Top 10 Nintendo 64 Games

When I took it out, I noticed that it had a fine blanket of dust all over it. It must have been three years since I so much as touched it. Then, I remembered back to the good old days playing my N64. I remembered how when the Gamecube came out, I refused to buy it because of my attachment to my N64. Then, when I learned that they weren't making N64 games any more, I was really steamed. But I lived with the few games that I had.

Three years ago, I got a Gamecube for Christmas, got hooked, and totally forgot about my Nintendo 64 and the many games I had for it. After dusting it off, I began to play an old favorite by the name of Paper Mario. I then remembered those nostalgic moments of playing my N64 and hating the GC. And until my Wii arrives, and I play these favorites on the Wii, I think I'll enjoy some time with my first game system, and maybe share it with you guys.

1. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (N64)

   Although I have never owned this game, I would rent it constantly. This game was by far the greatest Kirby game of all time. Not like the crap that Kirby does today. The gameplay was amazing, the bosses intricate, and the character... Well, just great. If they could make a direct sequel to this game for the Wii, it would make lots.

2. Mario Party 3 (N64)

   Ah yes, Mario Party 3. The last of the Mario Party series to make it onto the Nintendo 64 and possibly the greatest Mario Party of all time (except for maybe four). You cannot find better minigames anywhere. From Cheep Cheep Chase to the shrinking field one who's name I forget, this game is the definition of quality mini-games. None of today's games can compare in terms of mini-games.

3. Pokemon Snap (N64)

   The very first video game I ever played was this one. The whole point of the game is to take a decent picture of every pokemon in the world. Your character would be positioned on a moving cart that you could not stop, giving you limited time to take each picture. There were the common pokemon like Pidgey and Spearow. Those take almost no time to get. But then there is an abundance of rare pokemon such as Ditto, Scyther, and Moltres who would appear if you completed a rather difficult task, and sometimes not even then. Sometimes they would just appear at random, and only very briefly. I am very sorry to say that I stopped playing the game with only two pokemon left to find.

4. Mario Kart 64 (N64)

   The Mario Kart series went into 3D with a bang when this game came out. Add up awesome characters, wonderfully designed fields, and just a great concept, and you get this game. With sixteen fields to race your favorite Super Mario characters on, this game was nothing short of brilliant. And the items. Wonderful items, from the ever so simple koopa shell, to the subtle yet amazing gold mushroom. And the short cuts in this game were quite fun to go down (although I don't think any of them got you anywhere). But they were still fun to go down, as was this game.

5. Super Smash Bros. (N64)

   With Super Smash Bros. Brawl coming out, people have pretty much forgotten about this game. But this is the one that started it all. There weren't many characters to play as, and there weren't many fields, but this is what started it all. The battle system was very good, leaving neither player at a disadvantage. Imagine all your favorite video game characters, from Mario to Ness packed together, battle-ready, and you get this game. You can't miss this one.

6. Super Mario 64 (N64)

   A true classic, and one of the few games still recognized as wonderful today. With dozens of levels, each with six missions, this game is a huge time killer. The plot isn't anything special, but the game play is to die for. The simplistic attacks make for spectacular finishes, whether it be throwing the bob-bomb king off a mountain, or to throwing the Koopa King Kerog... Cough... I mean Bowser (getting a bit too nostalgic their) into oblivion. Chucking items from bob-bombs to bits of stone, punching piranha plants and the like, and of course, spinning big people around and throwing them. This game is unforgettable. They even made a remake, which they don't do for many games. Definitely, a must have.

7. Rayman 2: The Great Escape (N64)

   Considered by many to be the best of the five part Rayman series. For it's time, Rayman 2 was a graphical masterpiece. Today the graphics aren't anything special, but they wouldn't be called abysmal. There are countless large levels to explore with your limbless pal. In each you must find fifty lums (fairys) to stop the evil pirate Razorbeard. The gameplay is better than almost any of the games you see today, and it even got a remake on the Nintendo DS. Which I might add is nothing compared to the first. This game is a must have.

8. Paper Mario (N64)

   By far one of the greatest games of all time. It revolutionized gaming with it's turn based battle system, and it's use of action commands (pressing buttons at certain times to power up your attacks). You will see many turn-based games nowadays, but none are as good as this one. The original. With amazing bosses, from Blooper to the Koopa King himself, this game's enemies are amazing. And how could I forget the common enemie's. From Koopa's to Medi Guys, this game reintroduces the classic baddies and even throws in a few of it's own. Travel through seven expansive worlds, solving puzzles, trouncing bad guys, beating the bosses, get friends to help you along the way, and ultimately beating the big guy. And of course, meeting a few annoyances on the way. Jr. Troopa, I'm talking to you! Pick up this classic and play!!

9. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)

   You knew it was going to come in some time. What is believed to be the greatest game of all time by most, is number two for me. It's expansive world, awesome gameplay, and just amazing enemy's makes for one of the greatest games of all time. For it's time, the graphics were absolutely amazing and of course, the intricacy was great. The strategy and skill you would have to muster to beat the bosses was very high. Your high arsenal of weapons made for intricate and exciting battle with everything from the pint sized keese, to the gargantuan iron knuckles. And the plot, well. You have to see it to believe it.

10. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64)

    This game is a rare sequel. Even better than the first. And seeing as how the first is Ocarina of Time, this is a great achievement indeed. The game starts off with our hero riding his horse through the forest in search of a long lost friend. But when a forest kid steals the ocarina of time and his horse, things get troublesome. Although it is quite a bit shorter than it's predecessor the side quests are bountiful. More than twice as many as in Ocarina of Time. Collect the many masks to give you extra abilities. Help the terminians with their problems, but remember to watch the clock. If three days game time passes... Well, you'll just have to play what I consider to be the greatest game of all time to find out!!!

I hope that you have learned a lot about the Nintendo 64 and it's many wonderful games. The graphics might not be great, but this system truly makes for a lost quality of gaming that we don't see in today's games. Next time your playing your big, fancy, Halo 3 or whatever, try and go back to the basics. Play the subtle, yet amazing games.