The Most Underrated N64 Games You Absolutely Shouldn’t Miss (Even If You Don’t Know You Should)
Ah, the Nintendo 64. A console so charmingly polygonal, it made players question whether their eyes were in fact optimized for geometry. Released in 1996 (or, as time-traveling experts like to call it, the Year of the Great Pixel), the N64 boasted classics like “Super Mario 64” and “GoldenEye 007.” But, dear reader, lurking in the vast, shadowy corners of its library were games that deserved more attention, but didn’t get it. Think of them as the deliciously unsung heroes of video games – the middle children of the console world, if you will – forever living in the shadow of their more famous siblings. Now, allow me to introduce you to some of these almost-forgotten marvels, in a tone so witty, it will make you reconsider your life choices. Or at least your game collection.
First up, let’s talk about “Bomberman 64.” Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Wait, Bomberman… was that the guy who never actually bothered to leave his house, planting bombs all over the place?” Correct. But in Bomberman 64, this bomb-happy fella took on a 3D world with more bombs than a circus clown has rubber chickens. The plot is as nonsensical as a llama trying to run for mayor, but that’s part of the fun. It’s a game that looks like a Saturday morning cartoon, feels like a fever dream, and yet somehow, that’s what makes it a hidden gem. And don’t even get me started on the multiplayer – it’s like a family reunion where everyone’s armed with explosives. Delightful!
Next, let’s consider “Blast Corps.” If you’ve never played “Blast Corps,” you might be thinking, “What do I need a game about demolishing buildings for?” Well, my friend, this is where you’ve missed the point entirely. This game involves a convoy of nuclear missiles driving dangerously through a town while you, in the most nonsensical way possible, smash buildings to clear a path. It’s the kind of game that asks existential questions like: “What is the meaning of life?” and “Why do the buildings have to be so destructible?” But forget the philosophical quandaries, because smashing stuff is just so, so satisfying.
Then there’s “Goemon’s Great Adventure.” Now, if you haven’t heard of this game, I can only assume you’ve been living under a rock for the past 30 years. Either that, or you were busy trying to understand why bananas are curved. It’s an action-adventure game featuring a samurai who looks like he wandered in from a 16th-century Japanese comic book. His quest? To save the world from a sinister, moustache-twirling villain. It’s got platforming, RPG elements, and enough quirky humor to fill an entire bag of candy, though I do recommend not attempting to eat it all at once. You’ll get a stomach ache, and trust me, that’s a hard lesson learned.
Lastly, let’s talk about “Mischief Makers.” Picture this: you’re a robot. No, not the cool kind that speaks in monotone and dissects everything with logic. You’re the kind of robot that flings yourself around with no regard for human life (or robot life, for that matter), solving puzzles and saving the day. It’s an absolute delight, and a perfect example of how much more fun 2D can be when you throw in some absurdist, gravity-defying mechanics. There’s even a weird dancing scene at the end, which is more than I can say for any major political debate. But who needs sense when you’ve got this much fun?
So, if you’re the kind of person who is always on the lookout for the obscure, the quirky, the charmingly eccentric, then these underrated N64 games are for you. They’re the video game equivalent of finding a crisp ten-dollar bill in a pair of old jeans. You may not have been expecting it, but by golly, are you glad it’s there. And the best part? These games are still waiting for you, nestled snugly in the vaults of gaming history. So grab your controller, dust off that N64, and prepare to revisit some unsung classics that are still as fun as a barrel of space-faring monkeys.
For more quirky and overlooked gems, make sure to check out Game Blog Girl for all things gaming that even your gaming grandma would approve of.
