The N64 was a big part of my childhood. My sister had an NES, and I had a gameboy, but I still feel like my N64 was my first video game console. I remember being in the store when my mom bought it (The store was the EB in Markville Mall). It was my birthday, and I had been asking for one non stop, and I might have had a good report card too, but I was still shocked when I ended up getting one. My N64 came with Pokemon Stadium and the thing so that you could import your pokemon in, and I couldn't have picked a better first game. I didn't own all of the games on this list (in fact, I didn't start enjoying one of them until recently) but I either rented them or my friend's had it.
Honorable Mentions
Pokemon Snap - Loved the game, and I remember it was expensive for a long time, so I rented it like 5 times. It could also be beaten easily within two hours, so that kinda takes away from it. Playing it in my buddy's basement last summer was a highlight though.
Pokemon Stadium - My first game, and definitly one of my favorites. Mini games are dope, Gym Leaders Castle is a true test of merit and playing pokemon red on a TV in dodrio speed is the only real way to play. This was a hard cut to make, but it had to be done.
Earthworm Jim 3D - I remember my mom randomly came home from like Loblaws or some shit and gave me this game, a racing game and two games I never played. The racing game was ok, but Earthwork Jim was awesome. I remember playing it on this like 5 inch portable tv I had (cause when you're 11 nothing is more baller than having your own TV) and it was awesome. I'm not sure if I ever beat it though, so thats minus points.
7. WWE No Mercy
Everyone knows that wrestling games were made for the N64, there were a ton of awesome ones, but No Mercy was the best. I remember it had the most wrestlers and all the guys you wanted (The Rock, Stone Cold, The Undertaker, Triple H) and it was the most fun to play. It had sick graphics for the time (blew my ten year old mind) and a sick create a wrestler mode. I didn't own it, but I remember hitting up blockbuster to rent this one a bunch of times.
Coolest Part - Creating your own wrestler, and then using that fighter to kick Stone Cold Steve Austin's ass.
6. Super Mario 64
This game could have been rated higher if I had gotten it earlier (I bought it off one of my friends when I was like 14, after I had gotten an Xbox and stopped playing N64 as much) but I still felt it warranted a spot on my list. It was cool finding all the secrets to the different worlds and a challenge trying to get all the stars. It's one of those games everyone played for N64, and for good reason - it's a classic.
Coolest Part - Getting shot out of a fucking cannon with the flying hat on, or running straight up walls in the desert world.
5. Super Smash Bros.
I remember getting this game when no one else had it, and then it being THE game to play when people came over. I remember hearing about the unlockable characters, and how Ness and Captain Falcon were the best characters. I personally preferred using Link or DK, but never Jigglypuff. Fuck Jigglypuff. Classic fighting game.
Coolest Part - Unlocking new characters by fighting them.
4. Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
The second Zelda game on the N64 was definitly different from the first - while it used the same character models, it was a much darker game. Considering the entire time you play you're on a countdown to the fucking moon crashing, it has to be pretty dark. Transforming into other characters, exploring more complex (and as I remember more difficult) temples, and tons of sidequests really made this game stand out. I've probably played through the game a few times (started the game tons of times, but rarely make it past the second temple) and everytime it's been awesome.
Coolest Part - Getting the Fierce Deity Mask and turning into a badass.
3. Mario Kart 64
I never really played Mario Kart when I was younger, but it has definitely become one of my favorites. It's a great drinking game and a fun game to play when your hanging out. Racing though the jungles or the beach, shooting shells at other people, jacking other peoples powers with boo, making people trip on banana peels - all awesome. Toad's Turnpike is the worst though. Fuck those other cars. Also, DK is the best racer, hands down. Toad is mad lame.
Coolest Part - I really like the idea of the fake item boxes, but in practice theyre kinda useless. So the coolest part was blasting straight through people using the star.
2. Paper Mario
I know a lot of people wouldn't put this game here, but its one of my favorites. Paper Mario (and the sequel on Gamecube) are both fucking awesome. The crazy bosses - the pharoah that gets eaten by his own chain chomp, the Koopa Brothers, the retarded fire plant - are all great characters (I'd argue the only badass boss is the Crystal King in the palace). The only part that was lame was the flower level, and even that was ok (The best level is of course the one in the toy box). The badges make it so that you customize the game to your liking, and there's tons of stuff to do outside of the main story. I'd make it number one, but theres only one game that can possibly belong there.
Coolest Part - Beating the Dojo Master in his final form - a tough as fuck battle, and you don't get anything for it other than knowing Mario is a total badass.
1. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
This is my favorite game of all time, bar none. I must have played through it no less than twelve times by now. It was one of the first games that I got for N64, and one of the main reasons that I wanted an N64 in the first place. It is the only game I've played to which I have no complaints. I even like the water temple (It's clearly the least fun level, but that doesn't mean its bad). I've done everything there is to do, from collecting all the heart pieces to destroying all the gold skulltulas. The only thing I've never done in the game is use Farore's Wind. What a useless fucking power. For the record, the best temple is obviously the fire temple (though the shadow and spirit temples are also awesome).
Coolest Part - Hitting Ganondorf's attack back with the bottle. Like a fucking boss.
Yes, I know Goldeneye and Perfect Dark aren't on the list - I never really played Goldeneye (I've never played Perfect Dark), and trying to play now is painful - shooters are just more fun on the current systems. If you don't agree, well then fuck you. This is my blog, and imma say whatever I want.
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