It can be hard to muster the energy to play a challenging or intense game after a long day. That’s why we’ve drawn up a list of the most relaxing N64 games you can play.
It goes without saying that getting enough rest is important. You should take a break from your N64 if you’re tired or exhausted.
But if you’re feeling fresh enough then the following N64 games are a great way to chill out and de-stress.
Fishing in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
You could argue that Link has better things to do with his time than fishing.
But even the legendary Hero of Time needs to take a break from saving Hyrule every now and again.
The fishing pond is the perfect place to unwind. For only 20 rupees you can catch as many fish as you like, for as long as you want.
If you look carefully around the pond, you may find the sinking lure. The fish absolutely love this fishing rod attachment, making it a lot easier to catch them.
Just be warned: some fish put up even more of a fight than Ganondorf once they bite onto your line.
After a while, the fishing may start to feel a bit repetitive. But don’t worry – the fishing pond owner is also a great source of entertainment.
Harvest Moon 64
What better way to escape reality than to retreat to your own virtual farm?
To be fair, it’s actually a lot of hard work for Harvest Moon 64’s main character, Jack. But for you the player, it’s a relatively peaceful life.
You can grow crops, raise livestock and even share your farm with the love of your life by getting married.
If you’re feeling a little adventurous then you can take on side quests. But there’s never any pressure to do things in a hurry.
The only potential issue is that Harvest Moon 64 is a very addictive game. With this in mind, it might start to feel like a second job if you’re not careful.
In-Fisherman Bass Hunter 64
Don’t want the burden of saving Hyrule in the back of your mind while fishing? If so, swap out The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for In-Fisherman Bass Hunter 64.
This dedicated fishing simulator offers a “Fish for Fun” mode. Here you can hit the lake and fish at your own pace.
Finding fish is effortless thanks to your Garmin Fishfinder. You also have the luxury of a speedboat to help you get to the ideal fishing spot.
In-Fisherman Bass Hunter 64 doesn’t feature any background music until you have a fish on your line. It’s just you out on the water against a backdrop of environmental sounds.
It’s incredibly serene, easily making In-Fisherman Bass Hunter 64 one of the most relaxing N64 games.
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
A quest to save the galaxy doesn’t sound like it belongs in the same category as a spa day.
Nevertheless, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards is a chilled-out experience thanks to its simple gameplay.
This 2D platformer may be pretty easy, but it’s charming and full of colour.
As per almost every other game in the series, Kirby can inhale enemies and take on their abilities.
In Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, you can merge two different abilities together to create a new one. It’s great fun to experiment and discover every possible combination.
Mario Golf
Tee off with Mario and friends in one of the most relaxing N64 games you can play.
Mario Golf is surprisingly down to earth. For example, it doesn’t feature the sort of wacky gameplay features often found in Super Mario games.
As a result, it’s a relatively calm experience. Competing in a tournament or against a friend in multiplayer is about as tense as it gets.
If whacking a ball hundreds of metres doesn’t appeal then Mario Golf’s mini golf mode is a great alternative.
Pilotwings 64
There’s nothing quite like flying high above a beautiful landscape and taking in the fantastic view.
That said, working towards your pilot’s licence in Pilotwings 64 can be occasionally challenging. Having Meca Hawk lob rocks at you isn’t exactly a day at the beach.
Thankfully, there’s always the laid-back side games, should you need to turn things down a notch.
There’s something liberating about launching a pilot out of a cannon into a giant target. And bouncing across the land using the Jumble Hopper boots is a fun way to explore.
But it’s the Birdman suit that proves to be the most relaxing activity. This mode lets you soar freely above an island of your choice as if you were an actual bird!
There are no time limits or challenge restrictions. It’s just you, your wings and a beautiful jazz soundtrack.
Pokémon Stadium 1 & 2 – mini-games
Becoming a Pokémon master isn’t without its ups and downs.
Sometimes you just don’t have the energy to navigate the pitch-black rock tunnel or confusing Team Rocket hideout. And who can forget the rage-inducing ordeal of your Pokémon getting hit with a confuse ray and repeatedly hurting themselves?
It’s just as well then that the mini-games in Pokémon Stadium 1 & 2 are completely stress free.
These fun little challenges are a great way to blow off some steam. The controls are basic, the premise is simple. and each game only lasts a few minutes at the most.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
Surely a skateboarding title is far too adrenaline-inducing to feature in a list of relaxing N64 games?
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater is definitely exciting at times. But its free skate mode is a chance to let your hair down and just do what you want.
You can practise tricks and devise new combos. Or you can go off in search of secret areas just waiting to be discovered.
The N64 has three Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games, and all of them have a free skate mode. You’re really spoilt for choice!
Yoshi’s Story
Bright, colourful and overflowing with cuteness, Yoshi’s Story is all about the fun of exploring.
In this 2D platformer, you search each level for 30 pieces of fruit. This sounds like a lot, but fruit is so plentiful that you never have to worry about not finding enough.
The only challenge lies in finding melons, which give you more points than everything else. But whether or not you choose to do this is entirely optional.
Otherwise, Yoshi’s Story is an easy-going game. The happy-go-lucky enemies don’t put up much of a fight, and the platforming segments are relatively straightforward.
What do you think are the most relaxing N64 games?
Let us know on Twitter or Facebook.
