20 N64 Games BETTER Than Modern Games

20 N64 Games BETTER than Modern Games

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we are taking a peek at games from a different generation that still hold up today, especially compared to the plethora of absolute gaaaarbage that seems to be dropping every other day in 2025. These are 20 N64 Games BETTER than Modern Games. Let’s go.

“Mischief Makers” (1997)

Treasure built their reputation on the Sega Genesis with classics like Gunstar Heroes and Dynamite Headdy, and when they teamed up with Nintendo for the N64, they delivered one of the system’s most unique sidescrollers: Mischief Makers. Now, admittedly side scrollers will age better than 3D platformers and third person gems, but Mischief Makers still deserves credit even with this handicap. With its inventive gameplay and tough-but-rewarding challenges, if it were released today with a graphical makeover it would no doubt be celebrated as one of the Switch’s best games.

“Beetle Adventure Racing!” (1999)

Beetle Racing is ageless, it combines chaotic fun with accessible gameplay. Its quirky design (racing oversized Beetles through vibrant, unpredictable tracks) gives it a unique charm that stands out among conventional racing games and the heavy lack of goofy racing games today. Let's get a Crazy Taxi 4! Power-ups, hazards and shortcuts keep every race exciting while the multiplayer mode feels more enjoyable than most games from the last 10 years. The controls are tight and responsive, letting players master each Beetle’s quirks and giving each player their own style to use.

“Diddy Kong Racing” (1997)

As much as Mario Kart 64 was a classic, Diddy Kong Racing might just edge it out as the best N64 racer, WHICH IS A BIG CALL. But play them side by side and you tell me which one you enjoyed more. Rare nailed the mix of three distinct vehicle types, a roster of unforgettable characters and a genuinely fun single-player campaign that actually felt like a campaign. It’s the kind of game you’d expect to see released today, not three decades ago. Its influence is clear in modern titles like Mario Kart World, which feels like a spiritual successor while adding today’s polish.

“Body Harvest” (1998)

You wanna talk about being decades ahead of your time? Take a look at Body Harvest. Its open-world gameplay on the N64 allowed players to explore sprawling, varied environments freely - and this is pre GTA3. The mix of third-person shooting, vehicular combat, and mission-based objectives kept every moment unpredictable and exciting. Players could commandeer tanks, helicopters and cars, adding layers of strategy and chaos to the action. Also! DESTRUCTIBLE ENVIRONMENT! For its ambition, variety and sheer fun, Body Harvest still holds up.

“Perfect Dark” (2000)

I know it seems odd to put Perfect Dark on this list and not GoldenEye, but much like Diddy Kong Racing being picked over Mario Kart 64, Perfect Dark fits the topic SO much better as it feels like an evolved version of the much beloved GoldenEye, even if it’s not as famous. While the core gameplay is very similar, Perfect Dark adds style, polish and flair that make it stand out on its own. The game pushed the N64 hardware with advanced lighting and impressive character models. Its campaign holds up even today, albeit without the graphical levels of 2025.

“Pokemon Stadium” (1999)

Pokemon Stadium stands tall as one of the best Pokemon titles of all time and could easily still be a standout title if it was released today. The first time I played Pokémon Stadium, I was blown away. Seeing Pokémon come to life in full 3D for the first time was incredible. Even better, you could import your Pokémon from Red, Blue and Yellow to battle in tournaments. This kind of crossover action is unmatched. Sure, the attack sequences could feel a bit slow, but with fantastic graphics, music and gameplay, Pokémon Stadium is one of the N64’s best-aging titles.

“Wave Race 64” (1996)

At first glance, Wave Race 64 might seem limited, but it works so well because the core gameplay is absolutely stellar. Maybe Nintendo just captured lightning in a bottle because a re-release isn’t necessary, it still feels strong. It’s the perfect pick-up-and-play experience that is still as fun today as it was then. Its addition to Nintendo Switch Online is a joy and completely took over my weekend about 4 weeks ago. F*** it, I’m gonna go play it now.

“Harvest Moon 64” (1999)

I know what you’re thinking, “We have Stardew, how could this possibly be better than that?” And to that I say... Shut up. I hadn’t thought of that till now. The graphics aren’t gorgeous, but its charming, cartoonish style doesn’t get in the way of gameplay. Harvest Moon 64 is a fantastic farming simulator that improved on the original with plenty of quality-of-life upgrades, and YES, it doesn’t have the intricacy of Stardew Valley, but there’s a reason so many players are playing WOW Classic over current-gen WOW. Harvest Moon is addictive in the best way, and it’s easy to see why it inspired so many farming sims afterward - yes, including your BELOVED Stardew Valley.

“Star Wars: Rogue Squadron” (1998)

There have been plenty of crap Star Wars games, and this just ain’t one of them. Genuinely, THIS is far more enjoyable than Star Wars Outlaws. You’ll pilot iconic ships in fully 3D environments as you scout enemy territory, destroy key targets, escort allies and complete daring rescues. While the graphics are the game’s weakest aspect, they still hold up well enough when you take into consideration the other elements the game handles SO well. For instance: Gameplay. The gameplay is challenging enough to keep you engaged, but rewarding if you master it. You truly get out what you put in.

“Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber” (1999)

The Nintendo 64 didn’t offer many RPGs, but Ogre Battle 64 stood out as the best of the bunch, albeit underrated. Released late in the system’s lifecycle, it flew under the radar for many players, which is a crime on par with murder. The story follows a newly graduated soldier drawn into a brutal civil war where players must balance combat and diplomacy to shape the outcome. Its soundtrack is arguably one of the finest on the N64 and while the visuals weren’t groundbreaking, they worked.

