Best Underrated N64 Games You Need to Play in 2023

The N64 collection is filled with titles that are still worth playing today, ranging from platformers to racing games.

These games clearly weren't able to sell millions of copies, they did provide some seriously intriguing gameplay and some fantastic one-of-a-kind experiences that stand the test of time.

Each of these games has its own distinct qualities and appealled to a lesser audience for the timeframe they were released in.

There are plenty of reasons to give these neglected gems a shot in 2023, from the clever puzzle concepts of Mischief Makers to the colourful universe of Paper Mario.

These games will delight and surprise you regardless of your comfort level with the amazing N64 console.

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10. Banjo-Tooie

Please hear us out on this one, Banjo Tooie is a great game, but it was overshadowed by it's big brother and people remember that one for the best platformer on the N64.

It brings you some seriously extensive, interconnected levels that provide hours of exploration and discovery. The levels are jam-packed with mysteries, hidden locations, and difficult challenges to keep you involved and entertained.

Banjo Tooie's usage of new gameplay elements, such as the ability to split Banjo and Kazooie into different entities, morph them into other creatures, and use special skills to navigate the game's stages, is one of the game's major aspects.

These characteristics elevate the game's strategy and complexity, distinguishing it from other platformers of the time.

9. Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon

Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon is a one-of-a-kind gaming experience.

Combining a mix of some cool 2D and 3D sprites, allowing you to experience the environment in a new way.

The open-world action-adventure game allows you to engage with NPCs and accomplish side tasks that add dimension to the game.

The game's soundtrack is distinctive, which adds to the whole gaming experience. The music complements the game's environment and is mostly Japanese-influenced.

The sound effects are likewise well-designed and add to the game's depth.

We had a heck of a time playing through Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon and we're sure you will as well if you're looking for an underrated gem of a game.

8. Ogre Battle 64

There unfortunately wasn't much to offer when it comes to strategy games on the N64. We got tons of unique platformers but wished other genres like this had a great selection of choices.

Look no further than Ogre Battle 64. It's a game with a lot of depth and intricacy. Its rich narrative, which involves political intrigue and social class divisions, attracts players in and keeps them involved throughout. The game also has a high level of intricacy and customisation, allowing players to create their own units and armies from the ground up.

What truly distinguishes Ogre Battle 64 is its distinct gaming mechanics. Ogre Battle 64 differs from typical real-time strategy games in that players do not have direct control over their forces.

Instead, you must use an easy interface to control their units and armies, focusing on strategic decisions rather than micromanagement. This results in a more immersive and satisfying game, one that actually tests your tactical thinking.

7. Goemon's Great Adventure

Goemon's Great Adventure is a platformer game developed by Konami that was released in 1998 as a sequel to Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon.

It offers the same cast of delightful characters, but in a completely 3D setting this time. While it did not achieve the same critical praise as its predecessor, it is nevertheless a fantastic game in its own right.

The unusual sense of humour in Goemon's Great Adventure distinguishes it from other platformers of the time.

From the slapstick humour to the catchy and cheerful soundtrack, the game is full of charm and personality.

The amazingly colorful cast of characters were fantastic to see and we enjoyed seeing the overall silly humor on full display.

6. Paper Mario

While there are dozens of N64 titles noted for their complexity, Paper Mario achieves a balance between being approachable for newbies while yet challenging veteran gamers.

The battle system in the game challenges players to be smart in their use of companions and gadgets, and the colourful and innovative landscape offers lots of opportunity for exploring.

The game's unusual paper-based presentation is one of its strengths. It has a distinct visual style that adds charm and whimsy to the game that many other N64 games don't have.

The clever story and downright hilarious characters in the game are intriguing and memorable, with each chapter bringing its own unique difficulties and characters.

Paper Mario deserves more love as being a great take on the RPG genre as a whole.

5. Turok: Rage Wars

Turok: Rage Wars did not receive the recognition it deserved, despite its revolutionary multiplayer gameplay. It was launched near the tail end of the N64'sbrilliant lifecycle which is why it didn't make it quite far.

