Intro
Alright, let’s be real—retro gaming isn’t just some hipster fad. It’s a full-blown obsession, and the N64? Still the king, honestly. Scroll through Pinterest and you’ll see it’s blowing up again—nostalgia’s got a chokehold on us all. So, if you’re itching to dust off those chunky cartridges (or, eh, just fire up Switch Online), here’s a wild ride through seven N64 games you actually wanna play in 2025. No SEO mumbo jumbo, just pure, pixel-packed joy.
- Super Mario 64
Look, if you didn’t try to triple-jump your way into every painting in Peach’s castle, did you even have a childhood? Super Mario 64 basically broke the universe when it landed. Open worlds, secret stars, that weird penguin slide—this game’s still the blueprint. Nintendo keeps plugging it on Switch Online for a reason: it’s just fun, no matter how old you get. Mario in 3D? Still magic.
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time isn’t just a game, it’s a rite of passage. The Z-targeting, the dungeons, Epona—ugh, just thinking about it makes me wanna grab my plastic ocarina and play Saria’s Song. People who say it’s overrated are lying to themselves. If you missed it in the ‘90s, fix that on Switch. No excuses.
- Mario Kart 64
If you’ve never lost a friendship over Mario Kart 64’s Rainbow Road, congrats, you’re probably a liar. Four-player split-screen chaos, shell-throwing mayhem, and that ridiculous rubber band AI—this is the stuff of sleepover legends. Still a total blast in 2025, especially with a few drinks and zero mercy.
- Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo-Kazooie is like Mario’s weirder cousin. The bird in the backpack, the sassy dialogue, worlds so bright you’ll need sunglasses—chef’s kiss. Collecting everything? Low-key addictive. Don’t sleep on this one just ‘cause it looks goofy. It’s got heart, and way more jokes than you remember.
- GoldenEye 007
GoldenEye 007: the OG reason you and your friends screamed “NO ODDJOB!” on the couch. Sure, the controls are a bit of a trainwreck now, but it basically invented console FPS. Facility. Proximity mines. Slappers only. If you know, you know. Fire it up for a nostalgia trip and some truly salty multiplayer rounds.
- Pokémon Snap
Before Instagram, there was Pokémon Snap. No, seriously. You’re in a little cart, snapping pics of Pikachu doing, like, yoga or something. It’s weirdly soothing and still scratches the collector itch. If you want something chill after raging at Mario Kart, this is your jam.
- Star Fox 64
“Do a barrel roll!”—yeah, you just said it in your head, didn’t you? Star Fox 64 is all pew-pew in space, exploding asteroids, and that glorious Rumble Pak shaking your controller to bits. The branching paths mean you never play it the same way twice. Plus, the banter is meme gold.
Wrapping Up
There you have it—seven N64 games that straight-up refuse to die, and for good reason. Whether you wanna relive your glory days or finally see what all the fuss is about, these classics are way more than nostalgia bait. Fire up Switch Online, stalk some N64 Pinterest boards, or just brag about your star count like it’s 1997. Game on, legends.
