The Nintendo 64, first released in 1996, is often regarded as one of the greatest gaming consoles to ever be developed. Over 40 games that were released for the Nintendo 64 yielded sales of over 1 million, of which only 1 of them achieved sales of over 10 million. Read on for our list of the best-selling N64 games of all time.
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10. Banjo-Kazooie
Developer: Rare
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: June 29, 1998
Number of Worldwide Sales: 3,650,000
Banjo-Kazooie is a platform game that that follows the story of a bear and a bird (Banjo and Kazooie, respectively) as they battle to save Banjo’s sister, Tooty, from the evil witch, Gruntilda, who has plans to steal Tooty’s beauty.
Banjo-Kazooie is played from a third-person perspective and features nonlinear levels that utilize the skills of both Banjo and Kazooie to solve puzzles, avoid obstacles, defeat opponents, and collect items. The game is as fun as it is charming, and there is no surprise to see this one sneak in the list of the best-selling N64 games of all time.
9. Star Fox 64
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: April 27, 1997
Number of Worldwide Sales: 4,000,000
Star Fox 64, also known as Lylat Wars is an aircraft combat game that uses a 3D scrolling shooter format. It is a reboot of the hugely popular 1993 Star Fox game for the SNES and is considered a pioneer in the rail/scrolling shooter genre.
Players control vehicles piloted by Fox McCloud and must navigate through various obstacles and shoot down incoming enemies with laser cannons. It mostly takes place in “Corridor Mode”, with the player moving down a straight path in a fixed environment, though some parts of the game allow Fox to move freely around a larger environment.
8. Diddy Kong Racing
Developer: Rare
Publisher: Rare
Release Date: November 14, 1997
Number of Worldwide Sales: 4,880,000
Diddy Kong Racing is a racing video game that is part of the Donkey Kong universe and follows Diddy Kong as he tries to bring down the game’s main adversary, Wizpig. The game was originally intended to be a real-time strategy game but, thankfully, the developers changed focus and created one of the most addictive racing games of all time.
Set on Timber’s Island, players can ride a variety of vehicles including hovercrafts, cars, and aeroplanes. Each vehicle has its own unique advantages and players can choose their transport tactically based on which racetrack they are on. With a total of 5 different worlds and 4 different tracks in each of them, there is plenty to do in Diddy Kong Racing and it fully warrants its place in this list of the best-selling N64 games.
7. Donkey Kong 64
Developer: Rare
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: November 22, 1999
Number of Worldwide Sales: 5,270,000
Donkey Kong 64 is an adventure platform game and is the first title from the Donkey Kong franchise to have 3D gameplay. Set in a jungle-themed world, the game follows the gorilla, Donkey Kong, on his quest to free his captured friends from the antagonist King K Rool, an anthropomorphic crocodile.
Playing as Donkey Kong, or one of his friends, players must progress through the island’s levels by collecting items, completing minigames, and solving puzzles. Each of the characters offers a unique ability and you must choose the correct character for the puzzle. Donkey Kong 64 is the game that brought the franchise to life and experiencing the Donkey Kong universe in 3D was a huge step towards appreciating the series for all its charm.
6. Pokémon Stadium
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: April 30, 1999
Number of Worldwide Sales: 5,460,000
Pokémon is the most popular franchise on the Nintendo 64, selling 13.46 million combined titles. Pokémon Stadium is the best-selling title within the series, and for good reason. It is strategy game that uses the 151 Pokémon from the Game Boy games in a 3D turn-based battling format.
The main objective of the game is to complete the four stadium cups through a series of 3 vs 3 Pokémon battles against a progressively challenging list of opponents. After successfully completing the four stadium cups, you can then go on to challenge the Elite Four. Pokémon Stadium has some impressive visuals that still hold up well today, and it is no surprise that this game cements a place in the list of best-selling N64 games.
5. Super Smash Bros.
Developer: HAL Laboratory
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: January 21, 1999
Number of Worldwide Sales: 5,550,000
Super Smash Bros. is a crossover fighting game that was the first to be released in the hugely popular Super Smash Bros. series. Characters from several Nintendo franchises are included in the game, and players can choose characters from Mario, Donkey Kong, Pokémon, Star Fox, and the Legend of Zelda, among others.
Locations from the above-mentioned franchises serve as the arena for battles to take place. Each character has a unique set of skills that can be used to inflict damage on the opponent. Battles are won by reducing the opponent’s health to zero or knocking the opponent off the stage. For most people, Super Smash Bros. needs no introduction; the game is outrageously addictive and can provide a lifetime of fun for lovers of the different Nintendo franchises.
4. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: November 21, 1998
Number of Worldwide Sales: 7,600,000
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is an action-adventure game, and the fifth game in the Legend of Zelda series. It is not only considered to be one of the best Nintendo 64 titles around, but is often included in multi-platform lists of the best games of all time
In Ocarina of Time, players control Link as he traverses Hyrule and travels through time in order to subdue the king of the Gerudo tribe, Ganondorf. To progress throughout the game, Link must learn different songs using the ocarina and then play them to gain an advantage as he seeks to awaken the Seven Sages in order to banish Ganondorf forever.
3. GoldenEye 007
Developer: Rare
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: August 25, 1997
Number of Worldwide Sales: 8,090,000
GoldenEye 007 is a first-person shooter game that, for many, is the platform-defining title for the Nintendo 64. It is based on the 1995 James Bond film, GoldenEye and features both a single-player campaign and a split-screen multiplayer mode.
Taking on the role of James Bond, players make their way through a series of free-roaming levels and must complete a set of objectives before leaving the mission. The game features elements of stealth and action, and there are a wide array of weapons and gadgets to make use of. GoldenEye 007 is seen as a pioneering game in the first-person genre and it is no surprise to see this rank as third in the list of the best-selling N64 games of all time. The game also led to the release of the equally as good, Perfect Dark, which is seen as its spiritual successor.
2. Mario Kart 64
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: December 14, 1996
Number of Worldwide Sales: 9,870,000
Mario Kart 64 is a racing game that is the second installment in the Mario Kart series. It is a true classic and a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Players can play as one of eight Mario characters and choose from 16 different race courses.
During races, players can pick up boxes that give the player random items to give them an advantage. Four different game modes are available in Mario Kart 64, with the most popular being the Grand Prix mode – this mode allows for both single-player and multiplayer gaming. Mario Kart 64 is both charming and fun, and its presence in this list of best-selling Nintendo 64 games comes as no surprise.
1. Super Mario 64
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: June 23, 1996
Number of Worldwide Sales: 11,910,000
Super Mario 64 is the best-selling N64 game of all time, and it is easy to see why. This platform game was the first in the Super Mario series to use 3D gameplay and it is implemented masterfully into the different playable open-world environments found throughout the game.
The game is set in Princess Peach’s Castle, which the player can freely roam around to experiment with the movement controls and gameplay. Throughout the castle there are various secret walls and paintings which serve as the entrance to different levels. Mario needs to collect a certain number of Power Stars from these levels in order to progress throughout the game. Ultimately, the objective is to save Princess Peach from the notorious Bowser, who has hijacked her castle. The gameplay in Super Mario 64 is second-to-none and anyone who has played the game could have easily predicted its top position in the list of the best-selling N64 games of all time.
What Would You Like to Have Seen in the Best Selling N64 Games?
If you liked reading this list of the best-selling N64 games of all time, you might also like our Anachronox review.
What games would like to have seen on the list? Let us know in the comments section and join our Blog of Games community. If you have any questions, please get in touch below or contact me at richard@blogofgames.com.