We already published the list of best N64 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best N64 sports games of all time.
With amazing titles like the All-Star Baseball series, WWF series, and Mario Tennis, the N64 surely have a great collection of sports games.
If you’re a fan of both N64 and sports games, I know that you want to know the best N64 sports games of all time.
Most of you will recognize (or even still play) some of the games mentioned on this list.
See also: Best SNES Games & Best GBC Games
#25. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing
A boxing game featuring many characters with colorful personalities, in 3D.
Not much story in this game, because it’s not needed. Just make your way to the top.
It’s like Punch Out!! series, but have way more colorful characters and in 3D.
The 3D aspect allow slightly more control over the boxer in the ring.
Each character have unique special combo called “Rumble Flurry”, which is unique to each character and will deal large amount out of damage if landed successfully.
The control is slick and the gameplay is fast, simple, and quite addictive.
#24. NHL Breakaway 98
Pick a team and win the tournament in the most realistic and up to date ice hockey game ever (at that time).
NHL Breakaway 98 is a sim game that aims to be the most “realistic” of its kind.
Thus, graphic wise, the colors are a bit muted and players can even lose their helmets or sticks when tackled, just like in real life.
The game features several game modes such as exhibition, season, playoffs, and some more.
You can also play multiplayer mode that features up to five players.
Overall not exactly the best ice hockey game of the time, but features much deeper gameplay and better graphics.
#23. NFL Quarterback Club 99
A NFL Quarterback Club 98’s direct sequel.
Play as one of many NFL team and win the Super Bowls.
Also relive the past Super Bowls with the replay feature.
NFL Quarterback Club ’99 improve its predecessor’s gameplay with better animations, graphics, and more fluent control.
While these improvements seems minor at first, it make the game a lot more enjoyable and more appealing to fans.
Though the AI seems to be bugged in some places compared to similar game at that time.
The game features full NFL License, all 31 NFL teams. Six NFL Europe clubs and the expansion Cleveland Browns.
#22. Madden Football 64
Yet another football game. An upgrade of Madden NFL 98 released on Nintendo 64, now in 3D instead of 2D.
This game has the most realistic gameplay and more detailed player model compared to similar game at the time on Nintendo 64.
There are plenty of game modes and options that make this game one of the most complete football game.
Funny enough, even though this game have NFL in its title, it lacks an actual NFL license.
Thus have different names to refer to a lot of official things, like Super Bowls is referred as “EAS Championship” and team name like New England Patriots is referred to as “Foxboro”.
#21. NBA Live 2000
Enjoy one of the better basketball game of its time with plenty of unique modes and great features.
Play as one of your favorite basketball player or play as yourself with the “Face in the Game” feature.
NBA Live 2000 improved a lot of aspects of its predecessor.
It features plenty of game modes that will satisfy your craving.
The graphics is pretty good for its time.
But it suffer from choppy frame rates of below 30 frames per second.
The sound is excellent with great audience noise and sound effects.
Would have been a better game if not for its choppy frame rate.
#20. Major League Baseball Featuring Ken Griffey, Jr.
An arcade-style fast-paced baseball game.
Pick a team, make yor way through various game modes it offers, and be the champion.
It’s a fast-paced baseball game where all of the batting, fielding, and pitching happen in the blink of an eye.
Griffey utilizes a unique pitching/batting system that adds quite a bit to the otherwise simplistic process.
Graphic wise, it’s pretty average compared to other game of same genre.
Though it makes that up for better sound, with atmospheric crowd cheers, organ music, fireworks, booing, commentary and even city noises like ambulances driving by.
All in all, its pretty stale in graphic but pretty solid with its arcadey and speedy gameplay.
#19. FIFA 99
Sixth installment of the FIFA video game series.
An officially licensed football (or soccer if you’re American) game focusing on European league.
This game improved a lot of aspects from its predecessor.
From the better AI, wider variety of modes, extended moveset, to almost photo-realistic graphics.
Though the control is a bit tighter compared to its competitor, Konami’s International Superstar Soccer.
All things considered, its up there for the podium of the soccer game of its time.
Definitely an authentic representation of FIFA soccer.
#18. WCW/nWo Revenge
A professional wrestling video game released in 1998.
A sequel to 1997’s WCW vs. nWo: World Tour.
Featuring a revolutionary grappling system as well as highly improved graphics, championship mode, and huge roster of real and fictional wrestlers.
Running on an enhanced World Tour engine, Revenge plays incredibly similar to World Tour.
The series’ unique grappling system returns for another round, but slightly improved.
This game has improved graphics with better texture map and variety of cinematic intros and highlights.
Overall it feels like a more complete game compared to World Tour.
