After the massive success of the SNES Classic and NES Classic many were asking, where is the Nintendo 64 Mini? While it has been some time since the release of Nintendo’s first two mini consoles, there is still a high probability of their 64-bit console also getting the mini treatment.
This may lead some to wonder, what games would be included on the console? Unfortunately, unlike Nintendo’s first two consoles, the Nintendo 64 wasn’t graced with the same amazing third-party support as its predecessors and relied heavily on its first-party offerings. Because of this, determining what would be on the 64 Mini is a simple process, after all, why wouldn’t they use all of their first-party titles and avoid paying to use the license of a third-party game?
Updated November 11th, 2020 by Tanner Kinney: The N64 helped to revolutionize 3D gaming in a major way. Sure, the baffling decisions made by Nintendo at the time scared away third-party support, but the games that made it to the console were often more than adequate. Its bigger problem may be the lack of genre diversity, with RPG's preferring the disc-based PlayStation as opposed to the N64, despite the necessity for proprietary memory cards. Regardless, there are more than enough titles to fill a hypothetical N64 Mini, so here are  a few more games that are guaranteed to be on the Nintendo 64 Mini.
15 Pilotwings 64
One of two launch titles for the console, Pilotwings 64 was very similar to its predecessor in its role on the console. The title was set to show off the capabilities of the console, including exploring a virtual 3D space. While it's hardly the most impressive flight simulator on the market, it still managed to show off the power of the new console.
Its sales weren't anything spectacular, barely scraping into the top fifty sales on the console. However, it's still historically significant and would make sense for the platform. It has a great soundtrack and gameplay that still holds up solidly well. It's an easy fit for the platform.
14 Quest 64
This is a choice no one is asking for but is still significant for the console. The platform may have been home to some incredible platformers, but it was far from an RPG powerhouse. Compared to the PS1's lineup, the games available can't compete. So, the few RPG's are significant in enhancing a theoretical lineup on the N64 Mini.
Quest 64 follows the mage, Brian, as he fights various monsters in a battle to find and save his father. It isn't the most complex game in terms of mechanics, but it has solid visuals and music. It would make sense as an addition to expand on the different genres included on the Mini console.
13 Yoshi's Story
While a few of Nintendo's biggest franchises ended up skipping the N64, the Yoshi series did get a new installment. Ditching Baby Mario and the traditional Mario aesthetic, Yoshi's Story was a simple platformer meant to be played multiple times to achieve multiple endings. It was the start of the Yoshi series as we know it now.
The game was a massive success for the console, and even if it wasn't difficult, many people enjoyed it. It has some classic music and a great visual style. As one of Nintendo's biggest first-party titles, it'll be on an N64 Mini.
12 Paper Mario
The SNES Classic had one of the ultimate Super Nintendo RPGs, Super Mario RPG. Its spiritual successor on the N64, Paper Mario, would likewise be on the N64 Mini. This is even more of a no-brainer than SMRPG, as they don't even have to contend with Square-Enix and their bizarre licensing practices.
Paper Mario is easily one of the best N64 titles and still holds up incredibly well today. It's excellent across the board, with only a few minor issues. There's only one question about it: in what new ways will one be able to crash Paper Mario on the N64 Mini?
11 Goldeneye 007
Goldeneye 007 is possibly the most iconic Nintendo 64 title aside from Super Mario 64. It defined the way first-person shooters would work on consoles and cemented Rare's legacy. Sure, it aged like milk, but that doesn't make it any less culturally significant.
For a licensed title, Goldeneye went above and beyond expectations. Everything from the multiplayer to the campaign was crafted with care and finesse, even if the hardware couldn't quite handle it. It was such a revolutionary and definitive title, regardless of licensing issues, would almost certainly be included on the console.
10 Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Rather than going with a fully 3D experience, which almost seemed like a mandatory requirement at the time, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards retained the side-scrolling gameplay found in the first few titles in the series but the character models and the environment was done with 3D models.
While in previous games in the Kirby franchise you could only inhale one character’s abilities to use at a time, in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards you could inhale two at a time and create entirely new abilities by combining the two.
9 Pokémon Snap
In the 90s, it didn’t matter the genre, if you had a game with Pokémon, it was not only sure to sell but was incredibly high-quality thanks to the charm of the Pokémon universe and Nintendo and Gamefreak’s aptitude for making fantastic games.
