When it comes to prominent game designers, Nintendo‘s own Shigeru Miyamoto is often among the first names to come to mind. Widely regarded as the “Spielberg of video games,” the Japanese designer, producer, and director has no shortage of huge titles under his belt; from the iconic Mario and Zelda to often-overlooked strategy romp Pikmin.
He’s remained a household name and one of the industry’s biggest movers and shakers thanks to the delightful, appealing, and inventive gameplay experiences he’s helped create. The NES and SNES saw him really make a name for himself with some true classics, while the more graphically-potent N64 allowed for some more epic, cinematically rich projects.
This list will explore the 64-bit era’s ten best efforts in which Miyamoto had a hand in crafting on one level or another.
10 Pilot Wings 64
Despite never quite getting off the ground, the original Pilot Wings served as a neat graphical demonstration for the SNES, whose Mode 7 tech allowed for a then-new concept of pseudo 3D. Fast forward to 1996, and this memorable sequel soared to even greater heights with full 3D visuals and deeper gameplay.
The game provides both exhilaration and relaxation, as players take to the skies in autogyros, hang gliders, jet packs, and even a fully-functional bird suit.
Pilots are tasked with destroying targets, nabbing rings, nailing landings, and snapping photos — though it can still be enjoyable just kicking back and taking in the scenery. While it may look a bit dated today, this atmospheric flight sim made for a fun, visually impressive launch game for Nintendo’s first 3D conosle.
9 Wave Race 64
Many gamers of the ’90s have fond memories diving into this thrilling jet ski racer and being dazzled by the visuals of Wave Race‘s clear blue waters and red dusks. But this ’96 title also brings some enjoyable gameplay and tight mechanics to go along with its aesthetic flair.
Initially meant to be feature transformable boats, producer Miyamoto opted for jet skis, bringing more of a distinct extreme sports feel. It was certainly a good design choice in the eyes of many, as it set the stage for some intense racing wrought with sharp turns, wave-launching jumps, flips, and other hazardous stunts.
What’s been described as “F-Zero on water” proves just as exciting as that futuristic racer with its high speeds, memorable maps, and solid local multiplayer.
8 Star Fox 64
While the Star Fox franchise has since been farmed out to other studios, it was still a Nintendo-made staple throughout the ’90s. Continuing the momentum of the ’93 hit on SNES, this successor sees the sci-fi hero take flight in full-3D. Thanks to some sleek visuals, epic space brawls, and a new branching path system, the outer space odyssey of Fox and his furry friends makes for a particularly fun ride.
This ’97 space shooter could really be considered ahead of its time with its use of vibration, four-player split-screen, and cinematic flair complete with voice acting. It may look blocky to modern eyes, but solid mechanics and satisfying moves — including the meme-ified barrel roll ability — have given this classic real staying power.
7 Mario Party 2
It seems appropriate to include what’s widely considered the best rendition of Mario Party, even if Miyamoto takes on the more passive role of supervisor in this case. It’s likely no coincidence that he managed to oversee the design of what’s become a fan favorite when it comes to multiplayer and party gameplay.
Thanks to some fun new minigames and refined revamps from its predecessor, Mario Party 2 remains a classic amidst a growing MP library. Creative new board games, greater depth, and some tightened mechanics allow MP2 to continue to shine from a gameplay standpoint.
6 The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
This once-in-a-blue-moon rendition of the iconic Zelda series is something of an anomaly. With its dark atmosphere, surreal themes, and apocalyptic premise, Majora’s Mask remains a cult classic among Zelda fandom, despite being a bit rough around the edges. Unlike most games in the series, drawn-out exploration takes a back seat to grinding and racing against the clock, as Link must save Hyrule from impending doom.
This looming danger takes the form of a large falling moon, whose spooky imagery remains as etched in the minds of players as its intriguing gameplay and deep narrative. The game stands as a rare, darker flipside to the usual cheery, colorful projects of Miyamoto.
5 Mario Kart 64
Much like Pilot Wings and Star Fox, the renowned Mario Kart series truly flourished when given the full-3D upgrade on N64. Miyamoto takes on the producer role in what’s become one of the most beloved MK titles to date, even amidst the more robust, flashy sequels of late.
The N64’s beefier hardware and full 3D graphics set the stage for a fun, exhilarating ride, especially when taking the wheel against friends or family. Memorable stages like the epic new Rainbow Road, high speeds, and a slew of satisfying items help round out this delightful racer on N64. Four-player split-screen allows for some timelessly fun romps, whether burning rubber in races or facing off in intense battles.
4 Paper Mario
Before the rich 2020 adventure known as The Origami King, there was this more humble, but equally delightful RPG featuring the mushroom-loving hero on N64. The game’s colorful, cel-shaded visuals have allowed it to age more gracefully than much of its N64 kin. It certainly helps that Shigeru Miyamoto held the reigns as the game’s producer, aiding in designing the appealing gameplay with new gamers in mind.
Despite its cute exterior and accessible gameplay though, Paper Mario is deceptively deep — and far from paper-thin when it comes to its amusing story and dialogue. It’s one of the meatier games on the N64, clocking in at close to 24 hours. But despite its length, many find it easy to return to time and time again, thanks to its rewarding battle system and charming visuals.
3 Super Smash Bros.
The party-fighting heavyweight known as Super Smash Bros. has evolved greatly since its humble beginnings on N64. Regardless, there’s still something to be said for the classic that started it all, with its simple-yet-addictive combat and nostalgic charm. In an era before widespread online gaming (at least in the console arena), this ’99 romp had to rely on the strength of its local multiplayer. Luckily, it didn’t remotely disappoint in this area for most — granting countless hours of button-mashing, friend-razzing fun.
This game provided the initial spark that would mushroom into the social and esports smash hit Smash Bros. would become.
2 Super Mario 64
Whether taking the form of an HD remaster, DS launch title, or its original build, few can deny the lasting charm of Mario’s debut in the 3D arena. Long before the plumber’s sandbox odyssey on Switch, this N64 launch title laid the foundation for (semi) open-world exploration and platforming.
Who can forget the delightful bouts of scrambling up hazardous mountains, racing penguins down icy slides, or flinging bowser off platforms? Through its imaginative locales, solid mechanics, and epic scale, Super Mario 64 shines like a power star; one that remains a gold standard of 3D platforming.
1 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
This sprawling journey is still considered a holy grail of the storied Zelda franchise, if not gaming as a whole. Even after the release of the renowned Breath of the Wild, this Miyamoto-produced gem remains a fan-favorite and an example of 3D gaming done right. It quickly became the year’s best-seller following its 1998 release.
There’s much to love about this fantasy romp, from the fun combat and deep puzzles to the majestic world-building and soundtrack. Similar to how the NES classic was a blueprint for classic Zelda, this foray into the 3D realm was a rock-solid foundation for Link’s modern-era adventures.
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