#17. NFL Blitz 2000
An exaggerated, over the top, and arcadey version of American football game inspired by NBA Jam.
The game is based on the arcade version of NFL Blitz ’99 with added features like creating defensive plays, controlling your punts, and the use of a new icon-based passing system called blitz passing.
The graphics is good with the player and field looking nice and very high frame rate of 60 fps.
The speech and sound effect are well done but a little tinny.
A perfect transition of arcade to console game.
#16. NHL 99
Ready you stick and smack the pucks into this amazing ice hockey game.
The game retains the great gameplay of its 16-bit original game, but gives you a lot of options to play with, letting you to design the complexity level of your game.
Basic gameplay is easy to learn but there’s always a secret you can learn for advanced play.
The graphics are pretty good with nice animations and smooth framerate, though the sound leaves a lot to be desired.
Simple enough to pick up and play, yet enough things to keep you interested for quite a time.
#15. WWF WrestleMania 2000
Get ready to fight in the arena in this spiritual successor of WCW/nWo’s World Tour and Revenge.
Fight as a famous wrestler available, or fight as yourself with Create-A-Wrestler feature.
The controls are as good and as bad as WCW/nWo Revenge since it uses the same engine.
Button commands are nearly identical and AI shenanigan is still as frustrating as it was in Revenge.
This game has amazing variety of moves available to use, from basic move like Grappling to specific moves like running attack or turnbuckle moves.
The sound part is a bit mixed.
It have large library of audio from TV show, but most of them are at low quality.
#14. Madden NFL 2001
Ready your gear to play in the most complete and refined version of the game on Nintendo 64.
The first Madden game to feature NFL Europe teams.
The gameplay is almost identical to its predecessor, Madden 2000, with similar controls.
Graphics wise, its also nearly similar with blockier models and some lags in the frame rate.
However, the animations are pretty good.
The AI is as solid as ever with teams playing as it would in a real NFL game.
It has extended replay value with the expansion of Madden Card feature.
Overall, its a great game that fits the end of the series on N64.
#13. World Cup 98
Start the kickoff and win the 98’s World Cup in this fantastic 3D football game.
The game is essentially FIFA 98, minus the FIFA team, but with improved gameplay and cinematics.
It’s all about the world cup now.
Thanks to the license, now it features accurate teams and stadiums, which feels like the real thing.
The game runs faster but still not as responsive as I could ever hope.
It’s pretty amazing graphic wise though still can be jerky at times.
The sound is still as good as it was thanks to the Dolby Surround sound.
Overall, this game is as close as you could get to the real World Cup 98.
#12. WWF War Zone
Play as various famous wrestlers, or make your very own wrestler in this very first Nintendo 64 game to hold the brand WWF.
The prequel of WWF WrestleMania 2000.
This game features multitude of gameplay modes from standard challenge to N64 exclusive gauntlet mode.
Unlike other similar games, player must perform a set of button sequence to perform certain move.
While it looks difficult at first, it will greatly reward player that have mastered them.
The graphics is so great that it made WCW/NWO World Tour look like a 16-bit classic in comparison.
Nothing special sounds wise beside highlight commentary by Vince McMahon.
#11. WWF No Mercy
A sequel to WWF WrestleMania 2000. Also the final WWF game on the N64 platform.
Using the exact same engine as WrestleMania 2000, anyone familiar with that title will immediately feel at home.
The control system remains the same, simple and fun.
The graphics is great, animation is fantastic, the characters are very responsive, and there’s plenty of game modes to satisfy your craving.
A most complete WWF game on N64 and definitely a must try for a wrestling fan.
#10. All-Star Baseball 99
Batter Up!
Win the tournament in this breaking ground baseball game by Acclaim Entertainment with the official MLB license.
With the official MLB license, All-Star Baseball 99 has all 30 of real MLB teams and their real player.
The controls are pretty simple that new player can learn it on the spot.
It’s very impressive visually with the hi-res graphics and the detailed player expression.
Sound and music are pretty good featuring commentary by John Sterling and Michael Kay.
The only bad thing of this game is its recycled animation, but even then its not that bad.
Easily the best baseball game of its time.
Check it out on Amazon »#9. All-Star Baseball 2001
Batter up yet again!
Acclaim Entertainment is back with the release of the amazing All-Star Baseball 2001.
ASB 2001 features simulation and arcade control mode.
Simulation mode can adjust various pitching and batting parameters, while arcade mode is a simple single button pitching and swing.
It offers standard fare, delivering season, exhibition, batting practice, and home run derby mode.
The visuals are pretty colorful and crisp just like its predecessor.
Sound and music are great, but the commentary are a little lacking on the variety side making it feels a little stale.
