5 Nintendo 64 Game Franchises That Need a Comeback Now More Than Ever

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When the Nintendo 64 came out in 1996, it quickly became one of the most popular gaming consoles. At the time, most games were moving to CDs, but Nintendo continued to use cartridges. They prioritized creating high-quality games that really showcased the power of the console’s 64-bit processor, and they didn’t focus on using a lot of video footage. This resulted in a library of amazing games that players still enjoy today. While many of these classics are still played, some haven’t gotten the attention they deserve. These five game series were all fan favorites on the N64, and it’s time for them to make a return.

1) Conker’s Bad Fur Day

Okay, so if you’re talking about N64 games with a seriously dedicated fanbase, Conker’s Bad Fur Day is definitely at the top of the list. Rare really made something special with this platformer. You play as Conker, this totally messed-up squirrel – he’s an alcoholic and a bit of a greedy jerk – and he’s rushing home because his girlfriend, Berri, is gonna be mad if she finds out he was out all night. The game got an M rating because it’s hilariously dark, which is exactly why people love it. It’s full of pop culture jokes and Conker constantly breaks the fourth wall, making it a really fun ride. Honestly, the original game is mostly just available as part of the Rare Replay collection. There was a little something called Conker’s Big Reunion as DLC for a game called Project Spark back in 2015, but it didn’t really bring the franchise back. It feels like a one-off, which is a shame, really.

2) Diddy Kong Racing

Kart racing games became incredibly popular in the 1990s, largely thanks to Super Mario Kart. The Donkey Kong franchise joined the fun with Diddy Kong Racing, which came out in 1997 for the Nintendo 64. It’s a really enjoyable kart racer and was a big success for the console. Although a sequel was planned for the GameCube, it was never made. The game did get a remake called Diddy Kong Racing DS for the Nintendo DS in 2007, but that’s been the only addition to the series. It’s been almost 20 years since then, and fans are still hoping for a new Diddy Kong Racing game, with online rumors suggesting one might be in the works.

3) Star Fox

Released in 1997 for the Nintendo 64, Star Fox 64 revitalized the Star Fox series. It was a huge hit – the best-selling game in the franchise – and notably the first to use the N64’s Rumble Pak. Beloved for its characters and gameplay, Star Fox has seen several follow-up games, most recently Star Fox Zero on the Wii U in 2016. Surprisingly, Star Fox 2, originally made for the Super Nintendo, wasn’t officially released until 2017. Now, fans are eager to see the franchise return to modern consoles, as it’s been almost ten years since the last new game was released – a long time for such a popular series to be inactive.

4) Banjo-Kazooie

Released in 1998 for the N64, Banjo-Kazooie quickly became a beloved series with several follow-up games. Developed by Rare, the platformer stars Banjo and his bird companion, Kazooie, on a quest to save Banjo’s sister from a witch by exploring nine different worlds. The game’s creators also made Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, and you can definitely see similarities in style. Banjo-Kazooie was a commercial success, leading to four sequels, the last of which, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, came out on the Xbox 360 in 2008. If Nintendo wants to release a new game in the series, they’d need to work out a deal with Microsoft, who now owns Rare – and it’s something they should absolutely do.

5) Perfect Dark

The Nintendo 64 was home to many fantastic first-person shooter games, and while GoldenEye 007 is the one most people remember, Perfect Dark often gets overlooked. Developed by Rare and released in 2000, the game follows Joanna Dark as she works to stop an alien plot. It’s similar to Rare’s earlier 007 game, sharing many of the same gameplay elements but with improvements and new features. Perfect Dark was successful and spawned a sequel and a remastered version in 2010. A complete remake was started, but Microsoft canceled it after showing a preview, leaving the future of Perfect Dark uncertain.

What Nintendo 64 game series would you love to see updated for today’s consoles? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-09 17:18