@@sandman8993 Nintendo pushes gimmicks on most of their consoles, Unfortunately the gimmick of the N64 was the 3D capability and it's aged horribly. There is a serious lack of titles that have aged well in the N64 era due to the basic 3D capabilities on the console at the time and developers being forced to use them (seriously how many non-3D games are on the N64, not too many). Fortunately in the modern era there is an appreciation for not always pushing maximum graphic capabilities and we get plenty of 2d/3d games with graphic styles that age well.
@@StabStabStabStabby Well on N64 is wasn't really as much of Nintendo pushing them (I am sure that was partially the case) but *everyone* was all over the 3D power during that generation. If it wasn't for so many 3D titles we would have taken a while longer to get to where we are now in gaming.
This is such a rare type of game to exist on a mainstream console. It plays more like a weird indie title you'd buy on steam like today than a mainstream release on like any console ever. One of my all time favorite games to this day and I've never met anyone irl who has even heard of it. Definitely the definition of a hidden gem.
Definitely one of the most underappreciated and underrated N64 titles. Glad I grew up owning it. Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon has to be my pick for the most underrated title on the console.
I never was much into speedrunning, but I remember playing Mischief Makers as quick as possible back then. Really love that game, wish they'd make a sequel
Man, I've been waiting for you to get to this review and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Mischief Makers is seriously one of my favorite games of all time. I've even got the game in both English and Japanese. Definitely worth a play.
It's almost unreal how fresh this game felt. Coming when whole 2D platform -gaming was thought to be end of genre's lifespan. This game still managed to include brand new ideas and offered new gameplay features & mechanics. Certainly one of the most unique and entertaining games out there.
This was a really unique game, then again Treasure always makes unique games. Plus they were ballsy and made it with 2D sprites, which I always liked growing up in console generations 3&4. Great review Glenn. 🤘
I believe they weren't even trying to be ballsy, it was just the kind of gameplay style they were very good at. A conservative approach, to put it in other terms.
@@awanderer5446 it was ballsy for the time because the push to 3D polygonal games brought on by the Gen 5 of consoles. Ballsy in that context. They could've bent the knee and went full 3D, but they stuck to tried and true sprites.
Mischief Makers was one of the first 7 games I had for N64. Bought it from Hollywood video when they went out of business. Definitely in my top 5 for the system, but I've never collected all the gold gems.
No, it was not on the system. I was able to snag every N64 game on the Wii VC before it was shut down. The only way I was able to play this game was to get the cart. A shame really because Nintendo did an amazing job with the picture quality of N64 games on the Wii VC.
Good point. They could have released it as a WiiWare title. Wait, I do remember Super Hang on the Wii VC could use the Wii Wheel which was motion controls.
My only guess the reason for Mischief Makers not releasing for the Virtual Console is because due to licensing issues since Enix published the game in Japan while Nintendo published the game in North America and PAL regions.
I watched your Doom 64 and Rocket: Robot on Wheels reviews. Those got me to buy and play those on my N64. Awesome games. There was no Mischief Makers review at the time, but I got that anyway too. It’s one of the most hidden gems I’ve ever played. Thank you for existing, Glenn. Glad I discovered your channel!
I'm proud to say that I collected all the yellow gems back in the days... It's a crazy game throwing you all kind of bosses ... A Power Rangers Robot boss... A sailor moon boss ... The variety is insane!!!!
I swear man i remember playing this when i was like 9 or some shit...im 29 now...my parents weren't lying when they told me time flies and to treasure every moment i had back then
Brilliant review! The graphics were absolutely stunning for the time! You know it still holds up! The music was fine in my opinion and none of my friends were aware of it.. In fact the comic book store guy only had one copy and no one cared for it but by seeing the box art and my growing love for anime gave me the courage to buy it 😸
Most underrated game on the N64 for me would be Castlevania 64. It’s not a timeless classic or anything but it’s way better than the internet hivemind would have you believe. It was fairly well reviewed at the time and had really great atmosphere and music, and although the controls weren’t the easiest to deal with even at the time, it was still very fun to play. Coming face to face with a giant Skeleton Gorilla boss within the first 5 minutes, being chased by a chainsaw weilding Frankenstein monster, and jumping out of my skin when the Vampire first attacks you in the dining room all certainly made it a memorable experience for me.
