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00:00Welcome to Mojo Plays, and today we are taking a peek at games from a different generation
00:14that still hold up today, especially compared to the plethora of absolute garbage that seems
00:19to be dropping every other day in 2025. These are 20 N64 games, better than modern games.
00:25Let's go.
00:26Before we continue, we publish content all week long, so be sure to subscribe and ring
00:31the bell to get notified of our latest videos.
00:35Mischief Makers
00:36Treasure built their reputation on the Sega Genesis, and when they teamed up with Nintendo
00:49for the N64, they delivered one of the system's most unique side-scrollers, Mischief Makers.
00:54Now, admittedly, side-scrollers will age better than 3D platformers and third-person gems,
00:59but Mischief Makers still deserves credit even with this handicap. With its inventive gameplay
01:04and tough but rewarding challenges, if it were released today with a graphical makeover,
01:08it would no doubt be celebrated as one of the Switch's best games.
01:11Beetle Adventure Racing
01:19Beetle Racing is ageless. It combines chaotic fun with accessible gameplay. Its quirky design,
01:31racing oversized beetles through vibrant, unpredictable tracks, gives it a unique charm
01:35that stands out among conventional racing games and the heavy lack of goofy racing games today.
01:39Let's get Crazy Taxi 4. Power-ups, hazards, and shortcuts keep every race exciting while the
01:45multiplayer mode feels more enjoyable than most games from the last 10 years. The controls are
01:50tight and responsive, letting players master each beetle's quirks and giving each player their own
01:54style to use.
02:05Diddy Kong Racing
02:06As much as Mario Kart 64 was a classic, Diddy Kong Racing might just edge it out as the best
02:19N64 racer, which is a big call, but play them side by side and you tell me which one you enjoyed
02:25more. Rare nailed the mix of three distinct vehicle types, a roster of unforgettable characters,
02:30and a genuinely fun single-player campaign that actually felt like a campaign. It's the kind of
02:35game you'd expect to see released today, not three decades ago. Its influence is clear in modern
02:40titles like Mario Kart World, which feels like a spiritual successor while adding today's polish.
02:44Body Harvest
02:54You want to talk about being decades ahead of your time? Take a look at Body Harvest. Its open-world
03:08gameplay on the N64 allowed players to explore sprawling varied environments freely, and this
03:13is pre-GTA 3. The mix of third-person shooting, vehicular combat, and mission-based objectives
03:19keep every moment unpredictable and exciting. Players could commandeer tanks, helicopters,
03:24and cars, adding layers of strategy and chaos to the action. Also, destructible environments.
03:29For its ambition, variety, and sheer fun, Body Harvest still holds up.
03:32Perfect Dark
03:41Target sighted
03:45I know it seems odd to put Perfect Dark on this list and not GoldenEye, but much like Diddy Kong Racing
03:56being picked over Mario Kart 64, Perfect Dark fits this topic so much better as it feels like an
04:01evolved version of the much-beloved GoldenEye, even if it's not as famous. While the core gameplay is
04:06very similar, Perfect Dark adds polish, style, and flair that make it stand out on its own.
04:12The game pushed the N64 hardware with advanced lighting and impressive character models. Its
04:16campaign as well holds up even today, albeit without the graphical levels of 2025.
04:28Pokemon Stadium
04:38Pokemon Stadium stands tall as one of the best Pokemon titles of all time
04:42and could easily still be a standout title if it was released today and I'm not changing my
04:45fucking mind. The first time I played Pokemon Stadium, I was blown away. Seeing Pokemon come
04:51to life in full 3D for the first time was incredible. Even better, you could import your
04:55Pokemon from red, blue, and yellow to battle in tournaments. This kind of crossover action is just
05:00unmatched. Sure, the attack sequences could feel a bit slow, but with fantastic graphics, music,
05:05and gameplay, Pokemon Stadium is one of the N64's best aging titles.
