Three Nintendo-64 games that need to be (and just might be) brought back

[Fish]

One of the paradigm shifts that came with the advent of the N64 was the prospect of fully 3-D environments, and adventures to have in them. The Playstation did this to some extent, but since I didn't even own one until practically the release of the PS2, This article is about N64 games. Moreso, about adventure games, and why I love them so much. Unlike many other genres, the staple aspects of the 3-d adventure are a) multiple levels or varying difficulty and design b) things conveniently left all over said levels for you to pick up and c) some (but not too much) "character improvement," that is, you might get a few new items or moves, but no stat managing or "leveling up" is required. And so, in my top 3:

1. Super Mario 64
For me, this was more or less the first console game that I ever really owned and completed, as the N64 was the first console I ever owned. What strikes me as beautiful about this game is that there are 15 levels of varying difficulty and terrains, and a variety of different tasks to perform. Even on the tasks that were repeated between levels (8 red coins, anyone?), the levels varied enough in structure and layout that by the time you really got tired of a level, you were either done with it, or good enough to finish it easily. Overall, a superb example of level balance.
More than level balance, however, was game balance. Getting further in early levels unlocked later levels, but you were never required to "finish" anything completely to unlock anything but the highest awards. Furthermore, there wasn't an overuse of power-ups. Three hats, that was it. Nothing complicated, noting requiring hours of work: the entire game boiled down to perhaps 20 hours to unlock the essentials, and then just playing until you decided you were done (or got all 120 stars).

Is it back? YES! One of the launch titles for the Nintendo DS was Super Mario DS, a port of this not-too-old classic. Added features like mini games, four extra characters, and extended levels (and 30 more stars) give it replayability for veterans of the game without detracting from the original simplicity of the game. I would argue, however, that switching from an analog joystick to a digital d-pad (with a "run button") has made the game's controls a bit difficult for me to adapt to. I've got about 45 stars right now, and I still periodically die simply because I have a hard time getting my character to run straight! Ow well...I can now play it on the freakin' subway, so I guess it all evens out in the end.

2. Banjo-Kazooie
In some ways, this game was exponentially better than Mario 64. What Mario64 lacked in replay value and complexity, Banjo-Kazooie makes up for with learnable moves, numerous pick-up items, and a variety of "gatherables" both within lavels and between levels. Not to mention level design, music, graphics...DAMN! I wanna play this game NOW. but back the the review...
Basically, all the things that would have bogged down a game like Mario 64 are utilized here, except with such grace and tact that they don't weigh it down at all, but rather, make it better in numerous ways. Learnable moves means that there's always a reason to return to older levels and access new areas, plus, there's stuff to collect (like jinjos) that are spread across multiple levels. In short, this game has much more to it than Mario64, which means I can hardly explain all the subtleties of its awesomeness in timely fashion. I can, however, recommend that you play it as soon as a port comes out to a new system. You won't be disappointed. Oh, and P.S. - there was a sequel to this game on the N64, which was pretty damn awesome. However, the original was awesome in so many ways that it holds a special place in my heart.

Is there a port? Maybe. Googling "Banjo-Kazooie DS" brings up a handful of hopeful seeming results, though it mostly looks like rumours. However, it was such a popular game (and sequels are still coming out), and so a port with new features to the DS or Wii seems more than likely. Here's to hoping!

3. Donkey Kong 64
Doing away with the typical 2-d layout of the SNES games, DK64 bore a strong resemblance to Banjo-Kazooie. However, this time, there were multiple characters, and more than a handful of simple items and powerups. Overall, I wish I had played this game more, but it was precisely the over-abundance of things in the game that made this game number 3 instead of number 2. Essentially, Banjo-Kazooie took the Mario 64 idea and ran with it into the light. Then, DK64 took it a few steps further, and the light got a little too bright: the awesomeness of the 3-d adventure was dragged down a bit by the almost oppressive amount of collecting one had to do to use any of the character's abilities even a moderate amount. Plus, having numerous characters meant that you had to collect and earn items and moves for each one seperately. Had they done away with that one aspect (made it so that collecting ammo for one collected ammo for all, etc.), I think that this game would have had a bit more of the streamlined-ness that made numbers 1 and 2 so awesome.
However, the level design of the game was pretty sweet, and despite having to collect a ludicrous amount of stuff off of the ground and ledges of every level, the game was pretty cool, and provided a good amount of playtime for those interested in getting everything.

