Best N64 Games to Collect Ranked: Top 25 with Prices and Values for 2026

The Nintendo 64 library is small compared to its competitors. Only 296 games were released in North America, which makes a complete collection theoretically achievable, but the range of prices across those 296 titles is enormous. Some of the best games on the system cost less than lunch. Others will set you back hundreds of dollars for a loose cartridge. Knowing which games are worth collecting, what they should cost, and where the market is heading in 2026 is the difference between building a great collection and overpaying for hype.

This ranking considers three factors: how good the game actually is, how important it is to the N64's identity, and its current market value relative to what you get. A game does not earn a top spot just for being expensive, and a cheap game does not get penalized for being affordable. This is a list for people who want to play and collect, not just display boxes on a shelf.

Understanding N64 Game Condition and Pricing

Before the rankings, a quick primer on how N64 games are graded and priced. This matters because the gap between a loose cartridge and a complete-in-box copy can be enormous.

• Loose: The cartridge only, no box or manual. This is how most N64 games are sold on the secondary market. Prices listed below are for loose cartridges in good working condition with clean labels.
• CIB (Complete in Box): Cartridge, original box, manual, and any inserts. N64 boxes were cardboard and most were thrown away, making CIB copies significantly rarer and more expensive, typically 2x to 5x the loose price.
• Sealed: Factory-sealed, never opened. These are collector's items that command premium prices. A sealed copy of a common game can be worth more than a loose copy of a rare one.

All prices below reflect February 2026 market values for loose cartridges in good condition, sourced from recent completed eBay sales and PriceCharting data. Prices fluctuate, so treat these as current benchmarks rather than fixed values. For more on starting a collection from scratch, our N64 collecting beginner's guide covers console variants, where to buy, and how to avoid getting burned.

The Top 25 N64 Games Ranked

1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ($30 to $40 loose)

No ranking of N64 games puts anything else at number one. Ocarina of Time defined 3D action-adventure gaming and remains one of the highest-rated games ever made. It is also abundant on the secondary market, keeping the loose price reasonable despite the demand. CIB copies in good condition run $80 to $120. The gold cartridge variant commands a slight premium over the grey version. Value trend: stable. This is a must-own.

2. Super Mario 64 ($25 to $35 loose)

The game that proved 3D platforming could work. Super Mario 64 was a launch title and remains the most recognizable N64 game. Millions of copies were produced, which keeps the price accessible. CIB copies fetch $70 to $100. Value trend: stable to slightly down from the 2021 peak. Every collection starts here.

3. GoldenEye 007 ($20 to $30 loose)

The game that made console first-person shooters viable. Four-player split-screen GoldenEye defined a generation of gaming memories. Common enough to stay affordable. CIB: $60 to $90. Value trend: stable. Still the best local multiplayer experience on the system for many players.

4. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask ($35 to $50 loose)

The darker, more experimental follow-up to Ocarina. The gold holographic cartridge is one of the most visually striking N64 carts. Requires the Expansion Pak to play, which adds to the cost if you do not already have one. CIB: $100 to $150. Value trend: gradually rising. The collector premium on the holographic cart is increasing as these become harder to find in clean condition.

5. Super Smash Bros. ($30 to $40 loose)

The game that launched a franchise worth billions. The original Smash Bros. is simpler than its sequels but still a blast in local multiplayer. Widely produced, keeping prices moderate. CIB: $80 to $110. Value trend: stable.

6. Mario Kart 64 ($25 to $35 loose)

The quintessential N64 party game. Mario Kart 64 moves enormous volume on the secondary market because everyone wants a copy. This is one of the most common N64 cartridges in existence. CIB: $60 to $90. Value trend: stable. A bedrock title for any collection.

7. Conker's Bad Fur Day ($90 to $130 loose)

Rare's adult-oriented platformer was produced in limited quantities near the end of the N64's lifecycle, and the combination of quality gameplay, cult status, and scarcity has made it one of the most valuable mainstream N64 titles. CIB: $200 to $300. Value trend: rising. This game has appreciated steadily every year and shows no signs of slowing down.

8. Paper Mario ($35 to $50 loose)

An RPG that holds up remarkably well. Paper Mario's visual style has aged better than most N64 games because the flat character art against 3D environments looks intentional rather than dated. CIB: $90 to $130. Value trend: rising slowly. RPGs on the N64 are scarce, which supports the price.

