Top 10 Nintendo 64 Games That Never Had a Sequel

Nintendo unveiled the new Wii U at E3 and all the great third party support it will have with it, something we haven’t seen since the Nintendo 64 and its underrated library of games. The N64 had a lot of great stand alone titles that never had a sequel or reboot, many were widely known others were hidden gems. So we unboxed our old Nintendo 64 and compiled a list of the Top 10 Nintendo 64 games that never had a sequel or reboot. A couple rules though so this list doesn’t become too generic:

-The game does not have to be a N64 exclusive
-The game cannot be a reboot or sequel itself, so no Killer Instinct Gold or Star Fox
-The game must not already have a reboot, so no Goldeneye
-The game cannot have a sequel, so no Banjo-Kazooie or Perfect Dark

Prepare to get nostalgic…..

 
10. Glover

 

Release – 1998
Either you loved Glover or you thought it was too hard and never finished it. Sure Glover’s controls had a little bit of a learning curve, but once you mastered them you were dribbling magic balls like a Harlem Globetrotter. Truly one of the best underdog games for the N64. You play as Glover, a glove that has been brought to life after an accident in the wizard’s castle. The accident has turned the kingdom into a wasteland that Glover must restore by returning 7 magic balls back to the castle.

The gameplay was a little different from other platformers Glover had to roll, dribble, throw, and slap magic balls around in order to solve different platforming puzzles through six differently themed worlds each containing three levels, a boss and bonus stage. This game had one of the best soundtracks for a platform game on the system. Hasbro Interactive planned to release a sequel to Glover in 2000, but the game never manifested. A disappointment to Glover fans everywhere.


 

 
9. Bio F.R.E.A.K.S.

 

Release – 1998
Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. lacked the fighting mechanics to become a truly great game, but instead manages to impress with amazing graphics, extreme violence, and some unique gameplay innovations. Each of the eight Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. (short for Biological Flying Robotic Enhanced Armored Killing Synthoid) are armed with bio-mechanical enhancements like machine guns, grenade launchers and giant knives.

Developer Saffire added some very clever touches to the violent gameplay as players can fight without limbs or decapitate an opponent mid-fight. Graphical details like different facial expressions and knives that impale opponents staying throughout the match were great, but the best feature of the game was the specially equipped thrusters each character had. Players could fly to different parts of the level and perform special aerial attacks. It really opens up all-new possible strategies of gameplay. The levels are huge some with environmental hazards like buzzsaws and meat grinders that will amputate limbs. Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. needs better mechanics, a few new characters and a remake for the fans.


 

 
8. South Park

 

Release – 1998
Would you believe that once upon a time there was a South Park first person shooter and it was actually good? Would you believe that the trademark humor also made a decent transition? Yes, in 1998 Acclaim released South Park for the N64, PC and PS1, but it was the N64 version that shined. With stellar gameplay and fun split screen multiplayer I lost days of my life to this little gem. The story is hilariously drawn up as a comet is headed towards the small Colorado town that causes mutant turkeys, killer cows, “Visitors”, giant clones, living toys, and robots. The weapons were varied going from a simple snowball to pissballs to Terrance and Phillip fart dolls to cow launchers.

The single player is ok with some of that trademark social commentary and edginess from the show sprinkled throughout, but the game really shines when you get 3 friends and take up the split screen action. Critics weren’t too kind to South Park, but it’s one of those games that retains a fun factor, especially if you’re a huge fan of the show. So some developer somewhere, say Bungie or Epic, call up Matt and Trey and let’s get the ball rolling on a reboot of the South Park FPS. Recommended title: You’re a Towel.


