The Nintendo 64 was pretty well known for its platformer games. It didn’t have a ton of them, but most of what came out for the system was high quality as far as this genre goes. That’s due to a few different reasons. First off this type of game generally resonates better with younger gamers. The Nintendo 64 with Nintendo’s family friendly focus was generally the system of choice for children. Additionally it had Super Mario 64 as a launch game. This title revolutionized how we saw and played 3D games. Platformers were affected the most by its influence. The console didn’t have a huge library but you could always count on it for solid platformers. Today we thought it would be fun to highlight the best ones. Without further delay this is our list of the Top 25 Best Nintendo 64 Platformers of All Time. Let’s get into it.
#25. – Taz Express
Admittedly I’ve never been much of a Looney Tunes fan. Not even when I was a kid. It just never clicked with me, and still hasn’t. With that said I actually enjoyed Taz Express. This is a game based off of the license from the aforementioned show and stars the Tazmanian Devil. Your simple goal is to delivery packages through various 3D stages. It’s easier than it sounds. Each time one breaks you lose a life. Unfortunately the character concept is based entirely around destruction and chaos. Without a package in tow Taz can spin dash around these stages and destroy a myriad of different elements in the environment. Sometimes he can even carve paths through cliffs and hills. The level designs leave a little to be desired but I found the gameplay relatively fun. For a licensed game this is a pretty good N64 platformer.
#24. – Lode Runner 3-D
What I do like is Lode Runner though. The older releases are bonafide classics and I’ve enjoyed them across a variety of different consoles. As with all other franchises it was time to finally move it into the realm of 3D when the 32-bit generation launched. There are some obvious growing pains here, but by and large this still feels like classic Lode Runner. Despite the name gameplay is primarily two dimensional. You guide the main character through a series of simple labyrinths all the while avoiding enemies. There is no direct way for you to fight back. Instead you have to dig holes for the enemies to fall in to defeat them. Of course you’ve got to outrun them first. This one is kind of a platformer/puzzle hybrid and the two genres blend well together. If you like classic Lode Runner then you’ll enjoy this one.
#23. – Tonic Trouble
My opinion on this one changes often. It was made by Ubisoft and is one of their few exclusive games for the platform. It’s also rife with that good old fashioned 90s ‘tude. Here you play as an abstract character named Ed. Your goal is to explore 3D environments and fight off enemies. This one blends platforming with action adventure elements kind of like Rayman. Your primary weapon is a pea shooter which is fired from a first person perspective. Throughout the adventure Ed acquires new gadgets that aid in exploration. These include things like a bow tie that lets him fly, a pogo stick to bounce over hazardous terrain, and a diving helmet that lets the little guy swim. Tonic Trouble isn’t going to win any awards for originality nor is it a masterpiece by any means. What it is however is a goofy and fun good time.
#22. – Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
Symphony of the Night stole most of the critical praise during the generation. It handily overshadowed the Nintendo 64 Castlevania games. I get it, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t moderately enjoyable too. Legacy of Darkness is kind of an enhanced port of the first N64 Castlevania title. This one has more content (including a prologue) and buffs out some of the rough edges in the original release. Truth be told Legacy of Darkness pretty much makes the original irrelevant. This game isn’t without its issues however. It was released in the early days of 3D gaming so gameplay (especially camera control) is awkward to say the least. Regardless it offers a more traditional approach to classic Castlevania than Symphony of the Night did, and shows how Konami intended to move the franchise forward into 3D. This one is dated, but still enjoyable.
#21. – Space Station Silicon Valley
It’s hard to believe this game was made by the same developers that would go on to create Grand Theft Auto. Space Station Silicon Valley is an N64 exclusive in which you play as the microchip remains of a robot after a crash landing. The primary ability at your disposal allows you to take control of the various animals that inhabit this world. You’ll need to do so to both survive and push forward. What’s interesting is that these animals have unique abilities. You will need to take advantage of these to fight off enemies, destroy obstacles blocking your path, and even solve puzzles. It’s a fairly ingenious design that still holds up pretty well. Space Station Silicon Valley does have some of the blemishes that came with early 3D video games but it holds up decently.
