Nintendo 64 came out 20 years ago, and the gaming world was never the same after the company's third home console hit the market.
The console pioneered 3D gaming and released some of the titles that have become legendary for gamers of all ages.
In a happy coincidence, the N64 rolled out only a day after id's Quake, showing that the world was ready to see true 3D movement in the mainstream.
The N64 appeared on the market at a time when video games were still labeled a childish pastime. However, the company's commitment to family-friendly gaming launched a new era that planted adults for hours in front of the TV, wielding consoles. This was one of the reasons behind Super Nintendo's Entertainment System.
Keep in mind that, albeit it featured kid-friendly titles and bright colors, the N64 was a solid gaming platform that not only made a lot of us very happy for years and years, but also left a significant legacy gaming history. Not only did the N64 deliver classic titles pushing the edge of what games were expected to be, but it crafted 3D worlds that were seamlessly integrated with gameplay.
Super Mario 64 was the first title that demonstrated the power of 3D games, with the rest of N64's lineup staying true to the standard. Other games followed suit and established new spectacular ways of using 3D effects.
Wave Race 64, for one, was responsible for showcasing accurate water physics that set the bar high for many years. Mario Kart 64 poured new life into racing games, while The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time set the pace for what would later become open-world exploration games. Actually, Ocarina of Time was so good that Nintendo decided to build on its legacy, and four additional games followed in the series.
It would be unfair to omit GoldenEye 007 from the list of game changers. The game was revolutionary when it came to level design and the split-screen first-person multiplayer action convinced a generation of gamers to see it as the best movie-to-game adaptation.
The team behind N64 acknowledged the importance of multiplayer fun, turning it into reality by splitting TV screens into four sections. This meant that a host of friends could jump in the fun.
Two years ago, Nintendo decided to revive the N64 games and make them available to the Wii U Virtual Console.
We are curious: what are your favorite titles from the panoply of epic titles released by Nintendo? Let us know in the comments section below.
