Is The N64 Crippled for 2D games? or "How many 2D games exist for N64?"

[Segataritensoftii]

Basically, this is a spin off on the topic "PSX Was Crippled in the 2D area?". Ever noticed that there were next to no 2D games for the N64? Last time I counted, the amount was somewhere in the single digits! Looking back, it's a marvel that Yoshi's Story got as much recognition as it did. Apparently, Nintendo really meant it when they said that the N64 was going to be a console for 3D games.

 

I challenge anyone to find more than 10 2D (2.5D allowed) games for the N64. I don't think it's possible! And, thomasholzer, I think I'm beginning to see why you think N64 is the worst console of all time: No 2D games! Am I right?

[Ross PK]

I think the N64 is one of the worst consoles of all time too. I just didn't really enjoy anything on that console exept for Goldeneye and Mission Impossible. Also, every single racing game apart from FZero X that I had tried had no sensation of speed and/or really, REALLY, awful handling. What was up with that?

 

Anyway, maybe the more niche' developers weren't that interested in making games for the N64 for some reason? Maybe because more niche' games like 2D ones wouldn't sell that great, then since they have to be on expensive carts the developers wouldn't make enough money back, as opposed to cheap CD's.

Edited August 2, 2007 by Ross PK

[bust3dstr8]

I only have 3 outta like 50ish games....and I can't think of anymore.

 

Bangaioh

Starcraft

Mischeif Makers

 

 

The N64 only had one shmup .....ya this console really sux.

[Prodos8]

I only have two, iirc, Star Soldier Vanishing Earth and Command and Conquer.

[Ross PK]

Were the 2D graphics blurry like the 3D ones? Were the colours also gaudy like the 3D ones?

 

If so that could also be a reason for why developers didn't put many 2D games on it.

[SINGLE TOOTH]

Command and conquer has 3d in it.

[BydoEmpire]

I really liked Killer Instinct Gold.

[vdub_bobby]

Aren't these all 2D (or 2 1/2 D)?

 

Asteroids Hyper 64

Dr. Mario 64

Killer Instinct Gold

ClayFighter: The Sculptor's Cut

Mortal Kombat Trilogy

ClayFighter 63 1/3

Micro Machines 64 Turbo

Yoshi's Story

Bust-A-Move 2: Arcade Edition

Bust-A-Move '99

Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits Volume I (Defender, Joust, Spy Hunter, Robotron, Sinistar)

Namco Museum 64 (Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Galaxian, and Dig Dug)

Star Soldier: Vanishing Earth

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (IGN calls it 2 1/2D in their review)

Goemon's Great Adventure (same)

Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero

Mischief Makers

Tigger's Honey Hunt (2 1/2 D)

Worms Armageddon

Rampage World Tour

[Atari5200]

i thought the main reason for lack of software for the N64 was basically the expense of making cartridge games vs. Cd software, and I think that era was the 3d or nothing era where no matter what the hell the game was, it had to be 3d.

 

But the N64 would have been great at 2d, look at the Neo Geo AES, it's less powerful, but because it's cartridge base, NO LOADING, it could run straight from the cartridge and so could the N64, so of all the systems in that era, N64 would have been best at 2d.

 

2d is ram dependent. PS1 didn't have enough with no expansion, Saturn had the 1mb and 4mb expansion cart, N64 cartridge is basically the ram.

Edited August 2, 2007 by Atari5200

[vdub_bobby]

I think the N64 is one of the worst consoles of all time too.

 

ya this console really sux.

 

And, thomasholzer, I think I'm beginning to see why you think N64 is the worst console of all time

 

Like other semi-failed consoles before it - the Colecovision, the 5200, the 7800, the SMS, the TG-16, the 3DO, the Intellivision, the Odyssey2 - the N64 has a limited library. There are whole genres that are largely unfilled or don't have any good representatives, like RPGs, 2D platformers, 2D shooters. If that's the kind of game you like, the N64 will disappoint you. If you like FPS, well, with GoldenEye, Perfect Dark, a couple of Turok games, and a couple of ok Quake ports, you've got a nifty little system. If you like action-adventure-almost-RPGs, well between the two Zelda games, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, and Resident Evil 2 you're alright. If you like racing, you've got Wave Race 64, Beetle Adventure Racing, Excitebike 64, the Cruis'n series, WipeOut 64, F-Zero X, San Francisco Rush, so you're doing ok. Etc., etc.

[Segataritensoftii]

i thought the main reason for lack of software for the N64 was basically the expense of making cartridge games vs. Cd software, and I think that era was the 3d or nothing era where no matter what the hell the game was, it had to be 3d.