#20. – Earthworm Jim 3D
To be honest I was never the biggest fan of Earthworm Jim. While I appreciated the humor and over the top style when I was a kid the gameplay never particularly resonated with me. I did however mildly enjoy the series’ first (and only) three dimensional outing. Earthworm Jim 3D changes gameplay in some pretty significant ways. For one thing the protagonist’s main method of attack is now shooting via his blaster. Unfortunately this mechanic feels a little clumsy at times. Additionally the progression design has been altered to more closely match Super Mario 64 and Banjo Kazooie. Your goal now is to collect golden utters hidden in each stage to unlock the next world (in this case it’s sections of Jim’s brain). Yes, the classic goofy style and jokes are still in place, and they have aged pretty poorly. Regardless Earthworm Jim 3D is a decent romp.
#19. – Donald Duck: Goin’ Quackers
This is yet another license I’ve never particularly cared for. That’s why I was surprised to discover this one is actually pretty good. Donald Duck: Goin’ Quackers is a 3D platformer wherein you play as Disney’s iconic fowl in a level by level structured adventure. It bears more than a passing similarity to Crash Bandicoot. Essentially it’s structured in the same way. Most stages are structured like a hallway. You can move in all directions but the path is pretty limited. Additionally the camera is stuck firmly behind Donald Duck and always shows the way forward in these sequences. There is some variety though. Specific areas of the game take on a side view and function like a classic 2D platformer. Again, I’m really not a big fan of the license but I found plenty to enjoy here.
#18. – Chameleon Twist 2
The first Chameleon Twist was an inventive game on the platform. Unfortunately it went mostly ignored. The sequel is largely more of the same, but with bigger levels and more moves. Also, the developers finally figured out what a chameleon actually looks like. This game has you hopping and bopping through a series of levels with the main gimmick being centered around the character’s tongue. You can use this to not only eat enemies (and spit them back out) but also to grab on to objects in the environment. This allows you to propel the character vertically as well as horizontally. It’s a pretty good idea, and scores points for trying something different. Unfortunately what holds this one back is its difficulty and length. It’s clear Chameleon Twist 2 was aimed at younger games. That doesn’t mean it’s not charming and entertaining while it lasts though.
#17. – Yoshi’s Story
Yoshi’s Island on the SNES was Nintendo at their peak. They shook up the genre with this title, and took some bold moves forward. That’s why I was so pumped for Yoshi’s Story. It was one of the first Nintendo 64 games announced and also one of the few 2D games for the platform. So why isn’t it higher on this list? Unfortunately Nintendo made the mistake of both over complicating the gameplay while making it too short and easy. Your main goal is no longer to reach the end of a stage. Instead you have to seek out and eat specific types of fruit. I’m at a loss as to why they went this route. What we wanted was more Yoshi’s Island, and this isn’t that. Regardless it’s a good platformer. I just can’t imagine paying full price for a title that can be completed in a single afternoon.
#16. – Bomberman Hero
Yeah, yeah. I know. Bomberman isn’t a platformer. Bomberman Hero on the other hand, is. This game changed up the franchise’s formula in numerous ways. For one thing there’s no multiplayer mode. This was always Bomberman’s bread and butter. Instead you have a dedicated 3D adventure complete with good level designs and fun mechanics. For the first time in the series Bomberman can jump without the assistance of an item. He can also throw bombs, but that’s nothing new for the series. Even the graphics are really nice by Nintendo 64 standards. In particular I love the new lower camera angle which greatly assists with the platforming mechanics. It was a gamble for sure but I think it paid off. Bomberman Hero is underrated. It’s also one of the best N64 platformers of all time.
#15. – Chameleon Twist
I mentioned this earlier when discussing this game’s sequel, but how did the developers get the basic design of a chameleon so wrong in this one? This guy doesn’t even look like a lizard. Regardless the first Chameleon Twist is a good innocent romp through a series of fun levels. The main mechanic here is the protagonist’s tongue which is not only used to attack enemies but also to latch on to the environment. This move is used to pull the little guy across chasms and hazards. What’s also neat is the fact that this appendage isn’t restricted to just a singular direction. You can manipulate it with the analog stick on the control to bend and twist to your heart’s delight. It makes for some really fun moments. I just wish the game was longer, and offered even somewhat of a challenge.
#14. – Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Nintendo’s puff ball Kirby put in some serious work on the Game Boy and SNES. His adventures there were some of the most fun platforming events on both systems. Unfortunately his N64 outing falls a little short. Don’t get me wrong. The Crystal Shards is a good game. It just isn’t great. This platformer plays like a traditional Kirby game. Side view and all. The problem is the pacing is very slow, and the levels are small. The little guy moves about half of his normal speed. Kirby 64 does however introduce some really neat mechanics to the series. Here you can combine the powers gained from eating opponents. Essentially this nearly doubles his abilities. Some of the effects are really fun to use too. I just wish this one measured up to the quality of Kirby’s other outings.
