The 8 Best Licensed N64 Games

Key Takeaways

• Nintendo 64 had under 400 games, with some standout licensed titles.
• Rugrats in Paris and Tarzan offered fun exploration and engaging gameplay.
• South Park on N64 was a guilty pleasure with unique gameplay and multiplayer mode.

The Nintendo 64 had a relatively short lifespan compared to other consoles of the time, as it didn’t take long for it to be replaced by the Nintendo GameCube. Released in 1996 in America and Japan and in 1997 in Europe and Australia, the Nintendo 64 was discontinued in 2002 after the GameCube was a huge success following its release in 2001.

Less than 400 games were released for the Nintendo 64, and a fair few of them were licensed titles. As is usually the case with licensed games, some were good and others were not so good. However, there were some excellent and even revolutionary licensed games released for the Nintendo 64.

8 Rugrats in Paris

Fun Exploration and Mini-Games

• Released in 2000
• Developed by Avalanche Software
• Published by THQ
• Action adventure children’s game

There was a plethora of kids’ games based on licensed movies, television shows, and cartoons released for the Nintendo 64, but most didn’t offer much to write home about. Rugrats in Paris wasn’t hugely innovative, but it did offer more in terms of exploration and variety in mini-games.

Based on the animated film of the same name, Rugrats in Paris takes place in the fictional Parisian theme park EuroReptarLand, loosely based on Disneyland Paris. Players choose which baby they want to play as, picking from Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, Kimi, and Angelica. Once their character is chosen, players can explore the different sections of EuroReptarLand, each of which has different mini-games to play.

The goal is to collect tickets earned during mini-games to eventually buy a Reptar Helmet, so the babies can control Giant Robot Reptar and fight the villainous Robosnail, who has kidnapped EuroReptarLand’s princess. The graphics are cute, featuring vibrant colors and fun details, even if they aren’t always the most technically stable.

Despite there not being any people in the park, which can be a little ominous at times, there is still a lot for kids to enjoy, and adults to feel nostalgic for, in the N64 version of Rugrats in Paris.

7 Tarzan

Vine Swinging, Tree Climbing Platformer

• Released in 2000
• Developed by Eurocom Entertainment Software
• Published by Activision
• Platforming cartoon game

Tarzan is a Disney N64 game that bridged the gap between the previous 2D Disney titles and the 3D ones. Often described as a 2.5D game, this side-scrolling platformer features 3D environments and models but a two-dimensional plane. This created a unique look and style while also highlighting the crossover between previous and future technology in Disney games.

Players take on the role of Tarzan during his childhood and into his adulthood, following the story from the Disney film. It takes place across 14 levels, all of which have a range of platforming within the jungle environment. Combat is also included, with certain weapons- such as a parasol and a knife- only available in particular levels.

The graphics for Tarzan for the N64 were particularly inspired for its time, and even though it didn’t offer a huge amount in terms of innovation, the prettiness of the style and the relatively engaging gameplay make it one of the best licensed N64 titles.

6 South Park

A Silly and Imperfect Guilty Pleasure

The South Park games have become incredibly fun and long-lasting gaming experiences over the years, especially The Stick of Truth and Fractured But Whole games. However, South Park wasn’t always known for having good video game adaptions. In fact, most of the games based on the animated adult show were panned. The 1998 South Park game wasn’t hugely well received upon release, but the N64 version was notably the better choice.

South Park is undoubtedly a guilty pleasure best experienced on the N64. Players choose between the four main kids of the show- Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny-, and have the chance to explore and defend the town of South Park, which is being invaded by various odd enemies thanks to a malicious comet approaching Earth.

The game features various ridiculous weapons, such as snowballs that could be turned yellow when peed on, explosive farting Terrance and Phillip dolls, and an alien ray gun that makes people dance. The FPS style worked well with these weapon choices and was one of the highlights of the entire game.

The multiplayer mode was also one of the best parts of the Nintendo 64 version of South Park, particularly in comparison to the PS1 version. There were 20 characters to choose from in the N64 game, and 17 levels, making for plenty of choice for those looking to play with friends. Though not without its flaws, South Park for the N64 had enough going for it to make it one of the better licensed games released on the platform.

