4 reasons why we loved the Nintendo 64 so much
20 years ago, in Japan, Nintendo launched its third home console onto the market. Thanks to a number of fantastic games, the Nintendo 64 took a special place in the hearts of gamers. But games weren't the only reason for this success.
Although I grew up with Atari 2600, NES and the like, the Nintendo 64 was my first real console. It was a very hot autumn day, and I can still see myself getting on the train and getting off in Dietikon to walk to the Media Markt. All this to buy myself the game Lylat Wars aka StarFox 64, which had just come out, and in which the Rumble Pak, a real little marvel, was included. Back home, of course, my dad couldn't understand why I'd stay indoors in weather like this, flying a spaceship through silver rings. I still showed him the incredible visual effects of the explosions caused by the Nova bombs when they hit the water. To no avail. But parents never understand anything anyway. The Nintendo 64 is a cult console. The games and the technology contributed equally.
3D like never before
Certainly, the Sony Playstation had already been around for a couple of years and featured a CD player that offered incredible graphics and great cutscenes. Despite the module system, Nintendo still managed to stand out. With Super Mario 64 as its launch title, the Japanese presented a hitherto unknown level of 3D diversity. My first steps as Super Mario were among my most memorable gaming experiences. You could move in any direction and hit any Goomba you came across. This was, of course, just the tip of the iceberg; Nintendo was just getting warmed up.
The controller
The original shape and especially the analogue stick, which all other manufacturers later copied, allowed games to be played in a whole new way. The controller felt good in the hand - no matter how big your paws were - and you could look freely in any direction. Depending on the game and the mood, you could also use the digital directional cross.
Rumble Pak
Today, the vibration function is built into all modern controllers almost as standard. In the old days, you still needed an extra extension called a Rumble Pak, which you could plug into the bottom of the controller. The controller looked even cooler. It was first delivered with the game Lylat Wars. The vibration feedback from explosions and shocks was indescribable. And the broad smiles on the faces of the children, who held a vibrating controller in their hands for the first time, proved that the Rumble Pak was worth every penny it cost.
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The games
Source: Flickr
A console may technically be the best, but without a good game, it's worthless. Nintendo proved once again that quality was more important than quantity and released several games that are still cult favourites today.
Super Mario 64
Every Nintendo 64 owner is bound to have played this game. This jump & run adventure with its fantastic universes remains unforgettable.
Star Fox 64
Due to a trademark registration not acquired by Nintendo, the game was released under the name Lylat Wars in Europe. The action-packed gameplay, challenging Bosses and varied planets made the game an instant success.
Goldeneye 64
For many, the best Nintendo 64 game. Up until then, we'd mostly known first-person shooters from PC games. Nintendo managed to demonstrate, and long before Halo, how to produce a really good shooter on a console. As well as the exceptional campaign, it was the multiplayer mode for up to four players that ensured unforgettable moments. And those who played with Oddjob are still laughing about it to this day!
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The first Zelda in 3D is another masterpiece. As with Super Mario 64, you could finally visit in 3D and admire all the magical places you'd previously known from 2D pixel blobs. The extra dimension not only served as graphical variety, it also brought many new gameplay mechanics with it.
Mario Kart 64
The multiplayer game par excellence. We spent countless hours dodging bananas and turtles. On the cleverly designed racetracks or in wild balloon battles, we always gave it our all and still enjoy playing it today.
There were many more fabulous games for the Nintendo 64. What are your memories of Nintendo's famous cult console?
Being the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.