Quick answer: Ten Nintendo 64 games appear on all five of the “best N64 games” lists we compared, led by The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which is number one on every one of them, followed by Super Mario 64, Paper Mario, Banjo-Kazooie, GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark. A loose cartridge of a top-25 game had a median price of $34.39 on 29 October 2026, but 16 of the 25 are in Nintendo’s Switch Online N64 library, so most people do not need the cartridge at all.
What this page adds: a combined ranking (not one site’s opinion), today’s cartridge price for every game, the easiest legal way to play each now (only 4 of the 25 have no current release), which games need the Expansion Pak, and the PAL and region-lock catches for UK players. Prices are PriceCharting averages on 29 October 2026 and change weekly, so treat them as a guide.
How did we rank the best N64 games?
We did not invent a ranking. We combined five published lists, ordered the games by how many of them include each one, and broke ties by average position (as a share of each list’s length):
- GamesRadar’s 25 best N64 games (Retro Gamer team; updated 29 October 2026)
- Nintendo Life’s 50 best N64 games (ranked by readers’ ratings; updated 28 July 2026)
- IGN’s 25 best Nintendo 64 games (updated 2 October 2021; North American releases only)
- Metacritic’s top N64 games by Metascore (the 24 games scoring 85 or more)
- Game Ranks’ top 50 N64 games (generated from popularity data, not critics)
Prices come from PriceCharting. Switch Online availability is from Nintendo’s Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics page, checked on 29 October 2026.
The 25 best N64 games, ranked
| # | Game (year) | On how many lists | Loose / complete price | Easiest way to play today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) | 5 of 5 | $48.75 / $189.00 | Switch Online N64 library |
| 2 | Super Mario 64 (1996) | 5 of 5 | $39.99 / $145.00 | Switch Online N64 library |
| 3 | Paper Mario (2000) | 5 of 5 | $83.14 / $263.50 | Switch Online N64 library |
| 4 | Banjo-Kazooie (1998) | 5 of 5 | $32.98 / $127.50 | Switch Online N64 library; Rare Replay (Xbox) |
| 5 | GoldenEye 007 (1997) | 5 of 5 | $29.99 / $89.99 | Switch Online N64 library; Xbox (2023) |
| 6 | Perfect Dark (2000) | 5 of 5 | $24.99 / $65.96 | Rare Replay (Xbox, 2010 remaster) |
| 7 | Star Fox 64 (Lylat Wars in Europe) (1997) | 5 of 5 | $29.99 / $163.75 | Switch Online N64 library |
| 8 | Wave Race 64 (1996) | 5 of 5 | $15.45 / $60.94 | Switch Online N64 library |
| 9 | Diddy Kong Racing (1997) | 5 of 5 | $28.99 / $104.95 | Original cartridge only |
| 10 | F-Zero X (1998) | 5 of 5 | $39.22 / $136.07 | Switch Online N64 library |
| 11 | The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000) | 4 of 5 | $99.19 / $248.17 | Switch Online N64 library |
| 12 | Super Smash Bros. (1999) | 4 of 5 | $45.25 / $169.84 | Original cartridge only |
| 13 | Mario Kart 64 (1996) | 4 of 5 | $38.52 / $120.00 | Switch Online N64 library |
| 14 | Conker’s Bad Fur Day (2001) | 4 of 5 | $149.25 / $365.53 | Rare Replay (Xbox) |
| 15 | Mario Golf (1999) | 4 of 5 | $34.39 / $99.00 | Switch Online N64 library |
| 16 | Banjo-Tooie (2000) | 4 of 5 | $39.77 / $110.00 | Switch Online N64 library; Rare Replay (Xbox) |
| 17 | Blast Corps (1997) | 4 of 5 | $21.04 / $63.02 | Switch Online N64 library; Rare Replay (Xbox) |
| 18 | WWF No Mercy (2000) | 4 of 5 | $25.00 / $77.31 | Original cartridge only |
| 19 | Mario Tennis (2000) | 3 of 5 | $29.78 / $80.00 | Switch Online N64 library |
| 20 | Rayman 2: The Great Escape (1999) | 3 of 5 | $27.48 / $108.79 | PC version (GOG); Nintendo’s Switch Online page also names it, so check the app |
| 21 | Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (1999) | 3 of 5 | $169.99 / $350.00 | Original cartridge only (no European release) |
| 22 | Mario Party 2 (1999) | 3 of 5 | $41.09 / $145.27 | Switch Online N64 library |
| 23 | Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (1998) | 3 of 5 | $14.99 / $59.50 | PC version (Steam, GOG) |
| 24 | Doom 64 (1997) | 3 of 5 | $38.00 / $126.85 | 2020 remaster (Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC) |
| 25 | Pokémon Snap (1999) | 3 of 5 | $19.48 / $111.94 | Switch Online N64 library |
“Loose” means the cartridge only; “complete” means cartridge, box and manual. “Switch Online N64 library” means the game is in Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics, which needs a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership (£34.99 a year in the UK) and works on Switch and Switch 2.
