ToriJ's Top 11 N64 Games

[Ayen]

It has come to my attention that the Nintendo 64 doesn't get enough love around here, so I have taken it upon myself to rectify this grave injustice by creating a Top 11 list of the greatest N64 games of all time Which is usually subjective, but will be treated objectivity for some reason. Why Top 11? Because I like to go one step beyond. *writes royalty check to Doug Walker* So, without further ado, let's get started: *starts up torture machine* Wait, no. Wrong game. Wrong platform.

The List
(SPOILER)
1.) BattleTanx Global Assault
2.) WWF No Mercy
3.) Super Smash Bros
4.) Pokemon Snap
5.) WCW vs. nWo World Tour
6.) Diddy Kong Racing
7.) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
8.) Mario Kart 64
9.) Super Mario 64
10.) Banjo-Kazooie
11.) Yoshi's Story

11.)

I admit, when my mother first brought this home I scoffed, but the moment I popped it into my N64 (warning: do not pop your games into the console) and started playing I was instantly hooked. You play as several different Yoshi babies color coded. You have your traditional green Yoshi, yellow Yoshi, light blue Yoshi, dark blue Yoshi, red Yoshi, pink Yoshi, I think there may have been an orange Yoshi thrown somewhere in there, and the stages played like a storybook. It's not the hardest game you'll ever play, but it was still fairly challenging and a lot of fun. This was the game that sold me on the Yoshi character for years to come.

"Yoshi!" *jumps*

[AssassinDX]

I have fond memories of this game, if nothing else because it's the only game my mum ever bought me that I didn't specifically ask for first. She just came home from a trip out and said "I saw this and thought you would like it."

Much like you I scoffed at first, but it turned out I loved it. Really nice art style and the music was cute too.

[Ayen]

My mom gave me a bunch of things I didn't ask for. Games, movies, a new computer, she's awesome!

10.)

Banjo-Kazooie! The original! May the fools behind "Nuts & Bolts" burn in the eternal flames of damnation for that hideous abomination against mankind! But we're not here to talk about that. The game stars loveable honey-bear Banjo and his bird pal Kazooie who goes on a mission to save his sister from Gruntilda who captured her to switch their level of beauty out of sheer jealousy. This game had voice acting, but it's all gibberish basically and you need subtitles to know what's being said. The game was just a ton of fun and I had a blast every time I played. I can still remember the game over screen that would come up whether you died or quit the game of Banjo's sister turning all big and ugly and wanting to have a word with you. Hilarious.

[Wolf Kanno]

*Starts taking bets on whether ToriJ will finish his list before BoB finishes his*

[Scotty_ffgamer]

Both of these games are great. I'm certain we'll see number 1 in this list before BoB's.

[Ayen]

That's not even a fair contest, one of us has a life and the other one doesn't.

9.)

I think it goes without saying that a "Top Nintendo" anything list is going to have a Mario game on it. I'm likely to get a fork in the eye for putting it so low on the list, though. Hard to say. Eoffers are strange and mysterious creatures. Super Mario 64 was our first look at the Mario world in 3D and paved the way for many different platforms to come. That first mission with the bombers and the second mission with the wall guys that fell on you were always great fun. I still remember the Boo house which I can only assume was the inspiration for Luigi's Mansion. It's a shame you can't play as Luigi, but that's what we have Super Mario 64 DS for.

[Slothy]

Mario 64 is possibly the best platformer ever.

[Jinx]

If this list doesn't have Pokemon Snap, you should be ashamed of yourself.

[Ayen]

8.)

Oh look, another Mario game. What are the odds? *clear throat*
Mario Kart 64 was one of many related Mario games where the guy invited his archrivals to social events. Three cups to choose from and plenty of different tracks and a versus mode where you can just blow each other up for trouts and giggles. Who remembers Rainbow Road? Tis pretty. Explosives that look like power ups? Yes, yes. Mario Kart was also pretty relaxing as well. I always used to pop it in when I was mad about something and needed to let off steam. That ended when the game became the source of my anger and frustration. Ironic. Naturally, I always played as Luigi because Luigi is number one.

[Wolf Kanno]

Mario Kart 64 will always be my favorite version of the game. It's probably my favorite N64 game which is impressive considering I have no love for the system and generally dislike racing/multiplayer games.

[Dat Matt]

I was watching a speedrun of Mario Kart 64, a guy was running the game on 150cc, snaking round every corner, taking all shortcuts, manipulating the RNG to get more mushrooms in first place. Despite all this, Wario still finished <1 second behind him. The AI in this game is insane.

[The Man]

Mario 64 is possibly the best platformer ever.

That would be Super Metroid or Yoshi's Island. Mario 64 is probably the best 3D platformer ever, though, yeah.

[Freya]

Dat snap. It better be listed.

I loved Kazooie and now i think i'ma emulate it....

[Ayen]

Everyone hold back Assassin and The Man right now.

7.)

The Legend of-- *gets stabbed for putting it so low on the list* Zelda... *gets stabbed for putting it on the list at all* Is a... *gets stabbed by the people who just enjoy stabbing people* Game I played. *dies and becomes a ghost* Cool!

Back in the day Ocarina of Time was one of the reasons, if not the reason you bought a Nintendo 64. It was the game that catapulted Zelda into the 3D era, as Super Mario 64 did for Mario, and was my introduction into the Zelda franchise, as well as the first N64 game I ever played. I adored the story, the characters (the females are more interesting than the males), and running around the open world not giving two trouts. Fifteen years later when I picked it up for a review it was just as fun now as it was back then. Except for Jabu's belly. Smurf that. And the Forest Temple. The Forest Temple can burn in hell. I don't even remember the Water Temple. Something about iron boots and Shadow Link. Also, my cousin used to be terrified of the Shadow Temple so I had to sit with him as he played through it. For that reason alone this game is going on the list.

*gets caught in a bottle* Link, what are you doing?
*added to inventory* Link, STAHP!

[Wolf Kanno]

*gets caught in a bottle* Link, what are you doing?
*added to inventory* Link, STAHP!

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I have mixed feelings about OoT, while I appreciate the expansion of the mythology and the excellent music, I felt the game was a step back in gameplay. Most of the clever dungeon designs were lifted from LttP and the early versions of the Z-Targeting system was clunky and wouldn't be properly fixed until the 3DS remake. I like the game but its hardly my favorite Zelda and like many games from that late 90s era when the new generation of gamers were cutting their teeth on it, I feel it gets way more praise than it properly deserves.