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[Heimdall_Xtreme]

The reflections, mirror effect on objects was the N64 signature for me, lots of game used this for the objects pick ups like Turok and the shards or health.

When the Zelda technical demo was given with Link fighting a knight with reflections, I imagined it as ray tracing...

I was disappointed in reality, I thought the character was really reflected.

I'm ahead of my time and generations... Until now we have it on PS5 .

 

[Celine]

An example of "impressive 3D" on N64 that's not immediately apparent is how Ocarina of Time was one of the very first console game to introduce inverse kinematics (the earliest example I can think of is Virtua Fighter 2 in the arcades):

 

[Redneckerz]

I always thought The World Is Not Enough was pretty stellar for N64. To me it even beats PD and its texture work makes it look like a PS2 game. Also colored lighting and dynamic character shadows.

 

[Celine]

Bump mapping in an N64 game?

Here a blog post discussing how it is possible to mimic Bump mapping/Environment mapping on N64:

Creation of Advanced materials on Nintendo 64 (Bumpmapping/Environment mapping)

Background This blog post describes techniques to improve the workflow of rendering non-layered materials on the Nintendo 64 console using its hardware rasterizer Reality Display Processor. Original i

renderu.com

 

[nkarafo]

Here's the recent Megatexture demo




And here's Portal 64, from the same developer

 

[MasterDerico]

Impressive ? Zero.

Impressive was when i saw Soul Calibur and Sonic Adventure running in front of me...

 

[Trilobit]

Impressive ? Zero.

Impressive was when i saw Soul Calibur and Sonic Adventure running in front of me...

Wat? Did you accidentally stumble into this thread?

 

[MasterDerico]

Wat? Did you accidentally stumble into this thread?

No, I don't think N64 has any IMPRESSIVE 3D game.
So i told my really impressive experience with 3D game.

Im not comparing anything man, chill...

 

[Trilobit]

No, I don't think N64 has any IMPRESSIVE 3D game.
So i told my really impressive experience with 3D game.

Im not comparing anything man, chill...

So you stumble into "Most delicious hamburger thread" and all you write is:
"Delicious? Zero!
Most delicious thing I've eaten was a pasta bolognese in Milano."

Or "Best sci-fi book" thread you write:
"Best? Zero.
The best book I've read is War and Peace by Tolstoy."

 

[MasterDerico]

So you stumble into "Most delicious hamburger thread" and all you write is:
"Delicious? Zero!
Most delicious thing I've eaten was a pasta bolognese in Milano."

Or "Best sci-fi book" thread you write:
"Best? Zero.
The best book I've read is War and Peace by Tolstoy."

Man, respect it. I didnt have any wow reaction with N64 3D blurred graphics and sub 10 fps.
Some PS1 games like Croc and Pandemonium 2 was awesome. I had a little "wow" with Tekken 3 to be honest, but N64...No.

And just to clarify, i have a N64, and some games. Im a collector, i dont care about graphics, i play more old games than new ones...

Hope u understand, it's my opinion, if you aren't satisfied, it's your problem.

 

[MasterDerico]

Ok i remembered one that was impressive: Rakuga Kids;





Now stop cry.
Ps: Sorry the double post.

 

[MAX PAYMENT]

Not many lookers on that system to be honest.

Although Conker was fine for its time.

What? There were plenty of great looking games. This thread is a great showcase.

 

[nkarafo]

Man, respect it. I didnt have any wow reaction with N64 3D blurred graphics and sub 10 fps.

Man, you missed out. Too bad you didn't stumble on any of the N64 games i showed in this thread back in the day.

 

[MasterDerico]

Man, you missed out. Too bad you didn't stumble on any of the N64 games i showed in this thread back in the day.

Man its not IMPRESSIVE imo!

Look the thread title...Its not good graphics, OP said IMPRESSIVE.
Maybe u guys didn't understand OP question.

Of course Mario 64, Wave Rave, Mace the Dark Age, Rakuga Kids, Conker etc has good graphics, but not impressive

 

[BootsLoader]

For me, perfect dark 64 is the most advanced game for N64. Really pushed the hardware hard.

 

[nkarafo]

Look the thread title...Its not good graphics, OP said IMPRESSIVE.
Maybe u guys didn't understand OP question.

Since i'm the OP, this thread is about the most impressive games on the N64 (that also have a decent performance). Not the most impressive games "in general" or "today", just on the N64.

You had to be there for some of those games to impress you though. Nowadays these graphics are basic and won't impress anyone, sure. But back in 1998, Banjo-Kazooie made many jaws drop. It was the most impressive console game before the Dreamcast was released, IMO.

