The year was 1996 and the gaming industry was about to undergo a seismic shift. 28 years ago today, the iconic Nintendo 64 launched in Japan. It was a landmark console for Nintendo with its 3-D graphics and uniquely designed analog stick controller, still discussed today.
On June 23, the console was released in Japan, only to come to the USA a few short months later, on September 29. The console was the successor to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and the 16-bit era, ushering in a new era of gaming against the already-established PlayStation One.
Nintendo 64 Changed Nintendo’s Fortune Forever
N64 was a landmark console for Nintendo, revolutionizing the company and the industry as a whole.
The development started in 1993 in collaboration with Silicon Graphics. Under the code name ‘Project Reality’, the main goal was to create a console unlike anything before. The ultimate result was the new and improved 64-bit CPU, a controller with an analog stick, and a cartridge system.
The N64’s heart was a then-powerful NEC VR4300 CPU, which pushed for the eponymous switch from 2D to 3D graphics. Another innovative peak of the era was the unified memory system and the option to expand RAM with the Expansion Pak.
N64’s controller was another step forward for the company. The now-iconic three-prong design with an analog stick, directions pad, and multiple buttons proved to be a winning ergonomic design, while also improving on precise movement. While the design hasn’t been repeated since and opinions are divided, it’s no secret that the controller remains one of the unforgettable aspects of the console that changed the gaming industry.
On the other hand, the gaming industry giant went with the Cartridge system, unlike its competitors of the era for the N64, which was highly controversial. While these had faster loading times than CD-ROMs, the limited storage impacted the game’s fidelity. As a result, N64 was the last home console to use game cartridges until the Switch.
Nintendo 64 Games Legacy Started it All
While the console itself was an overhaul to what was possible at the time, the games that came with it cemented its legacy. Titles like Super Mario 64 revolutionized 3D platformers with open worlds to explore. Moreover, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time became another masterpiece with its story and gameplay mechanics. Furthermore, Golden Eye 007 was the game that introduced online multiplayer to consoles, changing the FPS genre years before Call of Duty and other games.
These, alongside classics like Banjo-Kazooie and Diddy Kong Racing, continue to be praised for their creativity, fun factor, and lasting influence.
The N64’s games and the console itself continue to be praised and the influence is seen and felt in modern video games. Many of these have been turned into successful franchises that continue to thrive in the modern age, receiving remakes and sequels that pay homage to a bygone era.
N64 was discontinued in 2002 after 33 million copies sold and its successor was GameCube, another iconic console from Nintendo.
Did you own or do you own this landmark console? What games do you remember playing or still play? Let us know in the comments.
