TheNintendo 64was an innovative console for the Nintendo and video games as a whole. It was an early step into bringing 3D animation into console video games, with many launch titles using its tech to produce incredible and memorable 3D experiences.
Platformers benefited the most from this, as there were quite a few 3D platformers released over the life cycle of theNintendo 64. However, there were also some excellent 2D Nintendo 64 platformers, both published by Nintendo and not, that stayed true to the 2D genre while taking full advantage of 3D animation.
7Lode Runner 3D
A platformer franchisethat has been around since the early 1980s,Lode Runnertook its first step into a 3D art style with the Nintendo 64 release ofLode Runner 3D. However, the game still has the linearity of a 2D platformer and stays true to the gameplay of the many entries before it.
As Jake Peril looks to stop The Mad Monk Emperor of Planet Pandora, players will navigate levels while being chased by enemies. The goal of each level is to collect gold pieces that will slowly begin to unlock the exit of a level. Once all are collected, Jake is able to make his escape.
6Tigger’s Honey Hunt
The N64 era of platformers was known formany collect-a-thons, but that mostly had to do with games being able to have characters explore 3D spaces. However, games likeTigger’s Honey Huntembraced the idea of collecting objects with 2D gameplay as well.
Based on Disney’sWinnie the Poohuniverse, players take on the role of Tigger as he hops around six distinct levels to collect a bevy of honey pots. The main goal is to collect 100 honey pots per level, which involves platforming as well as some side content like mini-games and additional time trials.
5Tarzan
There have been plenty of licensed video game adaptions that were released alongside films in the late 1990s and most of the 2000s. One of these games isTarzan, based onthe Disney filmand released only a few months after the smash hit arrived in movie theaters.
This 2.5D platformer features several elements from the movie, like Tarzan’s ally Terk, who assists in the tutorial. There are both collectibles on each stage and various combat encounters, some of which involve using weapons such as spears and umbrellas. Letters can also be collected, with six letters in each level unlocking scenes from the film.
4Mischief Makers
Treasure is a Japanese game studio known for coming up with unique concepts for games and spent two decades releasing titles across multiple platforms, including the Nintendo 64. One of its more popular titles on the Nintendo 64 wasa 2D platformercalledMischief Makers.
Released as the very first 2D side-scroller on the Nintendo 64,Mischief Makersis about a robot maid named Marina Liteyears, who is looking to save her creator who was taken by the emperor of Planet Clancer. The primary gameplay element of the game is Marina’s ability to shake objects to either destroy them or use them in combat.
3Yoshi’s Story
A few years after the original SNES release ofYoshi’s Island, Nintendo decided to keep games aboutYoshicoming withYoshi’s Story, which was a step into this universe being in 3D but remained true to the original 2Dside-scrolling roots. However, the gameplay goals differ greatly from its predecessor.
InYoshi’s Story, players control any of the different-colored Yoshis as they navigate levels and consume fruit. The goal for each stage is to eat 30 fruits and fill up a frame that fits the outer edges of the screen. In both story mode and trial mode, players are encouraged to get higher scores by consuming specific fruit or some of the same fruit in a row.
2Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
While it took many years for HAL Laboratory to make a 3D platformer in theKirbyuniverse, their first attempt at making Planet Popstar 3D in general wasKirby 64: The Crystal Shards. Beyond its look, the game is still a 2D platformer with 3D graphics.
Kirby goes on an adventure with his pals to put together a sacred crystal that was destroyed by Dark Matter, the main antagonist ofKirby 64. As with previous games, Kirby can consume enemies andgain their powers. However, this title allows Kirby to combine two powers to create a brand-new ability, adding an extra layer to combat.
1Goemon’s Great Adventure
Coming off a 3D platforming adventure on the Nintendo 64, theGoemonseries developers decided to make its next entry on the same console a 2D platformer instead of sticking with 3D. This resulted inGoemon’s Great Adventure, which is among the more popular platforming side-scrollerson the Nintendo 64.
To stop the evil Bismaru from getting away with Wise Man’s resurrection machine, Goemon and his allies must navigate stages while fighting various enemies. Some standout features of this game include a day-night cycle that affects the look and difficulty of a level, as well as a couch co-op mode that allows two players to play different characters.
