When people think about the golden age of first-person shooters, they often picture PC icons like Doom, Quake, or Half-Life. But for console gamers in the late ‘90s, the Nintendo 64 was the ultimate FPS battleground.

Armed with its strange three-pronged controller, the N64 became the birthplace of many groundbreaking shooters. Whether you were slapping friends in GoldenEye, hunting dinosaurs in Turok, or battling demons in Doom 64, the system helped define the future of console shooters.

Let’s lock and load — here are the 10 best first-person shooters on the Nintendo 64.

1. GoldenEye 007 (1997)

Developer: Rare | Publisher: Nintendo

You can’t talk about N64 shooters without bowing to GoldenEye 007. Rare’s masterpiece wasn’t just a solid James Bond tie-in — it was a revolution.

The single-player campaign featured stealth, gadgets, and multiple mission objectives that rewarded replayability. But the real magic came from its four-player split-screen multiplayer. “License to kill” mode, the Facility map, and that eternal “no Oddjob” rule made it a party staple.

Even decades later, GoldenEye 007 is still referenced as the gold standard for console FPS design.

2. Perfect Dark (2000)

Developer: Rare | Publisher: Nintendo

Perfect Dark refined everything GoldenEye started. Featuring protagonist Joanna Dark, this futuristic spy thriller pushed the N64 to its limits with improved AI, motion capture, voice acting, and even customizable bots for multiplayer.

With its robust weapon variety and objective-driven missions, it felt years ahead of its time. The multiplayer mode let players create endless combat scenarios, from stealth assassinations to chaos-filled firefights.

If GoldenEye invented console FPS multiplayer, Perfect Dark perfected it.

3. Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (1997)

Developer: Iguana Entertainment | Publisher: Acclaim

Few games felt as bold or wild as Turok: Dinosaur Hunter. Mixing sci-fi and prehistoric chaos, it dropped players into fog-filled jungles teeming with dinosaurs, mutants, and tribesmen.

It wasn’t just about shooting — it was about surviving a living, breathing world. With huge levels, clever secrets, and creative weapons, Turok set a high bar for N64 shooters.

This was one of the first truly 3D FPS experiences that felt like an adventure, paving the way for future console shooters.

4. Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (1998)

Developer: Iguana Entertainment | Publisher: Acclaim

If Turok opened the door, Turok 2 blew it off the hinges. With enormous levels, smarter enemies, and cinematic weapon design (hello, Cerebral Bore), this sequel elevated the series into full-blown FPS greatness.

Multiplayer support added replay value, while the darker tone and alien landscapes made it a more intense experience. Turok 2 wasn’t just a sequel — it was proof that console shooters could rival PC titles in depth and creativity.

5. Doom 64 (1997)

Developer: Midway Games | Publisher: id Software

While PC gamers had Doom and Doom II, Nintendo 64 players got something unique — Doom 64.

Built from the ground up with new levels, lighting effects, and a haunting soundtrack, this wasn’t just a port; it was a reimagining. The game’s eerie atmosphere and smooth controls made blasting demons in 3D feel fresh again.

Modern re-releases have helped new players discover Doom 64, but on N64, it was a terrifyingly good time.

6. Quake II (1999)

Developer: Raster Productions / id Software | Publisher: Activision

When Quake II hit the N64, it showed that fast-paced PC shooters could thrive on a console.

While scaled down visually, the port nailed what mattered — speed, gunplay, and satisfying combat. The N64 version even featured new content and solid multiplayer modes that ran smoothly despite hardware limits.

For many fans, Quake II was the first console game that felt like playing on a PC — quick, brutal, and endlessly replayable.

7. Duke Nukem 64 (1997)

Developer: Eurocom | Publisher: GT Interactive

Crude? Sure. Fun? Absolutely. Duke Nukem 64 took the PC classic Duke Nukem 3D and made it console-friendly without losing its swagger.

Despite toned-down adult content, the game’s attitude remained intact. Dual pistols, explosive weapons, and alien-blasting chaos made it a blast to play. The updated graphics and multiplayer mode sealed the deal — this was old-school FPS carnage at its finest.

8. 007: The World Is Not Enough (2000)

Developer: Eurocom | Publisher: EA Games

This lesser-known Bond entry often gets overlooked, but it’s a surprisingly polished shooter. The World Is Not Enough refined the GoldenEye formula with slick controls, movie-inspired missions, and more gadgets.

It didn’t redefine the genre, but it delivered a smooth, satisfying experience that proved Bond’s adventures still belonged on N64.

9. Forsaken 64 (1998)

Developer: Iguana Entertainment | Publisher: Acclaim

One of the console’s most underrated gems, Forsaken 64 was a high-speed, six-degrees-of-freedom shooter where players piloted hoverbikes through twisting tunnels.

It blended arcade chaos with sleek visuals, fast action, and strong multiplayer. For players craving something different from traditional shooters, Forsaken 64 offered an experience that felt ahead of its time.

10. Turok: Rage Wars (1999)

Developer: Acclaim Studios Austin | Publisher: Acclaim

Before Halo popularized console arena combat, Turok: Rage Wars experimented with it.

This spin-off ditched story-driven campaigns in favor of tight, deathmatch-style battles. While the single-player mode was limited, the multiplayer was incredibly fun — fast, competitive, and full of the series’ signature over-the-top weapons.

It’s often overlooked, but Rage Wars deserves credit as one of the earliest examples of console FPS multiplayer innovation.

The Legacy of N64 Shooters

The Nintendo 64 wasn’t just a quirky console — it was a testing ground for the FPS genre on consoles. Before dual analog sticks and online multiplayer, these games proved that shooters could work on a gamepad.

Games like GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark directly influenced later titles such as Halo and Call of Duty. Meanwhile, the Turok series proved that original ideas — not just PC ports — could thrive in 3D.

Even today, their DNA lives on in every modern shooter that values smart level design, weapon variety, and satisfying split-screen play.

The Nintendo 64 may not have had the massive FPS libraries of later consoles, but what it did have were some of the most innovative and memorable shooters ever made.

From espionage to dinosaurs to demons, these games weren’t afraid to take risks and experiment with what the genre could be. Whether you’re revisiting them on original hardware or through modern re-releases, these titles stand as proof that innovation doesn’t always need realism — just great design and a little imagination.

So dust off that N64 controller and get ready to relive the glory days — where C-buttons ruled, and four-player split-screen meant bragging rights for life.