Growing up, I devoured gaming magazines, dreaming of the Nintendo 64. I’d read about all these incredible titles, but sadly, I never actually owned the console. Fast forward to today, and I’m on a mission to uncover the hidden gems of the N64 library.
Sure, everyone knows about Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time, but what about the games that slipped through the cracks? These titles, now collector’s items, aren’t just rare, they’re genuinely a blast to play.
Join me as we explore seven standout N64 games that deserve a second look. We’ll dive into why they’re so hard to find, why they didn’t hit it big, and what reviewers were saying back in the day.
Some data was taken from PriceCharting
1. Worms Armageddon (2000)
- Why It’s Rare: Man, talk about bad timing! Released at the N64’s twilight in 2000, when the PS2 was stealing all the thunder, Worms Armageddon had a tiny print run. It’s now a collector’s dream, with loose carts going for around $203 and complete-in-box copies hitting a wild $1,150.
- Why It’s Fun: Exploding sheep? Banana bombs? This turn-based strategy game is pure chaos and hilarity. Perfect for multiplayer nights! As GameSpot put it, “It’s a fun, addictive game that’s perfect for multiplayer action,” and IGN chimed in with, “a solid addition to the series, offering plenty of laughs and strategic gameplay.”
- Why It Was a Commercial Failure: Simply put, the N64 was on its last legs. Worms Armageddon couldn’t compete with the next-gen hype, and the industry was moving to CDs.
2. Clay Fighter: Sculptor’s Cut (1998)
- Why It’s Rare: This one’s a real oddity! It was a Blockbuster rental exclusive, never sold in stores. Talk about limited distribution! It’s one of the rarest N64 fighters, easily fetching hundreds of dollars.
- Why It’s Fun: Claymation fighters with over-the-top moves? Yes, please! It’s got humor and charm in spades. IGN said, “It’s a fun, if not groundbreaking, fighting game that fans of the series will enjoy,” and GameSpot added, “Despite its flaws, it’s still a decent fighting game with a lot of charm.”
- Why It Was a Commercial Failure: Being rental-only killed its reach, and in a market dominated by polished fighters like Smash Bros., its quirky style struggled.
3. Yoshi’s Story International Version (1998)
- Why It’s Rare: This kiosk demo with Japanese text was never meant for consumers. It’s a collector’s holy grail.
- Why It’s Fun: It’s classic Yoshi’s Story charm with colorful visuals and accessible gameplay. IGN praised it as “a delightful platformer that’s perfect for younger players and fans of the series,” and GameSpot called it “a solid entry in the franchise, offering a unique take on the platforming genre.”
- Why It Was a Commercial Failure: Being a demo, it was never sold. Even the retail version underwhelmed some fans.
4. Starshot: Space Circus Fever (1999)
Fun Fact: I actually had this one for my PC, but never bothered to deep dive into it. Can’t even remember why: maybe it was my stupid controller (You couldn’t just plug in an Xbox controller back then…).
You can actually buy the digital copy in GOG. It looks much better ,but definitely doesn’t have the nostalgic low textures look of the N64 Version.
- Why It’s Rare: Released late and with zero fanfare, it faded into obscurity. Now, it’s a rare find.
- Why It’s Fun: A space circus platformer? It’s quirky and fun. IGN described it as “fun and humorous,” and GameSpot noted, “Despite some technical issues, it’s an enjoyable adventure with plenty of humor and charm.”
- Why It Was a Commercial Failure: Late release, poor marketing, and an oddball premise didn’t help.
Here is a review by nitro rad:
5. Turok: Rage Wars (Gray Cartridge, 1999)
Fun Fact: That’s the only classic Turok game that didn’t get the remaster treatment (yet…). I guess it has to do with the multiplayer aspect.
- Why It’s Rare: The gray cartridge was a bug-fix re-release, making it rarer than the original black version
- Why It’s Fun: Fast-paced multiplayer FPS action! IGN hailed its “solid action,” and GameSpot praised its “plenty of replay value for fans of first-person shooters.”
- Why It Was a Commercial Failure: The initial release flopped, and the multiplayer focus didn’t gel with the N64’s single-player crowd.
6. Big Mountain 2000 (2000)
- Why It’s Rare: Late release in 2000 meant low sales and high rarity.
- Why It’s Fun: Solid skiing and snowboarding action. IGN called it “decent for genre fans,” and GameSpot noted it “offers a decent amount of content and gameplay.”
- Why It Was a Commercial Failure: Too late to the party, and overshadowed by bigger sports games.
7. Doshin the Giant: Liberation Front Chibiko Chikko Collection (2000)
- Why It’s Rare: Exclusive to the Japan-only 64DD (a disk drive add on), it had a tiny print run. Even the GameCube version never left Japan…
- Why It’s Fun: A god-game with unique mechanics. It’s a cult classic in Japan.
- Why It Was a Commercial Failure: The 64DD flopped, and its niche gameplay and regional exclusivity limited its reach.
Here is Nintendo Life’s Review of the GameCube version which still looks great!
Conclusion
These rare N64 games prove that commercial success doesn’t always equal quality. From the multiplayer mayhem of Worms Armageddon to the quirky charm of Starshot, each title brings something unique to the table. Their rarity makes them treasures for us retro gaming fans. If you can track one down, you’re in for a treat. Happy hunting, fellow gamers!
