how to feel out its gameplay, but less patient players will probably want to skip this one. | |||
| Banjo-Kazooie | 3D Platformer | 1 | A- |
tl;drWhile nowhere near as impactful or iconic as Super Mario 64, I would argue that Banjo-Kazooie has aged much better. It still shows its age in some areas – the controls are a bit awkward and the camera is a pain, but the upscaled resolution and overall improved visuals in this release help to ensure this game still visually looks good (albeit still very dated, and not quite as good as the Xbox 360 remaster). However, a fun and unique move set, solid level design, and absolutely loads of personality make this one of the highlights of the Nintendo 64 App | |||
| Banjo-Tooie | 3D Platformer | 1, 1-4 Competitive Minigames (Local, Online) | B |
tl;drThe sequel to Banjo-Kazooie still has a lot of what made the original game great, but it doubles down on some not-so-great elements too, with a lot more tedious backtracking, and a camera that’s possibly even worse. There’s still a lot to love here, but this game doesn’t top the original. | |||
| Blast Corps | Driving / Action | 1 | B+ |
tl;drThis game’s graphics have aged incredibly poorly, the locked camera angle is frustrating, and the controls take some getting used to. Yet, despite these flaws, Blast Corps is an absolute… well, blast. The healthy variety of vehicles, the interesting levels to explore, and above all else the delightful destruction all made this a forgotten gem in the Nintendo 64 lineup. | |||
| Dr. Mario 64 | Match-4 Falling Block Puzzle | 1-4 Competitive (Local, Online) | B- |
tl;drIt wasn’t quite as successful as the legendary Tetris, but Dr. Mario was nevertheless a decent Puzzle game in its own right. This version of the game loses some value due to its blurriness and the fact that a version of the game is already included in the Nintendo Entertainment System app, but gains points due to a good selection of options and an added 4-player mode. On balance, this is a good addition to your Puzzle game library, but not an outstanding one. This game does not support the rumble feature. | |||
| Excitebike 64 | Motorbike Racing Simulation | 1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen, Online Split-Screen) | C |
tl;drExcitebike 64 is a highly technical Racing Game, and even experienced gamers may find themselves confused by the complexities of this game’s controls. The transition to a completely different controller doesn’t make things much better. If you can get used to this game’s controls, I think you’ll likely find it to be a solid Racing game, but that’s a huge “if”. | |||
| Extreme-G | Futuristic Racing | 1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen, Online) | C+ |
tl;drWhile not quite on par with F-Zero X, this is still a decent Futuristic Racing game, albeit a difficult one with some frustrating fog and pop-in. | |||
| F-Zero X | Futuristic Racing | 1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen, Online) | A- |
tl;drF-Zero’s first truly 3D game has aged remarkably well, thanks to the game’s unflinching 60FPS framerates and blazing fast speeds that make it easier to look past the game’s muddy textures, low-poly racers, frequent pop-in and barren landscapes. The track designs here are excellent as well, making full use of 3D to have players racing in 360-degree tunnels, on tubes, around corkscrews, through loops. While it’s not quite on par with the series’ best (the GameCube follow-up, F-Zero GX), it’s a solid second place. Unfortunately, this version doesn’t come with the content from the Japan-only 64DD expansion. Also, you’ll want to be sure to change the shoulder buttons to be symmetrical in the Nintendo 64 app. Nitpicks aside, this is a fantastic addition to the Nintendo 64 app. | |||
| Goldeneye 007 | First-Person Shooter | 1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen, Online) | B- |
tl;drOne of the most celebrated and influential First-Person Shooters of all time, and for good reason. Many elements of this game have aged extraordinarily well – the level design and goal design is still phenomenal, enemy AI is excellent, the music is wonderful, there’s a lot of good variety in the game’s missions, and the multiplayer is legendary. What’s more, this version updates the framerates and resolution, making it look much, much better than the original release, while still maintaining the classic look. Unfortunately, the big problem here is the controls, which still feel clunky even after reassigning the buttons, thanks to the way the game doesn’t let players change aiming speed and the awkward way sight-aiming works. Still, if you can forgive these control issues, this is still a fun entry in the genre. | |||