“Conker’s Bad Fur Day” (2001)

Conker’s Bad Fur Day still holds up, largely thanks to its outrageous humor - admittedly dated, but still... Kinda funny. The foul-mouthed squirrel protagonist stumbles into a campaign of crude jokes, profanity, and over-the-top violence. While you might expect the gameplay to be shallow as compared to ‘comedy’ games of today, it’s unbelievably solid for a platformer, introducing new elements to master and gameplay changes from the start of the game to the end. All of this coupled with clever level design make Conker’s a game that is still fun to come back to and play every couple of years.

“Banjo-Kazooie” (1998)

Banjo-Kazooie is about as close to perfect as a platformer can get, taking everything the N64 had learned from previous platformers like Super Mario 64 and creating an unmatched experience. Ask fans what they love most and you’ll get countless answers; collectibles, gameplay, clever level designs... But truly it's the combination of these elements that makes the game so great by modern standards.

“Space Station: Silicon Valley” (1998)

Space Station: Silicon Valley still shines today because of its originality, originality that somehow STILL feels original. The concept (controlling a tiny robot that inhabits mechanical animals to solve puzzles and progress) remains fresh and inventive, even by modern standards. Each animal has unique abilities, encouraging experimentation and creative problem-solving that keeps the gameplay engaging. While the graphics may look dated, the imaginative mechanics and sheer creativity ensure it’s still fun to play, proving how ahead of its time it truly was.

“Star Fox 64” (1997)

The Super Nintendo’s Star Fox pushed the limits of the 16-bit era with its groundbreaking Super FX chip. A sequel was in development but was ultimately shelved in favor of the upgraded Star Fox 64. On the Nintendo 64, the series reached new heights, blending the best elements of the original games into a rail shooter that’s both accessible and deeply rewarding to master. Packed with secrets and branching paths, the single-player campaign offers plenty of replay value, while multiplayer extends the fun even further. The replayability is elite, rivaling experiences found on current gen consoles.

“Yoshi’s Story” (1997)

Luigi’s Mansion, Warioland, Donkey Kong… Some of the best side characters from Mario have gone on to create some of the best games in the universe, and this goes doubly for Yoshi in Yoshi’s Story. In this side-scrolling platformer, Baby Bowser invades Yoshi’s island, turning the world into a vibrant pop-up storybook. It’s up to Yoshi to restore peace and happiness. The gameplay is reminiscent of Mario, but with Yoshi’s own unique abilities that make it feel fresh and fun. While the graphics aren’t spectacular, they never get in the way of the experience. The controls are tight, the adventure is highly replayable, and it’s the kind of game you can easily pick up again today without it feeling outdated.

“F-Zero X” (1998)

The Nintendo 64 carved out a reputation as a powerhouse for racing games, thanks in large part to its emphasis on four-player multiplayer, and it’s this multiplayer that still gives us a lot of enjoyment today when other elements of N64 games feel outdated. While the F-Zero series often lived in the shadow of Mario Kart, it carved its own identity with blistering speed and futuristic tracks. F-Zero X on the N64 showcased the series at its best, stripping things down to pure racing fundamentals and delivering a fast, thrilling experience. Also, it IS available on the Switch, so go see for yourself.

“The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” (1998) &

“The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” (2000)

Truly, these two deserve their own individual entries, but there is something to be said about how AMAZING these two games as a coupled experience feel by modern standards. There aren’t a lot of direct sequels that feel familiar and perfectly different at the same time, except of course Zelda’s other brilliant couple Breath of the Wild and Tears of The Kingdom. These groundbreaking adventures on the N64 weren’t flawless, but they redefined Zelda by bringing it into a fully realized 3D world that pushed the N64 to its limits. From epic boss battles and memorable storytelling to a wealth of side quests and mini-games, these titles set a new standard for what an action-adventure could be. And take it from someone who DID play these more than 15 years after they released, they feel amazing today.

“Paper Mario” (2000)

I’m never gonna stop saying this and immediately getting attacked straight after, but I think Paper Mario is better than Final Fantasy VII, and trust me, I WISH I was being hyperbolic. Originally conceived as a sequel to Super Mario RPG, it quickly established its own unique identity, later spawning six entries across multiple platforms. Beneath its charming 2D paper-cutout aesthetic lies surprisingly deep gameplay that satisfies hardcore RPG fans while still being approachable. Now sure, I might be being a bit stupid with the Final Fantasy comparison, but even today, it outshines several of its modern successors.

“Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards” (2000)

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards remains one of the few 3D entries in the Kirby series, making it a standout original entry in the series. Nintendo’s beloved pink puffball mostly sticks to 2D side-scrollers, aside from appearances like Super Smash Bros. While still fundamentally a side-scroller, Kirby 64’s 3D visuals are irresistibly charming. The vibrant colors pop, and unlike the blurry, muddled graphics common on the N64, this game is a genuine visual delight. It’s shockingly nice on the eyes.

“Super Mario 64” (1996)

There was no argument here. Even as the first game released on the N64, it still stands out as one of the best games ever made and can EASILY be replayed in 2025 without players blinking an eye. Nintendo has a knack for making games that stand the test of time, and Super Mario 64 is a perfect example. Celebrated when it launched, it’s still considered wildly inventive. Sure, some elements like the camera feel dated by modern standards, but the core gameplay remains as enjoyable today as it was in 1996. I LOVE this game, and god bless you, Nintendo.