For many, the Nintendo 64 is a console that defined their childhood. Heading out to rent a game, inviting a few friends over, and ordering a pizza was the greatest way to start off a weekend for tons of people around the world. The console had plenty of great single-player games, but it’s fair to say it is one of the most iconic couch-co-op consoles out there.

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With all the incredible games that were released for the console, there are countless moments that defined the console’s era in gaming. Nintendo’s first true step into the realm of 3D was something that many gamers will never forget, and the memories of playing those games with family and friends are something many will always be grateful for.

10 Entering Bob-Omb Battlefield - Super Mario 64

View of the Bob-omb Battlefield in Super Mario 64, with a Chain Chomp looking menacing

While everyone who played the original Super Mario 64 upon its initial release was in awe from the get-go, the truly iconic moment came from the first jump into Bob-Omb Battlefield. Seeing a Mario level in full, sprawling 3D for the first time was incredible.

There was plenty to do in that first world, and plenty of iconic enemies to see as well. Things only got even better after finally getting your first star, because that’s when you realized that you still had 119 to go.

9 The Multiplayer Mode - GoldenEye 007

N64-Goldeneye-Shooting-Trigger

How many people had dedicated Friday nights in which they’d have some friends over to play a bit of split-screen GoldenEye 007? The multiplayer mode is so beloved by gamers that even many that didn’t grow up with the game play it to this day.

The highly-customizable mode was something that let each and every friend group create their own unique set of rules. There are tons of stages to explore, lots of different weapons to try out, and of course, you always had to be prepared for one of those vile screen-peekers.

8 Four Player Rainbow Road - Mario Kart

Yoshi drives on Rainbow Road.

The entire Mario Kart experience is incredible with a group of friends by your side, but things got kicked into a whole new gear when you finally made it to Rainbow Road. The hectic action mixed with the long and difficult course made it a joy to play.

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There is nothing worse than being in a close race with your friends to suddenly take a red shell to the back. Going from first place to last was something everyone's experienced at some point in their lives. Luckily, you could take your beef with that player over to the battle mode afterward.

7 Pokemon In 3D - Pokemon Snap

Pokemon Snap Pikachu flying on sparkling Articuno in cave

A lot of people take Pokemon in 3D for granted these days since it’s so common. While Pokemon Stadium is closer to the handheld experience than Snap is, Pokemon Snap was the first 3D Pokemon game on the console.

Being able to not only see Pokemon in 3D for the first time but also interact and photograph them was absolutely incredible. Those that were fans of Blockbuster could even go and print out the photos they had taken within the game, adding a whole new layer of awesome to the game experience.

6 The Master Of The Mini-Game - Mario Party 2

Mario Party 2 - Western Land Cropped

The first Mario Party had a great concept, but it still had a long way to go before it was truly excellent. Mario Party 2 changed the game when it came to what a group of friends wanted to play on a Friday night.

Almost every single mini-game was difficult to master, and it felt like anything could happen at any moment. There’s a reason people still refer to Mario Party 2 as the best entry in the series, and its great boards and games are likely why.

5 The Ultimate Battle Royal - WCW/nWo Revenge

wrestler ready to fight

Wrestling games of the era could feel a little barebones at the time, but just about every wrestling fan was playing WCW/nWo Revenge when it came out. The huge roster made it perfect for multiplayer battle royals with friends, something that meant far more than four people could play.

You could pick your favorite wrestler and battle it out with your friends, but if you got eliminated you could simply pass the controller, so the next person could control the next entering wrestler. No one ever had to sit out for long thanks to the fast-paced and hilarious gameplay.

4 Everyone Gathers For The First Time - Super Smash Bros.

Super Smash Bros N64 fighting on Zelda's Castle

While games like Mario Party and the Mario sports games were fun to see, Super Smash Bros. brought tons of fan favorites together for the very first time. Finally, Pokemon fans could battle diehard Zelda and Mario fans to determine which characters were the best.

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The beauty of the game was how simple and accessible it was for people of any age. You didn’t need to remember complex combos or write down a sheet of special moves. There were a handful of buttons that all did a handful of easy to grasp actions, making your favorite character a joy to control.

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3 A Twist On A Classic Character - Paper Mario

A screenshot of an HD mod for Paper Mario

While the N64 was seriously hurting for RPGs, it did receive one of the best of the era with Paper Mario. It was a change on an already established character. Rather than his 3D adventure, Mario was in a kind of open-world side-scroller as a piece of paper.

It was also arguably Mario’s most ambitious adventure up to that point. While Mario RPG is still loved by many, Paper Mario has managed to age much better for many gamers thanks to its timeless art style.

2 The Battle Of Hoth - Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire

Shadows Of The Empire - Cover Artwork. Dash Rendar, Boba Fett, Stormtrooper

The idea of putting any kind of truly epic battle in video game form seemed silly before the Nintendo 64 was released. When Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire came out, the Battle of Hoth changed everything.

Being able to fly around as Dash Rendar and blast your enemies in a flying section that really made you feel like you were flying for the first time was incredible. Many people who played the games were already a fan of Star Wars, making being able to immerse themselves in the experience all the better.

1 The Seven Year Slumber - The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

Ocarina of Time - Link with the Master Sword

Nintendo had pretty much always been seen as a family-friendly company thanks to the games they released. When a new Zelda was coming, people likely expected something epic, but probably nothing like what occurred after Link’s seven-year slumber.

The entire story shifted from the light-hearted adventure of a child to a ruined world to be explored by a young adult. It wouldn’t be surprising to learn that there were a few kids too scared to adventure out of Castle Town thanks to the horrifying Redeads.

Next: Nintendo 64: Games That Don't Hold Up As Well As You Remember