The Retro Basement

Nintendo 64

This console is perhaps what got me invested with Nintendo systems in general, aside from the Game Boy Color, a portable gaming system. I was first introduced to the N64 around 1999. At the time, I was used to playing games on a computer. With classic games such as Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, and Super Smash Bros., the Nintendo 64 is highly regarded as the best Nintendo system of all time, and it's well worthy of that title.

My Favorite Nintendo 64 Games
Game Cover Game Title Game Publish Date My Experiences on the Game
Super Smash Bros. cover Super Smash Bros. April 26, 1999 The earliest memory I had with the game was around 1999 or 2000. What I saw was Mario from Super Mario Bros. fighting against Pikachu from the Pokémon series in the Dream Land stage from the Kirby franchise. I was blown away by this amazing concept of a fighting game, and that made me interested in this game. The multiplayer was fun as hell, and the 1P Game was a basic arcade style tournament just to spent a few minutes of my time with. Winning the 1P Game rewarded me some new fighters such as Luigi, Captain Falcon, Ness, and for some odd reason Jigglypuff. This trope of unlocking new characters or content feels so refreshing and it gives me a sense of satisfaction for doing so.
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time cover The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time November 23, 1998 This is probably the first Zelda game that made me interested in the franchise. I did play the first installment on the NES before, but it was Ocarina of Time that left a huge impact on me with its 3D gameplay, designs of the dungeons, and story. I also liked the concept of time travel where Link can travel seven years between his childhood and adulthood via Master Sword. The young Link dungeons were easy and simple at best. Adult Link's dungeons on the other hand were far more detailed and complex. My favorites has to be the Forest and Spirit Temples. And let's not forget about the dreaded Water Temple as well.
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards cover Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards June 26, 2000 Probably one of my favorite Nintendo 64 games, or rather my Favorite Kirby games ever aside from Kirby Super Star Ultra for the Nintendo DS. I loved Kirby 64 with my older brother back in 2000, and I still love it today. Gameplay-wise, it's a bit on the easy side. But, what makes up for that is definitely the Copy Ability Combination mechanic. I can mix and match any ability whether it's Bomb and Rock, Spark and Cutter, or Needle and Fire, it is one of the most defining features in any Kirby Game. I also like how Kirby meets new friends along his journey such as the Ripple Star refugee Ribbon, a wandering Waddle Dee, the painter Adeleine, and even the greedy and gluttonous King Dedede.