*5*

Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon

Konami

Original release date – 03/31/1998

Now you want to talk about quirky? Take a journey through the eyes of Goemon and his buddy Ebismaru and you will quickly find out why this underrated game is number five on the list. A game that you could say was created to fill the release date gap for Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon is an adventure title with a mix of platforming and open-world elements. Similar to Super Mario 64 as far as exploration goes, the game will have you traversing open fields, medieval Japanese towns, and huge fortresses, all to clear the alien menace that is threatening their land. The soundtrack was outstanding, the characters are funny, and did I mention you get to pilot a giant “Nutcracker-esque” robot? Enough said.

* 4*

Goldeneye 007

Rare

Original release date – 08/25/1997

The funny thing about Goldeneye 007 is that unbeknown to us, this game would go on to be the best “movie-to-game” title of all time. A title that took many by surprise, Goldeneye is still hailed today as one of the greatest FPS of all time. With fast-paced game-play, an excellent multi-player, and a fun story mode, Goldeneye was and still is Rare’s crowning achievement. I can definitely recall sitting around an old TV with four of my friends, as we passed the hours playing with several different weapon types. Whether it was all lasers, rockets, slappers, or throwing knives, the arsenals in Goldeneye were balanced enough that you never felt vulnerable. Well, unless you were playing against that midget Oddjob; we would always have to play rock, paper, scissors to see who got to be him. Honestly I think we should of just banned him altogether. Oh and Control stage Natalya, I still hate you.

*3*

*

Super Mario 64

Nintendo

Original release date – 09/29/1996

What would a Nintendo list be without the little red plumber himself? The first 3D Mario game was truly something to behold back in 1996. Those of us who had grown up with the little guy ever since his debut back in 1985, had never seen him as anything more than a sprite. Seeing him run, jump, and flip through expansive worlds for the first time was truly one of my personal favorite gaming moments. The game had excellent pacing, a balanced difficulty, and a soundtrack that is still memorable to this day (go Youtube Dire Dire Docks). Though there was no Luigi or Yoshi, there were certainly enough nostalgic enemies and challenging tasks to keep you motivated all the way till you grabbed that 120 star. Though I do admit that cake as a final reward is pretty cheap, come on Princess you can do better than that. Unless it’s the kind of “cake” I’m thinking about; think I’ll just stop there and move on.

* 2*

Harvest Moon 64

Natsume

Original release date – 11/30/1999

If this list was posted five years ago a lot of you would be scratching your heads. Harvest what? However, after its releases on the Gamecube, Wii, and the DS since then, I’m sure most of you have at least heard of the humble little farming simulator. Though the first title was on the Super Nintendo, the series didn’t really grab its’ initial cult following until the number two game in question. Harvest Moon 64 was a title that took everyone by surprise and did what many thought impossible, making “virtual working” fun. Throughout the title, as you continued to gain more crops, livestock, and income, you eventually grew attached to your orange-cap wearing sprite. Upgrading your home, exploring the quaint countryside, and eventually settling down with one of the bachelorettes were all engaging, and at times the days would pass as quickly as my “in-game” ones. It’s games like Harvest Moon 64 that showed you don’t need excessive violence or a lengthy story to make a game great, and that is why it is my second favorite N64 game of all time.

*1*

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Nintendo

Original release date – 11/23/1998

I know what most of you are thinking. “Oh come on,  Ocarina of Time  at the top again? This is always everyone’s number one!” Well, have you ever thought why so many come to that conclusion? Could it be that perhaps it is not only the greatest Nintendo 64 game ever, but the best game of all time? Well I won’t make such a grand statement, but it is undeniable that  Ocarina of Time  is one hell of an adventure. Now there’s not a lot of games out there that end up living up to the hype, but the first 3D Zelda floored gamers just as much as Mario’s first 64 bit outing. Jam packed with a thrilling and dark story, an enchanting soundtrack, and a unique combat system, Ocarina of Time  is still played by gamers even 12 years after its initial release. Remade on the Gamecube, Wii, and soon to be on the 3DS, it is quite obvious to see the game’s popularity. Who could forget pulling the Master Sword out of its placeholder for the first time, or tearing through the “chanting” version of the Fire Temple before it was removed because of a bunch of pansies? And even though many of you hated the Water Temple, I’m sure you all felt that incredible sense of accomplishment after getting that last damn key; I know I did. All in all,  Ocarina of Time  was truly a game like no other and as Jeff Gerstmann said in his review of the title back in 1996, “ This is the masterpiece that people will still be talking about ten years down the road.” Well, I think he was right. 

