The puzzle genre is beloved and enduringly popular. Many of these releases are on mobile devices these days, but they have made up a sizable portion of the market since the very earliest gaming devices and entertainment programs on computers.
RELATED:Best Nintendo 64 Games Ever Made, Officially Ranked
What makes puzzle games so engaging and compelling? It’s partly due to the mental stimulation they provide, the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes with solving challenging levels, and the various difficulty modes players can venture into as their abilities grow. There is such a large variety of puzzle games that take inspiration from one another, and they have sparked whole new kinds of experiences. The iconicNintendo 64is home to some wonderful, creative and unusual examples of the genre.
10The New Tetris
The New Tetris is the most like the original in terms of gameplay. Tetris stands as one ofthe most influential games of all time, which makes sense: so many of the examples in this list and in the wider world of puzzlers draw from it.
The New Tetris has many new and innovative features and enhancements that were deemed “new” at the time, but have since become standard elements: The Ghost Piece, Hold Piece and Wall Kick among them. This game would have ranked higher back in the day, but now, it serves as more of a template for Tetris-style games going forward.
One of the most unique puzzle games on the Nintendo 64 is Wetrix. This is not your run-of-the-mill block dropping game. Instead, you change the aspects of the very level itself to keep the game going. You can press the land down or raise the land up to create walls to separate various parts of the level.
RELATED:Best Puzzle Games
Later, the option to add water to create various pools throughout the level becomes available. You also receive fireballs to evaporate the water, and spinning ice cubes that are able to freeze it. You lose if too much water flows off the edge of the level. The thrill of this game might not last you as many hours as others on this list, but it’s worth it to experience this forgotten gem.
8Charlie Blast’s Territory
Fans of the classicBombermanformula will adore this one. This game features a construction site theme and the protagonist resembles a construction worker. Not every level will adhere to this setting, however: You can even find yourself inside a mineshaft.
Each level is filled with obstacles that must be overcome to complete. Instead of a combat focus, this game mainly focuses on solving puzzle elements by rearranging blocks on a map, then lighting the fuse of a single specific bomb. This explosion will chain all the destruction together. It’s a blast, but rather short-lived; once you’ve figured out a level, it doesn’t have more to offer.
7Magical Tetris Challenge
Another Tetris-based game for the Nintendo 64 is Magic Tetris Challenge, and this one filled with several iconic Disney characters. Magic Tetris Challenge brings the same classic and engaging gameplay of Tetris, but what sets this apart from the others is the introduction of uniquely shaped blocks not found in the original Tetris, nor other versions of it.
Combine that with the satisfying payoff for building up for specials, the music and the charming Disney visuals, and it all rises above other similar block-droppers for the N64. There’s a lot more creativity to be found in other puzzlers for the system, however.
6Pokemon Puzzle League
Based on thePokemonfranchise, this game has you partaking in Trainer battles via shifting and swapping blocks to match up the same elements. Doing so will, of course, clear those blocks from the board. Unlike a lot of games where blocks fall from above, this game has them rise from below. Players need to keep clearing blocks before the ever-rising tower of blocks reaches the top.
RELATED:Pokemon Anime: Best Kanto Episodes
The game features several different game modes, but the biggest treat is the story mode: Stadium Mode. Here, the player gets to face off against Gym Leaders and even the Elite Four. This gives it a very engaging and rewarding sense of play. This title is so popular, it’s one of several N64 titles that will make its way to Nintendo Switch Online. It’s rather overshadowed by the other exellent entries in its franchise, however.
5Dr. Mario 64
One of the many spin-offs fromthe beloved Super Mario franchise, Dr. Mario retains its core game mode from the original Dr. Mario while also introducing several new game modes such as Story Mode, Score Attack and Marathon Mode. In Story Mode, you will be able to progress through various levels as either Mario or Wario and battle against several boss characters.
The Nintendo 64 version, like many games that were brought over to it, supports up to 4 players at once. Of all the Tetris-like games on this list, this one’s replayability will see you sinking the most hours into it. Few puzzle titles on the console top this one.
4Wheel Of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune is one of several video game adaptations based on the popular TV game show of the same name. In the Nintendo 64 version, as is standard, players compete against each other or computer-controlled opponents to solve word puzzles by spinning a virtual wheel. This determines the prize money they can earn for correctly guessing letters and solving the puzzle.
Players take turns spinning the wheel, which can land on different prize values, bankruptcies, or special spaces that offer various advantages or disadvantages. Once a letter is guessed correctly, players have the option to buy vowels or solve the puzzle, which earns them the prize money for that round. Each word puzzle is different, giving a true sense of accomplishment for figuring them out. The RNG element of the spinning wheel can prove problematic, though, and the great core experience is also available elsewhere.
3Puzzle Bobble 2
In Puzzle Bobble 2, players launch different-colored bubbles to connect to the rest of the bubbles above. The objective is to have 3 or more matching colors connected. Two modes of play are available. The first is a VS centric mode where you face off against either CPU opponents or friends.
The second method of play is a puzzle mode, where you will go through a variety of different levels and tackle the challenges therein. You progress to the next level once all the bubbles have been cleared (without any of them reaching the bottom of the screen). Though other puzzle titles offer more modes, calculating where the bubbles will land adds more to just your standard drop puzzle. That extra layer of strategy launches this one into the top 3 of this list.
2Puzzle Bobble 3
Puzzle Bobble 3 is the successor to the previous entry, and features a gameplay style similar to it. This was one of the first Puzzle Bobble games to accommodate up to 4 players. This title retains both the Versus and Puzzle modes from Puzzle Bobble 2, while also introducing several new game modes such as Challenge mode and Win Contest mode.
Overall, this game adds and improves on its predecessor in every way. Many hours can be sunk into replaying it, thanks to the variety of experiences it offers. Only one Nintendo 64 puzzler tops this one.
1Tetrisphere
Perhaps the most unique take on Tetris yet. In this game, players will need to clear layers of blocks from a spherical game board by matching blocks of the same color. They will need to avoid obstacles that hinder their progress as they continue to remove more and more of the sphere, getting ever closer to the center to save the little robot trapped within each of them.
It’s a unique premise that doesn’t simply rest of the laurels of the Tetris name. What is pretty remarkable is that Tetrisphere is not available on any system other than the Nintendo 64, despite being this noteworthy a variation of such a beloved game.The original has been given yet another new lease of life thanks to Nintendo Switch Online.
