The Nintendo 64 wasn’t exactly known for its RPGs, but the ones it had hit differently. These games experimented, often blending genres or leaning into quirky mechanics that made them stand out. I still remember the thrill of uncovering secrets in Paper Mario or battling aliens in the bizarre yet brilliant Hybrid Heaven. These were games that dared to be bold, delivering adventures that felt fresh and memorable even years later. And it’s the time of games we like to rediscover decades later.
Here’s my list of the best RPGs on N64.
16. Mega Man 64 (2001)
Mega Man 64 brings the blue bomber into 3D, and it’s as weird as it is wonderful. You play as MegaMan Volnutt, a digger searching for treasure and fighting off rogue machines on Kattelox Island. The story starts simple but spirals into something deeper as you uncover the island’s secrets and deal with the mischievous Bonne Family and their bumbling Servbots.
The exploration feels fresh. Kattelox Island is packed with ruins, shops, and quirky NPCs who add flavor to the adventure. The Sub-Gates, hidden across the island, are dark, maze-like dungeons filled with dangerous Reaverbots and valuable loot. Finding upgrades like the Buster Cannon or the Jet Skates opens up new areas and makes revisiting old ones exciting.
Combat is all about movement and timing. Locking onto enemies while dodging attacks feels fluid, and the bosses are a highlight. Fighting Teisel Bonne in his towering mech or dealing with the relentless Mega Reaverbot in the Main Gate kept me on edge. Upgrading your gear with Zenny, the in-game currency, lets you customize MegaMan’s playstyle, whether you focus on rapid fire or explosive power.
The visuals are charmingly blocky, but it’s the characters that steal the show. Roll Caskett, your mechanic and best friend, is always tinkering with new gadgets to help you. Even the Bonnes, your enemies, are impossible to hate with their over-the-top antics and hilarious banter. It’s a game that thrives on its personality and ambition, even when it gets rough around the edges.
15. Shiren the Wanderer 2 (2000)
Shiren the Wanderer 2 is a roguelike that pulls no punches. You play as Shiren, a wandering samurai, and his adorable talking weasel sidekick Koppa, as they navigate randomly generated dungeons filled with traps, treasures, and enemies that want you gone. The stakes are always high because dying means starting over with nothing.
The dungeons are the star of the show. Each time you enter, they shift, so no two runs feel the same. The Mountaintop Fortress stands out with its narrow corridors and enemies waiting to ambush you. The River Caverns throw a curveball, making you deal with water tiles that slow your movement and leave you open to attacks.
What makes the game addictive is the loot. Finding a Windslash Katana or a Talisman Shield can completely change your run. But the real challenge is deciding whether to use them immediately or save them for later floors. Then there are items like Warp Scrolls, which can save you from certain death by teleporting you out of a sticky situation. It’s a constant push-and-pull between risk and reward.
The art style adds a layer of charm to the tension. Bright, colorful sprites make the dangerous enemies and traps feel less intimidating, at least at first. But the moment an Oni Warrior corners you or a hidden spike trap takes half your health, the game reminds you how brutal it can be. Every run feels like a fresh story, filled with surprises and hard-won victories.
14. Flying Dragon (1997)
Flying Dragon is two games in one, and that’s what makes it so fascinating. On one hand, it’s a fast-paced fighting game with flashy combos and quick reflexes. On the other, it’s a full-on RPG experience where leveling up and collecting gear takes center stage. Switching between these modes feels like having the best of both worlds.
The characters are where it shines. Ryuhi, the main hero, is a classic martial artist with a deadly spinning kick. Shouryu, his rival, fights with an aggressive style that makes every match intense. Then there’s Suzaku, the masked enigma, whose moves feel calculated and precise. Each fighter has their own flair, and mastering them feels satisfying.
The RPG elements in the SD (Super Deformed) mode are what hooked me. Instead of just fighting, you gather weapons, armor, and accessories to power up your character. Finding rare items like the Dragon Gauntlet or the Celestial Blade felt like a huge win. The progression system made every battle feel important, especially when facing tougher opponents in tournaments.
The stages are vibrant and varied. The Mountain Dojo is peaceful yet intense, with its rolling fog and distant chimes setting the mood. The Fire Temple, though, raises the stakes with glowing lava pits and fiery backdrops that make every fight feel dramatic. Each arena brings its own vibe, adding to the excitement of the match.
13. Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers (1999)
Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers drops you into a dark, atmospheric world that feels eerie and mysterious. You play as Del, a humble traveler caught in a dangerous conspiracy involving an evil sorcerer and a cursed castle. The story unfolds through exploration and clever puzzles, making every discovery feel earned.
The Four Towers are the heart of the game. Each one feels different, with its own vibe and challenges. The Tower of Trials had me holding my breath, with narrow pathways and deadly traps at every turn. The Crypt? That place gave me chills. The dim lighting and ghostly whispers made every step feel like I was being watched.
What makes it stand out are the items and how they tie into the puzzles. The Torch isn’t just for light. It reveals hidden details in the shadows and creates a sense of urgency as it burns down. Finding the Emerald Key to unlock a sealed door feels like uncovering a piece of the castle’s history. Every item has a purpose, and figuring out where and when to use them kept me glued to the screen.
The music and sound design pull you in. The ominous tones of the castle echo as you wander its halls, and the creak of ancient doors adds to the tension. The story doesn’t rely on flashy action but instead focuses on slow, methodical progress. It’s the kind of game that rewards patience and curiosity, with every corner offering something unexpected.
12. Super Robot Wars 64 (1999)
Super Robot Wars 64 is a made for mecha anime fans. It’s packed with robots from shows like Mobile Suit Gundam, Mazinger Z, and Getter Robo, throwing them into a massive strategy RPG. Watching Amuro Ray’s Gundam square off against Koji Kabuto’s Mazinger Z felt like an epic crossover I never knew I needed.
The combat system is all about positioning and timing. Each turn, you move your units across a grid and unleash powerful attacks. Seeing your mech fire off a Hyper Bazooka or pull off a Rocket Punch is incredibly satisfying. The animations make every battle feel cinematic, especially when you bring out the heavy hitters like Char Aznable’s Sazabi.
The customization is what really hooked me. Upgrading your mechs with stronger weapons and better armor gives you a real sense of progression. Finding hidden characters and unlocking bonus units like Combattler V added layers of strategy. Do you invest in a smaller, faster squad or beef up your favorites with maxed-out stats? The choice is yours.
The maps range from space battles to ruined cities, each one filled with enemies that feel like they stepped straight out of an anime episode. One of my favorite moments was holding the line against waves of Zeon Zakus while my Great Mazinger charged up its Thunder Break attack. The mix of nostalgia and strategy makes every turn feel thrilling.
11. Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2
Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2 were the ultimate playgrounds for trainers who wanted to see their battles come to life. Watching your Charizard unleash a flaming Fire Blast or your Blastoise firing a massive Hydro Pump on a 3D screen felt like magic. The stadium environments added to the hype, with crowds roaring as your Pokémon went head-to-head.
The rental Pokémon roster was a lifesaver for anyone who didn’t have a Game Boy or the right cartridge. But plugging in your Pokémon Red, Blue, or Gold cartridges into the Transfer Pak was a total game-changer. Seeing your trained team rendered in 3D, ready to take on Gym Leaders and the Elite Four, was the coolest thing ever.
It had mini-games too. Clefairy Says in the first game felt like Pokémon Simon Says, and it was maddeningly fun. By the time Pokémon Stadium 2 added games like Egg Emergency, where you catch eggs as Chansey, or Delibird’s Delivery, which had you stuffing gifts into a sack, I was hooked. These games weren’t just side distractions—they became the center of multiplayer showdowns with friends.
The challenges were tough but worth it. Beating the Prime Cup or conquering Round 2 in Pokémon Stadium 2 felt like bragging rights. It wasn’t just about battling. It was about strategy, knowing your matchups, and pulling off that perfect Thunderbolt to seal the win.
10. Gauntlet Legends (1998)
Gauntlet Legends is pure arcade chaos brought to the N64. Whether you played solo or with friends, it felt like an adventure that never stopped moving. You could choose between the Warrior, Valkyrie, Wizard, and Archer, each with their own strengths. The Warrior crushed enemies up close, while the Wizard dropped devastating magic that cleared entire rooms.
