What is the most visually stunning game on the Nintendo 64?

[TheMoon]

The cool thing about Yoshi's Story is that Nintendo cracked up the effect possible due to a high speed CPU and 3D computation which were present in Yoshi's Island but less pronounced.
This made perfectly sense cause on console like PS1 and N64 sprites didn't really exist and to do 2D games they simply render textures with transparent background so in a sense they were already ready to do effects uncommon with past sprite based consoles (though not many developers tried to take advantage).

Note the real time generated lava waves (another example is the water distortion effect):

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That game has aged like fine wine. Also the most underrated Yoshi game.

 

[TemplaerDude]

There are some games that look nice in screenshots, but the second you see them running it turns to garbage. Stunning is not a word that should be used in regards to the N64's graphical output.

 

[Deleted member 3010]

Perfect Dark and Conker BFD are the best looking titles imo.

Too bad the framerate is rough on the corners though, especially for PD in High-Rez Mode.

 

[SiG]

Yes, it really was.

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I really don't think so. Granted, there were many games that had that typical N64 "fog and muddy textures", but there were an equal amount of ones with good art direction (Kirby 64), or ones that knew how to draw on its technical prowess, however difficult it may be (Factor 5's games).

Not to get into screenshot warz, and while those do indeed look like turd

I think people dont remember how bad n64 games actually looked.

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There are some games that look nice in screenshots, but the second you see them running it turns to garbage. Stunning is not a word that should be used in regards to the N64's graphical output.

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So "All N64 games look like shit", is that what you're saying? I feel like you guys are just trolling the thread.

 

[Bakercat]

I wasn't aware Vigillante 8 2nd Offense got an N64 release. I'm baffled by how I could've missed this:


You should check out 1080 Snowboarding, another slick-looking title that has a very clean presentation.

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I grew up with the n64 games and didn't know they had PSX releases lol.

 

[Celine]

Neon Genesis Evangelion 64 is a little technical wonder as well

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Neon Genesis Evangelion for N64 was indeed a quite faithful recreation of the anime with the use of accurate polygonal models.
Technically it wasn't really a tour de force for the console (in term of special effects) but the source material was recreated in every fine details.
It helped that the game was very constrained in scope, basically a mini game collection, therefore it pushed most of the polygonal budget on the Eva/Angels models.
A must play for Evangelion fans.

 

[TemplaerDude]

I really don't think so. Granted, there were many games that had that typical N64 "fog and muddy textures", but there were an equal amount of ones with good art direction (Kirby 64), or ones that knew how to draw on its technical prowess, however difficult it may be (Factor 5's games).


So "All N64 games look like shit", is that what you're saying?

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Most of them ran like utter trash. There is nothing "stunning" about those polygons, that is nostalgic hyperbole and ignoring the fact that, once again, the second they started move the whole facade fell apart.

 

[SiG]

Most of them ran like utter trash. There is nothing "stunning" about those polygons, that is nostalgic hyperbole and ignoring the fact that, once again, the second they started move the whole facade fell apart.

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Have you watched any of the videos I've linked to? I think you're really just trolling at this point.

 

[andymcc]

It's a console with truly hideous games but Sin and Punishment, Paper Mario, Kirby and even the Evangelion game (it plays like shit, don't worry) look pretty good.

 

[EAD Ninja]

There are some games that look nice in screenshots, but the second you see them running it turns to garbage. Stunning is not a word that should be used in regards to the N64's graphical output.

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Basically every game being mentioned BUT World Driver Championship.

 

[SiG]

Speaking of which, I saw this particular demoscene trailer running on N64 hardware. Was there any developer or game that manage to attain this level of fluidity and visual IQ?

Basically every game being mentioned BUT World Driver Championship.

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They also completely ignored 1080 Snowboarding which was one of the better performing N64 titles.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

I really don't think so. Granted, there were many games that had that typical N64 "fog and muddy textures", but there were an equal amount of ones with good art direction (Kirby 64), or ones that knew how to draw

So "All N64 games look like shit", is that what you're saying? I feel like you guys are just trolling the thread.

Click to shrink...

I really don't think so. Granted, there were many games that had that typical N64 "fog and muddy textures", but there were an equal amount of ones with good art direction (Kirby 64), or ones that knew how to draw on its technical prowess, however difficult it may be (Factor 5's games).


So "All N64 games look like shit", is that what you're saying? I feel like you guys are just trolling the thread.

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Can you relax with the hypersensitivity regarding your thread and trolling? I was replying to the poster who said the best N64 games look as good as some gamecube games. Calm down.