EYE OF THE VOID’S TOP 10 NINTENDO 64 GAMES

It’s been 15 years since Nintendo’s third console arrived in stores and has since came and went, but not without leaving a great legacy. Though it was overlooked by the emerging PlayStation One, Nintendo still managed to pump out quality game after quality game for the system. Other great developers like Rare, Natsume, and Acclaim managed to get a few memorable titles out there as well. And while there certainly weren’t as many overall titles as its competitor, the N64 was more about quality than quantity; it is for that reason why it stands as one of my favorite consoles of all time. That said, let’s take a look at Eye of the Void’s picks for the top ten Nintendo 64 games.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy a trip down memory lane.

*10*

Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

Nintendo

Original release date – 12/03/1996

Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire  stands above the Rogue Squadron series for primarily one reason: variety. Whether it was flying through the cold mountains of Hoth tying up AT-ATs or venturing in Ord Mantell Junkyard with Dash Rendar, Star Wars: SotE has many memorable moments all tightly packed into one solid gaming experience. Sure the controls were a little clunky when controlling Rendar, and the difficulty was a bit up and down toward the end of the game. Nevertheless, these negatives are easily overlookable when you find yourself trading missiles with Boba Fett in mid-air or shooting destructor blasts all across Xizor’s Palace. Couple that with memorable music and great pacing and you have not only a great Star Wars game, but one of the best adventure games from the 64 bit era.

*9*

Wave Race 64

Nintendo

Original release date – 11/01/1996

Most racing games are extremely dull, yes we are all aware of that. However, Wave Race 64 was really something special. With an over-the-top announcer, impressive water graphics, and solid controls, Wave Race 64 was one of the premier N64 titles to have going into the holiday season of 1996. Adding to the list of positives was a fantastic soundtrack that really helped convey each water location you visited. Though the title could of used a few more player types, there were enough levels and extra modes to keep any gamer motivated; this coming from someone who thinks most racing games are as dull as dirt. And apparently, so did most of my friends, as they would always want to play WWE vs NWO or Goldeneye instead of this one. Hey, not saying those other games are bad, but come on give it a chance damn it!

*8*

Winback: Covert Operations

Koei

Original release date – 09/30/1999

I’m sure there are plenty of you who are scratching your head at this one. What the hell is Winback: Covert Operations? Well it just so happens to be number 8 on the list and for good reason. Think Metal Gear Solidwithout the 2 hour movie cut scenes every five damn minutes. Sound good already? Thought so. If you didn’t have the chance to play this one back in 1999, then it is probably one you should find if you are digging out the old Nintendo 64. Most FPS don’t have a fantastic story, but Winback took you through a Mission Impossible type scenario, with engaging characters and impressive visuals (for its’ time). The duck-and-cover mechanics were exceptionally solid, allowing you to roll, duck, and shoot over any possible obstacle. Though the game was very difficult, it was manageable with enough practice. Oh and did I mention it had a kick-ass multi-player option? All in all, Winback 64 was certainly one of the most under-the-radar games on the console, which is why it deserves a place on the list.

*7*

Perfect Dark

Rare

Original release date – 05/22/2000

Ah the first Perfect Dark. At a time when the Dreamcast was making its’ way onto the scene, “Big N” and Rare decided to throw another monster into the ring in order to keep themselves relevant. Perfect Dark, known as a successor to the great Goldeneye, was an incredible title which first introduced “bots” in multi-player combat. This was a fantastic addition because it allowed solo players to take advantage of multi-player modes without needing an additional person. In another scenario, you could also add some bots to even out teams. Though the AI wasn’t perfect, they were intelligent enough (if you set their levels high enough) that they could set the flow of a match. Perfect Dark also excellently weaved a thrilling sci-fi tale, chock full of bizarre environments and alien invaders. And who could forget your little alien accomplice Elvis? Though he always managed to get in the way at times – stupid friendly fire.

