6 N64 Games That Are Barely Playable In 2026

The Nintendo 64 is fondly remembered by fans and Nintendo enthusiasts alike, in large part thanks to its impressive lineup of both first-party exclusives and third-party ports. It saw the likes of Zelda, 3D Mario, and Nintendo’s assorted party/fighting games boom in popularity, and undeniably helped push the industry drastically into the future through its numerous innovations, both graphically and mechanically. It still is one of Nintendo’s finest consoles and will likely remain that way for some time.

Of course, while there are absolutely and unquestionably so many perfect Nintendo 64 games still worth playing today, there are also those that are utterly unplayable. Some of these titles were perhaps once great, industry-leading experiences, but there are no shells of their former shelves that are probably best avoided. While that isn’t to diminish their achievements at the time, in 2026, not every N64 star still burns quite so brightly.

6

Quest64

Quest64 is neither a good RPG nor a good N64 game. It is bafflingly mediocre, at times worse than that, and feels unfinished, a facet that has led to the public’s perception of it being extremely negative. Throughout one’s playthrough of Quest64, it is clear just where the game went wrong, the necessary features it left out, and the many RPG pitfalls of the time it so clumsily falls into. Its world is empty, it lacks party members, its combat is repetitive, the inability to buy items is frustrating, and the lack of side content makes it feel basic.

The only thing Quest64 really has going for it is its colorful visuals and occasional moment of ingenuity, typically associated with its combat. However, even then, Quest64 really isn’t worth playing today. Not only are there far better JRPGs and RPGs available, but there are also more worthwhile N64 experiences that don’t waste your time like this does. If you want to wander around a barren world doing very little of substance, then play Quest64. Otherwise, skip what many would rightfully consider to be one of the worst RPGs ever made.

5

GoldenEye 007

Yes, GoldenEye 007 was one of the many N64 games that changed gaming forever, and yes, back in 1997 it was revolutionary and a lot of fun to play, especially with a group of friends. However, in 2026 and absolutely beyond, GoldenEye 007 is a tough game to play. The dreadful controls are as painful to deal with now as they were nearly three decades ago, the aiming continues to be the bane of our collective existence, and the inconsistent framerate makes grinding to the end to unlock the fun part of the game a chore.

There is plenty more to complain about (the visuals, while undeniably charming, look bad even for the N64), but really, GoldenEye 007 only gets a pass because we all thoroughly enjoyed it in our childhoods, and it has, consequently, remained a cultural touchstone. Suffice it to say, if it weren’t for how revolutionary it was (an achievement I have no intention of diminishing), we wouldn’t be quite so positive about it today.

4

Mario Party 64

Having revisited the original Mario Party, I find myself legitimately surprised that the series took off at all. The minigames are utterly confusing at the best of times, and the inability to test them out before jumping in makes every round a frustrating case of trial and error. The boards, while colorful, lack the complexity of later entries, while also simultaneously being tricky to navigate, and the visuals, while still filled with that old-school charm, make discerning a lot of what is happening a near-impossible task.

Perhaps the single worst decision the original Mario Party makes, however, is the inclusion of mini-games that rob players of coins. The game is already hard enough for those ill-equipped to deal with many of Mario Party’s worst minigames, but losing coins to one you barely understand feels utterly unfair. The inclusion of single-player minigames also slows things down far too much, which can make the up-to-50-turn games go on forever.

3

Superman 64

Superman 64 is routinely referred to as one of the worst games ever made, and it isn’t particularly hard to see why. Even at the time, it was considered a broken and unfinished experience that was best avoided, and that was during an era in which the original Mario Party was seen as a lot of fun. Today, playing through Superman 64 is a true test of patience as its repetitive design, clunky controls, and general lack of polish is, at best, utterly tedious.

There is simply not enough time and too many amazing N64 games to bother playing through Superman 64, even as a laugh. Sure, there is some fun to be found in mocking it with friends, but beyond that particular setting it truly has no value. Superman 64 is not a cult classic, it is not misunderstood, and it is not a hidden gem. It is a dreadful game, it has always been dreadful, and nothing will change that.

2

Jet Force Gemini

Jet Force Gemini isn’t quite as bad as some of the other entries on this list, but it is a largely unplayable Nintendo 64 game by today’s standards. Its greatest weakness is its controls, which are infuriating to wrestle with. Of course, with the many innovations in gunplay and control scheme design that we’ve come to enjoy, it is easy to criticize Jet Force Gemini’s rough approach to shooting. However, the N64 controller was never well-equipped to deal with shooting mechanics, and Rare, frankly, should have known better.

Beyond its baffling control scheme, Jet Force Gemini suffers from a myriad of other issues that several of the N64’s worst titles also contended with. Its pacing is all over the place and its hodgepodge of game mechanics never quite gel well together. This isn’t really a case of a game that was simply ahead of its time, even if its visuals were impressive for the N64 and its soundtrack remains excellent today. Rather, Jet Force Gemini just didn’t fit on the N64, and Rare’s attempts to cram it onto the system left it broken and unplayable.

1

Mario Kart 64

Much like the original Mario Party, Mario Kart 64’s greatest sin is that it was one of the first in the series, and, as a result, lacks a lot of what ultimately went on to make it so excellent. The basics are there, the visuals are okay, and the music is as great as it always has been and always will be. However, beyond that, Mario Kart 64 can be a bit of a snooze fest, especially to those who already have a long history with the series’ far superior entries.

Additionally, with it being the first 3D entry, Mario Kart 64’s maps lack the dynamic feel of the earlier entries and those that succeeded it. They’re barren and lack the detail that makes driving on these courses so much fun in the first place. Like GoldenEye 007 and Mario Party, there’s an understandable respect and admiration for Mario Kart 64 that I won’t overlook or diminish. It was a revolutionary title at the time and remains an important game today. However, there’s better N64 games more deserving of your time, and far better Mario Kart games on other systems.

Released

December 14, 1996

ESRB

e

Developer(s)

Nintendo EAD

Engine

miyomoto

Multiplayer

Local Multiplayer