A good N64 pick can be a solo adventure to revisit or a multiplayer favorite to bring out with friends. The Nintendo 64 made landmark 3D play feel new, and its four controller ports made group play easy. Start with the genre and play style you enjoy, then choose a physical cartridge or a digital option.
A complete-in-box copy is a game that includes its original box and manual as well as the cartridge. Stock, price, and sale listings can change, so a clear idea of what you want helps you compare options. Some players want a long solo quest; others want quick races or head-to-head matches. You can also build a mix for different moods and company. Think about how often you will play and who will join you. Then narrow your search to games that suit that plan.
Choose the kind of play you want first, then narrow the collection to titles that fit it.
Key Takeaways
- Pick a genre and play style before browsing.
- Choose between a physical cartridge and a digital option.
- Build a collection around solo play, group play, or both.
- Check whether a physical copy includes its original box and manual.
- Compare the listing details before you buy.
Which N64 Games Belong in a Great Starter Collection?
Super Mario 64 is the strongest first pick for a solo platforming adventure, while Mario Kart 64 is an easy starting point for local competition. Those two offer distinct kinds of fun, and each has broad appeal. The best N64 games for a first-time buyer depend on whether you want a solo adventure, racing, or multiplayer.
A useful N64 games list separates the 388 standard releases from 64DD and Aleck 64 arcade games.
Platformers and Zelda adventures
Super Mario 64 was a Nintendo 64 launch title in Japan on June 23, 1996. Its open 3D levels still make it a clear first platformer. Banjo-Kazooie adds a colorful world packed with exploration and collectibles.
Adventure games on N64 also include The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask. Ocarina offers a broad quest, while Majora’s Mask builds its story around a repeating three-day cycle. Each suits players who want exploration and puzzles.
Racing and couch multiplayer
Mario Kart 64 keeps races simple to start, while Diddy Kong Racing adds varied courses and vehicles. GoldenEye 007 brings split-screen action for competitive groups. Super Smash Bros. turns familiar characters into a fast party brawler.
Pokémon Stadium centers on Pokémon battles, and Donkey Kong 64 offers a large solo platform adventure. Family multiplayer picks can help you compare local play styles across generations.
The sales figures below show which games reached the most players, not which one will suit you best.
| Game | Worldwide Nintendo 64 units sold | Play-style fit |
|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 64 | 11,910,000 | Solo 3D platforming |
| Mario Kart 64 | 9,870,000 | Local kart racing |
| GoldenEye 007 | 8,090,000 | Competitive split-screen action |
| The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | 7,600,000 | Solo action adventure |
| Super Smash Bros. | 5,550,000 | Multiplayer fighting |
For a first collection that spans genres, pair one adventure with one multiplayer favorite rather than buying several games that fill the same role.
How Do Critics and Players Rank N64 Classics?
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time leads the Metacritic Nintendo 64 ranking with a Metascore of 99, but a personal ranking puts Banjo-Kazooie first. Use scores as one guide, not a final verdict, since your favorite genre may change the order. Critics and players can value different things.
Metacritic’s highest-rated releases
Metacritic ranks The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time first at 99, Perfect Dark second at 97, and GoldenEye 007 third at 96. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is fourth at 95, followed by Super Mario 64 at 94.
Paper Mario ranks sixth at 93. Banjo-Kazooie, Wave Race 64, and Conker’s Bad Fur Day share scores of 92, in seventh, eighth, and ninth place. Mario Tennis rounds out the top ten at 91. See Metacritic’s Nintendo 64 rankings for the full order.
How to rank a top 50 or top 100 N64 games list
A top 50 N64 games list or top 100 N64 games list is an editorial selection from a much larger library. A useful ranking balances genres and multiplayer options with critical reputation. It should make room for racing, sports, platformers, role-playing games, and action.
A 2025 personal top ten puts Banjo-Kazooie first, Super Mario 64 second, and Mario Kart 64 third. Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask share fourth place. Mario Party 2 takes fifth, Diddy Kong Racing sixth, Conker’s Bad Fur Day seventh, and Super Smash Bros. eighth.
Perfect Dark and GoldenEye 007 share ninth place in that list, with Pokémon Stadium 1 and 2 as the tenth picks. For more genre-based recommendations, browse indie game picks by play style. The same approach can help you weigh pace and session length alongside review scores.
