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Banjo Kazooie (N64)

Soar over islands to scout out buried treasure. Brave past whirling blades in the belly of a mechanical shark.

• 3 reviews

Mario Golf (N64)

Mario's illustrious career has earned the fella the right to relax, so it's no surprise that virtual golfers can now joi more »n him on the links... Mario style, of course. In Mario Golf, players join the star and his usual posse--Luigi, Pyoshi, Wario, Princess Peach, and Baby Mario, among others--on six themed courses, each with unique obstacles and landmarks recognizable from Mario's previous ventures. Despite one's expectations of a cartoonish "golf light" experience, the gameplay is actually on par with many serious golf simulations and is undeniably the best golf game for the Nintendo 64. The game is equally balanced for pros and amateurs alike. Seasoned virtual golfers and perfectionists can choose a club, adjust the golfer's stance, gauge the wind direction, and apply a variety of spins to the ball. Casual golfers can let the computer caddy pick the best club and line up the golfer, and then simply swing away. A variety of 10 classic and cleverly original game modes are available. Among the more interesting challenges are ring shot, requiring players to land shots through floating rings, and mini golf, complete with banked walls and ramps. In addition to the traditional tournament, skins, and match modes, golfers can play speed golf, requiring players to finish a round of golf as quickly as possible. --Eric Twelker Pros: Great variety of game modes High replay value Strong multiplayer mode for up to 4 players Cons: No hidden Mario Golf Kart mode (that we know of, at least) « less

Killer Instinct Gold (N64)

Nintendo has ported their hit fighting game, KILLER INSTINCT GOLD, to the Nintendo 64. The game combines the features an more »d characters of KILLER INSTINCT 2 with the power of the N64 to create a whole new fighting experience. The camera tracks the action back and forth over the 2D plane as the two fighters duke it out, giving some great camera angles. There are many characters and locations to choose from, as well as some that become available when certain tasks are completed. The battle system is based on combos, which must be performed by pressing one of the six attack buttons. By using the Tutorial, players will be able to do the most difficult attacks with enough practice. The game supports two players, and each must be well versed in the combat system to be successful. While the concepts in KILLER INSTINCT GOLD are easy to pick up, they require foresight and planning to exploit to the maximum. « less

• 1 review

Resident Evil 2 (N64)

After way too long Capcom's "survival horror" series makes its Nintendo 64 debut in form of Resident Evil 2 -- a port of more » the PlayStation original. Raccoon City has somehow fallen victim to a zombie outbreak and it's up to you as either police officer Leon Kennedy, or Claire Redfield (sister to Chris Redfield from RE1), to find out what's going on. The adventure, which takes place in 3D using pre-rendered backgrounds, drags you through spooky crash sites, abandoned buildings, experiments gone wrong and more -- all the while battling undead monstrosities, solving puzzles and, most of all, trying to stay alive. Lots of weapons and other gadgetry allow for some truly disgusting mayhem. RE2 for N64 is exactly the PlayStation game of the same name with a few new EX files that reveal more details about the overall franchise storyline -- it's even got FMV. « less

Vigilante 8 (N64)

Race into high-octane, car-based combat action with VIGILANTE 8. In a bizarre, alternate version of the 1970's you play more »as either one of the good Vigilantes or the evil Renegade Coyotes. Drive across varied destructible environments and blast your enemies into oblivion. You can follow a fast and furious storyline in Quest mode (complete with full-motion video rewards and unlockable characters) or simply go at it in deathmatch-style Arcade mode, blowing up your opponents and surroundings while collecting power-ups and awesome weaponry. The design team has obviously been influenced by the TWISTED METAL series, but has really gone beyond the call of duty improving on every feature one would expect in a fast-paced vehicular blast 'em up. Get to know dangerous and wild '70s-style characters, drive tricked-out cars, trucks, and buses, and do your best to auto-exterminate the competition. VIGILANTE 8 is a smashing good time for deathrace dilettantes. « less

Hydro Thunder (N64)