Pokémon Snap was no exception to this rule. In Pokémon Snap, you ride in a cart on a set track through a variety of levels and must take pictures of the surrounding Pokémon. At the end of each level, Professor Oak would grade the pictures you took based on framing, the amount of Pokémon, and the action they were doing in the shot.
8 Donkey Kong 64
While Rare had an amazing showing on the Super Nintendo with the Donkey Kong Countryseries, they really shined during the days of the Nintendo 64. They made many great 3D platformers including Conker's Bad Fur Day and Banjo Kazooie, made some first-person shooters with 007: GoldenEye and Perfect Dark, as well as trying many other genres.
Donkey Kong 64 was another great entry by Rare for the Nintendo 64. Donkey Kong 64 lets you run around, collect bananas, and play as one of the many apes in the series, including Dixie, Diddy, and Donkey.
7 F-Zero X
The F-Zero series may currently be on ice, but back in its heyday it was the premiere fast, futuristic racer. In every way, F-Zero X improved on its predecessor, adding multiplayer, 3D tracks, and a bumping soundtrack to keep the energy high.
F-Zero X would allow you and 29 other racers to complete on one track with very little slowdown. In Japan, F-Zero X was given an expansion for the Nintendo 64 DD which would allow you to create your own tracks to race on.
6 Star Fox 64
Star Fox 64 is an on-rail shooter in which you take out enemies, avoid enemies, and collect power-ups and still stands as the best game in the franchise with all other games in the franchise using it as their main inspiration. You play as Fox McCloud, leader of Star Fox. Star Fox consists of four anthropomorphic animals including the previously mention Fox who is a fox, Peppy Hare who is a rabbit, Slippy Toad who is a toad, and Falco Lombardi who is a falcon.
In Star Fox 64, you go through one of four different paths, all of which contain different levels within them but all lead to the final battle with the ape Andross.
5 The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is contentious amongst Zelda fans. For many, it is their favorite game in the series, for others, it is far too drastic of a shift from the rest of the games.
In The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, you have three days to stop the moon from crashing into the earth. Throughout the three days, you can see the moon slowly approaching and must use your ocarina of time to go to different points throughout the three days to complete time-specific objectives in hopes of stopping the moon.
4 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the first 3D game in the series and adds many new additions including horseback riding. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the point in the Zelda timeline that splits off due to Princess Zelda sending Link back to his childhood which creates two alternate timelines.
Similar to many other games in the franchise, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is split up into 2 different sections, the child era, and the adult era. You can switch between these two eras by visiting the Temple of Time and pulling a sword out of a stone.
3 Mario Kart 64
What many consider the best game in the series, Mario Kart 64 takes the gameplay established in Super Mario Kart and brings it into the third dimension. You can play as one of the characters from the Mario universe including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser, and more as they race on different tracks based on the Mushroom Kingdom.
Many of the tracks offer short cuts and items that you can use to help you reach the first place. Each Mario Kart after Mario Kart 64 is modeled after the Nintendo 64 version due to its tight controls and great track design.
2 Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros. series is a celebration of all things Nintendo. You play as a character from Nintendo’s long history from Mario, Link, Samus, Pikachu, Ness, Fox, and more. The series is still going strong today with the newest entry, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate still receiving DLC and regular updates.
While it is commonplace now, the idea of having all of your favorite Nintendo characters battle was very novel and exciting at the time. While the Nintendo 64 very is a little rough around the edges and doesn’t have all of the same bells and whistles as the new games, it is still a great time.
1 Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 was the benchmark for 3D gaming and was the catalyst to a massive shift within the gaming world. The idea of controlling the mustached plumber in a 3D environment was mind-blowing at the time and changed the way people thought of video games.
Star Fox 64 is an on-rail shooter in which you take out enemies, avoid enemies, and collect power-ups and still stands as the best game in the franchise with all other games in the franchise using it as their main inspiration. You play as Fox McCloud, leader of Star Fox. Star Fox consists of four anthropomorphic animals including the previously mention Fox who is a fox, Peppy Hare who is a rabbit, Slippy Toad who is a toad, and Falco Lombardi who is a falcon.