05:24At first glance, Wave Race 64 might seem limited, but it works so well because the core gameplay is
05:29just stellar. Maybe Nintendo just captured lightning in a bottle because a re-release isn't necessary,
05:34it still feels strong. It's the perfect pick up and play experience that is still as fun today as it
05:39was then. Its addition to Nintendo Switch Online is a joy and completely took over my weekend about
05:45four weeks ago. F*** it, I'm going to go play it now.
05:56Harvest Moon 64
05:58I know what you're thinking. We have Stardew. How could this possibly be better than that?
06:06And to that I say, shut up. I hadn't thought of that till now. The graphics aren't gorgeous,
06:11but its charming cartoonish style doesn't get in the way of gameplay. Harvest Moon 64 is a fantastic
06:16farming simulator that improved upon the original with plenty of quality of life upgrades. And yes,
06:21it doesn't have the intricacy of Stardew Valley, but there's a reason so many players are playing
06:25WoW Classic over current-gen WoW. Harvest Moon is addictive in the best way, and it's easy to
06:31see why it inspired so many farming sims afterward. Yes, including your beloved Stardew Valley.
06:42Star Wars Rogue Squadron
06:43The Rogue Squadron is still back at base, but I thought we could take an early morning run through
06:47Beggar's Canyon. There have been plenty of crap Star Wars games, and this just ain't one of them.
06:51Genuinely, this is far more enjoyable than Star Wars Outlaws. You'll pilot iconic ships in fully
06:563D environments as you scout enemy territory, destroy key targets, escort allies, and complete
07:01daring rescues. While the graphics are the game's weakest aspect, they still hold up well enough when
07:06you take into consideration the other elements the game handles are so well. For instance, gameplay.
07:11The gameplay is challenging enough to keep you engaged, but rewarding if you master it.
07:15You truly get out what you put in with this game.
07:25Ogre Battle 64 Person of Lordly Calibre
07:36The Nintendo 64 didn't offer many RPGs, but Ogre Battle 64 stood out as the best of the bunch,
07:42albeit a bit underrated. Released late in the system's life cycle, it flew under the radar for
07:46many players, which is a crime on par with murder. The story follows a newly graduated soldier drawn
07:52into a brutal civil war where players must balance combat and diplomacy to shape the outcome. Its
07:57soundtrack is arguably one of the finest on the N64, and while the visuals weren't groundbreaking, they
08:02work. Conker's Bad Fur Day still holds up, largely thanks to its outrageous humour. Admittedly dated,
08:21but still, kind of funny. The foul-mouthed squirrel protagonist stumbles into a campaign of crude jokes,
08:27profanity, and over-the-top violence. While you might expect the gameplay to be shallow, especially
08:31compared to comedy games of today, it's unbelievably solid for a platformer, introducing new elements
08:37to master and gameplay changes from the start of the game, right up to the end. All of this,
08:41coupled with clever level design, make Conker's a game that is still fun to come back to and play
08:47every couple of years. Banjo Kazooie
09:07Banjo Kazooie is about as close to perfect as a platformer can get, taking everything the N64 had
09:12learned from previous platformers like Super Mario 64, and creating an unmatched experience. Ask fans
09:18what they love most, and you'll get countless answers. Collectibles, gameplay, clever level designs,
09:23but truly, it's the combination of these elements that makes this game so great by modern standards.
09:34Space Station Silicon Valley
09:42Space Station Silicon Valley still shines today because of its originality. Originality that somehow
09:53still feels original. The concept, controlling a tiny robot that inhabits mechanical animals to solve
09:58puzzles and progress, remains fresh and inventive, even by modern standards. And you can imagine why.
10:03What the did I just say? Each animal has unique abilities, encouraging experimentation and creative
10:09problem solving that keeps the gameplay engaging. While the graphics may look dated, the imaginative
10:14mechanics and sheer creativity ensure it's still fun to play, proving how ahead of its time it truly was.
10:25Star Fox 64
10:27The Super Nintendo Star Fox pushed the limits of the 16-bit era with its groundbreaking Super FX chip.