Treat any ranked list as a way to discover candidates, then choose the game whose genre and pace suit your play time.
What Should You Know Before Buying Physical Cartridges?
A loose cartridge of Super Mario 64 is estimated at about $30 to $40 in the 2026 guide, while a sealed, graded example has sold for far more. Rarity and condition shape the price, along with whether the box and manual are included. N64 games for sale use the Game Pak format.
Common games are estimated at $15 to $30 loose; popular first-party titles, $30 to $70. Conker’s Bad Fur Day and Bomberman 64: The Second Attack each reach about $150 to $300 or more loose. NFL Quarterback Club titles and Star Wars Episode I: Racer offer other licensed picks, while Diddy Kong Racing remains a familiar racer.
ClayFighter: Sculptor’s Cut was a 1998 Blockbuster rental exclusive, with about 20,000 copies made. The 2026 guide estimates it at about $1,000 loose and $4,000 complete-in-box. A gray Donkey Kong 64 promotional cartridge is estimated around $2,000. A complete-in-box copy can be roughly three to ten times a loose cartridge’s value.
Sealed, graded auction sales are not typical loose-cartridge prices.
Reported sales include a sealed WATA 9.8 A++ Super Mario 64 at $1,560,000 in July 2021, and a similar Ocarina of Time copy at $228,000. A sealed red-label Mario Kart 64 graded WATA 9.6 sold for $144,000 in 2022; a new-in-box Super Smash Bros. graded WATA 9.0 sold for $20,000. These exceptional auction results show why condition matters.
The North American licensed library ended with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 on August 20, 2002. US and Japanese consoles share an NTSC lockout, while Europe uses PAL; imports may need a converter or bypass device. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack offers selected N64 titles, including Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, and Ocarina of Time. Physical listings and stock can change.
- Confirm whether the listing is cartridge-only or complete-in-box.
- Inspect the cartridge and label condition.
- Check regional compatibility.
- Compare the asking amount with the title’s rarity and condition.
For other ways to play, see Nintendo 64 emulator options and check that you have compatible game files. Before checkout, confirm the region and whether the listing includes the original box and manual.
Conclusion
The right N64 pick is the one that fits how you want to play. A solo adventure gives you room to explore, while racing brings quick competition. A multiplayer favorite can turn a short visit into a lively game night.
Keep your choice focused on the experience you want most. Browsing by genre makes it easier to spot a match, and physical copies call for a close look at format and condition. Browse the available titles by genre, then confirm the format and condition of your preferred copy before adding it to your collection.
FAQ
How much is a loose Super Mario 64 cartridge worth?
A loose Super Mario 64 cartridge is estimated at about $30 to $40 in the 2026 guide. Its condition affects where it falls in that range. A clear label and a clean shell can make a copy more appealing than one with heavy wear. A sealed, graded copy is a different market and should not set expectations for a loose cartridge.
Why is ClayFighter: Sculptor’s Cut so valuable?
ClayFighter: Sculptor’s Cut is valuable because Blockbuster offered it as a rental exclusive in 1998, and about 20,000 copies were made. The 2026 guide estimates a loose cartridge at about $1,000. A complete copy with its box and manual is estimated at about $4,000. Its limited release makes it much less common than standard games.
Are complete-in-box N64 games worth more than loose cartridges?
Yes, a complete-in-box Nintendo 64 game is estimated at roughly three to ten times the value of its loose cartridge. The title and condition affect the comparison, so the multiplier is a rough guide rather than a fixed rule. The box and manual matter to collectors, especially when both remain in good shape.
Can Japanese N64 cartridges play on a US console?
Yes, Japanese and North American Nintendo 64 consoles share an NTSC lockout, so Japanese cartridges can work on a US console. Europe uses PAL, which has a different lockout. A PAL import may need a converter or bypass device to play. Check the cartridge region and console setup before buying an import.
Can I play N64 games on Nintendo Switch?
Yes, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack includes a selection of Nintendo 64 titles. That selection includes Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It offers a digital way to play supported classics without buying their physical cartridges. The service includes selected games, not the full Nintendo 64 library.
Which N64 games work well for multiplayer?
Mario Kart 64 works well for racing, Mario Party 2 suits party play, and Super Smash Bros. offers competitive action. These games give a group different ways to play, from quick races to matches with familiar characters. Choose based on whether your group prefers racing, mini-games, or direct competition.