9. Banjo-Kazooie ($20 to $30 loose)

Rare's answer to Mario 64. Banjo-Kazooie is a tightly designed collect-a-thon with charm to spare. Very affordable for the quality. CIB: $60 to $85. Value trend: stable. One of the best value propositions in N64 collecting.

10. Banjo-Tooie ($25 to $35 loose)

The ambitious sequel that pushed the N64 to its limits. Larger worlds, more complex puzzles, and impressive technical achievement. CIB: $70 to $100. Value trend: stable to slightly rising.

11. Star Fox 64 ($15 to $25 loose)

The definitive on-rails shooter. Star Fox 64 included the Rumble Pak, introducing force feedback to console gaming. The game is short but endlessly replayable with branching paths. CIB with Rumble Pak: $40 to $65. Value trend: stable. An affordable essential.

12. Perfect Dark ($15 to $20 loose)

GoldenEye's spiritual successor with more features, better AI, and a co-op campaign. Requires the Expansion Pak for the full single-player mode. Undervalued relative to its quality. CIB: $40 to $60. Value trend: stable. Arguably a better game than GoldenEye at half the price.

13. Diddy Kong Racing ($15 to $25 loose)

Often overshadowed by Mario Kart 64, but many consider it the better racing game. The adventure mode and vehicle variety give it more depth. CIB: $45 to $65. Value trend: stable.

14. Donkey Kong 64 ($20 to $30 loose)

Rare's massive collect-a-thon. Came bundled with the Expansion Pak, which makes loose copies common. The game itself divides opinion due to its sheer scale and backtracking requirements, but it is a significant N64 title. CIB: $60 to $85. Value trend: stable.

15. Pokemon Stadium 2 ($30 to $45 loose)

The superior Stadium game with full Generation 2 support and the ability to play Game Boy Pokemon games on the TV through the Transfer Pak. CIB: $80 to $110. Value trend: rising. Pokemon prices have a floor that other franchises do not.

16. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards ($20 to $30 loose)

A charming platformer with the power combination mechanic that remains unique to this entry. Lower production numbers than other first-party titles. CIB: $55 to $80. Value trend: gradually rising.

17. Mario Party 2 ($25 to $35 loose)

The best Mario Party on the N64. Improved boards, better minigames, and costumes for each board's theme. A genuine four-player essential. CIB: $65 to $90. Value trend: stable.

18. F-Zero X ($15 to $25 loose)

Blazing-fast futuristic racing at 60fps, a technical marvel on the N64. The stripped-down visuals were a deliberate tradeoff for buttery smooth gameplay. Underappreciated and underpriced. CIB: $40 to $60. Value trend: gradually rising as more collectors discover it.

19. Pokemon Snap ($15 to $20 loose)

A unique rail-based photography game that was ahead of its time. Quick to play through but full of hidden moments. CIB: $35 to $55. Value trend: stable.

20. Wave Race 64 ($10 to $15 loose)

The water physics in this jet ski racer were groundbreaking in 1996 and still hold up as an impressive technical achievement. A launch window title that showcased what the N64 could do. CIB: $30 to $45. Value trend: stable. Incredible value at this price.

21. Harvest Moon 64 ($45 to $65 loose)

The farming simulation classic. Harvest Moon 64 was produced in limited quantities in North America, making it one of the pricier non-rare titles. CIB: $130 to $180. Value trend: rising. The Stardew Valley generation is discovering this one retroactively.

22. Bomberman 64 ($15 to $20 loose)

Four-player Bomberman on the N64 is chaotic perfection. The adventure mode is solid, but the multiplayer is why you own this. CIB: $35 to $50. Value trend: stable.

23. Ogre Battle 64 ($45 to $60 loose)

A deep tactical RPG that was overlooked at launch. Low production numbers and growing appreciation for its quality have pushed the price up over the years. CIB: $120 to $170. Value trend: rising. One of the best RPGs on the system and increasingly difficult to find.

24. Excitebike 64 ($8 to $12 loose)

A genuinely excellent motocross racing game that gets almost no attention in collecting circles. The track editor alone makes it worth the bargain price. CIB: $20 to $35. Value trend: stable. A hidden gem at under $15.