Another explanation is that it was released at the same time as other popular shooter games like some massively heavy hitters in Quake III Arena and Unreal Tournament.

Turok: Rage Wars added a new game mode known as Frag Tag. It was a unique combination of a capture-the-flag and a deathmatch game.

You had to capture a flag and retain it for as long as possible without being fragged by their opponents. It was a fast-paced, furious, and enjoyable game mode never previously seen in a first-person shooter.

Turok: Rage Wars' Challenge Mode was also a highlight of the game. It gave us different objectives to achieve, such as completing a level using a specific weapon or defeating a boss within a specified time restriction.

It increased the game's replay value a ton and kept us coming back for more.

4. Chameleon Twist

Chameleon Twist is a 3D platformer in which you play as Davy, a chameleon who can lengthen its tongue to navigate obstacles and some really cool bad guys in the game's main area.

The gameplay is straightforward and simple to grasp, but it provides a plethora of inventive and enjoyable challenges. The game is divided into stages, which include mediaeval castles, deserts, and ice worlds, and each level has a different theme and obstacles for you to complete.

There are numerous reasons why Chameleon Twist is underappreciated, but let's focus on a couple of the most important. Its gameplay mechanisms are unique and inventive.

The ability to explore platform levels by extending your tongue is an innovative and amusing gaming mechanism that was ahead of its time. The game concepts are simple to grasp while providing enough depth to keep you involved throughout the game.

a platformer this good deserves more love on our list of the most underrated N64 games ever!

3. Blast Corps

Blast Corps is a fantastic game that was regrettably neglected by many gamers when it was released. This game is underappreciated for various reasons:

Blast Corps' gameplay is one of its most distinguishing features. The game is primarily a puzzle game masquerading as an action game.

To create a passage for the truck, you must use your equipment and vehicles, and the stages are constructed in such a way that you must think imaginatively to succeed. Nothing like it exists on the N64 or any other console.

Another excellent feature of Blast Corps is the wide range of levels. You'll be tearing down city structures, damaging oil rigs, and even clearing a route on the moon.

This brought us a whole new element of gameplay, and it's always fun to see what kind of area you'll be working in next.

2. Mischief Makers

They surely don't make them like Mischief Makers anymore and it's clear to see why. The ability to grab and shake objects in various ways is the game's fundamental mechanic.

This allows players to not only strike opponents, but also solve riddles and navigate stages.

Mischief Makers' gameplay is hard and requires skill to master. To progress, the stages are created in such a way that you must rely on their brains and reflexes. The game has boss confrontations that are both difficult and unforgettable.

Mischief Makers' wacky soundtrack is another notable element. The music in the game flawlessly conveys the game's distinct tone and supports the gameplay. The soundtrack clearly a  highlight in our eyes, from the charming opening theme to the music that plays during boss encounters.

We had a blast playing through Mischief Makers and are sure you will as well.

1. Rocket: Robot on Wheels

Rocket: Robot on Wheels is so extremely underappreciated in part because it was launched at the same time some seriously heavy hitting N64 games like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie.

We wish it clearly didn't receive less attention than it deserved.

Another reason for this game's underappreciation is its distinct gameplay mechanics.

The puzzles are tough but enjoyable, demanding players to employ their problem-solving abilities in novel ways. Rocket's ability to transform into other vehicles such as a car, a submarine, and a helicopter brought a whole new element to the table.

Something you clearly don't see in other platformers of this era.

Rocket: Robot on Wheels is a fantastic platformer on the N64 and surely strikes us as a candidate as a great N64 game that's completely underrated.

Conclusion

There you have it, we've touched base on some underrated N64 games that you should totally check out today.

If you're tired of the same old games that are great but are looking for something new to experience, you'll want to expand your horizon to something deeper in the N64 library.

Here are all of the games we've covered up until this point:

1. Rocket: Robot on Wheels
2. Mischief Makers
3. Blast Corps
4. Chameleon Twist
5. Turok: Rage Wars
6. Paper Mario
7. Goemon's Great Adventure
8. Ogre Battle 64
9. Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
10. Banjo-Tooie