I’m on a bit of a nostalgia kick. I recently acquired a Nintendo 64. There are a few games for that system that rank in my top 20 all time favorite games. So I went on the hunt for some of these great time passers from years ago. Luckily, a local video game store had what I wanted and after trading in some of my older game stock, I walked out with 6 games that I absolutely love. Here are the games I picked up, ordered from fun to fantastic.

Banjo Kazooie: This game is a great platformer with some hilariously cheesy moments. The puzzles are challenging but not so difficult that you get stuck.

Blast Corps: One of those games that you either love or hate. How can you not love a game where the main goal is to level everything in the path of a missile toting flatbed truck??

Star Wars Shadows of the Empire: The Hoth battle level is enough to give this game a spot in anyones most memorable gaming moments. Flying over the snow laden landscape while Emperial drones and huge AT-ATs try to splatter your rebel rump is a very tense and enormously fun experience.

Mischief Makers: In my opinion, Mischief Makers was one of the best but most over looked games of the N64 library. A great 2.5D side scroller (in the vein of the Mega Man series), Mischief Makers is as fun to play as it’s story is crazy. You play a semi-robotic maid trying to free her teacher from a hoard of robotic bosses and odd little bowling ball-esque characters. It sounds a little off but it’s a great game.

Castlevania: It’s NOT called Castlevania 64. It’s just Castlevania. Being a long time fanboy of the Castlevania series, I’m a bit biased when it comes to this game. Most gamers where a little ticked off at the choice to make this game 3D. While the game does come off a bit stiff in spots, it’s still a very satisfying experience and one that should be a mandatory play for anyone that considers themselves a Castlevania fan.

Pilotwings 64: This is my FAVORITE game on the N64. The music is a relaxing mix of airy melodies that lift you through the hang gliding missions while switching to jazzier beats for the faster paced gyro copter and rocket pack levels. Throw in bonus levels like bird man and cannon ball (shooting a character out of a cannon to hit a target on the other side of an island is a very VERY rewarding feeling) and you’ve got a dish that I could eat every night.

All in all, it’s been a fun trip back to the time when Nintendo ruled. I’ve played these games in emulators on my PC for years but they never seem to feel quite right. Now with a real N64 controller in my hand and my favorite carts at the ready, I’m all set to swim with the Dolphins.