Take to the choppy seas in the blazing-fast boats of HYDRO THUNDER. A port of the highly popular arcade racer, HYDRO THU more »NDER will have you gaming away for hours without the need to constantly pump quarters into the console. Get behind the wheel of a dozen turbo-charged, futuristic boats and bump and glide your way to victory. Compete on 14 vividly rendered international tracks in an attempt to unlock bonus boats and tracks, grab power-ups, and find hidden shortcuts. You'll feel the wind smack your face as you marvel over the thunder boat's accurately modeled physics. Pull back on the Z-trigger for a boost of nitro-fueled speed or grab nitro balloons for a timed burst of extra power. You can also grab balloons that provide you with temporary invincibility and help you knock opponents off the track. Compete against the computer or go head-to-head with up to four friends (Expansion Pak required for three to four players) across locales like "Thunder Park," "Lost Island," "Venice Canals," a "Ship's Graveyard," and more. In the water-spraying racing of HYDRO THUNDER, the arcade is in your very own living room. « less

• 2 reviews

Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (N64)

Nintendo 64 gamers have been waiting a long time for a true role-playing game to come along for their system. Now that more »wait is over. Like a good book, Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber will hold your attention until you either fall asleep on the couch or finish that last chapter. Prior adventures in the Ogre series have left gamers wanting more--much more. Very few role-playing games (both then and now) have had such expansive depth. The series has allowed players to tweak every character, create specialized forces, and command them in battles through three different story lines. Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber carries forth this formula in both creating and commanding your forces, not to mention choosing from multiple endings. The object is to face ogres, defeat them, and bring peace to the Netherworld. Each mission has a winning condition, which entails capturing an enemy position. A briefing before each mission supplies you with objectives and a map. Unfortunately, not everything is happy in Ogre land. The music and sound effects have a lot in common with older SNES titles, which is to say they're not quite up to snuff. Graphically, some of the character animations are stiff, and the tiny icons are difficult to see. Apart from those small gripes, patience is your biggest hurdle in this game. Like most RPGs, Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber is at times tedious. With more than four endings as well as three main paths to make your way through, any attempt to complete this game will greatly test your stamina. Ultimately, this is a masterpiece of sorts that only true RPG fans will be able to enjoy. --Todd Mowatt Pros: Customizable characters Multiple endings Cons: Poor music and sound effects Tiny icons are hard to read « less

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time may be the greatest single-player video game ever created in any genre. It's that g more »ood. Those new to Nintendo's enormously popular Zelda series will be glad to know this game stands completely on its own. Our hero, Link, starts the game as a young boy living in a magical forest village populated by elf-like children. But there is evil lurking in the world. Strange monsters are appearing, and the land is changing. It's up to Link to discover why, defeat the monsters, and stop the evil at its source. The game world's ever-changing environment looks like a fairy tale come to life. Majestic waterfalls, towering castles, and magical forests are a feast for the eyes and ears. Rivers flow, rain falls, the sun and moon rise and set. There's even an erupting volcano! Exploring this world is half the fun of the game. Along the way, you learn musical tunes that you can play on the flute-like Ocarina, a magical device that helps you teleport, alter the weather, even control time itself. Character interaction is important to gather clues. The fairy princesses, singing frogs, and dragons you'll meet can be cute, humorous, or somewhat terrifying. Sprinkled liberally throughout the game are hundreds of secret treasures and enjoyable minigames (one of which, the fishing game, would almost be worth buying by itself). Game controls are easy to learn. There's even an elaborate fight training course built right into the game. Controlling the hero quickly becomes instinctive, and you can concentrate on saving the world. To win the game, you'll have to use not only Link's sword, but your mind as well. This game's challenging and inventive puzzles really make you think. In fact, to keep from getting stuck, it's worth spending a few bucks on an official player's guide. With The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Nintendo has come up with an all-consuming adventure title that will provide days of engrossing gameplay. --Eric Fredrickson Pros: Best single-player video game Freedom to explore a rich, complex world Helpful fairy guide gives hints Charming, humorous, lighthearted, yet challenging Cons: Some puzzles can be frustrating Only one saved game per player--don't save when you're stuck! Much more fun with Rumble Pack « less

• 15 reviews

GoldenEye 007 (N64)

