Best N64 RPG Games Of All Time (Ranked)

The Nintendo 64 was infamous for a lot of issues.

It was the primary 3D console from Nintendo, plus it had unimaginable first-party video games like Tremendous Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda. And its controller was formed like a bizarre alien hand which was fairly boss.

One factor it wasn’t identified for, nonetheless, was role-playing video games. There have been barely any.

Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply there have been none. This revolutionary and deeply influential console has a handful of gems that any RPG lover ought to look into.

So in the event you’re uninterested in N64 shooters and journey collect-a-thons – you’ve come to the appropriate place.

12. Pokémon Stadium (2000)

Extra of a battle simulator than a bona fide RPG, Pokémon Stadium was a dream come true for homeowners of Recreation Freak’s Pokémon Purple & Blue video games.

This allowed customers to switch their favourite Pokémon and use them in superb 3D battles, or simply decide some up from the in-game rental service in the event you didn’t have the GB video games.

The primary recreation consisted of 80 battles unfold out all through 4 “cups”, plus the eight Kanto gymnasium leaders, the Kanto Elite 4, and the Champion. When you’d cleared all that, you had an opportunity to tackle the mysterious Mewtwo.

Whereas the sport itself was fairly thrilling, what I keep in mind most fondly about Pokémon Stadium had been the implausible Pokémon-themed mini-games which had been a blast for multiplayer.

11. Pokémon Stadium 2 (2001)

If the unique was good, the sequel was even higher.

It featured higher graphics, a much-needed enchancment for the audio high quality, and was suitable with Pokémon Gold, Silver & Crystal.

Very like the primary recreation, you may problem 4 cups, the Fitness center Chief Citadel, and the Elite 4 – plus the Champion Purple.

This title was an amazing introduction to aggressive Pokémon. It featured a Battle Faculty the place you may discover ways to truly play the sport neatly fairly than simply educating your OP starter Pokémon essentially the most devastating strikes.

It additionally featured a lot extra mini-games, which I contemplate even higher than those within the authentic.

10. Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (1998)

The fifth entry within the Ganbare Goemon sequence was additionally one of many first to introduce Western audiences to the surreal humor and anachronistic world the sequence is understood for.

Motion/Platformer/RPG follows Goemon’s efforts to stop the Peach Mountain Shoguns gang from turning Japan right into a positive arts theater with Western affect – all from the consolation of their peach-shaped flying ship.

It’s not a “conventional” RPG by any means.

However this video games’ versatility is certainly one of its finest options. Typically it’s an RPG, others a Platformer – and it may possibly even be a battleship shooter if that’s what the story requires.

9. Hybrid Heaven (1999)

A reasonably thrilling recreation that wasn’t afraid of pondering exterior of the field is Hybrid Heaven, an ARPG that blends real-time fights and turn-based fight parts.

When not in fight, you’ll discover various environments in a method harking back to Tomb Raider and related 3D platformers – leaping, crawling, and climbing to achieve your targets and clear tough puzzles.

What makes the sport particular is its fight.

As soon as it begins, each the participant and enemy are free to maneuver round till they’re in vary. You possibly can then select what sort of motion to carry out, together with punches and kicks – but additionally utilizing objects and extra.

There’s additionally a novel multiplayer vs. mode that performs like a fighter with minor RPG parts.

8. Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage (2001)

The N64 isn’t stuffed with conventional fantasy RPGs, however there are a couple of – like Aidyn Chronicles.

The story revolves across the idea of “magical true names”. Studying yours will mean you can unite your flesh-and-bone kind along with your non secular existence, unlocking untold energy.

Protagonist Alaron will journey via the land making an attempt to uncover his personal, and within the course of, he’ll discover out about his origins.

The builders centered closely on crafting a compelling story, hiring large names within the trade to jot down the script and design the sport. Regrettably, they didn’t put the identical effort into different facets of the title – preserving this gem from attaining its full potential.

Nonetheless, it’s a implausible expertise for any lover of fantasy RPGs.

7. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)

Whereas not strictly an RPG because of the lack of leveling mechanics and no expertise factors, it does have loads of RPG options to qualify it on this record someplace.

Many connoisseur of the style will rapidly acknowledge the tools and weapon development, amongst different RPG staples in TLoZ: Ocarina of Time.