 

[MasterDerico]

Since i'm the OP, this thread is about the most impressive games on the N64. Not the most impressive games "in general" or "today", just on the N64.

You had to be there for some of those games to impress you though. Nowadays these graphics are basic and won't impress anyone, sure. But back in 1998, Banjo-Kazooie made many jaws drop. It was the most impressive console game before the Dreamcast was released, IMO.

I wasn't comparing when i said Soul Calibur and Sonic Adventure. Just a comment.

I get the thread is about N64, of course. So we need to have reference to say wow to N64 games, the reference was Saturn and Playstation. So, just one game i really got the wow factor, it was Rakuga kids, for the art, style, smooth gameplay and graphics. That's it.

For 3D games, none really makes me wow, because on the time i had ps1, Saturn and n64 and liked the ps1 graphics more, it was clean and etc...

Maybe its just me, but im being honest with you, that was how i felt in the past. But i like some N64 games a lot, its not a discredit, i just asked your question.

If i was comparing impressive graphics overall, i had posted Alan Wake 2...lol

 

[nkarafo]

Maybe its just me, but im being honest with you, that was how i felt in the past. But i like some N64 a lot, its not a discredit, i just asked your question.

Hey, it's fine. I was just curious because it seemed to me that you missed some games that would probably change your mind back then.

I mean, you mentioned Croc... How did this game impress you more than Banjo-Kazooie is beyond me but i guess everything is possible.

 

[MasterDerico]

Hey, it's fine. I was just curious because it seemed to me that you missed some games that would probably change your mind back then.

I mean, you mentioned Croc... How did this game impress you more than Banjo-Kazooie is beyond me but i guess everything is possible.

No man, im extreme hardcore gamer. Collector since kid (now im 42), without being arrogant, but i have a huge games/videogames knowledge.

For me Mario 64 and Conker was more impressive than Banjo.

 

[nkarafo]

No man, im extreme hardcore gamer. Collector since kid (now im 42), without being arrogant, but i have a huge games/videogames knowledge.

Right.

Still doesn't make any sense to me saying Croc impressed you but Banjo didn't. But that's just me!

For me Mario 64 and Conker was more impressive than Banjo.

And Croc is more impressive than all, is that right?

That's what you said basically. No N64 game is "impressive" for you but some PS1 games like Croc are. Which makes this particular game better looking than every single N64 game, in your book.

Sorry i know, opinions and all but... it's just strange.

 

[MasterDerico]

Right.

Still doesn't make any sense to me saying Croc impressed you but Banjo didn't. But that's just me!



And Croc is more impressive than all, is that right?

That's what you said basically. No N64 game is "impressive" for you but some PS1 games like Croc are. Which makes this particular game better looking than every single N64 game, in your book.

Sorry i know, opinions and all but... it's just strange.

I said i LIKED more Croc, Pandemonium 2. I didn't said its more impressive, but those ps1 games are clean and plays smooth. Maybe that sensation elevates the wow factor to me.

Those blurry N64 games (with few exceptions) never impressed me.

 

[nkarafo]

Alright. You do realize though that sharpness isn't the only thing people take into account when they rate graphics and tech. Most N64 3D platformers, even Mario 64 which is the most basic looking, are far more advanced than something like Croc. The levels are bigger, more complex, with more 3D objects and you can see far more into the distance. Croc, in comparison, looks like how a simple bonus room would look in those games.

Dunno, coming in this thread which is about N64 games and tech, downplaying the console and it's whole library while declaring that Croc (of all things) looks better is pretty odd to me.

 

[Madserb2023]

Wave Race is still impressive today.

 

[MasterDerico]

Alright. You do realize though that sharpness isn't the only thing people take into account when they rate graphics and tech. Most N64 3D platformers, even Mario 64 which is the most basic looking, are far more advanced than something like Croc. The levels are bigger, more complex, with more 3D objects and you can see far more into the distance. Croc, in comparison, looks like how a simple bonus room would look in those games.

Dunno, coming in this thread which is about N64 games and tech, downplaying the console and it's whole library while declaring that Croc (of all things) looks better is pretty odd to me.

Oh god.
Don't overlook what i said...And i won't repeat. (And i like Pandemonium 2 more than Croc)

Just to finish and without being a troll, i will not fool myself to please others, its just not honest.

In my opinion: N64 has blurry and ugly graphics, sub-15 fps games (majority), and one of the worst library of games of all time. I have only 12 games that I THINK WORTH IT.

AND NO, NONE (MAYBE RAKUGA KIDS) IMPRESSED ME.

