The N-Europe Top Ten lists are really starting to get trucking now as we begin our 4th console. The Nintendo 64 was a big step for Ninty as they took the plunge into 3D gaming. It wasn’t without its controversy though, as while other consoles of the time were moving on to CD’s, Nintendo were sticking with cartridges. It may not have been the most successful console Nintendo bought out, but that didn’t stop it from busting out some bona-fide classics, some of which made great use of the consoles native 4-player multiplayer support.

Like the three consoles before it, this Top Ten was composed thanks to a two week process of nominations and voting done by the members of the N-Europe Forums. Some of them also provided some commentary on their choices. So let’s have a look see.

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How do you even describe a game such as this? I mean, you could say “weird” but that would be underselling just how wacky this game gets. From its totally serious plot about saving Japan from the terrors of western fine arts to giant robot battles for not much reason. Mystical Ninja is a tad niche, but its bizarre setting and amazing vocal tracks cement it as a cult favourite in the N64 library.

"It's hard to believe a game of this magnitude came out before Ocarina of Time, but it's true. Konami was clearly experimenting with 3D back in the day, with fantastic results." – Jonnas

"A fantastic combination of 3D exploration, platforming, beautiful visuals, wonderful sound effects and unbelievably catchy music (those vocal tracks are legendary) add to all of that a great sense of humour and you've got one of the most entertaining titles on the N64, not to mention the best entry in the criminally overlooked Mystical Ninja series." – RedShell

"This game is really fun, I'm not a fan of ninjas, so the fact that the presentation and setting of this game appeal to me shows that they really tried to make something entertaining without rehashing overused tropes and aesthetics. And I'm a huge weeb, so of course I love how much like an anime this game is." – Sofiz

These days, this game is known as Star Fox 64, but Nintendo ran into some trademark issues with the title of the SNES entry in Europe, so we got a cooler name. Lylat Wars is a game that is known by pretty much every owner of an N64, it sports enjoyable dialogue, tight arcade gameplay and great replay value.

There are quite a few fans out there that will be in the mind-set that this game hasn’t been topped by its future entries, but whatever you think about it, there’s no denying that Lylat Wars will forever be barrel rolling in the hearts of gamers. Or boosting, whatever floats your Arwing.

"I discovered the majority of the Sly Routes by accident back in the day before I had internet. It was such a surprise finding these extra routes especially the first time I found the route on Corneria. That day I just thought I’m going to fly under them rock arches for fun and suddenly, a new boss and more levels to play.

The stage ending that amused me the most was hitting the junctions for the first time on Macbeth - "Hit the Brake!... AGGGGGGGGGGGH!" + 50 Hit score." – Gadwin

Fighting games are complicated affairs where complicated button combinations perform complicated attacks complicatedly. Which explains why they can be pretty intimidating to get into. Thankfully, in 1999, HAL Laboratory came up with the genius idea of “What if fighting games were easy to learn?” as well as “What if Mario and Link got into a fight?” And thus, Super Smash Bros. was born.

Smash Bros. has a lot going for it, the vast array of characters from popular Nintendo franchises (And Mother), the homogeneous controls that never get more complicated than moving the control stick and pressing a button at the same time and the wacky items that are sure to have you and your friends laughing your socks off. Smash Bros on the N64 may be a tad bit smaller in scope than later titles, but it’s still a lot of fun to revisit.

"I was never really a fan of fighting games - I think I found them too restrictive. SSB seemed like a breath of fresh air at the time - you could go UP and DOWN?! And throw a crate at someone?! As Pikachu?! Sold." – bob

Rare were bound to take a crack at the 3D platformer genre after a certain other game showed up, but instead of using a gorilla, they decided to go with a bear and a bird. Banjo-Kazooie follows polite bear Banjo and not-so-polite breegull, Kazooie on a quest to save Banjo’s sister from a witch that wants to steal her beauty. Banjo-Kazooie is a fine example of the “Collect-a-thon” subgenre of 3D platformers thanks to the steadily evolving array of moves you can pull off, countless hidden secrets to find and humourous writing throughout. Banjo-Kazooie is quintessential 90’s gaming and is a necessary part of any N64 collection.