 

[Zed]

Those Yoshi's Story posts are reminding me how great that game looked. Too bad the gameplay itself was rather medicore so it is not remembered that much.

 

[Mekanos]

Neon Genesis Evangelion for N64 was indeed a quite faithful recreation of the anime with the use of accurate polygonal models.
Technically it wasn't really a tour de force for the console (in term of special effects) but the source material was recreated in every fine details.
It helped that the game was very constrained in scope, basically a mini game collection, therefore it pushed most of the polygonal budget on the Eva/Angels models.
A must play for Evangelion fans.

Click to shrink...

 

[henlo_birb]

I remember Turok 3 having a very high res mode with the expansion pak.

 

[Crayolan]

Well, Fire Emblem on N64 was supposed to look like this (with 2D characters instead of polygonal ones):

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Huh, that would've been pretty interesting. Would've expected PoR's visuals to be a result of it starting as an N64 game.

 

[TaySan]

Neon Genesis Evangelion for N64 was indeed a quite faithful recreation of the anime with the use of accurate polygonal models.
Technically it wasn't really a tour de force for the console (in term of special effects) but the source material was recreated in every fine details.
It helped that the game was very constrained in scope, basically a mini game collection, therefore it pushed most of the polygonal budget on the Eva/Angels models.
A must play for Evangelion fans.

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Wow that looks great for N64. This thread makes me want to boot up rare replay again

 

[super moustique]

Sin and Punishment.

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My answer, it's either that or MM.

 

[SiG]

I remember Turok 3 having a very high res mode with the expansion pak.

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Hmm, speaking of which, I found footage of that game (PAL version though), and I'm impressed they managed to get facial animation during cutscenes as well (though the faces themselves aren't great by today's standards).

 

[Pancakes R Us]

Op nobody goes around saying "this looks like a N64 game"

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I guess you missed the Wii/PS360 era where there was a Cruis'n game revealed for Wii. It looked worse than most N64 games, hah.

 

[LazyLain]

Turok 2 is quite a looker, 3 feels a bit toned down in comparsion. Perfect Dark is also excellent.

Framerate's a bit of an issue in both, unfortunately.

 

[andymcc]

Have you watched any of the videos I've linked to? I think you're really just trolling at this point.

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i mean, they're alright? the racing game doesn't look as good as the GT games or RRT4, I'd wager even with some of the polygonal morphing issues-- Sega Rally on Saturn has better performance.

Rogue Squadron 3D was pretty impressive for the time (I got it and the expansion pack the Christmas it came out) but I definitely prefer a lot more games on other consoles-- not to mention the N64's own Sin and Punishment.

 

[SofNascimento]

Technically it was never released, but Resident Evil 0 looked incredible:

 

[SiG]

I guess you missed the Wii/PS360 era where there was a Cruis'n game revealed for Wii. It looked worse than most N64 games, hah.

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Heck, it still happens in the Switch/PS4/XB1 era where people will often call the Switch port as "looking something like an N64 game"

There are some games that look nice in screenshots, but the second you see them running it turns to garbage. Stunning is not a word that should be used in regards to the N64's graphical output.

Click to shrink...

Most of them ran like utter trash. There is nothing "stunning" about those polygons, that is nostalgic hyperbole and ignoring the fact that, once again, the second they started move the whole facade fell apart.

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Hmm...

I never got a chance to play World Driver Championship so I have no nostalgia for it, but I'm still rather impressed by how it managed to keep such nice visual quality while still performing better than most other N64 titles.

i mean, they're alright? the racing game doesn't look as good as the GT games or RRT4, I'd wager even with some of the polygonal morphing issues-- Sega Rally on Saturn has better performance.

Rogue Squadron 3D was pretty impressive for the time (I got it and the expansion pack the Christmas it came out) but I definitely prefer a lot more games on other consoles-- not to mention the N64's own Sin and Punishment.

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Rogue Squadron never came out on other consoles. Only a PC release.

I do have to give kudos to Treasure for making Sin & Punishment perform well, but I guess the rough angular artstyle is something of an aquired taste.

 

[andymcc]

Rogue Squadron never came out on other consoles. Only a PC release.

I do have to give kudos to Treasure for making Sin & Punishment perform well, but I guess the rough angular artstyle is something of an aquired taste.

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I played it on N64. I was referring to it not looking as good as some other games from the same generation :P

 

[SpokkX]

Conker - almost looks like a low res dc game

Paper Mario - duh 2d etc

 

[Deleted member 176]

The cool thing about Yoshi's Story is that Nintendo cracked up the effect possible due to a high speed CPU and 3D computation which were present in Yoshi's Island but less pronounced.
This made perfectly sense cause on console like PS1 and N64 sprites didn't really exist and to do 2D games they simply render textures with transparent background so in a sense they were already ready to do effects uncommon with past sprite based consoles (though not many developers tried to take advantage).