| Harvest Moon 64 | Management Simulation | 1 | C |
tl;drThis is the fourth game in the franchise, but it’s the first game since the original that truly tries to push the series forward, adding multiple new elements to the gameplay (including menus, finally!), more variety in livestock and crops, and being surprisingly closer to what we expect from modern entries in the genre. Its only real failings are its forced isometric perspective and the archaic graphics. Still, despite these flaws this game holds up okay and fans of the genre may want to give it a look. | |||
| Iggy’s Reckin Balls | Platformer / Party Game | 1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen, Online) | C- |
tl;drThis multiplayer-focused Platformer game has players racing to the finish while grappling platforms and messing with opponents. It’s a fun concept, but poor input latency and hit detection make this far less fun than it should be. | |||
| Jet Force Gemini | Third-Person Shooter | 1-2 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen, Online), 2-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen, Online) | D+ |
tl;drThis Rare-developed Third-Person Shooter may have been impressive for its time, but by today’s standards its controls are bizarre and absolutely miserable, even with the ability to reassign buttons, since there’s no way to adjust analog stick sensitivity or reverse axis. This is a game only the nostalgic or masochistic will want to play now. | |||
| Killer Instinct Gold | Fighting Game | 1-2 Competitive (Local, Online) | B- |
tl;drThis is a solid follow-up to the original Killer Instinct, though its new combo system may take some getting used to. You’ll want to make it a point to go into the options and change the button layout before you start though – the default button assignments on the Nintendo 64 app are absolutely insane. | |||
| Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards | Platformer | 1, 4 Competitive Minigames (Local / Online) | B- |
tl;drKirby’s first game to use true 3D graphics (but not 3D gameplay) is creative and adorable, but also sluggish and short. Being able to combine any two abilities makes for a lot of potential gameplay variety, and some of the boss battles are really well-designed, but otherwise this is a pretty by-the-books Kirby game. Not bad, but not great. | |||
| Mario Golf | Sports (Golf) | 1-4 Competitive (Local Alternating) | C+ |
tl;drMario Golf has visibly aged quite a bit, and it’s pretty ugly by today’s standards, but the core gameplay is still decent. Having said that, it’ll take a while to judge the power of your shots and to get a feel for the nuances of the gameplay here. This game really could have done with a tutorial or a more extensive digital instruction manual. Even without that, it’s a decent addition to the Nintendo 64 app, but it’s not going to be replacing Mario Golf: Super Rush anytime soon. | |||
| Mario Kart 64 | Kart Racer | 1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen, Online Split-Screen) | B+ |
tl;drThis game was a huge leap forward for the series, and it still holds up well to this day (although it is far surpassed by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in nearly every way). There are some really memorable tracks here, including some of the best Battle Mode arenas in the entire series (block fort!). However, one element of this game has held up even worse than the somewhat dated visuals – the rubber-banding in this game is absolutely atrocious, and some of the worst I’ve seen in a racing game. This is still an outstanding racing game, just don’t expect it to be a substitute for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. This game does not support the rumble feature, and the lack of support for the controller pack means that it cannot create ghost data. | |||
| Mario Party | Party Game / Minigame Collection | 1-4 Competitive / Team Competitive (Local, Online) | D |
tl;drThis may be the game that more or less codified the “Party Game” genre, but by today’s standards, it kinda’ stinks. The reason? The minigames are pretty terrible. | |||
