Ten years ago today, the Nintendo 64 launched in the U.S. Critics can say what they want about the cartridge format, the lack of third party support, and the long wait between games, but there’s no denying the N64 had many successes. After all, this is the system that gave us Super Mario 64, the game that defined 3D platformers. Also, there was Ocarina of Time, which is arguably one of the greatest games of all time. And did you forget about Goldeneye 007, one of the first successful console first person shooters with multiplayer that remains legendary to this day? And to anyone else who talks smack about the console, I’ll respond with “Star Fox 64, Mario Kart 64, and Paper Mario.”
Besides its amazing first party titles, perhaps the system’s biggest claim to fame was its focus on multiplayer games. By putting four controller ports on the N64, the system was known as the party machine, with Goldeneye 007, Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart 64, Perfect Dark, the Mario Party series, and other games that made the original Playstation’s two controller ports seem pathetic (yes, I know there was the Multitap, but doesn’t it make more sense to have four ports out of the box?).
Sadly, to this day, there are some people who still fail to recognize the many contributions of the Nintendo 64, arguing that the system’s sales were crushed by the mighty Playstation, a console that offered more “mature” content and made games more mainstream and hip (remember the Final Fantasy 7 “games can be like movies” movement?). 1up’s Reality Check: A Decade of Nintendo 64, does a good job of summing up a lot of people’s beef with the N64:
This was to be the lot of the Nintendo 64 for the rest of its life: beloved but dusty. While it did have a dedicated fan base, it simply could not compete with the snowballing PlayStation phenomenon. Games like Super Smash Bros, Mario Party, Paper Mario, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, while excellent, could not slow Nintendo’s swift descent to a distant second place. The best titles simply did not come out fast enough, games were expensive, and there simply weren’t enough of them overall.
When the final game was released for the Nintendo 64 in 2002, it put the total number of domestically released titles at just under 300 – less than a quarter the number released for the PlayStation. Nintendo managed to move 32 million N64s into homes worldwide – 17 million less than the Super Nintendo managed to sell, and 70 million less than Sony’s 32-bit system. Nintendo, for the first time, left a console generation without the lead.
If you haven’t checked out 1up’s Decade of N64 feature, do so now. Also, make sure you celebrate the N64’s tenth birthday by dusting off the system (this does not apply to you hardcore fans who still have your N64 hooked up to your TV for regular sessions), and let the warm nostalgia brighten your day. In addition, please share your fond memories of the Nintendo 64.
OK, I'll hook up my N64 again and see what my 2-year old thinks of Yoshi's Story…;)
I just hope I get to play Yoshi's Story, and a couple of other 64 titles I skip because of the 60 dollar price tags on the Wii.
$60 price tag on what, the remote/nunchuk combo?The games are $50.
I will play my Starcraft 64 over the weekend… And Perfect Dark…An maybe finish Paper Mario and actualy see the ending. I turn the thing of when I beat it and didn't see the ending :(… lets see if I find some cool games to own too… I got a good bunch…I also manage to get a new controller, It is one of the green color, boxed ones… I am extremely lucky… and $5 dollars… I could even sell the box on ebay maybe…Too bad my TV is so small… (13")… oh well…-iMoron
My best N64 memory was actually playing a third party title: Konami's Legend of the Mystical Ninja (or Ganbare Goemon 64 in Japan). It wasn't a particularly brilliant game, but it was simple, cute, fun, and it really immersed you in the traditional Japanese theme.
A well-written article!Obviously statistics prove otherwise, but, from my memory of the PS1/N64 era … well, I think maybe ONE of my friends owned a PlayStation, and every time we'd go to his house, I'd think the games were so incredibly lame. Despite the fact that I still don't think the PS1 was all that great, I seriously don't remember it being as popular as this article is making it sound. And I don't say that to prove it wrong, because, like I said, sales are sales… but as far as that generation goes, all I can think of is how obsessed people were with Mario 64, Starfox, SUPER SMASH, Banjo Kazooie, MARIOKART, ZELDA series, GOLDENEYE. Seriously, every time someone brings this era up, that's all I think of.Doesn't anyone else recall the BRAWLS in local Toys 'R Us stores when people scrambled to get their hands on N64 and Tickle Me Elmo?PlayStation who?
"morningstarrising said… I just hope I get to play Yoshi's Story, and a couple of other 64 titles I skip because of the 60 dollar price tags on the Wii.12:25 PM David said… $60 price tag on what, the remote/nunchuk combo?The games are $50."I had to read this twice too. The sentence was written poorly. I'll use parens to clarify for morningstar."I just hope I get to play (Yoshi's Story, and a couple of other 64 titles I skip because of the 60 dollar price tags) on the Wii."What would have been better:"I just hope I get to play Yoshi's Story and a couple other 64 titles on the Wii. I skipped them because of the 60 dollar price tags."
i still got my N64 hooked up!the game that's in it right now is conker's bad fur day….or is it paper mario?
My N64 is still hooked up as well. It's on top of my Xbox and PS2. Majora's Mask is in it at the moment.
When I got my hands on the 64 and Pilot wings (my first 64 game) I was blown away. I remember my inner monolog saying "holy shit, its 3D, it really is a true 3D perspective. WOW. I then went to bed at 4am I was 13.Man I my 64 so much I bought one of the gold ones off ebay cuz I still play it enough, let my black one have a rest after 10 years! I want RARE to make another 007. None of the EA's 007 have even come close! Goldeneye64 was…IS still such a fun solid game! And Perfect Dark AHPersonally I loved the cartridges.I was like BAM pop it in, not "ok I have to be dainty so I dont get scratches. Games will soon be off CD and back on cartridges but they will be small LIKE flash memory DS cards. ONE MORE DAY CLOSER TO Wii
Going through old time magazines recently, I noticed a few articles on the n64. They raved about it and how it was such an incredible system. The must have toy of the holiday season. Unfortunately, there was just not enough follow through on the big N's part.
The N64's greatest game in terms of pure fun had to be Blast Corps. Giant robot wreckers, bulldozers, nuclear missles, it even had the A-Team Van! (Honking the horn would sound off Mr.T "Get outta my way!")My N64 is still hooked up now, it has Dr. Mario 64 plugged in right now – My wife's an absolute addict.