This recreation is taken into account among the finest of its era resulting from its very good high quality from all standpoints.

The story is enthralling, the environments of its giant 3D open-world are diverse and immersive, and each its soundtrack and sound results reverberate in my thoughts to today.

The graphics are additionally wonderful, particularly for the 90s, which made the fluid and perfectly-animated fight all the higher.

6. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Masks (2000)

TLoZ: Majora’s Masks feels darkish and mysterious from the second you boot up the sport.

Simply holding that golden cartridge in your arms is already a reasonably magical expertise.

Strolling into Termina feels tense, like trespassing into forbidden territory. When you’re in, the stress solely rises because of the sport’s deal with the passage of time and your three-day restrict earlier than the moon comes crashing down.

The wonderful visuals and soundtrack contribute quite a bit to this tense and immersive ambiance.

Once more, is that this strictly an RPG?

Love or hate my rating right here for LoZ: MM, however it’s undoubtedly a subject up for debate.

5. Quest 64 (1998)

One other wonderful basic RPG no N64 proprietor ought to disregard is Quest 64, often called Holy Magic Century in Europe.

It follows Brian, an apprentice mage adventuring via Celtland – a realm based mostly on Irish delusion – in pursuit of his father, who disappeared from the monastery of mages.

One factor that makes this RPG particular is that you simply achieve expertise for particular stats by performing sure actions fairly than merely “leveling up”.

When you get hit quite a bit, you’ll get extra Protection. When you solid many spells, you’ll turn into more adept in magic – and so forth.

The story is a bit simplistic. However it’s an amazing entry level into the style for the uninitiated.

4. Harvest Moon 64 (1999)

Video games don’t want historical swords, highly effective magic, or evil dragons to be thought of RPGs.

And the Harvest Moon franchise is the proper instance of how far RPG video games can stray from that stereotypical view.

Harvest Moon 64 was the third recreation within the sequence, and the primary to carry the farming simulator to 3rd dimension graphics.

Calling it a farming simulator is a bit reductionist. It’s additionally a social simulator, which means that you simply’ll must turn into a pillar of the neighborhood on high of caring for your crops, and perhaps woo one of many native ladies and finally get married.

The sport’s graphics are one of the vital interesting in the complete sequence, and there’s an unimaginable number of actions to spend your restricted time in.

Time additionally move fairly rapidly right here in-game, so you’ll be able to run via HM64 a lot sooner than different retro Harvest Moon titles.

3. Gauntlet Legends (1999)

When you’re a fan of basic Dungeon Crawlers like Diablo, you’ll love Gauntlet Legends on the N64.

This ARPG helps you to & as much as three associates rampage via a number of environments stuffed with beasts to slaughter for loot and glory. The story is unremarkable, however that would be the very last thing in your thoughts as soon as the adrenaline of the hunt has taken over.

It’s an amazing port of the arcade authentic if you may get over the horrible audio high quality.

That, and the FMVs – however I can’t say I miss these.

2. Ogre Battle 64: Individual of Lordly Caliber (2000)

Ogre Battle 64 might be the one first rate Tactical RPG on the system.

And it’s far more than first rate. It’s implausible.

As Magnus Gallant, a Navy Academy graduate and captain within the military of Palatinus, you’ll command a bunch of models and affect the end result of a brewing civil warfare.

The sport contains a excessive diploma of unit customization, a fancy class system, and three potential endings relying in your actions all through the marketing campaign.

It’s a bit arduous to search out these days, however it’s undoubtedly well worth the effort. Techniques Ogre has nothing on this gem.

1. Paper Mario (2001)

When you’re interested by a sophisticated however distinctive RPG, look no additional than Paper Mario for the N64.

The story is the same old Mario fare: rescue the Seven Star Spirits to avoid wasting Peach from Bowser’s arms.

That stated, the sport has a lot extra persona and character than virtually some other Mario recreation – barring its sequel on the GameCube.

Mario’s supporting solid of characters are all good in their very own method, the dialogue is usually hilarious, and the complete recreation is completely paced.

And I’d say the scores virtually converse for themselves.

There’s at all times one thing new ready across the nook right here.

There are many secrets and techniques to uncover as a 2D paper cut-out in a 3D world, as you’ll undoubtedly discover out when you decide up this gem.