Nearly every popular video game franchise has that one game not remembered as fondly as the rest. And for many fans of the Doom series, that game was Doom 64 on the Nintendo 64. Originally released in 1997, the game was largely dismissed for failing to move the series forward. Keep in mind that this was at a time when games like Quake, Quake II, and a soon-to-be-released Half-Life were already starting to push the boundaries of the first-person shooter genre.
But in spite of that, Doom 64 still managed to garner a cult following. So it is understandable then why most gamers were pleasantly surprised when it was announced that the game would be re-released on modern consoles, as a pre-order bonus for Doom Eternal. This marked the first time the game would be available (in an official capacity) outside of the Nintendo 64. And as such, it was an opportunity for many gamers to try it out for the first time. For anyone still planning to hop into the game with brand-new eyes, there are a few things worth noting first.
10 Set After Doom II
In terms of the overarching narrative, the events of Doom 64 take place after those depicted in Doom II. This places it somewhere between that game and Doom (2016), which was itself a soft reboot of the entire series.
Several events from the game were in fact referenced in Doom Eternal, so it makes sense why id Software would choose to re-release it when they did. The games in the Doom series have never been too focused on their narratives though, so chances are that new players would have no problem following along with the action.
9 Contains Brand-New Levels
This is of course in reference to the re-released version of Doom 64, not the Nintendo 64 original. Known as the Lost Levels, it is made up of seven additional levels that once again pits the Doomguy against the various forces of hell.
The levels can be unlocked either by beating the main campaign or the secret level "Hectic," which can be found through the game's very first level. Once unlocked, the option to play through the levels becomes available in the main menu. The levels help fill in even more of the gap left between the game and Doom Eternal, making them worth the additional time needed to plow through them.
8 Beware Of Traps
And speaking of levels, the ones in Doom 64 are particularly notorious for the many traps they contain. The shift to fully polygonal 3D environments meant that the level designers could really get creative with the placements of those traps.
Many of them involve enemies suddenly appearing from behind an opposite wall after triggering a switch, or projectiles firing at the player from previously-hidden areas after picking up powerups. So expect to die a few times while tackling the game for the first time. And while many of those could be considered cheap deaths, they are almost a rite of passage.
7 Keep An Eye Out For Soul Spheres
To help with some of its many traps and hazards, Doom 64 provides several in-game items that boost the player's health and armor. But one of the most important items worth looking out for are Soul Spheres.
These floating blue orbs can be found in all the classic Doom games, and picking one up would instantly restore the player's health by 100 percent. This maxes out at 200 percent and offers a much-needed buffer for the oftentimes overwhelming odds players must face.
6 Secrets Abound In Each Level
One way of getting most of the powerups needed to beat a level in Doom 64 is by uncovering secret rooms. Many of these can be found by exploring every nook and cranny of the game and examining every wall and object encountered.
There are switches that open up hidden doors or elevators that give access to secret areas. Some of these would require the use of different colored keycards in order to gain access, so keep an eye out for those as well.
5 Use The Map To Track Your Progress
Players can use the in-game map at any time to see those areas of the level they've already visited. They can even choose between two variants, both of which can be zoomed in and out to show more or less detail as required.
This is especially useful if they become stuck and are unsure of where to go next. It is possible to move around while on the map screen, but doing so leaves the player vulnerable to enemies and traps. And the sooner they learn to switch between exploring the level and navigating the map on the fly, the better their chances of fully exploring each level and uncovering all its secrets.
4 Rocket Launchers Pack Quite A Punch
This might seem like common knowledge for players of more recent shooters, but back in the day, Doom 64 was the first game in the series to give rockets fired from a rocket launcher a knockback effect on the player.
Coupled with the many hazards and traps that populate the levels, this meant that players needed to be mindful of their immediate surroundings before firing one. They also have an area of effect which could damage players should they happen to get caught in it, even though its propulsive nature can be used to execute advanced moves like rocket jumping.
3 Players Can't Aim Vertically
Much like in the classic Doom games, players are unable to move their crosshairs up or down, a limitation that seemed to plague most first-person shooters prior to Quake.
This does not mean that players cannot shoot at enemies standing one level above them though. The game automatically compensates for any differences in elevation while shooting at a target, so all the player needs to do is aim the cursor in the general direction of the enemy.
2 Make Sure The Unmaker Is Fully Upgraded
While it is true that the BFG 9000 is the most iconic weapon in the Doom series, it is actually nowhere as devastating as Doom 64's Unmaker. This laser-based weapon shares the same energy cell rounds with the former but is able to take out even the toughest enemies with a single shot.
It can also be upgraded so that it fires three lasers instead of one, capable of disintegrating three enemies at once. This would especially come in handy while facing some of the later levels and in the final boss fight.
1 Stay In Motion
The key to success in Doom 64 (or any other Doom game for that matter) is remaining in constant motion. Enemies usually aren't smart enough to outgun a moving target, but can easily overpower a player once he or she becomes stationary, especially on the higher difficulty settings.
It is best to keep moving at all times, even when it seems like there is no immediate threat in the area. This has led to the development of techniques like circle-strafing, where the player moves in a circular motion around enemies while keeping them in their line of sight.