#13. – Gex 64: Enter the Gecko
The original Gex was the makeshift mascot for the failed 3DO console. This 2D platformer was fun, inventive, and somewhat charming. When that console went belly up he went on an all console tour with the second game being the first released for the Nintendo 64. Enter the Gecko is a fully 3D platformer wherein you explore large levels based on television themes. Gex 64 never takes itself too seriously as you’ll soon discover. As you play the main character constantly spits out one liners voiced by Dana Gould. These are mostly cheesy and aimed at kids, but some of them are mildly entertaining I suppose. The game follows the Super Mario 64 blueprint by tasking you to track down items to unlock later stages. In this case it’s golden remotes. Thanks to its clever gameplay mechanics this one is fun.
#12. – Goemon’s Great Adventure
I have loved the Goemon franchise since the days of the Super Nintendo. These games are always filled with over-the-top Japanese humor, and have always had fantastic multiplayer. Goemon’s Great Adventure returns to the series roots by offering 2.5D gameplay. The best part is that you can play through the game with up to three other friends. The stages and enemies range from hilarious to downright bizarre. The boss encounters even have your characters fighting them aboard a giant roller skating mecha robot. Goemon’s Great Adventure never takes itself too seriously. The platforming is challenging and rewarding with some fantastic level designs and even light puzzles. If you’re looking for a N64 multiplayer game then this is a good choice. It’s even fun during solo play. This game makes me wish Konami were still making new Goemon games.
#11. – Glover
Glover is the product of a forgotten time. A moment in history when developers were scrambling to make the next Mario and Sonic, and throwing tons of ideas at the wall hoping something would stick. In this case you play as a glove. It might seem like they were all out of ideas at this point but the concept is actually pretty decent. Glover’s goal is to navigate a ball from the beginning to the end of each stage. If it is destroyed, lost, or you take too much damage then you lose a life. The guy’s fingers function as his feet, and he grasps items like a hand. The level designs are really interesting and you’ll be forced to use all of the little guy’s abilities to make it through. The game offers a decent challenge through it’s interesting mechanics.
#10. – Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko
The second Gex game must have done pretty well because Crystal Dynamics gave their lizard boy another shot at a big budget platformer. On the surface Gex 3 plays very similarly to Enter the Gecko. You guide Gex through 3D environments collecting items to unlock the way forward on a central hub. The difference here is the guy’s expanded abilities. Through power ups he can now spit fire and ice to damage enemies. There’s also more focus on swimming this time around, and the little guy can even glide through specific stages. The biggest new upgrade however is in the vehicles. In specific stages he can ride a camel, tank and even a snowboard. This adds some much needed diversity to the experience. Besides these changes this is the same old wise cracking Gex, but that’s not a bad thing in my book.
#9. – Rayman 2: The Great Escape
I’ll start this one off by saying that the Dreamcast version is better. The Nintendo 64 release is no slouch though. Ubisoft moved their 2D franchise into 3D with a lot of finesse. These level designs are seriously some of the best of the generation. While Rayman begins the adventure with a very limited number of moves he gains more as the plot progresses. These are later used to reach previously inaccessible areas to collect lums which are needed to open new areas of the world. While this may not sound particularly special Rayman 2 pulls these mechanics off with a lot of finesse. There’s something really special about this release that’s hard to put my finger on. This is Rayman at its best. Unfortunately it was all downhill from here for the little guy.
#8. – Banjo Tooie
In my opinion the Banjo series is slightly overrated. Don’t get me wrong. The games are solid with great mechanics and inventive level designs. They just feel too similar to Super Mario 64, but like, a second rate version of Nintendo’s own game. With that out of the way Banjo Tooie expanded on the mechanics in some thoughtful ways. For one thing all of the game’s worlds are now interconnected. This level of seamless travel felt very ahead of its time. The duo of heroes can now temporarily separate as well which is really cool. One thing holding this one back for me is its emphasis on puzzles. It takes the idea from the original and expands on it. Perhaps too much if you ask me. Regardless of that Banjo Tooie is a great N64 platformer, and if you’re into collect-a-thons then it’s got your number.