 

 
7. Space Station Silicon Valley

 

Release – 1998
Space Station Silicon Valley was one of the lesser known platformers on the Nintendo 64, but those that played it loved it. Overshadowed by more popular platform games like Banjo-Kazooie, Space Station Silicon Valley never really gained the popularity it deserved. You play as Evo, a robot who is reduced to no more than a crawling microchip during the crash into a space station filled with electronically-powered animals. As Evo you transfer into different robotic animals and control them in order to solve platforming puzzles. Each animal has different abilities and it’s up to you to figure out which one is best suited for every goal.

The game was humorous with an enjoyable soundtrack that fits perfectly with the different environments similar to what Rockstar has now become known for. The game had over 30 stages of brilliant level design with missions that have players doing everything from rounding up a flock of sheep with a mechanical dog to jumping in the body of a farting rat in order to solve puzzles. A hidden gem that still retains its charm to this day.


 

 
6. Beetle Adventure Racing!

 

Release – 1999
Don’t let the title fool you, Beetle Adventure Racing was the Goldeneye of racing games. The gameplay is extremely addictive, the controls are easy to pick up and the multiplayer is excellent. The single player mode might look like any ordinary racing game, but the level design is incredible. The highly detailed tracks are huge and loaded with secrets and shortcuts, some easy to find others are cleverly hidden. You’ll have to play the stages multiple times to find all the secret areas.

In addition to the single player there’s the standard 2 player race mode, but the best multiplayer feature in Beetle Adventure Racing is the 4 player split screen “Beetle Battle.” Players pick up weapons and power-ups as they try and find different colored bug icons hidden throughout the levels. First player to grab all the icons and head to the finish wins, simple but addictive. A reboot of this game would be great for a racing genre that has been lacking for sometime. Add a multi-car license and online multiplayer and this could be one amazing game.


 

 
5. Forsaken

 

Release – 1998
Forsaken is a first person shooter that puts you in the cockpit of a small weaponized spacecraft. The game is very fast as players navigate their craft through a post-apocalyptic world filled with tubes and tunnels at a ridiculously smooth framerate. The single player mode was good, but it was the mutliplayer that made this game great. For many, this game will bring back fond memories of late night death matches against friends.

The 4 player split screen was a blast and character deaths were very satisfying as blood and guts are splattered across walls. Forsaken also had some amazing music, like a lost Prodigy album(and I don’t even like techno). It was another amazing lost soundtrack for the Nintendo 64. It pains me that this genre hasn’t gotten more attention. If there is any game that could use a reboot and a new online multiplayer, it’s Forsaken. Sadly though, it seems as if the genre has died with Forsaken.


 

 
4. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

 

Release – 1996
Before the Star Wars galaxy was poisoned, there was the old world of Star Wars. One where Jar Jar Binks never existed and Sebastian Shaw was still the real Anakin Skywalker. This game was a wonderful 3D introduction to Star Wars on the console that immersed us into the world George Lucas originally created, from taking down an AT-AT on Hoth with a Snowspeeder tow cable to a boss fight against IG-88 on the scrap heap planet of Ord Mantell. Shadows of the Empire was an awesome interquel in the Star Wars Universe with a great story, concept, and novel.

The game takes place as a backstory between Episode V and Episode VI. You play as unsung hero Dash Rendar, a mercenary for hire and long time friend of Han Solo who is frozen in carbonite. There are a variety of weapons and vehicles to assist you in the efforts of helping Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia including a jet pack and mandatory laser blaster. The game also does a good job of varying the levels between space and ground while mixing in boss battles against characters like Boba Fett all under some of the most amazing orchestral Star Wars pieces ever composed. The game had some problems, the cinematic camera angles and strange controls made it difficult to control Dash. You will fall off cliffs and ledges until getting a better concept of the control scheme. All these problems were enough for critics to write this game off as a failure, but Star Wars fans will enjoy this despite its flaws. This great story needs to be continued and Dash Rendar needs a comeback to the gaming universe.