"On the N64 there were two platforming giants, and most people were either one, or the other. Either you preferred Super Mario 64, or you were more of a Banjo Kazooie fan. Personally, I was always in the BK camp. I felt like it had far more personality than Nintendo's offering, and was much more fun to explore. Plus, the music in Banjo Kazooie was genius - extremely catchy, and the way it would fade in between different motifs as you went between areas was brilliant." – bob

"This was my first 3D platformer and I completed the game multiple times. I had a lot of fun 100% the game, getting all the collectibles. It was a game with nice environments for the levels and I liked the soundtrack to the levels in this game." – Gadwin

The N64 isn’t exactly a console known for games with 2D visuals. 3D was the new hotness and 2D was looked down upon quite a bit. So right at the end of the N64’s life was a strange time to see a game that looked mostly 2D. That didn’t stop Paper Mario from becoming the critical success it is now. Sporting a flat and strangely adorable Mario who has to rescue Peach from Bowser, who has stolen the Star Rod to grant his own wishes, Paper Mario has a colourful variety of characters to help the paper plumber in turn based battles with some action command twists.

This may be a flatter game than other N64 games, but it arguably has more depth than any of them.

"The dialogue is hilarious, the game itself looks gorgeous and storybook-like, and my favourite part is that the characters are all unique and interesting; I really enjoy that characters like Goombas and Boos that used to be just enemies can now also be interesting characters in their own right. I'm glad this game exists." – Sofiz

A spiritual successor to a certain other game that Rare made for the N64, Perfect Dark is a first person shooter that builds upon that certain other game’s engine to provide a more finely tuned experience with imaginative weapons, fun characters and an absolutely jam packed multiplayer mode that even I enjoy. And trust me; I don’t enjoy FPS games, so that’s really saying something.

Rare’s second shooter game is an absolute joy to play. In fact, you could say that it’s perfect. Stop groaning!

"Without the 007 storyline to guide them, Rare had the freedom to create their story and used their Bond template to create a game even larger than their ground-breaking secret agent predecessor. Multiplayer options were vast: Challenges, customisation, levels (including 2 of the best Goldeneye ones), co-op, modes, the Laptop Gun! They can even be forgiven for introducing us to Elvis..." – WackerJr

"I was obsessed with Perfect Dark from the moment I first read about it in Nintendo Official Magazine, rabidly devouring any nugget of information or screenshot that they published. When I finally got to play the game in the summer of 2000 the obsession only deepened, I spent what felt like an age playing through the campaign and exploring the Carrington Institute, stunned by the voice acting and cinematics. It was the multiplayer, though, that kept me coming back." – killthenet

"While it was the seminal Goldeneye that impressed my brothers and I on that special day when we got an N64 on Boxing Day one year, it would be Perfect Dark which would not only carry on the legacy of being the best FPS released on a console in both its single and multiplayer components but it evolved the formula, giving us a unique futuristic sci-fi spy story which would feature everything from espionage to extra-terrestrial beings. Not only that but it gave us perhaps one of the most feature-packed multiplayer deathmatch modes which in many ways hasn't been bettered to this day, except maybe for the online enabled version which came out on the Xbox 360 and Xbox One years later; not even the Xbox exclusive Perfect Dark Zero could top it, though it tried its best... bless." – S.C.G

"The incredibly focused and deep level design makes for one of the most replayable games of all time. Like its predecessor, Goldeneye, Perfect Dark is tailor made for speedrunning; spawning the world's first dedicated speedrunning community (that still persists to this day!). A true testament to the incredible depth of its level design; with a bevy of gameplay options, secrets, exploration and pin perfect action!" - Dcubed

I may have mentioned this before, but licensed movie games tend to be a bit rubbish, especially during the 90’s, but there was one outlier that everyone would agree is anything but. Goldeneye 007 is one of the most famous games for the N64, putting the player in the shoes of James Bond and tasking them with a number of missions, that would normally involve shooting bad guys. But it was the split-screen multiplayer that cemented this games status as one of the most well-loved multiplayer games of its time. Even if unfortunate placing of Bond’s hand on the box art makes his mouth look really wide. Although, I see that as a benefit.