 

But the N64 would have been great at 2d, look at the Neo Geo AES, it's less powerful, but because it's cartridge base, NO LOADING, it could run straight from the cartridge and so could the N64, so of all the systems in that era, N64 would have been best at 2d.

Oh,

[plaidbrad3141]

Speaking of a limited library, how many U.S. releases were there for N64? I thought it was about 303. Is that correct? Space Invaders was a decent 2D shooter on this platform.

[kevincal]

Basically, this is a spin off on the topic "PSX Was Crippled in the 2D area?". Ever noticed that there were next to no 2D games for the N64? Last time I counted, the amount was somewhere in the single digits! Looking back, it's a marvel that Yoshi's Story got as much recognition as it did. Apparently, Nintendo really meant it when they said that the N64 was going to be a console for 3D games.

 

I challenge anyone to find more than 10 2D (2.5D allowed) games for the N64. I don't think it's possible! And, thomasholzer, I think I'm beginning to see why you think N64 is the worst console of all time: No 2D games! Am I right?

 

Sorry, but it makes you look sooooo ignorant saying the N64 is the worst console of all time. Most people that actually have a clue in the videogame world (i.e. have owned 10+ consoles of various makes and aren't extremely biased towards one company... ) Most true gamers would rate the N64 near the top of all time BEST systems...

[kevincal]

How can you go wrong with:

 

Super Mario 64 (Legendary)

Pilotwings 64

Waverace 64 (Legendary)

the Zeldas (Legendary)

KI: Gold

Mischief Makers

Mario Kart 64 (Legendary)

Diddy Kong Racing (I think should be Legendary)

Doom 64

Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

Tetrisphere

Goldeneye 007 (Legendary)

Starfox 64

Turok 1

Wipeout 64

etc. etc.

Edited August 2, 2007 by kevincal

[kevincal]

1080 snowboarding

[2600Lives]

Agreed, I love the 64. Some DAMN fine games for that particular system.

 

Legend Of Zelda OOT

Goldeneye

Perfect Dark

Hybrid Heaven (criminally underrated)

Mario 64

Turok 1 and 2

Great version of Resident Evil 2

Doom 64 (WOEFULLY overlooked)

Shadowgate 64 (another overlooked game)

Super Smash Brothers

 

There are others I'm forgetting to be sure, but I love my 64. It's still a blast to revisit old faves like Mario 64 and Turok 2.

[gdement]

But the N64 would have been great at 2d, look at the Neo Geo AES, it's less powerful, but because it's cartridge base, NO LOADING, it could run straight from the cartridge and so could the N64, so of all the systems in that era, N64 would have been best at 2d.

 

2d is ram dependent. PS1 didn't have enough with no expansion, Saturn had the 1mb and 4mb expansion cart, N64 cartridge is basically the ram.

 

The N64 has to preload the graphics into the console RAM - that's why it has 2-4MB (or whatever the amount is). It's not able to render graphics directly from the cartridge ROM, but if there were some reason to persue it then maybe it's technically possible to build a cart that could support that.

 

Regardless of popularity, I like the N64 better than the Playstation, largely because of the fact it uses cartridges.

[figgler]

There were some really great gmaes for N64 to be sure. Nintendo and Rare made some of the best games ever made for that system.

Unfortunately I feel like there are about 10 or 12 games that are totally awesome, all-time greats, then just a bunch of other stuff. Part of what makes a system great to me is discovering great titles I've never played and with N64 I don't think I can.

 

And - I know it's been mentioned, but as soon as I saw this thread I though "Mischief Makers". It's the only 2D game I ever played for 64, and a pretty great (and difficult) one too.

 

Shake Shake!

[+5-11under]

I won a N64 a few months ago. I love racing games, and WaveRace 64 is my favourite of all time. I also love the fact that it runs cartridges. I don't think I'll ever buy a system that uses discs.

Thanks,

5-11under

[Ross PK]

I think the N64 is one of the worst consoles of all time too.

 

ya this console really sux.

 

And, thomasholzer, I think I'm beginning to see why you think N64 is the worst console of all time

 

Like other semi-failed consoles before it - the Colecovision, the 5200, the 7800, the SMS, the TG-16, the 3DO, the Intellivision, the Odyssey2 - the N64 has a limited library. There are whole genres that are largely unfilled or don't have any good representatives, like RPGs, 2D platformers, 2D shooters. If that's the kind of game you like, the N64 will disappoint you. If you like FPS, well, with GoldenEye, Perfect Dark, a couple of Turok games, and a couple of ok Quake ports, you've got a nifty little system. If you like action-adventure-almost-RPGs, well between the two Zelda games, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, and Resident Evil 2 you're alright. If you like racing, you've got Wave Race 64, Beetle Adventure Racing, Excitebike 64, the Cruis'n series, WipeOut 64, F-Zero X, San Francisco Rush, so you're doing ok. Etc., etc.