The levels were sprawling, packed with enemies pouring out of generators like it was their full-time job. The Mountain Kingdom always stood out to me. It’s filled with lava pits, narrow bridges, and fire-breathing dragons that had me on edge the whole time. Then there’s the Underworld, which brings a darker vibe with skeletons and demons around every corner.
The power-ups made the madness even more fun. Finding the Turbo Boost let you mow through enemies at lightning speed. The Phoenix Familiar gave you a little firebird buddy to roast your enemies for you. And when all else failed, grabbing a Potion and watching it explode in a burst of blue flames was the ultimate crowd control.
Playing with friends turned the chaos into pure fun. Everyone scrambling for treasure while fighting hordes of enemies was hilarious. But the best part was always the boss fights. Facing the Dragon and taking it down felt like winning a war.
9. Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (1997)
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon feels like a Saturday morning cartoon, but weirder. You play as Goemon, a blue-haired ninja who’s always looking for adventure. The story kicks off when a giant flying peach-shaped spaceship shows up to turn Japan into a stage. It’s bonkers in the best way.
The cast is unforgettable. Ebisumaru is your goofy sidekick who’s always up for a dance. Sasuke, the pint-sized robotic ninja, brings precision and speed. And Yae, the green-haired samurai with a mermaid transformation that turns underwater segments into a breeze. Switching between characters on the fly adds depth to both puzzles and combat.
The levels are just as wild. Oedo Castle, the game’s opening dungeon, is packed with traps, platforming, and catchy music that’ll live in your head rent-free. Later, the Festival Temple Castle ups the ante with tricky puzzles and surreal enemies like robotic cats. Each area is packed with secrets, making exploration feel rewarding.
Combat blends action and silliness. Goemon wields a pipe for close-quarters brawling but can throw coins for ranged attacks. Items like the Chain Pipe let you swing across gaps, adding a touch of strategy to battles and exploration. And the giant robot boss fights are pure chaos. Piloting Impact, Goemon’s massive robot, and smashing enemies to a ridiculously catchy theme song is the kind of ridiculous fun you didn’t know you needed.
8. Hybrid Heaven (1999)
In Hybrid Heaven, you play as Johnny Slater, a secret agent who gets caught in a bizarre conspiracy involving alien clones and underground bunkers. It gets weirder. From the first fight with a mutated humanoid, it’s clear this isn’t your average action RPG.
The combat is wild. It’s a mix of turn-based strategy and wrestling moves. Instead of just selecting “attack,” you’re pulling off suplexes and dropkicks. Building up your character’s abilities lets you string together combos that feel more like a fighting game. Watching Johnny flip an alien over his shoulder never gets old.
The levels are a mix of sterile sci-fi hallways and creepy bio-labs. The underground facility is massive, with hidden doors and elevators leading to even stranger places. One minute, you’re dodging security drones. The next, you’re knee-deep in a glowing green lab fighting a grotesque boss like the Cerebrus, a freaky dog-like creature with too many teeth.
Finding new weapons and items adds to the fun. Equipping the Photon Rifle gives you a break from all the grappling. And healing items like Nano Gel keep you alive during the tougher fights. Every encounter feels like it could go either way, keeping the tension high. The mix of hand-to-hand combat, tech, and aliens makes Hybrid Heaven impossible to forget.
7. Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage (2001)
Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage is one of the N64’s boldest RPGs. You play as Alaron, a reckless squire who ends up poisoned by a goblin and must search for a cure. Along the way, you discover his true potential as a mage, and the story spirals into a journey about betrayal, war, and ancient magic.
The sheer scale of the game is what hooked me. Aidyn Chronicles feels enormous, with open fields, dark forests and full-on sprawling cities. Exploring Erromon, the mystical home of the elves, was one of my favorite moments. The city glows with magical energy and feels like a place out of a fairy tale. Contrast that with the creepy Goblin Caves, where shadows move and the walls feel alive, and you’ve got a world that’s constantly surprising you.
The characters are what kept me invested. Rheda, the pragmatic sorceress, brought serious firepower to my party. Brenna, the sneaky thief, felt essential for looting and pulling off tricky maneuvers in battle. And let’s not forget Godric, the knight with a tragic backstory that makes him more than just a tank. Every recruitable character has a role to play, and deciding who to bring felt like crafting my own team of misfits.