We done ? Jesus...

 

[BootsLoader]

Na

Oh god.
Don't overlook what i said...And i won't repeat. (And i like Pandemonium 2 more than Croc)

Just to finish and without being a troll, i will not fool myself to please others, its just not honest.

In my opinion: N64 has blurry and ugly graphics, sub-15 fps games (majority), and one of the worst library of games of all time. I have only 12 games that I THINK WORTH IT.

AND NO, NONE (MAYBE RAKUGA KIDS) IMPRESSED ME.

We done ? Jesus...

Nah, some games were blurry but not as much as you insist. Most of the games I played were fine, to name few: Donkey Kong 64, Super Mario 64, Perfect Dark 64, Castlevania Legacy of Darkenss, Ocarina of Time & Majoras Mask, Goemon, Goldeneye, Pokémon Stadium.

All above games looked and played fine with some frame drops here and there.

There are some blurry games for PS1 also. Tomb Raider for example was a moving texture mess. Other games also.

 

[BootsLoader]

 

[MasterDerico]

Exactly what u guys are doing.
I can't say i don't have a N64 3D game that impressed me. I just can't here!

You guys jump my arguments, overlook, and etc...

"Oh, Banjo map is giant, its impressive"
Blurry and running like a slideshow do not impress me, sorry.

(Before come at me, of course posts has hyperbole, but its natural. I can say runs like shit, same thing...)

Just accept other people opinions and done.

 

[MasterDerico]

See ? I can tank my arguments, i have the game i think its most impressive! And some other cool N64 Games.

Like i ALREADY SAID in this very thread, i hate console wars and i wasn't discredit N64, just my opinion!

Never think im a troll, all my posts i know what im telling about and have my opinion, simple as that.

Im not a guy that comes and spit shit because iam a fanboy.
I like games, not videogames!

 

[BootsLoader]

See ? I can tank my arguments, i have the game i think its most impressive! And some other cool N64 Games.

Like i ALREADY SAID in this very thread, i hate console wars and i wasn't discredit N64, just my opinion!

Never think im a troll, all my posts i know what im telling about and have my opinion, simple as that.

Im not a guy that comes and spit shit because iam a fanboy.
I like games, not videogames!

Everyone has opinions, we write our opinions here and have discussions which is normal for a forum. I game my opinion, you have your opinion.

Just don’t take it so personally and near to your heart. You can tell me your opinion all day, I can tell you mine all day also. It’s not worth it, just cool down and keep discussing.

At least, that’s my point of view.

 

[deriks]

Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine

Looks a Dreamcast game

 

[MasterDerico]

Everyone has opinions, we write our opinions here and have discussions which is normal for a forum. I game my opinion, you have your opinion.

Just don’t take it so personally and near to your heart. You can tell me your opinion all day, I can tell you mine all day also. It’s not worth it, just cool down and keep discussing.

At least, that’s my point of view.

No, we good!

 

[nkarafo]

What's that, you think posting a handfull of games you bought makes you an expert or something? Like we have to take your opinions more seriously?

Sorry, no. You still look like "the guy that comes and spits shit because he is a fanboy" to me. You came in this N64 thread only to state your dislike for it and contributed nothing.

 

[MasterDerico]

Ok man, im out!

 

[Chastten]

Honestly, if nothing impressed you on N64 then you must have been too young at the time. I still remember seeing Wave Race 64 running in a demo booth at Schiphol and man, that blew my young teen self's mind. Same for Mario 64.

That shit impressed much more in 1996 than Sonic did years later. By the time Sonic released we were used to large 3D environments and it just felt like a natural evolution. I mean, if Sonic is the first 3D game you saw I can see it blowing your mind since it looked really fucking awesome but it wasn't something new.

 

[Tams]

Mario Kart 64.

 

[BootsLoader]

Mario Kart 64.

Damn, that game had such bad graphics but I spent soooooo much time playing. It blessed me and my friends with laughter and great memories.

 

[Chastten]

That being said, impressive is subjective so everyone is free to have their own opinion. I can honestly say no game has graphically impressed me since 2006 or so. They can look great. They can be visually pleasing. But nothing graphical has impressed me in any way, shape or form since then. Everything that came out since then looks like a slightly better version of what we could play in the mid 00's. And I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with me on that, and that's fine.

But to answer the topic question. Some thing that impressed me the most on N64 were seeing Super Mario 64 and Wave Race 64 running on a demo booth for the first time, seeing the Pokémon models in real 3D for the first time in Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Snap, and sliding down the mountains in 1080 Snowboarding. Obviously, when you start pixelcounting and stuff, there were better looking games on the system, but they came out later and simply didn't leave such a big impression on me.

