TheNintendo 64reintroduced various game series for thefirst time in 3D.The jump in detail was monumental at the time, and the Nintendo 64 became the go-to platform forlocal multiplayerracing games. Although not all of them were deemed spectacular, many of the Nintendo 64’s racing games brought the genre to new heights.
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Whether it’skart racing,motocross, or boat racing, the Nintendo 64 has games for all types of racers. When we think of racing games today, names likeForza,Mario Kart,Dirt,andNeed for Speedcome to mind. Let’s look back at some of the Nintendo 64’s most influential racing games.
10LEGO Racers
This is a game that flew under many people’s radar when it was released in 1999. The series picked up more traction whenLEGO Racers 2released for PC, PlayStation, and Game Boy. Nevertheless, the firstLEGO Racersfor Nintendo 64 was a wild ride. You don’t have to be aLEGO fanatic to fall in love with the game’s LEGO vehicles and characters.Compared to many other Nintendo 64 racing games,LEGO Racersfalls short. It’s still not a bad game by any means.
9Extreme-G
If you’re looking for a racing video game that invokes realism, then you might not likeExtreme-G.It’s more of a game toget your heart racingas 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 withExtreme-G’s pacing.
8Hydro Thunder
BeforeHydro Thunderreleased 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 Thunderis 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 moredifficult boats' speed potential.
7Wave Race 64
Home racing video games became popular during the Nintendo 64 era. Games likeWave Racer 64offered hazardous racing tracks for expert players and scenic easier ones.Wave Racer 64becomes progressively more difficult as you play the game. Next to participating in the real sport, jet skiing inWave Racer 64provided the most realistic experience. Multiplayer provided hours of racing for players to relish.
6Star Wars Episode I: Racer
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menacewas one of the most divisive movies inStar Warshistory. However, the movie did introduce podracing, which has become a racing phenomenon in video games. In addition to appearing inStar Wars Episode I: Racer, it also came as a side mission in theStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicseries.
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Putting nostalgia aside,Star Wars Episode I: Raceris 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.
5F-Zero X
TheF-Zeroseries has remained a Nintendo exclusive since its introduction on theSuper Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).It’s a series recognized for its high-speed races featuring the elusiveCaptain 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 Xcan be played via multiplayer or single-player.
4Ridge Racer 64
Namco’sRidge Racer 64was leagues ahead of itsNintendo DScounterpart. 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.
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Ridge Racer 64doesn’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.
3Mario Kart 64
TheMario Kartseries took a leap into 3D graphics for the first time on the Nintendo 64.Mario Kart 64was 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 64has 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.
2Diddy Kong Racing
WhileMario Kart 64was appealing to a broader player basewith more approachable racing,Diddy Kong Racingwas headed in a different direction. Diddy Kong Racingfeatures a robust single-player campaign and more challenging races. It features more tracks, characters, and vehicle options thanMario Kart 64. It’s a kart racing game, but you can also steer hovercrafts and planes.Diddy Kong Racing’sboss races, hidden secrets, and more made it an instant classic on the Nintendo 64.
1Excitebike 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’sstrong 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 64was the pinnacle of racing games.
