TheNintendo 64has some of the most groundbreaking, 3D games of its generation. It took action games into a whole new world withThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Timeand proved that Mario and platformers, in general, could work in 3D viaSuper Mario 64.
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Yes, the first-party support was great, but due to the PS1 sucking up exclusivity rights, Nintendo’s 3rd party support was lacking comparatively. This list will show some oddities in games one either didn’t know existed on the platform via a port, or just plain forgot about because they were more associated with another console. Then there are the cases of people missing out because of their late releases next to competing consoles. All will become clear below.
10StarCraft
StarCraftlaunched for PCs in 1998. It then released for theN64in 2000 asStarCraft 64. With the success of the PS1 port ofDiablo,StarCraftwas first planned for the PS1.
Eventually, plans went haywire and the N64 was chosen instead which may account for why it was released so late in the console’s life. Needless to say, playing an RTS on the N64 was not as ideal as on PC.
9Command & Conquer
Command & Conquerlaunched for PCs in 1995. It then released for the N64 in 1999, which was two years after it first came to consoles via the PS1 in 1997.
This was the first RTS, PC conversion for the console. As it wasn’t exclusive, it was less popular thanStarCraft 64though. The PS1 was lucky enough to getRed Alertas well.
8SimCity 2000
SimCity 2000launched for PCs in 1993. It then released for the N64 in 1997 for Japan only. However, it did come to a Nintendo console in the West via the SNES port in 1996.
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This was supported by fans even though it was a late release on the hardware. It was more manageable to play than an RTS, but also not perfect.
7Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now
Carmageddon II: CarpocalypseNowlaunched for PCs in 1998. It then released for the N64 in 2000 asCarmageddon 64. This was actually the second console port for the title as it first came to the PS1 in 1999, although that edition was for Europe only.
Therefore,Carmageddon 64was the debut in North America for consoles. It remained mostly faithful to the original, although much of the carnage was censored.
6Duke Nukem 3D
Duke Nukem 3Dlaunched for PCs in 1996. It then released for the N64 in 1997 asDuke Nukem 64. LikeCarmageddon 64, this version was highly censored.
It wasn’t really the gore Nintendo seemingly had issues with, butDuken Nukem 3D’s more risqué scenes involving the titular character and his interactions with the ladies. Nintendo’s version even added the option to save the women held captive by the aliens.
5Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Sixlaunched for PCs in 1998. It then released for the N64, and PS1 in 1999. There really isn’t much to say about either port, as shooters just weren’t what they got to be on consoles untilHalocame along.
No matter what console one chose, they were inferior to the PC original. That said, the N64 port did get a warmer critical reception than its PS1 counterpart.
4Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 2launched for the PS1 in 1998, and it then released for the N64 in 1999. Most fans associate the early games as PlayStation exclusives, which is why this port is often forgotten.
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Most of the game remained intact even though it was shipped with one cartridge compared to the PS1 edition that had two discs. It was very compact with the FMVs being compressed. Where is the Switch’s edition of theremake?
3CyberTiger
CyberTigerlaunched for the PS1 in 1999. It then released for the N64 in 2000. This was the prototype for the series that would becomeTiger Woods PGA Tourstarting in 2000.
Anyway, withMario Golf, there really was no need for this port even though it featured a more classic rendition of the sport.Mario Golf, even without pro players, is just the better game. It is theMario Kartof golf games, aka very accessible.
2Mega Man Legends
Mega Man Legendslaunched for the PS1 in 1998. It then released for the N64 in 2001 asMega Man 64, which was the same year as the GameCube’s launch. Three years after the initial debut and in the same year as the GameCube?
Well, needless to say, this port was sent out to die. Unfortunately, this was par for the course for this spin-off series, and it deserved way more respect. Nintendo tried to makeMega Man Legends 3happen with Capcom on the 3DS, but that was eventually canceled.
1Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2launched for the PS1 in 2000. It then released for the N64 in 2001. There are two things odd about this debut. Firstly, it was even closer to the GameCube’s launch thanMega Man 64; secondly, in 2000, it was simultaneously released for the Game Boy Color alongside the PS1.
How could the portable get it at launch but not the home console? LikeResident Evil,Tony Hawk’s Pro Skaterwas seen as more of aPlayStationseries. The newly announced remakes won’t even hit the Switch. Nintendo needs some skateboarding love too.
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