5 Worst N64 Graphics That Aged Terribly

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For many gamers, myself included, the Nintendo 64 era is particularly cherished as it offered our first foray into genuine 3-dimensional gaming landscapes. Back then, the idea of exploring a three-dimensional world sparked our creativity so vividly that we found it simpler to overlook the rudimentary graphics of the time. Interestingly, the earlier era of refined 2D pixel graphics often appeared more visually appealing than the initial attempts at 3D game design in subsequent titles.

Reflecting on these old games over time, it’s clear that some of their graphics still manage to impress, though nostalgia might play a significant role in my appreciation. However, there are certain games from my youth whose outdated visuals I can’t ignore, no matter how fondly I remember them. This list will focus on the more popular N64 games, many of which you may not have noticed have become visually outdated over time.

5. Earthworm Jim 3D

The fascination I developed for the series during my childhood began with “Earthworm Jim” on the SNES, where its quirky and entertaining oddity took the gaming experience beyond the ordinary action platformer. I endeavored to play every game from the series subsequently, and at some stage, even had fun playing Earthworm Jim 3D on the Nintendo 64. However, looking back, it’s clear that there was a significant gap between the 2D Earthworm Jim games and this 3D version.

In simpler terms, the pixelated 3D designs in Earthworm Jim for Nintendo 64 lack the vibrancy that once complemented its lively personality. Moreover, problems with camera angles common among early 3D games, which hadn’t fully grasped optimal viewing strategies, detract from the overall gaming experience. Over time, the graphics have significantly deteriorated, making it less fun to explore and perform whacky actions as Jim compared to previous times.

4. Mega Man 64

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the iconic Mega Man series that faced some challenges during its transition to 3D gaming. In games like Mega Man 64, the textures of the environment are quite jarring when viewed from a modern perspective, and the distance at which characters and objects can be seen is noticeably limited in open areas. While the character models for their time weren’t too shabby, the monotony and haze that envelopes the levels players traverse make navigating through the game a less engaging experience than it ought to be.

The visual challenges in this game might be due to it being a conversion of the PlayStation edition of “Mega Man Legends.” By the time it was released for the N64, its graphics were already quite old-fashioned, and unfortunately, they haven’t aged well over time.

3. South Park Rally

Indeed, “South Park Rally” was a game that marked a significant point in the video game adaptations of the beloved animated series, until its revival in 2014 with “South Park: The Stick of Truth” and its subsequent sequel. I distinctly recall finding “South Park Rally” entertaining back then due to the opportunity it provided to race around the track alongside numerous iconic characters from the show, savoring their witty banter all along.

Initially playing this game was fun, but upon revisiting it now, its rapid speed leaves me feeling queasy and overwhelmed. The hazy textures often make it difficult to identify objects on the screen clearly. Adding to the chaos is the frequent appearance of visual pop-ups that can be so intense they require me to momentarily look away to rest my eyes. Furthermore, the game’s tracks exhibit an unsettling repetition, with snow and trees becoming monotonous after a while, leaving me yearning for variety by the end of a gaming session. It’s impressive that the series has persisted throughout the years, with the latest season of South Park continuing to push boundaries and innovate.

2. Rugrats Scavenger Hunt

One way to rephrase that in a more natural and easy-to-read manner could be: “One game that particularly stands out when thinking about the N64 period is the Rugrats adaptation of Mario Party. I invested numerous hours into it during that time. However, visually, the game has an issue known as ‘darkness’, where developers obscure the lack of draw distance and visual detail by using fog, shadows, or entirely black backgrounds. This artistic choice, along with the persistent texture blurriness, results in a less than appealing visual experience nowadays.

The animated series “Rugrats” was quite the unusual hit in the ’90s, a show that left a lasting impression on many viewers including myself, who eagerly anticipated its first feature films. Remarkably, the series still maintains a dedicated fanbase to this day. Recently, they released “Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland,” but I often wonder what it would be like if they remade an older game like “Rugrats: Scavenger Hunt” with modern graphics. Such a project might necessitate a complete graphic overhaul and a fresh reinterpretation of the game.

1. Superman 64

The New Superman Adventures,” also known as “Superman 64,” is often criticized for its poor gameplay. However, I believe more attention should be given to how poorly the graphics have held up over time. This was one of the few Superman games children from this era would play, but it’s quite difficult to appreciate by today’s visual standards. It ranks high on this list due to a combination of other graphical issues previously mentioned.

In every place Superman travels, there’s an unending haze or gloom that accompanies him, and his rapid movement whizzing by blurry backgrounds can make it challenging to keep your gaze fixed on the screen. The game’s camera, renowned for its difficulty, has persistently been hard to control in both indoor and outdoor settings. Superman appears rather silly-looking, and the environments are remarkably devoid of color, with only occasional splashes to contrast the drab palette employed.

Superman is dogged by a persistent mist or shadow, wherever he ventures, and his swift speed as he whizzes past hazy surfaces makes it tricky to maintain your focus on the screen. The game’s camera, notorious for its complexity, has consistently been a challenge to manage in both enclosed spaces and outdoor landscapes. Superman’s face looks rather goofy, and the surroundings are surprisingly dull, with only rare instances of vibrant hues to offset the monotonous tones used.

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2025-09-05 22:13