*6*

Pilotwings 64

Nintendo

Original release date – 09/29/1996

From jumping from number 7 to 6, we also jump from one of the latest N64 titles to one of the earliest; in fact, the game now in question was one of the system’s two launch games. Pilotwings 64 was actually the sequel to the unknown SNES version (which was also fantastic). Taking control of one of six characters, your objective was to fly, rocket-jump, hang-glide, free-fall, or shoot across expansive environments, all to get that perfect score of 100. The simulator challenged your reflexes and timing through a series of trials and just being off an inch or two could mean the difference between a silver or gold medal. Though the game had its’ frustrating moments, you could rectify this in the “bird-man” mode. Donning a wing suit you could smoothly fly across previously played levels, all the while taking pictures and listening to relaxing music. After a long day of school there was nothing better than popping in Pilotwings 64 and playing this particular mode. Hard to believe it’s been 15 years since then.

There's the first 5, other 5 will be coming soon.  

 From my blog: http://www.eyeofthevoid.com
  
* 5 *

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Bethesda Software
PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Original release date: March 20, 2006


The Elder Scrolls series has always been somewhat of a mystery to me.  The first two games in the series were overlooked almost entirely, with its first claim to fame being Morrowind on the first Xbox.  Morrowind was the primary example (at the time) of how a sandbox game should be done.  Large, immerse lands, plenty of customization, and an eerie dark theme helped propel the game to legendary status.  I remember Morrowind being the “go to” game if we ever got tired of playing capture-the-flag in Halo, and boy was that few and far between. So when Oblivion was announced, naturally I almost pissed myself . . . almost. Thinking of a large world similar to that of Morrowind’s, with all the bells and whistles that the 360 offered, was truly something to wait patiently for.  And our patience was rewarded when Bethesda tossed the game into stores in early 2006.  What followed was weeks upon weeks of immersion, more so than any non-MMORPG game I had ever played.  Whether it was the improved battle system, beautiful musical tracks, or the real-time realism of each NPC’s daily life within the world, Oblivion showed, at the time, that it was at the pinnacle of modern gaming.  Sure there were some bugs and glitches and occasionally you’d go through a dungeon that looked exactly like the previous one, but the positives well outweighed the negatives in this package; it’s aged pretty damn nicely too.

From my post on my personal blog: Eye of the Void

“Hard to believe it’s been 13 years since this gem came out.  I feel old.”

The Nintendo 64 was truly one of a kind.  Though it was overlooked in every which way but loose in favor of the CD using Playstation, it still had some of the greatest classics in all of gaming.  Who could forget the universally accepted Ocarina of Time, the revolutionary platforming giant Mario 64, or the hilariously crude Conker’s Bad Fur Day?  The dominant years of the 64, from 1996 to the dawn of the new millennium, contained some of my funnest gaming moments.  Yet, for every popular gem there is a diamond in the rough.  An overlooked title that goes ignored due to either lack of publicity or just being released at the wrong time.  The game I talk about is none other than “that other” release title, which debuted with Mario 64 in September of 1996 . . . Pilotwings 64.

“Classic.”

Yea, I’m aware there was a Pilotwings on the SNES, but the problem is that not a lot of people got to play it.  It was even more obscure than its 64 compatriot for goodness sake.  Nevertheless, Pilotwings 64 was special not because of its action sequences, but the mellow theme it brought to the table.  Some gamers play games for the adrenaline, the action, and the intensity.  Others though, play for a different reason — to relax.  After a long day at school there was nothing better than coming home and popping in Pilotwings for a few hours.  Whether it was hang-gliding over a mountainside or throwing on the Birdman outfit for some spelunking, Pilotwings 64 was unmatched amongst the flight simulation genre.  Microsoft Flight Simulator?  Yea. . . I want a title that relaxes me not puts me to sleep.

“Hmmmm . . . looks a tad different from when I last visited Mount Rushmore.”

It has been nearly 13 years now since the last Pilotwings and I have to wonder, where is my Pilotwings sequel?  The title definitely had enough of a cult following to deserve another sequel.  The Wii controller, if done well with the game, could also bring about a new element to the series, which was always about timing, precision, and alertness.  At times Pilotwings even felt like an adventure or platforming game, rather than a traditional flight simulator.  It was because of Nintendo’s unique humor and imagination that allowed Pilotwings 64 to be the kind of game which all games should be: fun.  So hurry the hell up Nintendo, I need my Pilotwings fix.

Yea, I'll still be posting on here from time to time, but I just felt like joining the blogging craze.

http://eyeofthevoid.wordpress.com

Later.