28 Years Later, This 10/10 N64 RPG Is Free On Nintendo Switch
Although it might not be everyone's favorite console, the Nintendo 64 led to some incredible achievements in gaming. Not just relegated to first-party games from Nintendo, the system would produce tons of classic staples that would influence many genres for decades. It's no wonder that Nintendo decided to honor the Nintendo 64 on its Nintendo Classics line on Switch.
If you haven't delved into your Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership yet, now is a great time, especially as far as the Nintendo 64 is concerned. Among all the retro games available on the Switch 1 and 2, there's one that stands out above the rest. It's an absolute 10/10 and one of the best-reviewed games of all time on Metacritic, and you can play it now.
With a current Metacritic score of 99 on the Nintendo 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is still a masterpiece. With "100 positive" reviews to boot and a universally acclaimed user score, the reactions from critics and fans alike are obvious. Often referred to as "one of the best games of all time," period, Ocarina of Time is something that everyone should experience at some point, even if they never complete it.
The reasons for Ocarina of Time's success are numerous. It's not just because it's part of an iconic franchise; Ocarina of Time stands on its own and has a ton of personality that helps fans remember it years after they've put it down. The memorable locales, the strong-willed cast members, the unique time-hopping plot where you warp between Kid Link and Adult Link, it was all masterfully done.
It also built on the strong foundation of several Zelda games before it to deliver on what fans had come to expect, like complex dungeons, a wide variety of enemies, and larger-than-life bosses. It also got another lease on life when it was remade for the Nintendo 3DS, offering up tons of quality-of-life enhancements. Many people, myself included, used it as an opportunity to replay this classic. Now you can try it for free on Switch 1 and 2.
If you're interested in trying out more Nintendo 64 games, here's what is on offer at the moment, and more are likely on the way:
- 1080º Snowboarding
- Banjo Kazooie
- Banjo-Tooie
- Blast Corps
- Donkey Kong 64
- Dr. Mario 64
- Excitebike 64
- Extreme G
- F-Zero X
- GoldenEye 007
- Harvest Moon 64
- Iggy’s Reckin’ Balls
- Jet Force Gemini
- KILLER INSTINCT GOLD
- Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
- Mario Golf
- Mario Kart 64
- Mario Party
- Mario Party 2
- Mario Party 3
- Mario Tennis
- Paper Mario
- Pilotwings 64
- Pokémon Puzzle League
- Pokémon Snap
- Pokémon Stadium
- Pokémon Stadium 2
- RIDGE RACER 64
- Sin & Punishment
- Star Fox 64
- Super Mario 64
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Wave Race 64
- WIN BACK: COVERT OPERATIONS
- Yoshi’s Story
After you're done playing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64, move on to Majora's Mask. As a tried-and-true full sequel, it keeps some story beats going, while offering up a completely unique experience that Nintendo still hasn't matched to this day. Majora's Mask is a wonderfully wacky (and often dark) follow-up, and it makes a great one-two punch with Ocarina.