Nintendo Switch Online and Expansion Pack customers have access to a wealth of amazing retro games as part of the subscription. Whether you pay monthly or take out a yearly subscription, you’ll be able to dive into a handpicked selection of games from Nintendo’s best consoles.
Today we’re going to take a look at the selection of free games available from the N64 era ofNintendohistory and showcase some great games you can download and play, right now viaNintendo Switch Online.
1080 Snowboarding
1080 Snowboarding
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Back in the day,1080 Snowboardingwas the peak of extreme sports games. Being able to pull off massive jumps with grabs and twists, it was second to none. Exciting, fast-paced, full of personality, it’s still a solid sports title today. Of course, as with everything in this list, some of the textures will look dated.1080 Snowboardingmanaged to make you feel like a true pro and its arcade feel ensured you could perform the wackiest tricks.
Yoshi’s Story
Yoshi’s Story
If you’re a platformer fan, you have to try outYoshi’s Story. Now, I will note that the graphics here haven’t held up that well considering it’s a relatively basic, cartoony game. However, because the gameplay is focused more on combining puzzles and light platforming, you’re still going to have a lot of fun. You can’t fault the joyous feeling you get plodding along, collecting fruit, exploring the delightful levels, and totalling up the high scores needed to advance.
Pokemon Stadium
Pokemon Stadium
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What would Nintendo be withoutPokemon? Well, it would still be an amazing company, to be fair, but Pokemon is a big part of the brand. Sadly, the N64 outings never reached mainline outings as we’d see on handhelds, butPokemon Stadiumis a banger. You can choose your favourite Pokemon and make them battle using deeper tactics than found in other titles, all presented in larger-than-life details. There’s no storyline here, just lots of pocket monsters doing battle and looking awesome at the same time.
Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo
Mario Kart 64
Mario Kart 64
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Nobody can deny the power ofMario Kart 64. The original SNES version spawned an entirely new genre with its arcade feel and weapon-based racing. If you own a Switch, you really should ownMario Kart 8 Deluxe, but this will do in its absence. The chunky graphics give it a whole different personality, with a fantastic selection of tracks and all the weapons you love to use. Because eachMario Kartgame plays so similarly, you’ll be right at home in no time and blasting your opponents with green shells like a marksman sniper.
Star Fox 64 (Lylat Wars)
Star Fox
The level of charm inStar Fox 64 (Lylat Warsin PAL territories)is what makes it so playable, and memorable. This ‘on-rails’ space shooter was tightly controlled, beautifully realised in every scene, and had terrific dialogue between the crew. If you can remind yourself of how it felt to sit cross-legged in front of the TV on a Saturday morning, watching cartoons, that’s how it felt to playStar Fox 64. Every moment was an adventure and you’d be blasting away enemies while piloting your craft through obstacles, taking on tougher challenges as your journey veers off through the branching level system.
Goldeneye 007
Goldeneye
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The daddy of couch co-op; the master of big head mode; the game that caused fights when your mate chose Oddjob;Goldeneyeis perhaps the pinnacle of N64 gaming for many. While it features no Nintendo mascots, this game managed to find its way into everyone’s house. It was, and still is, a masterpiece. The guns were great, the level design brilliant, the steps up in difficulty and the tasks were a chef’s kiss.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Majora
Is this the best Zelda game ever created? Do we ask ourselves that question with every release? As a direct sequel toOcarina of Time, this iteration improved visually, but it also recycled a lot of assets due to the shorter release schedule - it arrived two years later. There’s no doubting the greatness of the game, though. Utilising a three-day cycle, taking Link to a parallel world,Majora’s Maskreally shook up the Zelda formula. Some fans prefer the darkness of this installment as it was much moodier, but it was also a surreal experience that deviated greatly from what we’d seen before and therefore became more unique. Play both and your life will be better.
Super Mario 64
Mario 64
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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time
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Topics:Nintendo,Nintendo Switch,Mario,The Legend Of Zelda,Pokemon,Mario Kart