 

I like a lot of different types of games, and while it's library may have been limited, all in all there were still a lot of games for the system, and to me personally it's good to bad ratio was very poor, to the extent that there were only two games that I enjoyed on it.

 

Everything else I had either tried and taken back to the shop, or it just didn't seem like my kind of thing or that great in the first place so I never even bothered to buy it or try it out.

 

Sorry, I don't mean to sound like I'm trolling the system, I just didn't really like it at all.

 

It seems to be similar with all Nintendo systems though, I've tried the Snes and Nes emulators and the overwhelming majority of games on them just don't do anything for me at all and I can't see what all the fuss is about. I know people will laugh at this but to me as far as the games are concerned they don't hold a candle to the 2600 or the Atari 8-bit computers.

 

Also, I've just never enjoyed Nintendo's first party games either. They do seem like well made good quality games, but the gameplay/enjoyment just doesn't seem to be there and I really can't see what all the fuss is about with these either. The only first party Nintendo games that I like are Donkey Kong and Donkey Kongf Jr.

 

This is why I wont bother getting a Wii, as well as the impression from what I've seen of it that it probably isn't really for me anyway. It is great to see an oldskool company like Nintendo come out on top again though.

Edited August 3, 2007 by Ross PK

[Atari5200]

the n64 isn't the best system i've ever played, but it's far from the worst. It has quite a few good-great games for it. I haven't found a system yet to upend the 7800 as the worst system of all time.

[kevincal]

I won a N64 a few months ago. I love racing games, and WaveRace 64 is my favourite of all time. I also love the fact that it runs cartridges. I don't think I'll ever buy a system that uses discs.

Thanks,

5-11under

 

I bought Waverace 64 the day it came out in 1996. It was my 2nd game after Mario 64...Now, I had read a little about Waverace being good and all, but I was really floored when I got it home and saw how amazing it was. The look and feel of the waves was unreal and the control was spot on. This game is truly a masterpiece, imo.

[kevincal]

I think the N64 is one of the worst consoles of all time too.

 

ya this console really sux.

 

And, thomasholzer, I think I'm beginning to see why you think N64 is the worst console of all time

 

Like other semi-failed consoles before it - the Colecovision, the 5200, the 7800, the SMS, the TG-16, the 3DO, the Intellivision, the Odyssey2 - the N64 has a limited library. There are whole genres that are largely unfilled or don't have any good representatives, like RPGs, 2D platformers, 2D shooters. If that's the kind of game you like, the N64 will disappoint you. If you like FPS, well, with GoldenEye, Perfect Dark, a couple of Turok games, and a couple of ok Quake ports, you've got a nifty little system. If you like action-adventure-almost-RPGs, well between the two Zelda games, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, and Resident Evil 2 you're alright. If you like racing, you've got Wave Race 64, Beetle Adventure Racing, Excitebike 64, the Cruis'n series, WipeOut 64, F-Zero X, San Francisco Rush, so you're doing ok. Etc., etc.

 

I think it's rather ludicrous grouping the N64 with these other "lesser" systems! These other systems just don't have the type of classics that the N64 has...

[vdub_bobby]

I like a lot of different types of games, and while it's library may have been limited, all in all there were still a lot of games for the system, and to me personally it's good to bad ratio was very poor, to the extent that there were only two games that I enjoyed on it.

The N64 has a lot of good games, but I'd say only like 5, maybe that are truly great. GoldenEye, the two Zeldas, Super Mario 64, maybe a few others. So if you don't like any of that handful of great games, I can understand how you wouldn't think much of the system as a whole.

 

It seems to be similar with all Nintendo systems though, I've tried the Snes and Nes emulators and the overwhelming majority of games on them just don't do anything for me at all and I can't see what all the fuss is about. I know people will laugh at this but to me as far as the games are concerned they don't hold a candle to the 2600 or the Atari 8-bit computers.

Now that is just silly.

 

The NES and the SNES had huge, wide libraries, with at least one or two truly great games in almost every genre.

 

The 2600, sure it's the king, it stands tall with every other system, but the Atari computers? I love the 400/XL/XE line, I've got a 130XE with all the fixings, but despite it's huge library it has some big holes.

[Ross PK]

What do you mean by big holes, that you think most of the games weren't good?