 

[MasterDerico]

I apologize, i just talked with the OP in private, guy is nice.
Maybe some language barrier fucked me up. (As usual)

Sorry mods too, nothing was intentional to make other people feels bad or try to be a troll.

Feel free to remove all my posts. I tried to argument, but the mind don't fit with my words.

So, about the thread, full 3D games that was good imo are Mario 64, Wave Race and Conker.

 

[Azelover]

I'll post some examples of Conker later on. The game had some very advanced features like Conker's real time shadow and his facial expression/details.

But before this i want to post my 3rd example: Goldeneye.

And no, this game doesn't break my rules about frame rate. Most of the frame rate issues come from the multiplayer and some specific maps in single player. But, it's not as bad in most maps. It's not as bad as PD or Turok 2.

On the images above you can see some great texturing and level design/detail.

The developers also implemented a ton of fake shadows to the architecture, so most pillars, walls, stairs, balconies and other objects look as if they cast shadows (it's very noticeable in the first image). This wasn't a very common thing back then. But Goldeneye uses this extensively.

Yeah. Goldeneye was pretty sick

 

[Danknugz]

When the Zelda technical demo was given with Link fighting a knight with reflections, I imagined it as ray tracing...

I was disappointed in reality, I thought the character was really reflected.

I'm ahead of my time and generations... Until now we have it on PS5 .

this brings me back because i specifically rmemebr my friend in high school flipping out after seeing this same tech demo and going off about how crazy it was when he saw the knights reflection in links sword

 

[drotahorror]

No man, im extreme hardcore gamer. Collector since kid (now im 42), without being arrogant, but i have a huge games/videogames knowledge.

For me Mario 64 and Conker was more impressive than Banjo.

So you admit 64 had some impressive games. Thanks bro

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

this brings me back because i specifically rmemebr my friend in high school flipping out after seeing this same tech demo and going off about how crazy it was when he saw the knights reflection in links sword

I thought the face was reflected in the object at that time... But really it is just a silver effect that simulates the reflection of objects that do not exist...

I was disappointed to see that reality.

As well as the limitations of Mario 64 with invisible walls.

 

[Danknugz]

I thought the face was reflected in the object at that time... But really it is just a silver effect that simulates the reflection of objects that do not exist...

I was disappointed to see that reality.

As well as the limitations of Mario 64 with invisible walls.

it was impressive at the time for sure

 

[tomato shrub]

Why the differentiation for 3D? It's not like the N64 had any good looking 2D games like the PS1, lol. It had like Yoshi's Story, Mieschief Makers and... that's kinda it iirc.

 

[BlackTron]

Impressive ? Zero.

Impressive was when i saw Soul Calibur and Sonic Adventure running in front of me...

Sure Soul Calibur and SA were utterly mind-blowing at Dreamcast launch.

But when Zelda or Goldeneye came out, DC didn't exist yet and even non-gamers were impressed with what they saw.

 

[MasterDerico]

So you admit 64 had some impressive games. Thanks bro

No, i said good.

 

[nkarafo]

So, about the thread, full 3D games that was good imo are Mario 64, Wave Race and Conker.

You also mentioned Rakuga Kids. That's a pretty great looking game too that has aged very well thanks to it's 2D style art direction. It probably is the most notable of the N64 few fighting games...

 

[Neo_GAF]

impressive games at the time were
extreme-g
perfect dark
f-zero
conker
and the usual contenders.
but i remember, that there was so much hype back in the day for turok 2 being graphically so much better than anything else available.

i think remember someone telling me in school, the heavier the n64 cartridge is, the more graphics is on it.

 

[MasterDerico]

You also mentioned Rakuga Kids. That's a pretty great looking game too that has aged very well thanks to it's 2D style art direction. It probably is the most notable of the N64 few fighting games...

Yeah, its my favorite! But i choose the "full 3D ones".

 

[Trunx81]

First game everyone portably saw back in the day was Mario 64. And I’m impressed even today by it. Coming from 2D, to have this kind of tech ready for launch was an amazing marvel to behold of. First time playing and .. it was just truly next gen. And even with the blocky graphics it’s one of the few N64 games that hold up even today. Alone the first level, the draw distance, the giant enemies … wow.

Second game that impressed me, although I never liked it, was F-Zero. That framerate and speed, yum!

Turok 2 also looked great. Ran like ass. But bloody hell, didn’t we kids care.

Yes, the N64 was named Fog64 for a reason. But for its time and limitations it made an impression.