Post by Nester the Lark on Oct 4, 2006 13:30:45 GMT -5
This has been a long time coming. I apologize for being so lazy about it. This is just an overview of notable third party N64 games. I'll leave it up to you guys to fill in the holes and showcase your favorites. And the next time you're at your local video game store, you might want to keep some of these in mind while you browse thru the used N64 games.
Beetle Adventure Racing (EA)
An odd mix between racing and platforming from the team originally behind the Need For Speed series.
Body Harvest (Midway)
The team that created this creepy sci-fi game would later change their name to Rockstar North. That's right, the Grand Theft Auto guys. While the game has some technical shortcomings, it does bare some similarities to GTA.
Buck Bumble (Ubisoft)
A flying and shooting game developed by Argonaut, this one just might appeal to Star Fox fans.
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness (Konami)
While essentially a special edition of Castlevania 64, Legacy of Darkness is the more complete game. Even though it received some fairly decent reviews upon release, it is poorly regarded now, and series producer Koji Igarishi has even retconned it from the official timeline.
Extreme-G (Acclaim)
A futuristic, high-speed racing game in the same vein as F-Zero.
Fighter's Destiny (Ocean)
This is one of the more unique fighting games I've played. Rather than use a life meter, it has a tournament-style scoring system that's oddly compelling. The character designs are a little boring, though.
Goemon's Great Adventure/Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon 2 (Konami)
Though there are very few 2D side scrollers on the N64, this is one of the better ones. (And it's a lot of fun with two players.)
Mortal Kombat 4 (Midway)
While not as good a game as its sequels, MK4 on the N64 is notable for being an exceptional port. It corrects the many bugs and camera problems that plagued the arcade version.
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (Atlus)
Although co-developed by Nintendo (with Quest), it was published by Atlus. It continues the popular series that originally began on the SNES.
Rayman 2: The Great Escape (Ubisoft)
This is basically the classic of the Rayman series, as well as the last Rayman game worked on by Michel Ancel until he created Raving Rabbids for the Wii.
Resident Evil 2 (Capcom)
The N64 port of this classic is notable for many reasons, the most impressive of which being that 2 CD's worth of material were squeezed onto a single 512 megabit cartridge. This miracle was performed by Angel Studios, the studio that would later become Rockstar San Diego, with a little help in the sound department from Factor 5. It also inspired Capcom to begin work on the N64 version of Resident Evil Zero.
Rocket: Robot on Wheels (Ubisoft)
This platform game was developed by Sucker Punch. While it was critically acclaimed, it failed to find an audience. Sucker Punch's next game would be Sly Cooper and the Thevious Raccoonus for the PS2.
San Francisco Rush (Midway)
The N64 port of this classic arcade racing game is considered, by far, to be the best. Also notable is that it had a sequel exclusive to the N64 called Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA that's also worth checking out.
Snowboard Kids 1 & 2 (Atlus)
It's snowboarding with a Mario Kart twist. The series still has a fan following even today.
Space Station Silicon Valley (Take-Two Interactive)
Here's another unique game from soon-to-be Rockstar North. The player must inhabit the bodies of various animal/robot hybrids on a space station, and use its unique skills to progress through the levels.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (LucasArts)
Factor 5's original Star Wars shooter spawned two sequels on the Gamecube. However, the N64 also got Star Wars: Episode I--Battle For Naboo, which was the first game in the series (and, perhaps, ever) to include DVD-style developer commentary.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1, 2 & 3 (Activision)
All three original Tony Hawk games are available on the N64, but the third is also on the 'Cube.
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (Acclaim)
The original Turok is probably the most well regarded in the FPS series.
Beetle Adventure Racing (EA)
An odd mix between racing and platforming from the team originally behind the Need For Speed series.
Body Harvest (Midway)
The team that created this creepy sci-fi game would later change their name to Rockstar North. That's right, the Grand Theft Auto guys. While the game has some technical shortcomings, it does bare some similarities to GTA.
Buck Bumble (Ubisoft)
A flying and shooting game developed by Argonaut, this one just might appeal to Star Fox fans.
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness (Konami)
While essentially a special edition of Castlevania 64, Legacy of Darkness is the more complete game. Even though it received some fairly decent reviews upon release, it is poorly regarded now, and series producer Koji Igarishi has even retconned it from the official timeline.
Extreme-G (Acclaim)
A futuristic, high-speed racing game in the same vein as F-Zero.
Fighter's Destiny (Ocean)
This is one of the more unique fighting games I've played. Rather than use a life meter, it has a tournament-style scoring system that's oddly compelling. The character designs are a little boring, though.
Goemon's Great Adventure/Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon 2 (Konami)
Though there are very few 2D side scrollers on the N64, this is one of the better ones. (And it's a lot of fun with two players.)
Mortal Kombat 4 (Midway)
While not as good a game as its sequels, MK4 on the N64 is notable for being an exceptional port. It corrects the many bugs and camera problems that plagued the arcade version.
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (Atlus)
Although co-developed by Nintendo (with Quest), it was published by Atlus. It continues the popular series that originally began on the SNES.
Rayman 2: The Great Escape (Ubisoft)
This is basically the classic of the Rayman series, as well as the last Rayman game worked on by Michel Ancel until he created Raving Rabbids for the Wii.
Resident Evil 2 (Capcom)
The N64 port of this classic is notable for many reasons, the most impressive of which being that 2 CD's worth of material were squeezed onto a single 512 megabit cartridge. This miracle was performed by Angel Studios, the studio that would later become Rockstar San Diego, with a little help in the sound department from Factor 5. It also inspired Capcom to begin work on the N64 version of Resident Evil Zero.
Rocket: Robot on Wheels (Ubisoft)
This platform game was developed by Sucker Punch. While it was critically acclaimed, it failed to find an audience. Sucker Punch's next game would be Sly Cooper and the Thevious Raccoonus for the PS2.
San Francisco Rush (Midway)
The N64 port of this classic arcade racing game is considered, by far, to be the best. Also notable is that it had a sequel exclusive to the N64 called Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA that's also worth checking out.
Snowboard Kids 1 & 2 (Atlus)
It's snowboarding with a Mario Kart twist. The series still has a fan following even today.
Space Station Silicon Valley (Take-Two Interactive)
Here's another unique game from soon-to-be Rockstar North. The player must inhabit the bodies of various animal/robot hybrids on a space station, and use its unique skills to progress through the levels.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (LucasArts)
Factor 5's original Star Wars shooter spawned two sequels on the Gamecube. However, the N64 also got Star Wars: Episode I--Battle For Naboo, which was the first game in the series (and, perhaps, ever) to include DVD-style developer commentary.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1, 2 & 3 (Activision)
All three original Tony Hawk games are available on the N64, but the third is also on the 'Cube.
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (Acclaim)
The original Turok is probably the most well regarded in the FPS series.