Best Multiplayer Games for Nintendo 64
Best Multiplayer Games for Nintendo 64
The Nintendo 64 is revered for being one of the best multiplayer consoles ever released. The wide variety of games available is amazing - better yet, these days you can find them for a fraction of the price of current generation console games.
Some games are also available to download to more recent gaming platforms such as Virtual Console on Wii, Wii U and Switch.
This article will explore the best multiplayer games on the Nintendo 64, including some that aren't so well known, to help you make an informed decision about what you'll play next!
Goldeneye
Genre: First Person Shooter/Action
Difficulty: 8/10
Learning Curve: Slow and Steady
Players: 1-4
If you like this check out: Perfect Dark
Widely regarded as among the best shooters of all time, this game based on the movie of the same name, is simply a must-have.
The single player game, along with unlockable cheats, will keep you entertained for years, and the multiplayer is just as good - you can't lose!
Conker's Bad Fur Day
Genre: 3rd Person Adventure/RPG
Difficulty: 4/10
Learning Curve: Slow and Steady
Players: 1-4
If you like this check out: Super Mario 64
While the Nintendo console had its fair share of family friendly titles, there wasn't much in the way of games for an adult audience.
Conkers BFD was one of these niche games. The game's main character Conker (who is also found in Diddy Kong Racing) walks home after a big night out at the pub and in a drunken haze subseqently finds himself in a very strange world.
Expect meetings with dinosaurs, bees, and a big giant poo.
The multiplayer is a blast, and while the controls are a little different, the many modes of play will keep you going back.
Mario Party
Genre: Party/Board Game
Difficulty: 4/10
Learning Curve: Slow
Players: 1-4
If you like this check out: Mario Party 2
As the name suggests, this is a party game, so invite your friends on over and have a blast.
The game revolves around a board game concept featuring your favourite Nintendo mascots, and after each round of movement a mini game begins, which is can be in teams or a free for all.
The mini games are the main event here, and there's heaps of them to keep you entertained. Games all are very simple but entertaining, including, basketball, fishing and footraces.
Once you have progressed to a certain point in game you can choose to discard the board game aspect and just play the mini games, which is much less tedious.
Unfortunately once you get good at this game, you will find the computer to be no match for you, but the multiplayer options make this one a keeper.
Mario Tennis
Genre: Sport
Difficulty: 7/10
Learning Curve: Easy to play, difficult to master.
Players: 1-4
If you like this check out: Mario Party.
This game is not as well known as it was one of the last games released for the console. The basic controls are incredibly easy, but there are more complex moves that need practice to pull off. This is a game that anyone can pick up and play without prior experience.
There is a huge list of playable characters from Baby Mario to Koopa Troopa, and you can choose to play with a wide range of options such as different court surfaces and singles or doubles.
Beetle Adventure Racing
Genre: Racing
Difficulty: 8/10
Learning Curve: Medium
Players: 1-4
If you like this check out: San Francisco Rush 2049
I don't know why they chose Volkswagen Beetles as the vehicle to carry this game, but it's certainly entertaining. The animated and lively tracks are huge, and can all be completed in more than one way. From driving thru a snowstorm to inside an active volcano, the interactive and ever changing environments are a highlight.
The only vehicle you can drive is a beetle, but there are many types and colours available, and the rest of the game offers enough variety to make up for it.
Multiplayer races and battles are both available and both offer great value.
Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2
Genre: Sport
Difficulty: 7/10
Learning Curve: Medium
Players: 1-2
If you like this check out: Excitebike 64.
An early incarnation of the popular series, this is arguably better than the first, particularly when it comes to multiplayer.
The game features levels riddled with places to grind and hop over, and the music and sounds only add to the experience.
It takes a while to get good at some moves, but once you get the basics you'll love it.
There are a couple of multiplayer modes, such as free play and the amusing HORSE. There's heaps to see here, and not just in multiplayer.
Super Smash Bros
Genre: Fighting
Difficulty: 7/10
Learning Curve: Medium
Players: 1-4
If you like this check out: Rakuga Kids, Clayfighter 64
Take cuddly Nintedno characters, give them boxing gloves, and put them in a ring.
This is Super Smash Bros, which has gone on to spawn successful sequels. The Nintendo feel is authentic, and it is probably amongst the least violent fighters ever made. It is difficult to find a similar game on this console, being such a bold idea.
And it works. Players fight in a wide range of settings with up to three other players.
There's nothing else like it.
Mario Kart 64
Genre: Racing
Difficulty: 2/10
Learning Curve: Slow
Players: 1-4
If you like this check out: Diddy Kong Racing
The undisputed king of multiplayer of Nintendo 64, Mario Kart is the game that will usually come out if you are playing on the console with friends.
It's easy to pick up, well balanced, and always fun.
Racing and battle modes are available, as are a wide range of courses and characters.
WWF No Mercy
Genre: Fighting
Difficulty: 5/10
Learning Curve: Medium
Players: 1-4
If you like this check out: Super Smash Bros
While you might be put off if you're not a wrestling fan, give this one a second chance. There are plenty to choose from in the wrestling genre, but this is the clear winner.
There are character models of all the popular wrestlers, and you can create your own, right down to the color of their shoes and their body weight.
There are ladder matches, melee weapons to be found, and loads of moves to learn.
The single player gets old quick, but if you want a multiplayer beat em up on N64, this is where it's at.
Diddy Kong Racing
Genre: Racing
Difficulty: 8/10
Learning Curve: Slow
Players: 1-4
If you like this check out: Mario Kart 64
Similar but different to Mario Kart 64, this game has many of the same elements, but adds planes and hovercraft to your options. There is a large number of levels and while the cars are easy to control, it is difficult to master the other vehicles.
Like Mario Kart it includes racing and battle modes.
Excitebike 64
Genre: Racing
Difficulty: 8/10
Learning Curve: Medium High
Players: 1-4
If you like this check out: Wave Race
For a 64 bit console this game looks mighty good. Travel through mud, dirt and snow as you race dirtbikes up, over and under to beat the competition.
There are other modes apart from standard racing (which is pretty good), including soccer. Yes soccer on dirtbikes. It must be seen to be believed.
The learning curve is reasonably steep as you need to use advanced cornering skills to beat your competition early in the game.
Perfect Dark
Genre: First Person Shooter
Difficulty: 7/10
Learning Curve: Slow
Players: 1-4
If you like this check out: GoldenEye
The spiritual sequel to Goldeneye by the same team, this game takes everything that was good about the first game and multiplies it by ten.
The single player missions will last for a long time, but the multiplayer is just as incredible. The multiplayer options are all there, from deathmatch to capture the flag, in a variety of environments including some classics.
The futuristic setting of the game allows for a massive arsenal of over 40 weapons, each with a secondary function.
Goldeneye is a classic. Perfect Dark will be.
Wave Race 64
Genre: Racing
Difficulty: 6/10
Learning Curve: Slow
Players: 1-2
If you like this check out: 1080 Snowboarding
A very early N64 game, it looks great for it's time, with water and wave effects that behave realistically.
It has characters better suited for beginners, making it easy to pick up and play.
The variety is not as great as it could've been in term of modes of play, but it's still worth a look.
Star Fox 64 (Lylat Wars)
Genre: Flight
Difficulty: 4/10
Learning Curve: Slow
Players: 1-4
If you like this check out: Diddy Kong Racing
Also known as Lylat Wars in Europe and Oceania, this is generally classified as a flight sim, however upon completing certain tasks there are two land transport modes to be unlocked for multiplayer in addition to spaceships.
It's not particularly difficult and is fun in short bursts. The single player game has a lot more long lasting appeal.