Like any millennial, the sounds of my childhood all came from the ’90s.
I can probably still recite all those one-touch miracles from back in the day by heart, but there are plenty of other worms still running through my head. Take, for example, the amazing soundtracks from the Nintendo 64 lineup.
Right now, I’m singing some of the best N64 songs. These songs not only made the game, but improved it.
Just as an FYI to you, my readers, and my editors, I promise not to use 1,000 words on GoldenEye’s pause music. Let’s get to it!
10
The Blast Corps
Destruction Derby
We’ll be seeing Rare’s name a lot on this list of the best N64 songs, so it makes sense to start with one of their cult classics.
Blast Corps is a strange game. The idea of destroying everything in sight isn’t a strange one, but given the kind of deep, dynamic games we can see on the Nintendo 64, especially from Rare, it stands out like a sore thumb.
Looks can be deceiving, however. Blast Corps is an absolute blast, and that’s a fact that’s only helped by its weird, fun, and addictive soundtrack.
9
F-Zero X
Melt Your Face
No song better defines the late ’90s than F-Zero X.
The F-Zero franchise has always been one to deliver when it comes to music, but there’s just something about F-Zero X that makes it the perfect choice for a 1998 time capsule.
Hints of all the iconic themes we know and love are there, but they’re served up with metal art that can’t help but melt your face off. It’s fun, it’s fun, and it’s a great backdrop for an F-Zero game.
8
64 wave race
Synthwave
I swear, Wave Race 64 is the most ’90s song you’ll ever hear.
That building synth piano reaches its crescendo in the middle of the title screen, that iconic guitar note as it transitions back to the piano solo. It’s pure magic, and somehow feels incomplete unless you time the start button to hear the announcer echo “Wave Race!”
This game is pure magic, and is only enhanced by its amazing soundtrack. A great mix of bright, vibrant, energetic, and uplifting music that makes you wish you were at the beach and riding a jet ski with friends.
7
Diddy Kong Race
Ahead of Its Time Soundtrack
I know for sure I’m going to get some for putting this under another Kart racer on the Nintendo 64. Sorry, not sorry.
I will say that one thing Diddy Kong Racing has that matches its song perfectly is the fun, playful vibe of the game. This was a successful sport not just as a kart race, but a complete journey.
The game’s soundtrack sounds like it was pulled from an arcade rather than a racing game. Honestly, given the overall vibe of Diddy Kong Racing, this isn’t too surprising; it fits perfectly.
6
Mario Kart 64
Welcome to Mario Kart!
There’s a big reason why I have Mario Kart 64 ahead of Diddy Kong Racing for the best Nintendo 64 tracks: it’s very similar.
Mario Kart 64’s soundtrack has an incredible amount of variety to it, with each song perfectly suited to the look, feel, and course mode. Sure, there are some doubles here, but they all work so well that it doesn’t feel repetitive.
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From the iconic opening theme to our favorite course-specific songs, Mario Kart 64’s soundtrack is guaranteed to be unforgettable.
5
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
One of the Greatest Songs Ever
Ocarina of Time is a perfect example of not only what advanced hardware can do, but also how it can help make the world feel bigger than it is.
First, that famous Zelda theme has never sounded better. My God, it still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it today. The real achievement here, however, goes beyond that.
The perfect soundtrack to Ocarina of Time is a true masterpiece, making one of the greatest games of all time even better.
4
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
I’m pretending to be Superman
I’m going to make a big decision to include both Tony Hawk 1 and 2 because the soundtracks are just that good.
Tony Hawk is the type of game where the soundtrack is just as important as the game itself. The songs cover everything about skate culture, making you feel like you’ve jumped in, collected some characters, and found hidden VHS tapes.
You’d be lying if you didn’t restart a level in a day just to hunt down your favorite songs. It’s what makes that two-minute run so memorable, after all.
3
Banjo-Kazooie
The soundtrack is as whimsical as the game itself
Like Diddy Kong Racing, Banjo-Kazooie’s soundtrack does a great job of capturing the incredible visuals and sounds that are present in the game. It’s interesting, playful, and just plain fun.
However, the biggest success with this game’s soundtrack is how it matches the atmosphere. The music changes based on where you are, matching the environment very well, and setting the tone very well.
A level of expertise in immersion that few games have ever equaled, proving that Rare was in a league of its own back in the day.
2
Super Mario 64
The Soundtrack is as revolutionary as the game itself
One of my favorite things about Mario Kart World is the remixed versions of the Mario 64 songs.
In a way, I’m thankful they exist. It’s like listening to clean remixed versions of classic songs. That said, there’s just something about the way they sound on the Nintendo 64 that touches my soul.
There are so many songs I could name, but let’s be honest, there is nothing in this world as good as Dry Dry Docks.
1
GoldenEye 007
One of the best pause screen songs
GoldenEye honestly shouldn’t have gone as hard as it did with its song. Having said that, I really appreciate that it does.
First, let’s talk about the perfect song, which perfectly matches the campaign that still holds up today. From that opening score to Dam, everything works very well to elevate the action.
Yeah, I just can’t talk about that pause music. Seriously. This is one of the most famous songs in all of gaming, and the pause menu music from a movie tie-in is no one’s expected to do well.
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Get together and hook up those paddles.