| Mario Party 2 | Party Game / Minigame Collection | 1-4 Competitive / Team Competitive (Local, Online) | C- |
tl;drThe theming in this game is better than the first Mario Party, and the minigames are marginally better, but this is still overall a pretty miserable take on the genre. | |||
| Mario Party 3 | Party Game / Minigame Collection | 1-4 Competitive / Team Competitive (Local, Online) | C |
tl;drThe Nintendo 64 app has now received the third and final Nintendo 64 entry in the Mario Party series, and it’s probably the best of the Nintendo 64 Mario Party games, but also probably the most forgettable. This game isn’t a bad way to pass some time in multiplayer, but it’s nothing especially thrilling. | |||
| Mario Tennis | Sports (Tennis) | 1-4 Competitive (Local, Online) | B+ |
tl;drThis is, as of this writing, my favorite Tennis game on Nintendo Switch. No joke, Mario Tennis may look extremely dated and be absurdly simple in its controls and features, but this game has it where it counts – pure, well-designed gameplay. And yes, I much prefer this game over Mario Tennis Aces. Nintendo just doesn’t make ’em like this anymore… | |||
| Paper Mario | Turn-Based JRPG | 1 | B+ |
tl;drPaper Mario’s visual have aged better than some of the other N64 games, but its simple areas are very quaint by today’s standards. The mostly traditional JRPG gameplay is solid, if a bit simple and easy to cater to younger players. However, the game is absolutely full of charm, making it well worth playing even for older gamers. | |||
| Pilotwings 64 | Flight Simulator | 1 | A- |
tl;drThis game has aged remarkably well. Excellent controls, great physics, good variety, plenty of personality. It’s not a very realistic Flight Sim, but it is a highly enjoyable one. The bigest flaws I can point to here are the dated graphics (naturally), the lack of multiplayer, and the somewhat short game length. But overall, this is one of the best games to release on the Nintendo 64 App. | |||
| Pokemon Puzzle League | Match-3 Puzzle | 1-2 Competitive (Local, Online) | B+ |
tl;drThis is pretty much the same game we already got in Panel de Pon on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System app, but with the Pokemon anime series plastered on it. On the plus side, this is still a phenomenal Puzzle game that at its core is arguably the best in the genre. What’s more, this version adds the ability to create your own puzzles, which is nice. On the other hand, the constant barrage of voice clips from the show gets annoying really quickly, and the rest of the presentation just doesn’t have the same charm as Panel de Pon (and the game’s sound seems oddly muted too). All in all, still a solid game, but its presence here doesn’t mean quite as much when you can play a superior version of the game on the SNES app. | |||
| Pokemon Snap | First-Person On-Rails Shooter / Misc. | 1 | A- |
tl;drThe graphics in this game have aged poorly, but the gameplay is still as delightfully inventive as ever, challenging players not only to catch the best photos, but to essentially solve the puzzles of how to coax Pokemon into the best photo opportunities. Definitely a highlight of the Nintendo 64 App. | |||
| Pokemon Stadium | Turn-Based RPG / Misc. | 1-4 Competitive (Local, Online) | C- |
tl;drOriginally released as a way to take your Game Boy Pokemon and see them battle your friends’ team in full 3D using the Nintendo 64 Game Boy Transfer Pack, this release doesn’t support this feature or provide anything to replace it, leaving this an empty experience. You can still battle with a selection of “rented” Pokemon, or play an assortment of (mostly bad) minigames, but without its most prominent feature, there’s really no good reason to play this game. | |||
| Pokemon Stadium 2 | Turn-Based RPG / Misc. | 1-4 Competitive (Local, Online) | C+ |
tl;drThis release has many of the same issues as the original Pokemon Stadium game’s release on Nintendo Switch Online’s Nintendo 64 app – it was originally released as a way to see your Game Boy Pokemon battle in full 3D using the Nintendo 64 Game Boy Transfer Pack, and this release doesn’t support this feature or provide anything to replace it, leaving this an empty experience. You can still battle with a selection of “rented” Pokemon, or play an assortment of minigames, but this seems to be missing the point. However, this game has an advantage over the original Pokemon Stadium – unlike its predecessor, pretty much all of the minigames here are actually pretty good. | |||