25. Beetle Adventure Racing ($10 to $15 loose)

A licensed Volkswagen racing game that has no business being as good as it is. Massive tracks full of shortcuts and hidden paths, plus a surprisingly fun battle mode. CIB: $25 to $40. Value trend: gradually rising as word spreads. The ultimate N64 sleeper hit.

Hidden Gems Under $20

Some of the best gaming experiences on the N64 cost less than a fast-food meal. These titles are undervalued relative to their quality and make excellent additions to any collection:

• Jet Force Gemini ($8 to $12): Rare's ambitious third-person shooter with massive environments and co-op play. Criminally underpriced.
• Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon ($15 to $20): A quirky action-adventure that mixes Zelda-style exploration with giant robot battles. Weird and wonderful.
• Mischief Makers ($12 to $18): A side-scrolling action game by Treasure with inventive grab-and-throw mechanics. Short but replayable.
• Snowboard Kids ($10 to $15): Think Mario Kart on snowboards. Charming, fun in multiplayer, and overlooked by most collectors.
• Blast Corps ($5 to $10): A demolition puzzle game made by Rare before they went all-in on platformers. Unique and satisfying.

Most Expensive N64 Rarities

At the other end of the spectrum, a handful of N64 titles command prices that can make even experienced collectors blink:

• Clay Fighter: Sculptor's Cut ($300 to $500 loose): A Blockbuster Video exclusive rental that was never sold at retail. The most expensive standard North American N64 release. CIB copies, when they surface, can exceed $1,000.
• Stunt Racer 64 ($200 to $350 loose): Another Blockbuster exclusive with very limited production. A mediocre racing game that is only valuable because of its scarcity.
• Worms Armageddon ($150 to $250 loose): Low North American production run of a game that sold much better in Europe. The gameplay is excellent, which at least makes the high price sting less.
• Snowboard Kids 2 ($80 to $120 loose): The sequel was produced in much smaller numbers than the original. A genuinely fun game that has become expensive.
• Goemon's Great Adventure ($60 to $90 loose): The co-op sequel to Mystical Ninja. Limited release and growing demand from fans of Japanese-style games.

Value Trends to Watch in 2026

The N64 market has largely stabilized after the dramatic price increases during 2020 and 2021. Here is where things stand:

• Rising: Conker's Bad Fur Day, Harvest Moon 64, Ogre Battle 64, and most CIB copies of first-party titles. RPGs and limited-run titles continue to appreciate. Hidden gems like Beetle Adventure Racing and F-Zero X are seeing upward movement as collectors move beyond the obvious titles.
• Stable: The core library including Mario 64, Zelda, GoldenEye, Mario Kart, and Smash Bros. These have enormous supply and established price floors. They are not going to spike again, but they are not going to drop significantly either.
• Falling: Sports titles (Madden, NBA Live, Wayne Gretzky) continue their slow decline and most are worth under $5. Licensed movie tie-in games that spiked during the pandemic have also corrected. Some third-party games that were momentarily inflated by speculation have come back to earth.

Building a Starter Collection

If you are starting from zero and want to build a solid N64 collection without spending a fortune, here is a practical roadmap organized by priority:

Phase 1: The essentials ($100 to $130 total). Super Mario 64, GoldenEye 007, Mario Kart 64, Star Fox 64, and Banjo-Kazooie. These five games represent the core N64 experience and total under $130 for loose carts in good condition. You could play nothing but these five for months.

Phase 2: Expand the library ($80 to $120 total). Add Ocarina of Time, Super Smash Bros., Perfect Dark, and Diddy Kong Racing. This brings your collection to nine titles covering every major genre the N64 excels at.

Phase 3: Go deeper ($60 to $100 total). Pick up the hidden gems: F-Zero X, Wave Race 64, Beetle Adventure Racing, Bomberman 64, and Excitebike 64. These are the games that surprise people. Affordable and excellent.

Phase 4: The collector tier ($100+ per title). Majora's Mask, Paper Mario, Conker's Bad Fur Day, and Harvest Moon 64. These require more budget but are among the system's finest games and strongest long-term holds.

Total for Phases 1 through 3: roughly $250 to $350 for 14 games that represent the best of what the N64 has to offer. That is a library that would have cost over $800 at retail in the late 1990s.