"When I had beat the game on 00 Agent I spent many months finding new ways to play through the game with the time cheats which were very fun to unlock. Beating the missions fast as possible was another thing I enjoyed doing." – Gadwin

"Probably the best multiplayer game on the console with an incredible single player mode." – lostmario

"Some of my favourite memories of my time on the N64 were of being sat with three mates, having fun murdering each other. Klobbs, Oddjob, Golden Gun, Remote Mines, hidden areas, Jaws. To think that the multiplayer mode of GoldenEye was added as an afterthought makes it even more incredible. One of our favourite modes was Slappers Only. The absolute hilarity of seeing four players gliding around on their knees while judo chopping frantically just had us falling about laughing every time." – bob

Arguably the most important game of the generation, Super Mario 64 marks a momentous point in Nintendo’s history, the jump to 3D gaming. While the Super Nintendo gave the illusion of 3D space at times, Mario 64 showed that the N64 was capable of so much more. Mario also evolved with the times and was capable of much more acrobatic feats to help him traverse around the worlds he found in Princess Peach’s Castle.

The N64’s best-selling game has left a lasting impression on gaming forever and deserves every bit of praise it gets.

"I never played the N64 version (played it on DS) I cannot deny how important this game was. I owe it to this game for defining the 3D platformer genre which to this date is one of my favourite gaming genres. There's just something so fun about this type of game and this is the game that started it all. The fact that people still make memes around this game and the popularity of its speedrunning community just goes to show what a masterpiece of a game it is. There is a critical path to every level but it doesn't make that too obvious in some of the more open levels and creates incredibly explorable areas." – GenericAperson

"What is there to say about Super Mario 64? It was an astonishing leap forward at the time, blowing my tiny 10-year-old mind when I watched the opening moments play out before me on Christmas morning 1997. It kept me and my brother hooked for what seems like months on end, spending hours just running about Peach’s Castle and trying to find another secret. Everything about it just screamed inventiveness and joy, the variety of levels and objectives boggled the mind and the music was to become practically ingrained in my DNA as I grew up." – killthenet

"Yeah, the premise behind its design is simple to understand, but there's more to this. Sure, each level has a varied aesthetic and competent obstacles for you to overcome... but the most important aspect is the wonder in exploring this world. Not only do we run into cool stuff to do everywhere in each level, it always feels like we're rewarded for straying off the expected path, even if we don't find a star.

Furthermore, the way Mario moves makes everything fun to do. Kicking bullies, surfing Koopa shells, wall-jumping, etc. When exploring levels is so fun, why not do it?" – Jonnas

"Mind blowing game. Seeing Mario running around, jumping, swimming and flying in true 3D for the first time was simply incredible. And the game not only looked and sounded stunning, but played like an absolute dream too! One of the most exciting and revolutionary titles in the history of video games." – RedShell

"Nintendo made the transition from 2D to 3D with ease and made one of the greatest games ever which still holds up today." – lostmario

This might be the biggest upset in these Top Ten articles! Relish the moment, because it almost didn’t happen. One of the most famous entries in the Zelda series, Ocarina of Time, is a testament to just how solid the Zelda format was. Keeping a whole bunch of Zelda normalities intact in the jump to 3D without compromising on the gameplay is a truly impressive feat. Much like Super Mario 64, this Zelda title helped lay down more than a few foundations for 3D action-adventure games.

Ocarina of Time is a game that is often emulated, but rarely surpassed, rarely being the key word…

"Still widely considered to be the best game in the Zelda series (if not the best game ever made) and with very good reason, Ocarina of Time was such an ambitious and well-crafted experience that it left a lasting impact on anyone who played it. A masterpiece." – RedShell

"I haven't even brought up how they had to build up movement from scratch, which is so impressive, decades later: Link moves well, the lock-on system works wonders (and is still second nature today), and tons of small decisions still hold up (like having Link jump automatically at platforms). It's amazing that they managed to build a blueprint for every 3D Adventure on their first try.

