The Nintendo 64 reintroduced various game series for the first time in 3D. The jump in detail was monumental at the time, and the Nintendo 64 became the go-to platform for local multiplayer racing games. Although not all of them were deemed spectacular, many of the Nintendo 64’s racing games brought the genre to new heights.
Whether it’s kart racing, motocross, or boat racing, the Nintendo 64 has games for all types of racers. When we think of racing games today, names like Forza, Mario Kart, Dirt, and Need for Speed come to mind. Let’s look back at some of the Nintendo 64’s most influential racing games.
10 LEGO Racers
This is a game that flew under many people’s radar when it was released in 1999. The series picked up more traction when LEGO Racers 2 released for PC, PlayStation, and Game Boy. Nevertheless, the first LEGO Racers for Nintendo 64 was a wild ride. You don’t have to be a LEGO fanatic to fall in love with the game’s LEGO vehicles and characters. Compared to many other Nintendo 64 racing games, LEGO Racers falls short. It’s still not a bad game by any means.
9 Extreme-G
If you’re looking for a racing video game that invokes realism, then you might not like Extreme-G. It’s more of a game to get your heart racing as you travel at high speeds. It’s possibly the fastest racing game to grace the Nintendo 64. It doesn’t feature memorable racers like many other mentioned games, but it does have gameplay mechanics that stand out. Expect to use weapons and jumps as you struggle to keep up with Extreme-G’s pacing.
8 Hydro Thunder
Before Hydro Thunder released for the Nintendo 64, it was an arcade racing phenomenon seen worldwide. Developer Midway Games didn’t have as smooth a transition to home consoles as hoped, but it was worth playing.
Hydro Thunder is a motorboat racing game that will take you from places like the Arctic Circle to a flooded New York City. The vehicle selection ranges from heavy, hard to steer boats to easy-to-drive ones. While easy-to-drive ones are better for novice players, they don’t have the more difficult boats’ speed potential.
7 Wave Race 64
Home racing video games became popular during the Nintendo 64 era. Games like Wave Racer 64 offered hazardous racing tracks for expert players and scenic easier ones. Wave Racer 64 becomes progressively more difficult as you play the game. Next to participating in the real sport, jet skiing in Wave Racer 64 provided the most realistic experience. Multiplayer provided hours of racing for players to relish.
6 Star Wars Episode I: Racer
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace was one of the most divisive movies in Star Wars history. However, the movie did introduce podracing, which has become a racing phenomenon in video games. In addition to appearing in Star Wars Episode I: Racer, it also came as a side mission in the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic series.
Putting nostalgia aside, Star Wars Episode I: Racer is a genuinely good game. You have to manage repairs for your vehicle while maneuvering the game’s perilous tracks. This game was re-released for current-gen consoles in 2020.
5 F-Zero X
The F-Zero series has remained a Nintendo exclusive since its introduction on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It’s a series recognized for its high-speed races featuring the elusive Captain Falcon. The game takes place in the future after the Grand Prix main event race was discontinued. The Grand Prix makes a return with new rules, tracks, and vehicles. F-Zero X can be played via multiplayer or single-player.
4 Ridge Racer 64
Namco’s Ridge Racer 64 was leagues ahead of its Nintendo DS counterpart. It was released back in the day when tracks were played in reverse for the ultimate challenge. The nuance of playing the same tracks in reverse soon wore off, and developers began adding more unique maps.
Ridge Racer 64 doesn’t contain the fastest-paced races, but it was a huge step forward in car racing. While it didn’t have many unique features, it was all-around enjoyable. Four-player support and an abundance of vehicles make it worth replaying.
3 Mario Kart 64
The Mario Kart series took a leap into 3D graphics for the first time on the Nintendo 64. Mario Kart 64 was a significant improvement in graphics and competitiveness for a racing game. With eight characters to choose from, and each having unique racing styles, Mario Kart 64 has tremendous replay value. It’s a kart racing game that brought the subgenre to new heights. Tracks like Rainbow Road, Bowser’s Castle, and Toad’s Turnpike are too memorable.
2 Diddy Kong Racing
While Mario Kart 64 was appealing to a broader player base with more approachable racing, Diddy Kong Racing was headed in a different direction. Diddy Kong Racing features a robust single-player campaign and more challenging races. It features more tracks, characters, and vehicle options than Mario Kart 64. It’s a kart racing game, but you can also steer hovercrafts and planes. Diddy Kong Racing’s boss races, hidden secrets, and more made it an instant classic on the Nintendo 64.
1 Excitebike 64
The motocross sport has come a long way since its early days on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It’s one of the best Nintendo 64 racing games out there, despite its limited character selection and bikes.
Excitebike 64′s strong suit is its gameplay. Tracks have bumps on the terrain, leaving players the option to catch air. It’s a racing game that lets you win in style. Back when local multiplayer was prevalent on the Nintendo 64, Excitebike 64 was the pinnacle of racing games.
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