Why is Majora’s Mask only 11th?
Because GamesRadar’s list leaves it out. It is in the top four of every other list (2nd on Nintendo Life, 3rd on IGN and Game Ranks, 4th on Metacritic with a Metascore of 95), so on quality alone it belongs next to Ocarina of Time. Our method counts how many lists include a game first, and one missing list is enough to drop it below the ten games that are on all five.
If you only play five
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Number one on all five lists, with a Metascore of 99. It introduced Z-targeting (locking on to an enemy), which 3D action games still copy. It is on Switch Online; a loose cartridge is $48.75.
- Super Mario 64. A 1996 launch game and the template for 3D platformers: 120 stars to find in painting-worlds inside Peach’s castle. Second on IGN, GamesRadar and Game Ranks.
- GoldenEye 007. Rare’s Bond shooter, best known for four-player split-screen. It is on Switch Online and, since 2023, on Xbox. Third on GamesRadar and Metacritic.
- Banjo-Kazooie. Rare’s platformer, fourth on IGN. Play it on Switch Online or in Rare Replay on Xbox.
- Paper Mario. An Intelligent Systems RPG with timed-button attacks. It is the dearest of the five at $83.14 loose, so Switch Online is the cheap route.
What do the best N64 games cost now?
- Cheapest classics: Star Wars: Rogue Squadron ($14.99 loose), Wave Race 64 ($15.45), Pokémon Snap ($19.48), Blast Corps ($21.04), Perfect Dark ($24.99) and WWF No Mercy ($25.00).
- The expensive ones: Ogre Battle 64 ($169.99 loose, $350.00 complete), Conker’s Bad Fur Day ($149.25, a late 2001 release), Majora’s Mask ($99.19) and Paper Mario ($83.14).
- Boxes cost a lot more. N64 games came in cardboard boxes that were often thrown away, so complete copies sell for several times the loose price: Star Fox 64 is $29.99 loose but $163.75 complete.
- Check for a cheaper version first. 16 of the 25 are on Switch Online, and Perfect Dark, Conker, Rogue Squadron, Rayman 2 and Doom 64 have other official versions. Only 4 need the original cartridge: Diddy Kong Racing, Super Smash Bros., WWF No Mercy, Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber.
Which top N64 games need the Expansion Pak?
The Expansion Pak (NUS-007) doubles the N64’s memory from 4 MB to 8 MB. It replaces the Jumper Pak in the slot under the front lid. Two of the top 25 need it:
| Game | Without Expansion Pak | With Expansion Pak |
|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask | Will not run | Required to play |
| Perfect Dark | Only a small part of multiplayer and some challenges | Required for the single-player campaign and most of the game |
| Star Wars: Rogue Squadron | Plays normally | Optional higher-resolution mode |
If a console has no Jumper Pak or Expansion Pak in the slot, it shows a black screen with every game. Our N64 no display fix covers that and other causes.
What should UK players know about PAL N64 games?
- N64 consoles are region-locked. NTSC (US and Japan) and PAL (UK and Europe) cartridges have different shell shapes and lockout chips, so a US cartridge will not run on a UK console without an adapter.
- Many PAL versions run slower. A lot of PAL games ran at 50 Hz and were not fully optimised, so they play slower, with black borders.
- Names differ. Star Fox 64 was sold in Europe as Lylat Wars.