The level design is ultimately what kept us coming back, though. Not only are the dungeons (and most overworld segments) very compelling, the explorable side of the world feels like every nook and cranny has something to hide, whether it's a collectible or not. You can Hookshot into trees, treasures chests, blocks of wood, etc. You can randomly run into a cow in a pit. You can figure out that the carpenter's junkie son went to the woods to die. You can plant beans inside a volcano that then turn into flying saucers. You can fish a dude's hat.

You can't beat the running man, though." – Jonnas

"I can't deny that the game is a classic and was the first 3D Zelda I played via the Collectors' Edition on Gamecube. The gameplay is spot on and feels so natural that many of its innovations such as its targeting system have since become standard. I was also very impressed that they had a working day and night cycle in an N64 game and what's interesting is how the game doesn't even reveal the existence of one until after the first dungeon. Props to the midpoint plot twist when it is revealed that your actions have only helped the antagonist. This blew my mind at that time; I'd never played a game in which the villain actually succeeded in what they set out to do. I also fortunately managed to finish the game before I even touched Smash Bros. Melee which spoils the big plot twist at the end of the game." – GenericAperson

Our number 1 N64 game is truly a unique title, while it plays similarly to the other N64 Zelda game; Majora’s Mask imposes a time limit on the player. In 3 in-game days, the creepiest looking moon you ever did see will slam into the land of Termina. Thankfully, Link can use the Ocarina of Time to go back in time to the beginning of that three day cycle. Utilising this and a smorgasbord of items and masks that provide a variety of effects, Link has to stop a mysterious Skull Kid from introducing Termina to imminent death.

This Zelda shines thanks to complex sidequests, each resident of Termina has their own problems and schedules over the 3 days before impact. The player is encouraged to observe these characters as they go about their daily lives and use Link’s time travelling abilities to sort out their problems. This results in a more intimate and condensed Zelda adventure where your good deeds feel like they have that much more of an impact. It also results in a darker, more mature setting that can feel more than a little unnerving.

Ocarina of Time may be the most influential Zelda game, but you’ve never played a game quite like Majora’s Mask.

"The most thought provoking Zelda game in the entire series. It's impressive for a game that simply reused assets from Ocarina of Time that characters who were just there in Ocarina suddenly become main characters in this game. It's one of the most fascinating game worlds ever created and the mask mechanic which allows you to assume the forms of a Deku, Goron and Zora and use their abilities makes for some interesting design. The 3 day mechanic is one of the game's strengths but also one of its weaknesses, it's the only game where you have to do entire dungeons all over again if you can't do it all in one sitting so hopefully you have a lot of free time to be able to do these dungeons. However I do like how it allows you to replay the boss battles, one of the few times in the series that re-battling these bosses is an option. Though why you would want to fight Gyorg is beyond me, stupidly difficult fight." – GenericAperson

"Tasking the developers with a year to create a follow-up to one of the best games of all time was a daunting task, but Nintendo managed to create a majestic title! Darker, more adult in many of its themes, clever use of having events only occurring at certain times, and the return of the classic overworld theme all contributed to this being an absolute classic!" – WackerJr

"There is no other game that fits my sensibilities quite like The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask does. The surreal atmosphere, the foreboding music and the bleak world of Termina that was populated by a cast of eccentric characters - it seemed like it had been tailor made for me. Even as a snotty 13-year-old I knew how important this game would be to my personality going forward and all these years later I’m weirdly proud of my pubescent self for latching onto it so wholeheartedly.

The mechanic of living the same three days over and over, learning the schedules of the people of Clock Town and the surrounding villages made it feel like Termina was actually alive, reinforcing the peril that hung over them and getting the player thoroughly invested in succeeding at putting a stop to the impending apocalypse. It was no coincidence that I absolutely loved the film Groundhog Day and so as a youngster it was this mechanic that I really admired but playing the game in recent years I was floored by the sheer variety of gameplay mechanics on offer through the use of the mask system. Up to that point Link had never felt so mobile, tearing around Termina Field as a Goron; zipping through the Great Bay as a Zora or gliding through the air as a Deku adding greater scope to the gameplay.

