These 10 Nintendo 64 Games Need to Come to the Nintendo Switch

Hot take alert! Diddy Kong Racing is superior to Mario Kart 64 in every way, shape, and form. Donkey Kong’s little brother is the featured character within this quality racing game that features three different styles of transportation (car, hovercraft, and aeroplane), well-designed course layouts, and arguably the best single-player Adventure Mode ever featured in a kart racer. Since Mario Kart 64 has already been announced as one of the N64 on Switch games that offer online play, then giving Diddy Kong Racing the very same capabilities is a must. Nintendo and Rare must work out some sort of deal that can allow this beloved kart racer to exist on a modern-day Nintendo platform. The return of Wizpig scares us half to death, but our newfound patience should help us deal with his boss fight a lot better these days.

The N64 was home to some of the greatest wrestling games of all time. During the height of World Championship Wrestling’s run, the Atlanta-based wrestling company joined forces with THQ to craft a timeless 3D grappler - WCW/nWo Revenge. AKI Corporation’s grappling system engaged in a perfect marriage with the superstars of WCW to create a dream scenario for wrestling fans at the time. To this day, wrestling fans hold WCW/nWo Revenge in high regard and still whip out the old N64 and four controllers for some battle royale action. It’s only right that Nintendo gives that same fanbase an easier way to play out custom Starrcade match cards. WCW/nWo Revenge is one of the N64’s definitive gaming experiences, which makes it an essential title worth bringing to the Switch.

If WCW’s finest simulator is on this list, then it makes all the sense in the world for the World Wrestling Federation (now known as World Wrestling Entertainment) to have one of its most celebrated games appear here too. WWF No Mercy always ends up in any conversation once the topic of best N64 games and best wrestling games randomly springs up. And anyone who’s played it can easily explain why - it relies on AKI Corporation’s refined grappling mechanics, features a who's who of WWF’s hot period during the year 2000, and comes with an amazing single-player experience in the form of Championship Mode. We hope WWF No Mercy and its extremely catchy main menu theme song becomes a part of the Switch’s N64 library. DIG DIG DIG, DIG DIGGITY DOG!

It still amazes us to see how healthy the competitive community still is in regard to Super Smash Bros. Melee. The continued adulation shown towards that FGC staple is still intact and will probably be played long after we’re gone. As soon as we heard that some of the N64 games on the Switch will have online play enabled, our minds immediately went to the thought of online four-player brawls in the original Smash. The ragtag group of Mario, Pikachu, Yoshi, and the rest of the gang had us in tears during the big brawl they engaged in during the original Super Smash Bros. commercial. We want to embrace all that wonderful nostalgia by playing out our old childhood brawls on the Switch. We can totally envision seeing the Switch version of OG Smash appearing at a major FGC tournament while everyone goes to war with their wireless N64 controllers in hand.

Ubisoft’s limbless wonder has laid dormant for a disappointingly long time span (his last game Rayman Legends released in 2013). If we can’t get an all-new game for the platforming icon, then can we at least get a well-optimized port of his N64 adventure? We hope Nintendo convinces Ubisoft to bring back Rayman’s first foray into 3D so it reminds everyone of just how likable he & his zany antics still are. Rayman 2: The Great Escape is still held in high regard thanks to its quality character designs, vibrant worlds, and rewarding gameplay. Reviving those good times for the Switch’s N64 collection just sounds and feels so right. Rayman 2 belongs right alongside Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie, and Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards when it comes to the greatest N64 platformers of all time.

Simply put, Snowboard Kids is Mario Kart 64...ON ICE! Sounds dope, right? For us and everyone else that played Atlus’ kid-friendly snowboarder back in the day, there was a lot of enjoyment to be derived from it. Shredding along some snow trails as the game’s lovable tykes will never not be fun, which is why we hope that Snowboard Kids makes its way over to the Switch. It’s a supremely underrated racing game that deserves more love and attention nowadays. We’ve gotten used to seeing Nintendo throw up a slew of unrecognizable games to the NES & SNES games onto the Switch that receives little to no fanfare. Announcing Snowboard Kids as an N64 Switch port would elicit far more positive feedback, that’s for sure!

You can’t go wrong with more N64 racers, right? Mario Kart 64 and F-Zero X are already on the docket. Wouldn’t you all say that Namco’s Ridge Racer 64 should join those two fan favorites as well? Namco’s premier arcade racer made its way over from the PlayStation to the N64 and brought with it a slew of exclusive tracks. It ended up being an enjoyable port that added more to the original game’s overall package and still holds up as an impressive 3D racing game experience. Ridge Racer 64 would do well as the sort of additional N64 on Switch game that offers another substantial title for racing game fans.

Side note - this renowned strategy RPG has one of the best titles we’ve ever seen! Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber just has the air of royalty about it that sticks close to its theme of grand battles within a warring state. If there’s one N64 classic that you can derive an insane amount of playtime from, it’s most definitely this one. Fighting alongside your troops, managing different character classes, and mastering the ins & outs of the deep battle system are the three pillars that define everything that’s great about Ogre Battle 64. The N64 didn’t have a whole lot of strong RPGs to choose from. However, one of the few good games within that genre for the retro console should get the opportunity to join the Switch’s N64 compilation.

Yes, another racer! If you didn’t realize it by now, the N64 harbors an esteemed collective of the best racing games we’ve ever devoted our time to. Beetle Adventure Racing happens to be one of those N64 games that rank very highly among critics and fans alike, no matter the genre. The game’s premise is super easy to grasp for gearheads and even non-racing game aficionados - you hop behind the wheel of varied Volkswagen New Beetle mobiles and race across numerous tracks. Besides racing, this racer also features an awesome battle mode, some sweet unlockable rides, and even the presence of fun crate crashing activities for extra bonuses! Beetle Adventure Racing deserves to re-emerge in the form of another N64 to Switch release.

Adding this one to the launch list of N64 Switch games should have been a no-brainer, right? It’s pretty crazy when you realize that Wave Race 64 isn’t a part of the initial rollout of games for the Switch’s online subscription service add-on. We’re pretty sure that oversight will be remedied before the year is over. The N64’s Jet Ski-powered racing experience arrived during the machine’s launch year and is considered as one of the pillars for the 3D cartridge-based console. Before Jet Moto debuted on the original PlayStation, Wave Race 64 ruled over the racing game sub-genre thanks to its realistic water physics, fast-paced gameplay, and bright & bubbly visuals. There’s a severe lack of water-based racers these days - Wave Race 64’s debut on the Switch could potentially remind everyone of just how great the sub-genre used to be and still can be.