 

 
3. Jet Force Gemini

 

Release – 1999
Remember when games were actually challenging and took some time to beat? Jet Force Gemini was one of the more difficult gaming experiences to be had for Nintendo 64. Players had to rescue every well-hidden “Tribal” before fighting the final boss and completing the game. The enemy A.I. is no slouch either they hide behind cover and even attempt to flank you. Unfortunately, the game is still considered by many to be the black sheep of the Nintendo 64 Rare family, unfairly compared to previous Rare titles.

Jet Force Gemini was all you could ever want from a 3rd person shooter; nonstop action, major boss battles, massive side quests, and awesome weaponry. You play as Juno, Vela and Lupus the dog through tons of beautiful 3D rendered environments. Blasting bugs into pieces and watching their body parts fly into the air is surprisingly satisfying. The title also features a two-player co-op mode and even a sub-par four-player split-screen battle mode, but the heart of the game lies in the single player. The game is great fun, and is top-notch in almost every area. Another amazing Rare title that may never be remade.


 

 
2. Body Harvest

 

Release – 1998
Body Harvest might possibly be one of the Nintendo 64′s most underrated games. Developed by DMA Design better known now as Rockstar North, the game was ahead of its time as players could drive cars and boats and even fly planes all in an open world environment. A huge environment filled with homes that can be entered at random as you can engage in conversations with the townsfolk or run them over with your vehicle, but don’t kill too many civilians or it’s game over. Giant alien bugs have invaded Earth and it’s your job to go back in time and destroy the infestation during different time periods ranging from World War I-era Greece to the United States in the 1960s.

The gameplay is a cool mixture of action/adveture, shooting, driving and even some RPG elements. Destroy giant Starship Troopers-type bugs with an assortment of weapons and vehicles. Body Harvest was completely unique from anything on the Nintendo 64. A long and challenging game that most gamers still haven’t finished to this day. The limitations of the N64 kept this game from reaching its true potential, which is why a sequel or reboot would be welcomed with open arms.


 

 
1. Blast Corps

 

Release – 1997
A long time ago all graphics were crap and games had to rely on a little something called gameplay. The concept was simple, a nuclear missile carrier is loose and the Blast Corps demolition company is given the task of clearing a safe route for the vehicle. That means destroy anything and everything that gets in your way. There are plenty of vehicles to choose ranging from a bulldozer to an armored mech. Demolish homes, skyscrapers, farms, and more to prevent a nuclear detonation.

Some stages require different tasks to be completed, some being time attacks, racing, or destroying specific objects. The well-balanced combination of intuitive gameplay and intelligent puzzles set to one of the best soundtracks ever created makes this the best stand-alone title for the Nintendo 64. Blast Corps is proof that there’s still room for original gameplay beyond the typical rehashed first person shooter. Unfortunately, most of the original Rare staff has left the company to pursue other opportunities meaning we will probably never see a sequel or reboot, but this game will always hold a place in video game history.



 

 
Honorable Mention – Mace: The Dark Age

Release – 1997
Considered at the time of its release to be one of the Nintendo 64′s best fighting games Mace: The Dark Age is a quality N64 title with a good weapon based fighting system, great interactive levels, and some of the most eclectic characters to ever grace a fighting game. How many fighting games let you play as a chicken or janitor? And each character has an entertaining finishing move called an ‘Execution’, hence the M rating. The highlight of Mace: The Dark Age was its outstanding graphics and interactive stages. Each background had its own unique feature and animation there’s even a unlockable San Fansisco Rush stage. There are no ring outs, but there are areas around the fighting ring that pose some kind of danger. From a swinging pendulum blade to hot molten lava, the detailed levels in this title push the N64′s polygon-generation capability to the max.

It’s the game’s attention to detail that might have actually hurt it the most, character animation sometimes becomes choppy and the framerate suffers when the action gets intense. This game had potential to be a successful fighting series like Mortal Kombat or Soul Calibur if it continued to improve with sequels. Fighting games rarely get it right on the first try, Mace: The Dark Age could’ve been a contender.