Note the real time generated lava waves (another example is the water distortion effect):

Click to shrink...

that's cool! I wonder how Yoshi became the "graphical showcase" series

and how it went wrong with new island

 

[Pancakes R Us]

that's cool! I wonder how Yoshi became the "graphical showcase" series

and how it went wrong with new island

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Yoshi's Story is beautiful, even to this day.

 

[K' Dash]

I'll take my N64 over the texture warping mess that was the PS1.

 

[Richietto]

I'm still impressed Conker even runs.

 

[Dreamboum]

Sin and Punishment.

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yes

 

[Biske]

Ogre Battle 64. Fight me.

 

[lvl 99 Pixel]

Conker even had soldier of fortune type location damage which made for some interesting multiplayer interactions

 

[Deleted member 41638]

Ogre Battle

 

[Fuchsia]

That game has aged like fine wine. Also the most underrated Yoshi game.

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Agreed! I love me some Yoshi Story. Gets hated on far too frequently.

 

[andymcc]

I'll take my N64 over the texture warping mess that was the PS1.

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Yeah, that's the reality. 3D games from this generation have held up pretty badly regardless of the console.

 

[Griffith]

Majora's Mask is easily the best looking 3D game for me.

 

[Celine]

Technically it was never released, but Resident Evil 0 looked incredible:

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Eh, the cancelled Eternal Darkness for N64 was more ambitious:

Agreed! I love me some Yoshi Story. Gets hated on far too frequently.

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The best thing that came out from Yoshi's Story is this song by Kazumi Totaka:

 

[Andromeda]

Golden Eye 007, Perfect Dark
Turok 2 (but the framerate...)
Banjo & Kazooie, tooie
Shadow Man was also impressive

 

[RedDevil]

I'd say graphically Donkey Kong 64 is better than Banjo-Tooie.

 

[Deleted member 176]

Yoshi's Story is beautiful, even to this day.

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mhmm. the music still holds a special place in my heart too.

 

[EVA UNIT 01]

"Looks like a PS2 game"
Now thats the one

 

[nbnt]

S&P for me. Might not be technically the best, but the crazy spectacle of it all makes it something really special for that era.

And I just adore how these extremely low poly character models look, they're more appealing to me than any other human models on the system.

 

[Unicorn]

I think the original Animal Crossing holds up pretty well.

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Honestly, if this was released in the US and the GC version never came I would still have an N64 hooked up.

 

[TemplaerDude]

Have you watched any of the videos I've linked to? I think you're really just trolling at this point.

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Yes sir, that's right, I disagree so I must be trolling.

Yes, I saw the videos. They're not representative of the majority of N64 games, they look good but they're not "stunning". They're blocky and typical early 3D games - kind of ugly. Nostalgia is a beautiful thing but it clearly is fogging your reality.

 

[Zero83]

I remember one of the last N64 games I played was Jet Force Gemini, which looked fantastc. One of the first PS2 games I played was Oni (from Rockstar) and that was bland as hell.

In the late nineties the best looking N64 games looked amazing compared to most PSOne games, but a lot of them suffered from really low frame rates.

Honorable mentions: Perfect Dark, Mario 64, Turok 2, Shadowman, Wave Race.

 

[jett]

No offense but a lot of titles posted here are hideous. Especiall the Rare ones. For my money, Wave Race 64 is the most aesthetically pleasing game on the system.

 

[CanUKlehead]

So "All N64 games look like shit", is that what you're saying? I feel like you guys are just trolling the thread.

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Dude...there are a few stops between "not stunning" and "shit" lol Like "that actor/actress isn't stunning" doesn't mean they look like shit lol

Anyway, I vote S&P, but I don't have memories of really liking the N64 look even back then. Of course, that whole generation was basically the necessary but awkward teenage phase of console polygon graphics so I respect it, but I was glad to jump into Dreamcast-level polygom counts eventually.

 

[awake4ages]

If we aren't talking raw graphical showmanship then I have always had a soft spot for the 2.5D approach that Mischief Makers took.



Damn that was a great game. I should replay it soon.

 

[SirNinja]

Conker's Bad Fur Day. Both the graphics themselves and the quality of the character models/animation was way beyond any other N64 game. (And it didn't even make use of the Expansion Pak, despite being one of the last "big" N64 games.)