Nintendo Switch players need to play these 10 free N64 classics

Nintendo Switch Online and Expansion Pack customers have access to a wealth of fantastic retro games as part of the subscription. Whether you pay monthly or take out an annual subscription, you can immerse yourself in a hand-picked selection of games from the best Nintendo consoles.

Today we're taking a look at the selection of free games from the N64 era of Nintendo history and highlighting some great games that you can download and play right now via Nintendo Switch Online.

1080 snowboarding

Back in the day, 1080 snowboarding was the highlight of the extreme sports games. The ability to make massive jumps using holds and twists was unmatched. Exciting, fast-paced, full of personality, it's still a solid sports title today. Of course, as with everything on this list, some of the textures will look dated. 1080 snowboarding managed to make you feel like a real pro and the arcade feel ensured that you could pull off the craziest tricks.

Yoshi's story

Yoshi's story

If you are a platform game fan, you definitely have to give it a try Yoshi's story. Now I would like to note that the graphics here didn't hold up all that well considering this is a relatively simple, cartoony game. However, since the gameplay focuses more on combining puzzles and light platforming, you'll still have a lot of fun. You can't fault the joyful feeling you get from progressing, collecting fruits, exploring the delightful levels and getting the high scores needed to progress.

Pokémon Stadium

Pokémon Stadium

What would Nintendo be without Pokémon? To be fair, it's still a great company, but Pokemon is a big part of the brand. Unfortunately, the N64 games never reached the level of core games we would see on handhelds Pokémon Stadium is a blast. You can choose your favorite Pokémon and have them fight with deeper tactics than other titles, all presented in larger-than-life detail. There's no plot here, just lots of pocket monsters fighting and looking awesome at the same time.

Banjo Kazooie

banjo

In the golden age of 3D platformers, the N64 was awesome. Not only did they have Mario, but they also had a bird and a bear who had to deal with a witch. Banjo Kazooie was made by Rare, one of the darlings of the industry. The platform game was brilliant, combining both characters' unique abilities and allowing players to explore delightful worlds full of humor and imagination. It may be a bold approach, but it's just as good as Mario 64 and is more expansive in places as the levels are more open to exploration.

Mario Kart 64

Mario Kart 64

No one can deny the power Mario Kart 64. The original SNES version birthed a whole new genre with its arcade feel and gun-based racing. If you own a Switch, you really should own it Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but this will suffice in his absence. The chunky graphics give it a completely different personality, with a fantastic range of tracks and all the weapons you like to use. With every Mario Kart game playing in such a similar way, you'll be at home in no time, firing green grenades at your opponents like a sniper.

Star Fox 64 (Lylat Wars)

Star Fox

The level of charm in Star Fox 64 (Lylat Wars in PAL areas) makes it so playable and memorable. This “on rails” space shooter was tightly controlled, beautifully realized in every scene, and had great dialogue between the crew. If you can remember what it felt like to sit cross-legged in front of the TV and watch cartoons on a Saturday morning, then gaming felt the same Star Fox 64. Every moment was an adventure and you would blow away enemies as you pilot your vehicle through obstacles and face more difficult challenges as your journey progresses through the branching level system.

Goldeneye 007

Gold eye

The Father of Couch Co-op; the master of big head mode; the game that caused an argument when your buddy chose Oddjob; Gold eye is perhaps the pinnacle of N64 gaming for many. Despite not featuring any Nintendo mascots, this game has managed to find its way into everyone's home. It was and still is a masterpiece. The weapons were great, the level design was brilliant, the difficulty levels and tasks were a chef's masterpiece.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Majora

Is this the best Zelda game ever created? Do we ask ourselves this question with every release? As a direct sequel to Ocarina of time, this iteration was visually improved, but due to the shorter release schedule, many assets were also recycled – it came out two years later. However, there is no doubt about the greatness of the game. With the help of a three-day cycle, Link takes you into a parallel world. Majora's Mask really messed up the Zelda formula. Some fans prefer the grittiness of this installment as it was much more moody, but it was also a surreal experience that deviated greatly from what we'd seen before, making it more unique. Play both and your life will be better.

Super Mario 64

Mario 64

Is there a better Mario game? Maybe, but Mario's first foray into 3D is perhaps the most memorable. Not only that, it's still so much fun. All the jumping back and forth in paintings, riding Koopa shells, and twirling Bowser by his tail, it's all so satisfying. Of course, 3D Mario games have come a long way since then, but the beauty of it is Mario 64 Platforming is its simplicity, which means it never really gets old and messy. Doing a backflip or a perfect ground pound is still just as good over 20 years later.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Ocarina of time

Is this the best Zelda game ever created? Do we ask ourselves this question with every release? When The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time The initial release was another Nintendo franchise that made the leap into 3D. And with that leap, it became one of the best RPGs ever released on a Nintendo console. There was everything from interesting dungeons with ingenious gimmicks to the freedom and mystery of Hyrule on horseback. Link developed better than ever, the action was captivating and the time jump blew everyone away; It was a revolutionary game that many still consider to be the greatest game of all time. Furthermore, despite the dated graphics, it feels like it hasn't aged a day.

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Featured Image Source: Nintendo

Topics: Nintendo, Nintendo Switch, Mario, The Legend Of Zelda, Pokemon, Mario Kart