Port? Again, maybe. Banjo-Kazooie was massively popular and spawned sequels, whereas DK64, for many gamers, was merely a less-inspired sequel to a franchise with other notable titles. A "group-port' of the DK-country games from the snes to the ds seems more likely, but I'd still like to see the N64 titles ported, if only to give me another shot at playing through it, and them another shot at bringing it up to the level of Banjo-Kazooie.



On the whole, I count these games as the "Big 3" of my original Console Adventuring experience. There have been later games (ratchet and clank, fr example) that have taken the formula to new and awesome heights, but these three games are a combination of nostalgia and good-old-fashioned-great, and so I recommend them to anyone who has the chance. I mean, how many games allow you to play as a bear with a bird in his backpack?

[13579]

Damn. I was really hoping Perfect Dark would be in there.

[16bit]

I thought perfect dark was brought back for the 360?

[Infidel Castro]

The first Banjo game is on Xbox Live Arcade and the second is coming real soon. Also, there was a sequel called Nuts & Bolts which is awesome.

As far as Donkey Kong 64...I thought it sucked. All they did was add a ton of shit to collect without making the actual gameplay interesting.

[The Sweaty Fish]

Diddy kong racing. Now that was an epic game.

[Docta?]

I loved Ocarina of Time so much that I watched a 5 and a half hour speed run of it a few years ago, for the sake of nostalgia.

[Metafire]

What? No GoldenEye or Perfect Dark?

[Shaggy]

I don't know about you but the N64 to me was all about late nights with friends playing Starfox 64 and Mario kart. good times.

[Intoxicated Shaman]

Super Mario 64, Ocarina of Time, and Goldeneye 64 were the only N64 games I had a deep love of. I was more of a Playstation fan. I will still say that those 3 games beat the shit out of nearly everything on the PS1 console though.

[Haiti's Space Agency]

Originally Posted by Metafire

What? No GoldenEye or Perfect Dark?

http://goldeneyesource.com/

[Mantikore]

theres also PD source.

Yeah, PD was the apex of the N64 for me. Awesome story, addictive multiplayer and unique weapons never seen before (and never to be seen again)

[Σnigma]

Army Men: Sarge's Heroes.
[/thread]
Its a shame 3DO bombed hard.

[akiratheoni]

Originally Posted by Fish

Is there a port? Maybe. Googling "Banjo-Kazooie DS" brings up a handful of hopeful seeming results, though it mostly looks like rumours. However, it was such a popular game (and sequels are still coming out), and so a port with new features to the DS or Wii seems more than likely. Here's to hoping!

Maybe to the DS, but I don't think Microsoft (who owns Rare) would allow a port to the Wii.

[harry_hardcore_hoedown]

As I said on the mirror - Superman 64. Also, Goldeneye (i.e. Perfect Dark), Pokemon Stadium and Star Fox 64.

[lethargic]

The DS port of Mario 64 was full of win.

I'm not entirely sure, but I think a lot of old N64 (as well as NES and SNES) games are available for download on the Wii. I've played Goldeneye and Zelda: Ocarina of Time on teh Wii. They havn't changed a thing and that is pretty fecking awesome in my book.

[Th0r]

I'd of said Perfect Dark and Goldeneye, which along with some of the Mario games on N64 were the best games of that era. I'll stick with Perfect Dark, but after that shitty Goldeneye game they bought out for PS2 and GameCube perhaps Goldeneye is best left for N64.

[george]

How about some Jet Force Gemini?!

[Hammer Tank]

yea, that was a cool game

[LavaRed]

Originally Posted by Σnigma

Army Men: Sarge's Heroes.
[/thread]
Its a shame 3DO bombed hard.

^ THIS
And Goldeneye

[The Swede]

Originally Posted by george

How about some Jet Force Gemini?!

oh how i loved that game...

[BlackopsNinja]

Fucking this.

Originally Posted by george

How about some Jet Force Gemini?!

