The N64 brought me into gaming and is rightfully acclaimed as one of the better consoles from any company. The system ushered in the era of the 3D gaming but it wasn't without its bumps along the way. The Big N's fatal error was the failure to switch to discs embracing the lower memory, more expensive cartridge format. The Playstation brand emerged from Nintendo's efforts to improve the SNES and subsequently surpassed Nintendo's commercial successes. While Ninty's franchises consistently remain the highest grossing exclusives, the N64 launched an era of low hardware sales which plagued it, the Cube, and the GBA.
With few exceptions, Nintendo and Rare created the AAA titles defining the N64. Problem is they were too few and far between. After Super Mario 64 and Pilotwings 64, the system encountered a dearth of titles for several months. With only two launch games to support it, interest predictably waned quickly. 1997, 1998, and 1999 were all great years but by the time late 2000 rolled around Banjo Tooie and Majora's Mask were the only titles to look forward to-not a full four years into the systems life span.
I love the N64 and replay its classics periodically but I feel as though many a gamer reflects too nostalgically and optimistically upon the box's life. It began a downward period that the company only now is slowly recuperating from. Is the Nintendo 64 overrated? Do you believe the Nintendo 64 deserves its praise for the advancements it conferred upon the industry?
With few exceptions, Nintendo and Rare created the AAA titles defining the N64. Problem is they were too few and far between. After Super Mario 64 and Pilotwings 64, the system encountered a dearth of titles for several months. With only two launch games to support it, interest predictably waned quickly. 1997, 1998, and 1999 were all great years but by the time late 2000 rolled around Banjo Tooie and Majora's Mask were the only titles to look forward to-not a full four years into the systems life span.
I love the N64 and replay its classics periodically but I feel as though many a gamer reflects too nostalgically and optimistically upon the box's life. It began a downward period that the company only now is slowly recuperating from. Is the Nintendo 64 overrated? Do you believe the Nintendo 64 deserves its praise for the advancements it conferred upon the industry?