The Nintendo 64 released in North America a few days ago on September 29th, 1996. This year already has seen major anniversaries like The Legend of Zelda (40 years), Pokémon (30 years), Sonic the Hedgehog (35 years), and Resident Evil (30 years). Let’s quickly celebrate this revolutionary console with that quirky controller.
The Nintendo 64 followed the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It’s famously named after its 64-bit CPU, allowing it to provide 3D graphics, the first of its kind for Nintendo. Unique features include the controller, which was designed with a standard control stick (which is crazy since we now expect at least two per modern controller) and four controller ports to encourage multiplayer. The console sold about 33 million units and was viewed as a commercial success in North America—earning Machine of the Year from Time magazine.
Here are some titles that were released within the first year of the Nintendo 64’s life:
- Pilotwings 64
- Super Mario 64
- Wave Race 64
- Killer Instinct Gold
- Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
- Mario Kart 64
- Star Fox 64
- Mischief Makers
The highest rated N64 titles according to Metacritic are:
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: 99
- Perfect Dark: 97
- Goldeneye 007: 96
- Super Mario 64: 94
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask: 95
That said, the Nintendo 64 had some drawbacks. It faced fierce competition with Sony’s PlayStation, which utilized discs instead of cartridges. Cartridges had storage limitations, took longer to manufacture, and were more costly. In fact, there were a few third-party games that were restricted in use of cutscenes because of this. Also, the Nintendo 64 generally isn’t fondly looked back on as, say, the GameCube. Maybe it’s because the polygonal graphics and “oddly shaped” controller didn’t age well; however, these current complaints really didn’t exist (or exist as loudly) during its hayday.
The 30th anniversary reminds us how far we’ve come, but it also shows us how young the industry actually is. Video games have come into existence with a generation that is still alive (Boomers and Gen X). A 30-year anniversary may feel old because the Millennials, the generation that primarily grew up with the Nintendo 64, is now well into adulthood. Many have started families with kids who are the same age as them when they played the N64. Nostalgia is strong in our late 30s and 40s, and Millennials are the generation that has witnessed the huge jump in technology. You can see it when Eiji Aeonuma had to describe why a jump button and dual-analog camera control for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is a BIG DEAL.
I’m not sure what the future in gaming will bring. Will there be as significant of an advance as a jump from 2D to 3D? Who knows, but what I do know is that I am grateful for Nintendo for giving us the gift of the Nintendo 64. Happy 30th!
Do you have any fond memories of the N64? Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.
Nintendo Pow Block – A Nintendo Podcast by Boss Rush
Nintendo Pow Block is a weekly Nintendo podcast hosted by Edward Varnell, Corey Dirrig, and their friends from around the internet. Each week, they dive into the latest Nintendo news and rumors for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, new and upcoming releases, updates to Nintendo Switch Online and the Nintendo Music app, and discuss what they’ve been playing in the Playing with Power segment.
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Sources: Nintendo via Wikipedia, Metacritic
Featured Image Source: Rebecca Spear at iMore
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