5 Lego Racers

Wacky Races, But Make It Lego

• Released in 1999
• Developed by High Voltage Software
• Published by Lego Media
• Racing game

The Lego games have become a staple in the video game industry when it comes to fun single-player or multiplayer adventures enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Lego Racers was one of the early Lego games that provided the building blocks-pun intended- for the newer Lego games to develop and thrive. Not only that, but it was also a fun game in its own right, with the N64 version being one of the better-licensed games for the console.

In Lego Racers, players compete in various racing competitions in cars that they can build themselves. Much like other racing N64 games, players can attack other players with items picked up while racing. They can also unlock other minifigure characters to use as racers with collectible Lego bricks.

Although it isn’t the perfect racing game, the ability to create unique, raceable Lego vehicles, and the fun nature of the racing itself, make this a great N64 licensed game.

4 Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine

A Strong Indie Adventure

• Released in 2000
• Developed by LucasArts and Factor 5
• Published by LucasArts
• Action adventure game

There have been plenty of high and low points for the Indiana Jones franchise, but the N64 game was certainly one of the better additions to the series.

Set in 1947, Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine takes place after the events of the Indiana Jones and the Iron Phoenix limited comic book series and focuses on Indy searching for pieces of an Infernal Machine that can open a portal that leads to another dimension.

The game is third person and set in an entirely 3D world with multiple mechanics, such as platforming, puzzle solving, and driving. Players control Indy on his journey to find the Infernal Machine pieces, involving fighting off enemies with guns, melee weapons, and his iconic bullwhip.

While the control system was heavily criticized for being far too clunky, the designs of the levels and the narrative were praised, as were the graphics. Despite the unwieldy controls, Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine has far more positives than negatives and still stands out as a great Indy adventure.

3 Spider-Man

The Blueprint for Modern Superhero Games

The Spider-Man game for the N64 is a unique one on this list, as it is the only one that has positive reviews across the board on every platform.

There are plenty of superhero games in modern gaming, but they wouldn’t have been possible without games like Spider-Man paving the way. From the web-slinging mechanics to the melee combat and introduction of memorable heroes and villains from the comics, Spider-Man was a blueprint for the great superhero games that we have today, including the latest iteration of Spider-Man in the Insomniac games.

The N64 version of Spider-Man was hugely popular both critically and commercially, much like the other console versions, so it’s undeniable that it is one of the absolute best-licensed games for the platform.

2 Star Wars: Rogue Squadron

A Devilishly Difficult Flying Adventure

• Released in 1998
• Developed by LucasArts and Factor 5
• Published by LucasArts
• Arcade action flight game

Star Wars is another franchise that has had plenty of video game adaptations over the years, some good and some bad. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron was one of the best – if not the absolute best – earlier Star Wars games thanks to its immersive gameplay, authenticity to the Star Wars franchise, and surprisingly difficult nature.

Rogue Squadron puts players in the cockpit of the infamous X-wing fighter ships from the series as they engage in various aerial battles with different objectives. Flying from a third-person perspective, players need to protect, rescue, perform reconnaissance, and search and destroy depending on the mission. There are five playable aircraft, and they can be upgraded with power-ups found throughout the levels.

The technological achievements -along with the engaging aerial combat and impressive control system-, make Star Wars: Rogue Squadron one of the best-licensed games for the Nintendo 64.

1 GoldenEye 007

One of the Greatest Licensed Games of All Time

When it comes to licensed games, GoldenEye 007 is one of the best, but it is also a revolutionary game that changed the path of FPS multiplayer games forever.

GoldenEye 007 is a James Bond game based on the 1995 movie of the same name, putting players in the role of the titular protagonist when in single-player mode. The game is made up of levels with objectives that include shooting enemies, destroying items, and recovering objects. The well-known multiplayer mode allows players to choose their characters and select a specific deathmatch that can be played with others through the split-screen mechanic.

GoldenEye 007 is regarded as one of the greatest games of all time, as it showed the world the potential of FPS games on a home console platform. Not only that, but it introduced features that would become par for the course in FPS games, such as stealth mechanics and realism.

Golden 007 is the best-licensed game for the Nintendo 64, and it also continues to be remembered as a revolutionary title that paved the way for the FPS genre to become the behemoth that it is today.