| Rayman 2: The Great Escape | 3D Platformer | 1 | B- |
tl;drIn many respects, Rayman’s first 3D Platformer has aged remarkably well. The gameplay is still fun, the graphics still look visually-interesting, and the level design is quite distinct from what other contemporary games like Mario and Banjo-Kazooie had to offer. However, nasty camera issues and some pacing problems still hinder the game. Despite this, it’s still well worth playing. | |||
| Ridge Racer 64 | Arcade Racing | 1-4 Competitive (Local, Online) | B |
tl;drThe visuals no longer impress, the drifting is fiddly, and the game only offers nine courses in three locales, yet despite these issues Ridge Racer 64 holds up remarkably well, with smooth framerates and some great arcade-style racing. If you enjoy racing games and don’t mind dated visuals, this is absolutely worth trying out. | |||
| Sin and Punishment | Third-Person Shooter | 1-2 Co-Op (Local, Online) | B+ |
tl;drThis game was far ahead of its time, and it’s a shame it was never released in the West in its initial release. Play this game using the D-Pad to move (or re-map the left analog stick to use the Nintendo 64’s D-Pad controls) and right stick to aim – a holdover from the original game’s inspired control scheme. This was a phenomenal action game that’s roughly comparable to a rail shooter like Star Fox or Panzer Dragoon, but with a grounded character to control, running and jumping independent from his aim. Really, this game’s biggest flaws are the antiquated graphics – the gameplay absolutely holds up, making this an outstanding addition to this collection. I should note that the co-op here is a bit of a misnomer – two players can exert the same control over the game’s main character, allowing players to split responsibility for movement and aiming if they like. | |||
| Star Fox 64 | On-Rails Shooter | 1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen, Online Split-Screen) | A- |
tl;drThis game perfected the formula of the first two Star Fox games, and the entire series has been chasing this game’s tail ever since. This is a high-watermark for On-Rails Shooters, and it has aged extremely well. Only the somewhat dated visuals hold this game back (though in this release, you’ll want to fix the shoulder button assignments to make them symmetrical). I should note that this game’s 4-player deathmatch mode is superb as well, and not to be overlooked. Overall, this is a phenomenal game and one of the highlights of this collection. | |||
| Super Mario 64 | 3D Platformer | 1 | C+ |
tl;drIt pains me to say this, because I absolutely love Super Mario 64, but this game does not hold up well at all. While there are some elements that remain timeless – namely the iconic music and superb level design, other elements have aged extremely poorly. It’s not just the graphics that are terrible by today’s standards either – this game’s controls are awful, the camera fights the player every step of the way, and numerous design flaws are strewn throughout. This game still has massive nostalgia value, and its flaws are understandable given that it was the trailblazer that everyone else followed, but if this game were released today, even players who could look past the primitive graphics would not think too kindly of it. Also, I should note that unlike the version of the game included in Super Mario 3D All-Stars, this is the original release version of the game, not the “Shindou” version, which means the game has no rumble support, but on the other hand it still has the “so long, gay Bowser” sound clip, and it leaves in many of the glitches speed-runners often make use of. | |||
| The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | 3D Action-RPG | 1 | A+ |
tl;drWhile the dated visuals and controls take a bit of getting used to (made worse by some minor emulation issues with things like fog), this game is still one of the greatest videogames ever made, and it has aged surprisingly well. It sadly doesn’t have the improvements made to the 3DS re-release, nor the added “Master Quest” added to later releases of the game, but even though this is definitely not the best version of this game, it is still an absolutely must-play Action-RPG that was not only highly-influential, but still stands as a master class in level design, boss design, camera design, world building, atmospheric music… there is just so much that this game does right, and the result is a timeless classic that is absolutely still worth visiting, even if it has collected a few decades of dust. | |||