10:42A sequel was in development, but was ultimately shelved in favor of upgraded Star Fox 64. On the N64,
10:49the series reached new heights, blending the best elements of the original game into a rail shooter that's
10:53both accessible and deeply rewarding to master. Packed with secrets and branching paths, the single-player
10:59campaign offers plenty of replay value, while multiplayer extends the fun just so much further.
11:05The replayability is elite, rivaling experiences found on current-gen consoles easily.
11:09Yoshi's Story
11:25Luigi's Mansion, Wario Land, Donkey Kong, some of the best side characters from Mario have gone on to
11:30create some of the best games in their universe, and this goes doubly for Yoshi in Yoshi's Story.
11:36In this side-scrolling platformer, Baby Bowser invades Yoshi's Island, turning the world into a
11:40vibrant pop-up storybook. It's up to Yoshi to restore peace and happiness. The gameplay is
11:45reminiscent of Mario, but with Yoshi's own unique abilities that make it feel fresh and fun. While
11:50the graphics aren't spectacular, they never get in the way of the experience. The controls are tight,
11:55the adventure is highly replayable, and it's the kind of game you can easily pick up again today
11:59without it feeling dated. The Nintendo 64 carved out a reputation as a powerhouse for racing games,
12:20thanks in large part to its emphasis on 4-player multiplayer, and it's this multiplayer that still
12:24gives us a lot of enjoyment today when other elements of N64 games feel a little outdated.
12:29Like in GoldenEye 007. Alright, I'll leave GoldenEye alone.
12:32While the F-Zero series often lived in the shadows of Mario Kart, it carved its own identity with
12:37blistering speed and futuristic tracks. F-Zero X on the N64 showcased the series at its best,
12:44stripping things down to pure racing fundamentals and delivering a fast, thrilling experience.
12:49Also, it is available on the Switch, so go see for yourself. The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time
12:59and The Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask. Truly, these two deserve their own individual entries, but
13:16there is something to be said about how amazing these two games as coupled experiences feel by
13:21modern standards. There aren't a lot of direct sequels that feel familiar and perfectly different at the
13:25same time, except of course Zelda's other brilliant couple, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
13:30These groundbreaking adventures on the N64 weren't flawless, but they redefined Zelda by bringing
13:36it into a fully realized 3D world that pushed the N64 to its limits. From epic boss battles and
13:42memorable storytelling to a wealth of side quests and minigames, these titles set a new standard for
13:47what an action adventure could be. And take it from someone who did play these more than 15 years
13:52after they released. They feel amazing today. Paper Mario.
14:12I'm never going to stop saying this and immediately getting attacked straight after, but I think Paper Mario is better than Final Fantasy 7.
14:18And trust me, I wish I was being hyperbolic. Originally conceived as a sequel to Super Mario RPG,
14:24it quickly established its own unique identity, later spawning 6 entries across multiple platforms.
14:29Beneath its charming 2D paper-cut-out aesthetic lies surprisingly deep gameplay that satisfies
14:35hardcore RPG fans while still being approachable. Now sure, I might be being a bit stupid with the Final
14:41Fantasy comparison, but even today it outshines several of its modern successes.
14:53Kirby 64 The Crystal Shards
15:04Kirby 64 The Crystal Shards remains one of the few 3D entries in the Kirby series, making it a standout
15:09original entry. Nintendo's beloved pink puffball mostly sticks to 2D side-scrollers aside from
15:15appearances like Super Smash Bros. While still fundamentally a side-scroller, Kirby 64's 3D visuals
15:21are irresistibly charming. The vibrant colors pop, and unlike the blurry muddled graphics common on the
15:26N64, this game is a genuine visual delight. It's shockingly nice on the eyes.
15:32Mario 64 There was no argument here. Even as the first game released on the N64, it still stands out
15:53as one of the best games ever made, and can easily be replayed in 2025 without players blinking an eye.
15:59Nintendo has a knack for making games that stand the test of time, and Super Mario 64 is a perfect
16:05example. Celebrated when it launched, it's still considered wildly inventive. Sure, some elements
16:10like the camera feel a bit outdated by modern standards, but the core gameplay remains as enjoyable
16:15today as it was in 1996. I love this game, and God bless you Nintendo.
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