Combat is turn-based and leans heavily on strategy. Spells like Fireball and Lightning feel powerful but need careful planning since mana is limited. Finding and equipping rare items like the Crown of Arcane Wisdom or Dragon Scales made battles even more intense. The stakes are always high, especially when facing massive foes like the Drakar, a dragon that tests your skills and patience in equal measure.
6. Quest 64 (1998)
Quest 64 is one of those games that feels like it’s daring you to explore. You play as Brian, a young apprentice mage on a mission to find his father and recover the stolen Eletale Book. The story is simple, but the real focus is on magic and adventure. Every battle feels like a chance to experiment with your growing arsenal of spells.
The magic system is what sets it apart. You build your spells by finding elemental spirits scattered across the land. Want to summon a massive fireball? Invest in fire. Prefer healing or defensive magic? Focus on water. I spent hours tinkering with my elements, finding what worked best for me. By the time I unlocked Earthquake, I felt unstoppable.
The world feels massive, with sprawling fields, forests, and villages to explore. Dondoran Castle stood out to me, with its NPCs who had more personality than I expected. And the Blue Cave felt endless with its winding paths and glowing enemies. The moment I finally escaped into the sunlight was such a relief.
The battles are a mix of strategy and timing. You can move around the battlefield to dodge attacks or position yourself for a perfect spell. It’s simple but keeps you engaged. Items like Healing Potions and Wings (which teleport you back to towns) were critical. You’ll need them when facing bosses like Shilf, the wind spirit, who tests both your patience and your magic skills.
5. Harvest Moon 64 (1999)
Harvest Moon 64 is the game that taught me farming could be fun. The premise is simple: you inherit a rundown farm and have to turn it into something your late grandfather would be proud of. But it’s not just about planting crops and raising cows. It’s about building a life, making friends, and maybe even finding love.
The characters make the game feel alive. Ann, the fiery redhead, spends her days at the Green Ranch. She’s always my go-to bachelorette, mostly because of her love for animals and my accidental habit of giving her wildflowers. Then there’s Kai, the carefree wanderer who runs the beach shack in summer. His love for pineapples is almost as iconic as his bandana. Every villager has a personality, and getting to know them feels like you’re part of the town.
Running the farm is surprisingly addicting. Watering crops every day sounds dull, but watching a tiny Turnip sprout into something worth selling feels so rewarding. Finding the Power Berries hidden around the map gives you more stamina, which means more work gets done before passing out from exhaustion. And raising animals like chickens, cows, and sheep isn’t just for money. Naming my first chicken Nugget was pure joy.
The festivals are where the game really shines. The Spring Horse Races let you bet on your favorite horse or enter your own if you’ve trained it enough. The Harvest Festival is a giant potluck where you can toss in ingredients, good or bad, just to see what happens. Each event brings the town together and gives you something to look forward to.
4. Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (1999)
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber is the kind of game that makes you feel like a general. From the moment I took control of Magnus Gallant, a young officer thrown into a bloody rebellion, I was hooked. The stakes feel huge right away, with battles that play out like epic chess matches where every move can make or break your army.
The squad-based combat is where it shines. You decide their formation, their leader, and even their morality. Want a team of knights flanking a mage while a cleric heals from the back? Done. Each choice matters, especially when the game throws tougher enemies like Black Knights or Cockatrices into the mix. Watching your strategies play out in the semi-real-time battles is incredibly satisfying.
The story feels alive because of its branching paths. Helping the downtrodden Southern Rebels leads you one way, while siding with the corrupt Palatinean Kingdom takes you down another. And then there are the morally gray decisions that pit loyalty against justice. Characters like Leia Silvis, the steadfast healer, and Destin Faroda, a rebel-turned-hero, make these choices hit even harder.
The customization is wild. The Class System lets you turn soldiers into powerhouse Dragoon Knights, spell-slinging Sorceresses, or even the undead. Finding rare items like the Hellfire Sword or promoting your troops to elite classes is addictive. Every decision feels like it’s shaping your army into something personal, which makes victories even sweeter.
Even the maps stand out. Fort Allamoot had me sweating with its tricky terrain and endless ambushes, while the snowy plains of Volmus Mine looked beautiful and brutal at the same time. Every mission feels different, and the stakes keep rising.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000)
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is the game that made me feel time slipping through my fingers. It’s haunting in the best way. You have three days to stop Termina’s moon—a giant, terrifying face of a moon—from crashing down. Every second matters. The pressure is constant, but the world feels alive, with characters going about their routines like nothing’s wrong. It’s eerie.