Almost 20 years later it is still completely unlike any other entry in the series, a game that pushes the art form forward in a myriad of bizarre and inventive ways that haven’t been tried since. A real gem of a game, yet to be surpassed - the greatest video game ever made, not just for the Nintendo 64, but for any system. I honestly don’t see it ever being topped - Aonuma, Koizumi and EAD’s finest hour." – killthenet

"You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?" "Perhaps one of the greatest quotes from a videogame I can recall in relatively recent times, for these are the words of the Happy Mask Salesman which really helped to solidify the darker tone of this entry in The Legend of Zelda series. Indeed, if you're not creeped out by that quote by an already mysterious character or by the knowledge that in the game you have the constant threat of the Moon crashing down onto the world of Termina... then surely just the sight of the titular Majora's Mask would be enough to make you feel more than a little uneasy.

It's not just the tone though, it's also the mechanic of time travel achieved by using the Ocarina of Time from the previous game which makes you look at the game from both a practical and logical perspective in order to deal with all the craziness around you in a timely manner and being that there is a lot around in this fantastic game world, it really needs to be broken down so that the player can deal with it effectively... or completely mess it up. I will say that it is worth seeing what happens from just letting the three-day (in-game) timer count down to zero at least once, just to see. The fact that it can happen at the very start of the game if you don't figure out a certain sequence of events in time is probably one of the most harrowing, terrifying and sobering moments in a videogame.

Of course the transformation mechanic which comes into play when Link wears certain masks is worth mentioning, as it gives you the chance to play as not only Link but also a Deku Scrub, Goron and even a Zora, though the best swimming mechanics still belong to the original N64 version.

Nothing can take away from me just how spectacular the original N64 version is even to this day and it still remains quite possibly my favourite Zelda game ever released, so please just make sure you get to play it in some form as this is one 3D Zelda title that you really won't want to miss out on. If you do plan on picking up the original N64 game, make sure you've got an Expansion Pak handy plus a good deal of patience; the reward of experiencing the game from start to finish is worth every second invested in it." – S.C.G

"The game that used to be the most under-appreciated entry in the Zelda franchise (That title now goes to The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword), it stands as the polar opposite to its forebearer and is all the greater for it. While The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time featured a grand scale that bathed its world with broad strokes, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask instead sacrifices breadth for depth.

Never before or since has any game offered the level of intimacy in its world building. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask allows you to be a part of its characters' lives and watch how they live them out across its three days; but this is no mere gimmick, it forms a core aspect of its gameplay from start to finish. Indeed, one could accurately say that this is the world’s first, and only, legitimate 4D game!

This philosophy also applies to its level design. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask may only sport four main dungeons, the least of any entry in the mainline series, but these four dungeons are of far greater depth than what you find in its predecessor; filled with twists, traps, secrets and absolutely incredible pacing. The way in which it balances time management with exploration and puzzle solving depth is just incredible! Likewise, its overworld follows the same philosophy; trading breadth for depth and being all the better for it.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is a manifesto of game design. It makes an absolutely convincing case for how games can benefit from a tight focus and a trading of breadth for depth. This game shows that both the Zelda series, and video games in general, are truly better when you focus on depth rather than breadth." – Dcubed

If you'd like to be part of N-Europe's Top Ten game lists, then check out the thread on our forum as while it's too late to choose for the GBC titles, especially as we're almost down to the last decisive moments as the voting closes at midnight on 24/05/19 but in any case please stop on by. It will be interesting to see if we get any newcomers voting for the next unannounced Nintendo platform (after the GBC edition) as we would very much welcome your input as these articles simply wouldn't happen without the valuable feedback and memories from our community.

Exciting times indeed, catch you next time when the article for the best Game Boy Color titles goes live on N-Europe some day in the not too distant future.