All these top 10 music lists made me remember what awesome songs we have on N64. So I came up with a list of 10 N64 games with music I think is awesome.

This was not an easy list to create, and I could have picked a bunch of other songs from these 10 N64 games, but I've narrowed it down to this while still giving a huge nod to tracks that aren't on the list. So I actually cheated a little bit.

Also, I created the list based on the songs in that game rather than any specific song, though I did pick one track from each game for the embed, a track that I particularly liked.

What do you think? Did I miss an important game? Probably!

I have to do this:
Honorable mentions!

Star Fox 64 - Zoness

Diddy Kong Racing - Greenwood Village

Pilotwings 64 - Hang Glider

Mario Kart 64 - Rainbow Road

A Negative World article byEric Lopez
URL to share (right click and copy)

I would have Mario Kart 64 in the top 5 and I'd switch Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time.

No Tetrisphere = FAIL

I am really, really not enjoying these N64 tracks as much as the NES and GB ones... Not just the ambient first four tracks, either, but even the Kirby music.

The Shadow Man track was... something, though. Not sure I enjoyed it, but it sure was something.

Even the Goldeneye track isn't as toe-tap-enducing as I remembered.

Only the Super Mario 64 track holds up, IMO. And even so, I'd take the soundtrack of any previous Mario game over it any day.


Sorry, don't mean to be a hater, the N64 just sucks.

@New Forms I don't have the pleasure of ever playing Tetrisphere, but considering the music is by the same guy who composed for The New Tetris (Neil D. Voss), I know that music must be excellent.

@Guillaume That's cool, I know N64 music isn't everyone's cup of tea, and definitely doesn't evoke that sense of nostalgia that older generations do. But hey, a least you gave the songs a listen!

The music leaves a warm fuzzy when I listen.

@Guillaume

The N64 hate; gets annoyin'.

Another observation: I'm so glad we're past the "terrible CG art" phase for game covers...

@Guillaume

True that.

On topic: I think the N64's best soundtrack's came from techno beats. That was definitely the N64's niche. Although RARE was able to get some cool sounding stuff out of the machine, too.

WIPEOUT 64 - Propellorheads BANG ON



RUSH 2: RUSH AMERICA - Low Rydin'



BEETLE ADVENTURE RACING - Conventry Cove



GOLDENEYE - Silo



BANJO-KAZOOIE - Treasure Trove Cove

@GameDadGrant

I think the N64 gets more appreciation than it deserves sometimes.
Its old enough to be nostalgic, but new enough to be fresh in people's minds.
I think the Gamecube will have a similar treatment in a few years.

Last generation, I distinctly remember a huge wave of SNES love.
So much love it bordered on lust, and became an SNES gangbang.
Or something.

@Mr_Mustache

hee hee, my comment above wasn't for any unnecessary love for the N64 - it was kind of an "inside joke" between me and Guillaume. He used a similar line when he thought I was hatin' on the Wii. (which I wasn't) I wasn't serious about my post above, just a joke.

And since we're on the subject, I liked the N64 fine. I don't know if I really *loved* it though. I think it ranks rather low on my list of favorite Nintendo consoles, honestly. heh, I guess now I'M hatin' on N64, lol!

Dude, no Starfox 64 in the top 10?! I dunno man... I DUNNO.

@New Forms TRUTH.

I often feel that the N64 era's music was overrated, but some of these are giving me some definite waves of nostalgia. I really want to hook up my N64 and play some.

Also, when staring at the screen as the GoldenEye song was playing, all I could think was this:

Needs more Banjo-Kazooie love.

Yeah, StarFox 64 had a janky soundtrack. Some of the songs were pretty good (like Zoness and Star Fox) but the sound samples were so "my first Casio" that I couldn't enjoy it much.

Especially compared to the awesome music of the first game! Check out the heroic space odyssey feel of the first game's main theme then listen to the comparatively unexciting and vaguely repetitive StarFox 64 theme that's stuck ever since for some bizarre reason. Even the sound samples are better on the SNES!

The N64's best music was in Banjo-Kazooie. That game made my ears so happy... :)

@GameDadGrant

Oh yeah, WipeOut 64 had a pretty cool soundtrack. I rented it one time.

Beetle Adventure Racing was fun. I think the game may have influenced my decision to buy a new New Beetle back in 2002 (which I have sold since then)!

Yeah, the songs you list definitely have the techno sound going for them.

I did like many of the Banjo-Kazooie, Tooie, and DK64 songs as well. Rare's glorious Mario 64 clones!

@rebonack Lol, never looked at his face like that until now!

Enjoying the list and everyone's comments. Good thread, Roy. Dig the Kirby music, especially.

Personally, I was out of gaming back in the 64 days. Fresh in college. Making moves. Doing other stuff. So it's always interesting to hear from some of you guys a few years younger than me who have strong nostalgic feelings about the N64. I don't share the feelings, but I think I understand. (Looks lovingly at his sputtering old SEGA Genesis.)

@rebonack

OMG LMAO. I've never observed that before, but man, it's sooooo truuuuuuuuue!

@GameDadGrant

Well, its your fault I've gone on this anti-N64 rampage. Be more careful with your jokes!
I mean, I'd still rather play N64 than Sega whatever..or PlayStation...or XBOX....

@rebonack

THANKS a LOT.

I'd definitely put Banjo-Kazooie at number one. Unlike Mario, it had unique, memorable tracks for each individual level, and did more with dynamic music (like when swimming for instance). It didn't do anything over the top with the synth (it didn't try to be an orchestral score, for instance, and show the downfalls of the N64's sound). Just a great, memorable soundtrack, with a lot of touching pieces.

For setting the mood, nothing did it better than Goldeneye. Mario was a close second.

@Zero

The soundtrack for Starfox 64 sucks. Look in your heart. You know it to be true!

Thankfully the game itself is freakin' awesome, and of course the dialogue is legendary. So it kind of makes up for it.

By the way, just thought of another game (and a specific tune) that I really enjoyed on N64. PAPER MARIO!