#7. – Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
I might be cheating a little with this one. Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon feels more like an action adventure game than pure platformer. It plays sort of like a makeshift Zelda game. Make no mistake; there’s still plenty of platforming elements and that’s why it made this list. Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon was the series’ first foray into 3D. It features large worlds, interesting towns to explore, and a ton of great mini-games. The only real downside is that due to the new perspective Konami had to cut the multiplayer option out. Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon is strictly a solo affair. Previous mechanics such as the mecha battles using the robot Impact make their triumphant return. These are just as crazy and fun as ever. Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon was a hugely ambitious title that’s still impressive today.
#6. – Banjo Kazooie
And here we have it. The perfect marriage of bear and bird with a heavy coat of that classic Rareware polish. Banjo Kazooie takes what the developer learned from the Donkey Kong Country series and applies it perfectly to 3D gameplay. Here you explore well designed 3D worlds collecting musical notes (think coins from Mario) and Jiggies (these unlock new areas). It feels like a bit of a copycat of Super Mario 64 but Rare managed to differentiate the gameplay a bit. Banjo and Kazooie are a team and bring different abilities to the table. Our bear friend can run around and roll into enemies while his bird companion allows him to hover a bit with each jump. The game has a lot of personality and offers smoother gameplay than most other 3D platformers at the time.
#5. – Conker’s Bad Fur Day
At one point Rare seemed like they were in kind of a rut. They were releasing several similar family-friendly 3D platformers on the Nintendo 64. There wasn’t enough to differentiate them from each other. Conker 64 was one of these games. They must have become bored with it at one point because they scrapped the work they had put in and made Conker into a hilarious and raunchy parody. The game relies a lot on juvenile humor to the point that one of the game’s boss characters is a mountain of poo. There’s foul language, violence and alcohol abound in Conker’s Bad Fur Day and I’m here for it. Unfortunately the game just feels a little juvenile these days. Still, I can appreciate the developers taking such a random route with a title they had been working on for so long. I just wish the game was longer.
#4. – Donkey Kong 64
I feel like this one gets a bad rep. It’s probably because of the sheer number of platformers Rare had released on the Nintendo 64 at this time. Donkey Kong 64 takes the concepts introduced in Country and adapt them into 3D. It also gave us the DK Rap which is a bonus in my book. Donkey Kong 64 is one of the most ambitious platformers on the system. It features gigantic worlds with lots to see and do. If there’s any one problem it might be that there’s too much crammed into this cartridge. Finding golden bananas to progress is quite the undertaking given the sheer scope of this game. Furthermore I found that there were too many mini-games. Still, the game is beautiful, plays well, and has some really inventive designs. I especially like all of the playable Kong characters and the abilities they bring to the table.
#3. – Rocket: Robot on Wheels
Developer Sucker Punch may have moved on to bigger and more popular things, but in my opinion Rocket Robot on Wheels is their best game to date. This is a 3D platformer that uses physics as its main draw. This means things like friction and inertia are integral to gameplay. Rocket was highly refreshing at the time of release and still stands out in the Nintendo 64’s library. Physics based gameplay isn’t just a gimmick here. The entire game is built around it. There are some really inventive obstacles and puzzles based around the mechanic. It also helps that the game looks and plays like a dream. Thanks to a solid framerate it’s highly playable even today. If you want something that doesn’t just look different from the Banjos and Marios of the Nintendo 64 then Rocket: Robot on Wheels is an excellent choice.
#2. – Mischief Makers
I will never be finished singing this game’s praises. Mischief Makers is from the legendary developer Treasure. It might just be my favorite game they’ve ever released. This one sets itself apart from the rest of the console’s library by being a 2D platformer. These were a dying breed especially on the Nintendo 64. In this game you play as an android named Marina. She’s armed with the ability to grab objects/enemies and shake them. Her grasp can also be used to propel her through the environment, and she has jet packs (controlled with the C-buttons) to assist her trajectory. The game features some of the most elaborate and interesting level designs of any platformer. Oh and did I mention that the boss fights are absolutely insane? This one was misunderstood at the time of release but finally has a cult following. It’s no wonder because it’s darn good.
#1. – Super Mario 64
Was there ever any question that this would be number 1? 3D gaming existed before Super Mario 64, but this one pushed it to a new level. Other games before it even on the same generation of consoles felt instantly dated because of this one. To this day the genre is still catching up with what Nintendo released in 1996. Super Mario 64 still plays like an absolute dream. It features inventive worlds, fun puzzles and obstacles, and great power-ups. Simple things like jumping off of walls and even swimming still feel absolutely incredible with the amount of control you have. It also helps that the graphics still hold up and the framerate is surprisingly steady. There’s a reason why Super Mario 64 is the standard by which other platformers are measured. It’s just that good.
