The Best N64 Sports Games

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The Nintendo 64 was Nintendo’s jump into the third dimension. Released in 1996, the N64 was a whole new world for gamers, giving them amazing graphics, new and innovative games, and exciting new adventures. Competing with Sony’s PlayStation and Sega’s Saturn, the Nintendo 64 offered the best graphics and a competitive library that drew players back to the fun of Nintendo. Games like Mario 64, Ocarina of Time, and Banjo-Kazooie which were released on this console are now held up as some of the best games of all time. The Nintendo 64 definitely deserves all of the credit it received, giving players an awesome jump to 3D.

Sports games have always been a fan-favorite, allowing players to experience their favorite games regardless of the weather, season, or athleticism. Transferring the rules of a real-life game to the virtual world is easy, but making the game realistic and fun is a feat of its own. The N64’s library was full of the most realistic and exciting sports games of its time, with titles like NFL Blitz and Tony Hawk Pro Skater being absolute fan-favorites. With the new Rumble Pak, players could now feel every hit in football, feel the crack of the bat in baseball, or the excitement of soccer right in the palm of their hand. The N64 was full of awesome sports games that are easily some of the best ever.

Mario Golf

The fun of golf has been brought to the Mushroom Kingdom, giving players the full course experience with their favorite characters. The player will start with four recognizable Mario characters to play as. To unlock more, the player must challenge the character to a nine-hole game of golf. All of the courses are recognizable locations around the Mushroom Kingdom such as Princess Peach’s castle.

This game is also perfect for any skill-group, allowing players of varying ability to take on courses that they are comfortable with. There are also plenty of game modes, such as mini-golf or time attack to change up the gameplay nicely. Mario Golf is an awesome golf game for fans or newcomers alike.


Mario Tennis

Mario is back with even more sports action. Bringing the excitement of tennis to the Mushroom Kingdom, players will now be able to go head-to-head with their favorite Mario characters in awesome tennis matches. This title is also great for players of any skill-level, allowing the game to help out less experienced players.

Mario Tennis is easy to learn but hard to master - the control scheme is easy to pick up, but landing perfect hits requires some skill as the player learns more about the game. There are also plenty of game modes which change up the gameplay nicely such as a Bowser battle or a power-up mode. Mario Tennis is a blast to play and one of the best sports titles on the N64.


International Superstar Soccer ‘98

Soccer fans rejoice! Konami has brought players the best soccer title on the system with International Superstar Soccer ‘98. This title is focused on the 1998 FIFA World Cup, allowing gamers to pick some of their favorite players from the era and duke it out for the highest award in soccer.

There are plenty of game modes in this title allowing for fans to play as they please. These modes include Open Match, International Cup, World League, Scenario, Penalty Kick Mode, and Training which each offer their own way to play the world’s favorite game. International Superstar Soccer ‘98 is the best soccer game on the N64 and great for fans of the sport.


Madden NFL 2001

The excitement of football has been brought to the Nintendo 64 with Madden NFL 2001. Gamers will now be able to play as their favorite players of the era in awesome games. There are plenty of ways to play in this game as well such as creating a player, creating a play, running a franchise, collecting Madden cards, and adding new rules to the game.

The player is also able to unlock new stadiums from around the country and even the Hall of Fame. Players can use Madden cards to create their dream team and take them all the way to the Super Bowl. Madden NFL 2001 is easily the best football game for the N64.


NFL Blitz 2000

Developed by Midway, NFL Blitz 2000 gives football some awesome arcade action. For the first time ever, four-player mode is supported in a football game, allowing four friends to duke it out in awesome NFL style.

This game allows the player to customize and take control of everything. Players can now make new offensive, defensive plays and make calls on the line of scrimmage. This title also includes Blitz passing, which allows players to quickly launch the ball across the field with just the touch of a button. This title is great for players who just want to pick up and play.


Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

The best skating game in history is back for another run. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 takes everything that made the original awesome and makes it even better. There are three modes in this title to try your skills out in. Career mode allows the player to control one of thirteen pro skaters or create their own character and work their way up through the skating world. There is also a two-player mode and a graffiti mode to play through.

This title brings players the brand-new skate park editor as well, which allows players to create their optimal park for pulling off crazy tricks. This is a perfect successor to the original title and must-play for everyone.


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  • Updated September 18, 2020