[33% God]

- Blast Corps
- Legend of the Mystical Ninja
- Space Station Silicon Valley
- WWF No Mercy

Fin.

[icee weiner]

Oh and all of the Banjo Kazooie games are available for the xbox 360 either via the arcade or Nuts and Bolts.

[Thought Riot]

Mario Kart
Goldeneye
Super Smash Bros (though I guess the sequels have kinda outdated this one)
Zelda: Oracle of Time
Star Fox

EDIT: Star Wars: Rogue Squadron.

[Captian Spectacular]

Starwars Shadows of the Empire.

[Nameraca]

Banjo Kazooie was made by RARE, who now belongs to Microsoft.
So your Banjoe-Kazooie DS sentence made me vomit because of your lack of knowledge of old news. Also Perfect Dark is also made by Rare and there was a remake.
So was Conker Bad Fur Day.

Is there a port? Maybe. Googling "Banjo-Kazooie DS" brings up a handful of hopeful seeming results, though it mostly looks like rumours. However, it was such a popular game (and sequels are still coming out), and so a port with new features to the DS or Wii seems more than likely. Here's to hoping!

More than likely? No. Impossible. More likely impossible.

If you want a remake of Ocarina of Time (and it's not ORACLE OF TIME ><) try Master Quest.

Also N64 emulators exist.

ITT: "Kid" Gamers pretending to be hardcore like the autist bunch at my school (diagnosed aspies)

/thread

Lol first post was made in 2007. So much for proving him fake. XD

[Speedy]

i already have these games, along wit all other n64 and snes games on my wii

get with the times man, hack ur wii, i burn wii games nad play em

[dood44]

Hell no not donkey kong 64, Donky kong is a side-scroller for sure.

1, 2, and 3 are my favorate games ever but 64 sucked.

[BATTLESTEER]

Originally Posted by Metafire

What? No GoldenEye or Perfect Dark?

THIS.

And i watched the ocarina of time speed run and uber challenge speed run. I completed the uber challenge, and its hard and annoying. Well i really didnt complete it cause your not allowed to die, but when you have 3 hearts and a broken goron knife and no shield it gets hard

But dk64 was sort of like mario 64. Both great games imho. I cleared mario 64, all 120 stars in about 5 or less hours? I dont know I lost track of time and my friend fell asleep

Donkey kong i tried to play again but the rom sucked.

And how long has banjo kazooie been on xbla? How many points? And is there anything different? And when is the second coming on?

[Mantikore]

rogue squadron, bitches!

[Willy Wonka]

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

this thread just saved me from pawning the N64 I inherited. So many old memories...

[Major General Franklin Kirby]

Superman 64

[Shrike]

Rakuga kids. Anyone remember that one? It was a 2D beat em up with some truly weird characters, like a basketball-playing cat, and a tank-bear thing that blew snot bubbles out of his nose.

I so wish my N64 didn't get stolen.

[Joe]

I only read the OP.

How the fuck did you NOT mention Legend of Zelda: OOT? IMO, it was the greatest game ever made.

[Mankonaut X]

Originally Posted by Joe

I only read the OP.

How the fuck did you NOT mention Legend of Zelda: OOT? IMO, it was the greatest game ever made.

Because it was brought back. About five times or so.

[Morb]

I think Banjo Tooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day were the best platformers. I never finished either one, though, those were hard games.

[freeRadical]

Are you implying the Goldeneye and Perfect Dark are the same game?

Originally Posted by harry_hardcore_hoedown

As I said on the mirror - Superman 64. Also, Goldeneye (i.e. Perfect Dark), Pokemon Stadium and Star Fox 64.

[Mankonaut X]

Originally Posted by freeRadical

Are you implying the Goldeneye and Perfect Dark are the same game?

I spent about five minutes trying to think of a lulzy way to point out that the developer Free Radical is made up of ex-Rare employees, then I gave up and wrote this instead

[Zay]

Originally Posted by Addicotine

I don't know about you but the N64 to me was all about late nights with friends playing Starfox 64 and Mario kart. good times.

AWww man starfox was the shit. Loved that game.

[Venom]

Pilotwings and a proper Turok game.