- Ogre Battle 64 was never released in Europe. It came out in Japan (1999) and North America (2000) only.
- Prices here are US prices. PAL copies sell for different amounts on UK eBay and in UK shops, so check UK sold listings.
How can you play N64 games today?
| Option | Best for | What it costs | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|
| An original N64 | Collectors, and the 4 games with no re-release | A console, controller and cartridges | Composite or S-Video as standard; modern TVs need an upscaler or a good scaler |
| Switch Online N64 library | 16 of these 25, with online play | Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack | You lose access if the membership ends; some games are emulated with small differences |
| Rare Replay on Xbox | Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, Blast Corps, Conker and Perfect Dark | Rare Replay, or Xbox Game Pass | Banjo and Perfect Dark are the Xbox 360 versions |
| Re-releases and PC versions | Doom 64, Rayman 2, Rogue Squadron | Varies by game | Not the N64 version in every case |
| Emulator or FPGA hardware | Playing your own cartridges on a modern screen | Varies | Use games you own; accuracy varies by game |
For cables and upscalers, see our guide to connecting an N64 to a modern TV. If your controller’s stick is worn, our N64 loose joystick fix explains the repair. For the Switch route, see getting retro games on Nintendo Switch.
How do you spot a fake N64 cartridge?
Reproduction cartridges are common for the expensive games: Ogre Battle 64, Conker’s Bad Fur Day, Paper Mario and Majora’s Mask. Before you pay $149.25:
- Look at the label. Genuine labels have sharp printing and the right sheen. Blurry text, washed-out colour or a label that is slightly the wrong size are warning signs.
- Check the back. Genuine cartridges have a back label with the “NUS-” game code (for example NUS-NFXE-USA) and a moulded “Nintendo” mark.
- Look at the screws. Genuine N64 cartridges use 3.8 mm security screws. Phillips screws mean it has been opened or is not genuine.
- Look inside, if the seller will show you. A genuine board has Nintendo markings and part numbers; reproduction boards often look new and generic.
Our guide on how to spot fake retro game cartridges goes into more detail.
Honourable mentions
These are on three lists or ranked high on one, but miss the top 25: Mario Party 3, Pokémon Stadium 2, Donkey Kong 64, 1080° Snowboarding, Pokémon Puzzle League (11th on IGN), International Superstar Soccer ’98 (9th on GamesRadar), Resident Evil 2 and Sin and Punishment (18th on GamesRadar and on Switch Online).
Related guides
- Best GBA games of all time
- Best GameCube games of all time
- Best PS2 games of all time
- How to connect an N64 to a modern TV
Sources: GamesRadar, Nintendo Life, IGN, Metacritic and Game Ranks lists; PriceCharting loose and complete prices on 29 October 2026; Nintendo’s Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics page; publisher pages for re-releases. We ranked the games from published lists and did not play them for this article.
FAQ
What is the best N64 game of all time?
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It is number one on all five lists we combined (GamesRadar, Nintendo Life, IGN, Metacritic and Game Ranks) and has a Metascore of 99.
What are the top 5 N64 games?
By agreement across five lists: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, Paper Mario, Banjo-Kazooie and GoldenEye 007. Majora’s Mask would be in the top five on four of the lists, but GamesRadar leaves it out.
Which N64 games are on Nintendo Switch Online?
On 29 October 2026 the included-games list on Nintendo’s page showed 36 N64 games for Switch Online + Expansion Pack, including Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Super Mario 64, Paper Mario, GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Star Fox 64 and Mario Kart 64. 16 of our top 25 are included.
What is the most expensive of the best N64 games?
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber, at $169.99 loose and $350.00 complete on PriceCharting on 29 October 2026, followed by Conker’s Bad Fur Day at $149.25 loose.
Do I need an Expansion Pak for N64 games?
Only for some. Majora’s Mask and Donkey Kong 64 will not run without it, and Perfect Dark needs it for the single-player campaign and most of the game. Most N64 games run with the Jumper Pak that came with the console.
Will US N64 games work on a UK N64?
Not without an adapter. N64 cartridges are region-locked by shell shape and a lockout chip, so NTSC cartridges do not fit or boot on a PAL console as standard.