| The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask | Action-RPG | 1 | A- |
tl;drWhere Ocarina of Time before it was groundbreaking and laid the foundation for 3D games and particularly the 3D Zelda games, Majora’s Mask was odd and experimental. As a result, this game is more divisive than its safer predecessor – many fans love it for its unique form-changing gameplay, its inspired Groundhog Day loop of a three-day structure, and its dark and ominous tone. However, others may find the three day time limit frustrating and daunting, and may see this unusual take on the Zelda gameplay formula to be too much of a departure for their liking. However, while it may not be the same sort of crowd-pleaser as its predecessor, Majora’s Mask deserves massive credit for taking risks and doing some pretty creative stuff with the Zelda formula, resulting in a game that many series fans point to as their favorite in the franchise. | |||
| Tonic Trouble | 3D Platformer | 1 | C |
tl;drThis game feels like it was constructed from leftover parts of Rayman 2. It feels unpolished, lacks much of Rayman’s charm, and suffers from even worse camera issues. You may be able to find some enjoyment here, but there hardly seems any point when you could instead be playing Banjo-Kazooie, Super Mario 64, or Rayman 2. | |||
| Wave Race 64 | Watercraft Racing | 1-2 Competitive (Local Split-Screen, Online) | A- |
tl;drThe visuals don’t look anywhere near as impressive as they did when this game first released, but even with the dated graphics, Wave Race 64 is still an absolute triumph of a racing game, both extremely accessible yet with plenty of nuance for players willing to dive deeper (ha) into its physics. | |||
| WinBack | Third-Person Shooter | 1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen / Online Split-Screen) | C+ |
tl;drBack in its original release, this game was dismissed as a poor-man’s Metal Gear Solid, but it’s actually closer to the Syphon Filter franchise. It has light stealth elements, but its focus is primarily on linear level design and fast-paced cover-based gunplay. It’s surprising that this game has aged as well as it has, given that it was made for a console with only one analog stick. Its controls need a bit of remapping, but once you do, this is a decent Action game. | |||
| Yoshi’s Story | Platformer | 1 | C- |
tl;drAfter the absolute triumph of Yoshi’s Island, Yoshi’s Story is a pretty disappointing sequel. It doesn’t have anywhere near the amount of depth of its predecessor, its more loose controls aren’t very fun, and its extremely juvenile theme make it harder for older players to appreciate it. This may well be the low point in the entire series. | |||
When it all comes down to it, the truly must-play games in this list (A- grade or higher) are as follows: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Banjo-Kazooie, F-Zero X, Pilotwings 64, Pokemon Snap, Star Fox 64, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, and Wave Race 64.
And in addition to that, other worthwhile games well worth playing (B- grade or higher) are Blast Corps, Dr. Mario 64, Kirby 64, Mario Kart 64, Mario Tennis, Paper Mario, Pokemon Puzzle League, Sin and Punishment, Banjo-Tooie, Ridge Racer 64, 1080 Snowboarding, Dr. Mario 64, Goldeneye 007, Killer Instinct Gold, and Rayman 2: The Great Escape.
Super Mario 64 is also well worth playing due to its historical significance, though it hasn’t aged well.
Or, for those wanting a Top 10 list (because those are always fun), my suggestions would be as follows:
.10. Mario Kart 64
.9. Sin and Punishment
.8. Star Fox 64
.7. Wave Race 64
.6. F-Zero X
.5. Pokemon Snap
.4. Pilotwings 64
.3. Banjo-Kazooie
.2. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
.1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Of course, that’s just how it stands now – Nintendo will update this list with additional titles later… and when they do, I’ll try to make it a point to update this list as well.
tl;dr – Nintendo Switch Online members currently have access to 37 Nintendo 64 games, including some true classics, and all of these games have added save states and online play for those games with multiplayer. There’s definitely quite a few games here well worth checking out.
Grade: N/A
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