The masks are what make it unforgettable. The Deku Mask turns Link into a spry little Deku scrub who can hop across water like a skipping stone. The Zora Mask lets you swim with the grace of a dolphin and attack with razor-sharp fins. But the Goron Mask was my favorite. Rolling around as a Goron, picking up speed until I was basically a spiked boulder, was ridiculous and amazing.
The dungeons lean into the weird and unsettling vibe. Woodfall Temple is draped in poison and buzzing with enemies, making you feel like you’re deep in a swamp. Then there’s Stone Tower Temple, which flips—literally flips—on its head halfway through. The puzzles are some of the most inventive I’ve seen, and they stick with you.
And let’s not forget Skull Kid, the mischievous, tragic figure at the center of it all. His bond with the Four Giants and descent into chaos after donning Majora’s Mask hits hard, especially when you see his lonely past. Fighting Majora’s Incarnation, with its wild, twitchy movements, felt like battling the mask’s pure madness. It’s unsettling and thrilling, all at once.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was the first game to make me feel like I was stepping into a story bigger than me. That opening scene, with Navi darting through Kokiri Forest to wake up a sleepy Link, is burned into my brain. It sets the tone for a journey that starts small but spirals into something massive.
The moment I pulled the Master Sword from its pedestal in the Temple of Time hit me hard. One second I was a kid exploring lush forests and talking to cheeky fairies. The next, I was an adult in a dark, ruined Hyrule, staring at creepy ReDeads shambling in the wreckage of Castle Town. It was heavy, but it pushed me forward. That shift made the stakes feel real.
Each dungeon feels alive in its own way. The twisting corridors of the Forest Temple still make me shiver. Those haunting chants and ghostly Poes made it clear I wasn’t just a kid on an adventure anymore. The Water Temple, which gets a lot of hate, made me feel smart when I figured out its water level puzzles. And I’ll never forget Bongo Bongo, the terrifying drum-slapping boss of the Shadow Temple, who had me sweating as a kid.
But the best part might be the tools. The Hookshot is a personal favorite. Firing it at far-off ledges or yanking enemies closer felt incredible. The Lens of Truth was another standout. It made me paranoid about every wall and floor hiding some terrifying trap. By the time I got the Light Arrows, I felt unstoppable—ready to take on Ganondorf in that epic, organ-fueled final fight.
1. Paper Mario (2000)
Paper Mario feels like the moment when your favorite cartoon and a big adventure game collide. It’s bright, silly, and packed with surprises, but it also has just enough depth to keep you hooked. The paper aesthetic adds this fun twist where everything feels like a craft project come to life. Mario flips sideways to squeeze through cracks, enemies fold up and blow away, and even the trees sway like flat props on a stage.
The characters are a big part of what makes it shine. Goombario is this wide-eyed Goomba who’s always got something nerdy to say about the enemies you fight. He’s basically your walking strategy guide. Bombette, a pink Bob-omb, is all sass and explosions, helping you solve puzzles by literally blowing walls to bits. Then there’s Lady Bow, who is both a fancy ghost with a fan and the partner who taught me the joy of smacking enemies silly.
Every level feels like its own quirky little story. Shy Guy’s Toy Box might be my favorite. It’s a pastel dream filled with trains, giant blocks, and those sneaky Shy Guys stealing stuff from the townsfolk. And Dry Dry Ruins, hidden in the middle of a scorching desert, has all these Indiana Jones-style puzzles that made me feel like a genius when I solved them.
Combat is where things really click. The Action Command system lets you land extra hits if you press the button at the right time. It turns every jump or hammer strike into a tiny test of skill. Badges like Power Smash or Quake Hammer let you customize your attacks, and the Star Spirit powers add a little drama. Nothing beats calling on Shooting Star to finish off a tough fight in style.
The N64 might not have been the go-to console for RPGs, but its lineup proved that creativity and heart can make all the difference. And these characters, levels and mechanics place Paper Mario at the top of the list as the best RPG on N64.
Ready for more N64 recommendations? Check out our list of the best co-op N64 games.