Top 200 Best-Selling Nintendo 64 Games Revealed with Surprises

New sales data has revealed the best-selling Nintendo 64 games ever in the US, and there are some unexpected titles in the top 10. The Nintendo 64 might not have aged as well as most 2D consoles, but it’s arguably one of the most influential systems ever. The console marked Nintendo’s first step into 3D graphics and set the standard for what could be achieved with an extra dimension, through the likes of Super Mario 64 and The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time.

Data Revealed for 30th Anniversary

If you’ve ever wondered what were the console’s most popular games, Circana’s Mat Piscatella has revealed a list of the top 200 best-selling Nintendo 64 games in the US, in honour of the system’s 30th anniversary this month. The list, ranked by unit sales, encompasses over half of the entire Nintendo 64 library (there were only 388 games on the system in total). As such, there’s a few obscurities towards the back, like Powerpuff Girls: Chemical Xtraction (196), South Park: Chef’s Luv Shack (156), and the underrated Snowboard Kids (178).

Top 10 Highlights

Super Mario 64 is top of the list. Which is no surprise as it was a launch title for the Nintendo 64 and largely defined the system, so its place at the top is expected. GoldenEye 007 is in second place, ahead of both Mario Kart 64 and The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time in third and fourth, respectively. The rest of the top 10 includes Super Smash Bros., Pokémon Stadium, Diddy Kong Racing, Star Fox, Donkey Kong 64, and Pokémon Snap.

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It’s surprising to see Pokémon Snap at number 10, considering it took Nintendo and The Pokémon Company over two decades to make a sequel for the Nintendo Switch. Diddy Kong Racing is unexpectedly high too, as it’s been largely neglected (even on Nintendo Switch Online) since, aside from a 2007 remake on the Nintendo DS.

Star Wars Titles and Other Surprises

There are three Star Wars titles inside the top 20: Shadows Of The Empire (11), Episode 1: Racer (16), and Rogue Squadron (19), which is unsurprising as the Special Editions and the start of the prequel era came within the N64’s lifetime. Banjo-Kazooie is at number 15, which is perhaps lower than expected considering how beloved it is, and the fact that it was a relatively early title and should have had time to accrue more sales.

It’s important to note these are US sales, so games like WCW/NWO Revenge (13) and Cruis’n USA (17) are perhaps higher than they would be in other territories, as well as the dizzying area of different sports games (remember when people other than EA and 2K made sports titles?). Either way, it’s a fascinating window into late ’90s gaming culture.