GoldenEye 007 has been a huge success for Rareware, and it's easy to see why. More than a simple movie translation, this more » has earned its top-seller status on its own. Fans of Doom and Quake will recognize the first-person shooter perspective, but there the similarity ends. James Bond 007 has too much style to simply blast everything in sight and move to the next level. No, as 007, the player has a variety of different missions to perform, each with its own specific objectives. Each mission follows the film closely, and so James must use stealth and cunning as much as brute force. But if you see a Kalashnikov rifle lying around, by all means pick it up. Controls are easy to master, which is impressive considering the variety of actions the onscreen hero can perform. James can run and walk at variable speeds, duck, pivot, hide, attach mines to enemy helicopters, block doors from opening, and more. The optional auto-aim feature is especially nice. Of course, James Bond is proficient in a wide variety of weapons. You get to use them all, from the trusty Walther PPK (with silencer) to double sets of full-auto machine guns. The game's faithful tribute to the Bond legacy includes briefing dossiers on each mission, complete with wisecracks from Q and flirtatious comments from Moneypenny. And the 3-D representation of locations and characters from the movie is very impressive. The Rareware team spent time on the set with digital cameras, and it shows. One of the distinguishing features of the game is the outstanding artificial intelligence of the enemies. When attacked, squads will rush to hit the alarm. If they make it, reinforcements come running. Enemy soldiers respond to being shot or blown up with chilling realism. According to Rareware, there are over 30 different animation routines that come into play, depending on where the soldier is hit. For those who prefer the challenge of human opponents, there are six clever multiplayer modes where up to four players can shoot it out, as teams or solo agents. With excellent gameplay, intelligence, and style, GoldenEye 007 is a first-person shooter that'll keep you coming back for more. --Jeanne Uy Pros: Built-in save capability for up to 4 players Auto-aim feature helps novice players feel like a sharpshooter Rich, complex game world filled with detail and variety Great bonus missions Cons: Sometimes cinematic scenes for fulfilling mission objectives are a bit anticlimactic « less

• 6 reviews

Paper Mario (N64)

Nintendo 64 owners have been patiently waiting for a decent role-playing game, and, at long last, one has arrived in t more »he form of the perplexing Paper Mario. World-famous video game icon Mario stars in this unconventional RPG, which was originally announced as Super Mario RPG 2. Don't be fooled by the cutesy visual exterior of this game, which borrows heavily from the well-established Mario universe. Yep... it's the same lovable Mario who dons his familiar red overalls and unkempt moustache. However, the catch is that Mario now stubbornly appears as a two-dimensional character--despite the largely 3-D exterior gaming environments that surround him. When our flat-headed friend turns around, his paper-thin presence becomes immediately apparent. It's a cool gimmick, but fortunately Paper Mario is far from a cut-and-paste cartoon caper. As with most RPG titles, players must battle with several menacing enemies as they travel from place to place on their quest. Each encounter requires gamers to strategically choose between various modes of attack. For example, Mario is particularly handy with the hammer--thus you might opt to select his hangover-inducing hammer attack. As the adventure progresses, additional characters will join your quest. Your ever-growing posse gives you more fighting power, as each team member brings new attack moves and powers worth mastering. To advance within the game, you'll need to pay close attention to your health meter, enemy hit points, and your ever-expanding attack options. The game starts with enemies that are easy to defeat, but it quickly becomes quite difficult to survive subsequent attacks without careful planning. Unlike most RPG games, each attack sequence is enhanced by a special action function. Instead of passively sitting back and watching each attack move occur, the player can enhance your attack by pressing a button or moving the directional controller at precisely the right time. As someone who has racked up several hours (and more than a few snoozes) during repetitious RPG attack sequences, the action feature is a welcome addition to break up the monotony of multiple attacks. Fans of the traditional Mario games will appreciate the return of familiar characters, such as Princess Peach and Luigi. Perpetual baddie Bowser even plays a key role in this addictive adventure. Best of all, there are plenty of hidden areas and extras to uncover. Paper Mario may boast elements of the classic platform gaming genre, as well as the traditional RPG--but it ultimately cuts through all expectations to deliver an experience that appeals to both casual and hard-core gamers. --Brett Atwood Pros: Weeks of gaming due to expansive environments Hidden goodies to uncover Classic Mario gameplay mixed with traditional RPG action Cons: Highly addictive (prepare to lose some sleep) Cartoon exterior may not appeal to some hard-core gamers « less