If there's any console that provides that warm and fuzzy feeling of nostalgia, it's most certainly the N64. This is especially the case when it comes to the multiplayer aspect. Say what you want about this odd console from the Big N, but the machine was the absolute pinnacle of local multiplayer. It wasn't only the first to offer four-player support out of the box – it also had a solid library of multiplayer games to go along with it. I have countless fond memories of lounging and laughing it up with friends and family, getting lost in classics like Perfect Dark and Smash Bros.

Still, this machine was far from perfect. Besides being notorious for its cutting edge graphics, along with its adherence to cartridges during an era that was migrating to CDs, the N64 is also k꧑nown for its lack of games. Many of Nintendo's third-party partners had jumped ship to the rival PlayStation, and Nintendo's output of games had slowed from the SNES days.

With so few titles, it can be difficult to imagine this console's library containing a significant number of hidden gems, but take it from this diehard N64 – it really does. There are a number of reasons for this – often a game held a more limited appeal or availability. Sometimes it was merely a case of a title being diminished unde෴r the looming shadow of major Nintendo releases.

But with a library of hidden gems also naturally comes a sizable lineup of overrated games. Often times these titles were overhyped by huge fans of a franchise, or didn't live up to a franchise name. Some simply 🍰have not aged that well when looking through the lens of the modern gaming era.

With that said, let's take a look at some of the games that fall under the category of overhyped, as well as those gems that so many gamers missed out൲ on.

30 Overrated: Mario Par💮ty 1

I know, I know – "this game is a multiplayer classic!" But, is it really, reader? I've certainly🐈 had tons of en🗹joyment playing this one with friends and family (and still occasionally do). But in hindsight, while it had fun elements, it really did have a lot of flaws.

You had a pretty mixed bag of minigames.

Over half of these games were basic and forgettable, especially the solo games. You also had the issue of the game often requiring that you quickly rotate the joystick, which produced many unpleasant blisters on the palms of gamers. Mario Party 1 is also stripped down compared to future entries – you can't even play a board game with fewer than 20 turns, for instance. MP2 and 3 thankfully improved and built on this𒊎 game's foundation.

29 Overrated: The Legend Of Zelda: Majora'𓄧♛s Mask

Outside of Zelda II, or those horrific Zelda CD-i titles, Majora's Mask is probably the weirdest entry in this iconic fantasy series from Nintendo. The trippy, apocalyptic vibe is certainly a characteristic that many are drawn to, though it's also one that proves off-putting for the more casual Zelda fan.

That creepy looming moon pretty much encapsulates the weird vibe of this one.

The gameplay and exploration elements still prove to be memorable, but this sequel to Ocarina of Time is just too bizarre and out of place, and it often feels like style reigns over substance. There aren't many temples, and what few exist arenꦬ't too memorable, and the stress-inducing time limit concept is a bi🎀t off-putting.

28 Hi🐬dden Gem: NFL Blitz

Back in the days before EA locked down the rights to the NFL brand, Midway had created a zanier, more action-laced version of football that boiled things down to an arcade sense of fast-paced gameplay. The NFL Blitz games offered a way for more casual football fans to enjoy the action and intensity of the game without needing much of a firm grasp on the nuanℱces of play calling or setting lineups.

The focus is rather on the exciting aspects of football – like tossing Hail Mary's to the end zone, running the ball 40 yards, and of course, sacking and stiff-arming your opponents. All of this made for a satisfying, adrenaline-pumping multiplayer romp, which sadly gets overshadowed by Madden titles.

27 O♛verrated: Yoshi's Story

Sure, this isn't a horrible game, but by the standards of a Mario platformer (or at least a Mario spinoff)? It's probably one of the weakest entries in the series. Many regard this sequel to Yoshi's Island as a cute, charming platformer, but with how shoꦯrt and simple the gameplay is, it just doesn't hold up.

Not only is the game usually a cake walk to the point where it feels boring, but the game takes the odd approach of allowing you to pick which levels to play in order. This wi🅘pes most of the sense of progression; a quality that an enduring game should have.

26 ꧑ Overrated: Donkey Kong 64

While Rareware seemed to be escalating things in terms of scope and the sheer amount of collectibles with each new game they cranked out, Donkey Kong 64 was the point where it was starting t🥂o ge🥀t a little absurd.

Though the concept of playing as 5 different Kongs was neat, each of these characters had to gather their own unique set of items, many of which were elaborately scattered about the vast terrain of the island. The game can truly be a grind, especially for completionists. Thꦕere's also a multiplayer mode, but it feels about as basic and tacked-on as possible.

25 ⛄ ꧃ Hidden Gem: Mischief Makers

It's surprising that this quirky, colorful platformer from Treasure rarely seems to get a mention in the discussion of solid N64 platformers. Perhaps this is because the competition is strong and plentiful, or because the themes of Mischief Makers are so bonkers.

Though for my money, this unique vibe is pജart of the game's charm. It also doesn't hurt that it contains some charming and addictive sidescrolling gameplay and exciting boss battles. The retro style is especially refreshing considering the N64 is so overpopulated with 3D g🐲ames.

24 ꦜ Overrated: Pokémon Stadium 1 And 2 ꧒

These titles were highly anticipated and talked up by many a Pokémon fanatic. Once the novelty of watching your 2D Pokémon duke it out on your big TV screen in 3D wore off though, these games tend to lose their luster. At the end of the day, Pokémon Stadium 1 and 2 are little more than a glorified combat system essentially ripped right from the Game Boy games – just with a cooler presentation. You also can't really get the full value out of these games unless you happened to own both a copy of the Game Boy games and a Transfer Pak.

23 🦹 Overrated: Paper Ma🐽rio

There are many that live and die by this charmingly cute RPG from Nintendo. Though even as a Mario aficionado, this never quite did it for me. It often comes across as a cheaper, more stripped down version of Super Mario RPG. Its combat is pretty basic and repetitive, verges on being too easy, and it's rife ♓with countless lines of mostly insignificant dialogue. The papery cell-shaded graphics ๊were neat at the time, but this style doesn't look nearly as cool when compared to many games of the modern era that have perfected it.

22 Hidden Gem: My𒁏stical Ninja Starring Gౠoemon

All you need to do is look at the head-scratchingly random title and the quirky colorful appearance that's heavily Japanese to see why this game didn't quite take off. While it contains some enjoyable Mario 64-esque platforming elements, its 🐼weird themes and aesthetic doesn't really give♒ this a particularly broad appeal.

The focus was obviously placed on a Japanese audience, as is apparent from the cheesy, laughably poorly dubbed theme song played upon booting up the game. But credit where credit is due – this is a color♋fully entertaining game that was criminally overlooked.

21 Overrate🦹d: The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time ♔

This might not be entirely fair to this iconic Zelda title, as this is more of a "hindsight" perspective, viewing it from the lens of modern sensibilities. Yet, now that we've seen what a true epic open-world Zelda game can be like with Breath of the Wild, suddenly Ocarina of Time doesn't seem quite so epic.

Sure, it's sti❀ll a solid action-adventure in its own right, but many aspects haven't aged too well. And despite boasting depth and open-world ele꧒ments, the gameplay really can be basic and linear at times, with NPC chatter that's a bit too heavy for my tastes.