All things considered, its a pretty fun game.
Check it out on Amazon »#8. Mario Golf
A superb superb blend of golf-sim and Mario franchise.
Make your way through the golf course with variety of familiar Mario characters.
Visually, the game has typical Mario style cuteness with various familiar Mario shapes scattered across the stages.
The controls are simple enough for pick and play, but the engine is pretty deep on the physics part.
Various things will affect the shots, from standard wind strength to the deep and complex character attribute and the spin of the ball.
There are various game modes including speed golf, ring shot, and skins match.
Overall, its a superb game for both hardcore and casual golf-sim game fans.
Check it out on Amazon »#7. Mario Tennis
Yet another superb blend of Mario franchise and a sports game.
Beat your opponent (or your friend in multiplayer) using the various characters from the Mario franchise including Waluigi that make his very first appearance here.
The controls are easy enough to pick up and play, but it’s also pretty deep if you want to learn more.
There are various modes to play with, from a standard single or double exhibition match the weird but fun superpowered tennis game in Bowser mode.
The visuals are cute, simplistic, and colorful, as expected from a Mario game.
All in all, it’s not just a dumbed down tennis game with mario character, but also a surprisingly polished tennis game.
Probably the most polished in the N64 console.
Check it out on Amazon »#6. Madden NFL 99
Featuring vast improvement over its predecessor, now this game is better than ever.
Pick a team and enjoy various mode this game offers.
Madden NFL 99 now have NFL license, so you can have all real NFL teams and players name, and its logos.
Controls are pretty standard, but it also features “one button” mode allowing new player to learn the game more easily.
Graphics now in high resolution, making it look a lot nicer than previous installment.
Its sound effects and music are great, but the commentary is a bit weak.
All in all, it’s the best realistic football game on the N64 in its time.
Check it out on Amazon »#5. All-Star Baseball 2000
Enjoy solid baseball gameplay with superb graphics in this All-Star Baseball 99 successor.
All-Star Baseball 2000 is the ultimate baseball experience to be had for Nintendo 64.
Even though it feels like a slightly polished version of the original, by no means its a bad thing, as the original is already pretty great.
The enhanced batting/pitching system, enabling for 3D directional ball hitting, is pure genius and no other N64 baseball game has it.
With the majority of bugs from its predecessor have been eliminated and new mode have been implemented, it is definitely the ultimate baseball game experience.
Check it out on Amazon »#4. International Superstar Soccer 64
Pick a team and win the various mode this amazing game offers.
It’s the counterpart of J League Perfect Striker.
Gameplay is pretty similar to other titles, but the strategy selections can really make a difference and add a whole new level to it.
This game features full analog support you can use to control how fast the character runs.
Other than occasionally jerky camera, the graphics are perfect and detailed, and the animations are brilliant.
Overall this game offers everything FIFA 64 did, but better.
Check it out on Amazon »#3. 1080: TenEighty Snowboarding
Play through various courses and perform wide variety of tricks in this amazing snowboarding game.
The controls can be hard and unforgiving, but it will give a lot of satisfaction once you master it.
Various tricks are performed with combinations of B button, analog stick, and R button.
It has various gameplay modes each with different goals.
Be the fastest in time attack mode, rack the most points in trick attack mode, and be the fastest and accumulate most points in the contest mode.
The graphics is simply the best among similar games in N64.
Overall, its the best snowboarding game in N64.
Check it out on Amazon »#2. NFL Blitz
An amazing football game with exaggerated, actiony, and arcadey gameplay.
From the people that brought you NBA Jam.
NFL Blitz plays unlike any of its competition, have different rules that there’s no penalties, no substitutions, and ability to perform illegal attacks such as dropkicks.
It’s a port of an arcade game after all. Surprisingly, it plays well enough on the N64 console considering its limitations.
Visuals are crisps and frames are pretty smooth.
Definitely one of the best football game ever made, unless you’re those freaks that want hyperrealism in the game.
Check it out on Amazon »#1. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
A fantastic skateboarding game launched the “extreme sports” genre of the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
Play as the titular Tony Hawk or other 9 pro skaters, and dominate the arena.
THPS features 10 pro skaters divided into two groups, vert skaters and street skaters.
The controls are easy to pick up and very precise.
This game features various modes, from the main career mode to the trick attack.
The visuals are very impressive, from well modeled skaters to the detailed environment.
The sounds is a mix of both dumbed down song to save space and spot on sound effects.
This game absolutely nails down everything it sets out to do.
Check it out on Amazon »Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding the best N64 sports game is no doubt a little bit late since the console itself has been around for more than two decades, but thanks to its hardcore fans, it’s still being discussed!