I think if SOTN hadn’t been much better on the PlayStation people would remember the N64 Castlevania more fondly. I do like keeping up to date with the Castlevania 64 speed run crew which is still very much active
i agree with you timeless gaming uk 100 percent castlevania 64 by no means a classic by any streatch of the imagination but its definitetly way better then what the internet hivemind give credit for avgn/james rolfe,mike metai and game grumps anyone and im looking at you roo clan of the gray wolf who dissed castlevania 64 from his castlevania rondo of blood review which roo said that the castlevnia series doesn't really need anymore 3d bombs lol but i digress
I cant tell you how much i smiled watching this. I was trying to explain to my mom about this game. She always used to do the big race thing for me because I sucked at it as a kid. But as I was watching the video, I was thrown back far into childhood and was smiling so much. I remembered the feeling of enjoyment, happiness, and even annoyance at some of the bosses. Honestly, this was such an awesome throwback. Im so glad I found this video. I wish there was some way I could play this now. It was amazing.
This was such a beautiful game. It was a huge step forward for rendered graphics, like a 64-bit Donkey Kong Country (and as you all know DKC was the best-looking game on the previous system) so it was a revelation seeing all the rotations and zooms, screen-filling fantastically animated characters, tons of objects at once and stuff going on in the backgrounds without flashing sprites or stuttering framerate, and integrated 3D effects with no pop-up, and a wealthy fat variety in level design. It was the perfect showcase of next-level state-of-the-art 2D, but unfortunately the N64 didn't show much more afterwards. It was all about early 3D and nothing about high-end 2D. Should mention that this was also one of the few games running at 60fps (the only other N64 game I know of that ran at 60fps was F-Zero X). Mischief Makers is one of my all-time favs. While other N64 hidden gems like Goemon, Body Harvest, Silicon Valley, and even most of the groundbreaking classics that you all know and love feel kinda sluggish nowadays, Mischief Makers doesn't seem to age at all. It's as perfect now as it was back then. It's truly a treasure and it's timeless. One of the best games ever made. 10/10 Also, the game was out 1997 in Europe. I know because I got it Christmas '97.
Thank you for covering this overlooked game. I had lots of fun playing and speed running this growing up. I believe a game like this would be a hit these day.
Great review for a great game. This was one of those games I had to pick up for my N64 being a huge Treasure fan and I don't regret it. Because of its art style and 2D graphics it still looks great today provided people have a good way to connect their N64 systems to modern TVs.
I got this and Diddy Kong Racing for Christmas of ‘97. Mischief Makers was such a uniquely N64 game in its usage of the c buttons as well... my brother took it to some weekend thing in high school and let someone borrow it... I knew then I wasn’t getting it back when he told me that! Oh well. Wish I could play this on Switch. Would be super nostalgic.
SHAKE SHAKE!!! This was such a great game, I used to rent it all the time until the gamecube came out. I eventually remembered it a couple of years ago and bought a copy on Amazon for somewhat cheap and played through the entire thing again. It was great.
Awesome review as always, Glenn. I still don’t own this game but it’s been on my radar for years. I wish Treasure would just re-release this game on modern platforms!
Loved this game! To see the whole ending you had to find the golden gem on each normal level, and for the boss ones, beat them without being hit. There was a lot of playtime and enjoyment I got out of the game. Really underappreciated game! Would also love to see it ported, or updated. Sadly it never left the N64. :(
I remember seeing this on one of the tv’s at...I forgot the name of the store. It was a music/movie and video game store in Las Vegas sometime in ‘97 or ‘98. Played it for a few minutes, and had no idea what I was doing. Later my friend rented it and we both fell in love with the game. Haven’t played it since!
Underrated N64 games by genre: Racing - Beetle Adventure Racing Puzzle - Wetrix Adventure - Indiana Jones - The Infernal Machine Fighting - Last Legion UX RPG/Strategy - Ogre Battle 64 Shooter - Bangi O Sports - Excitebike 64
I got this game for my birthday, I wanted a N64 game and the store was selling it for $25 so it was easier to convince my mom to get that for me over a $60 game. I knew nothing about it. I just wanted another game and didnt care. And shockingly, it was a fantastic and under rated game. Still in my collection
Stunt Racer 64 is an amazing hidden gem of the N64. But since it was a blockbuster exclusive, made during the end of the N64's lifetime, it is a rare one. The 2nd copy I've ever seen in person was selling for $150 (game only. No box or instruction booklet)!
Ocarina of Time is a TRUE hidden gem. Joking of course. This game really is a hidden gem though, and definitely one of the most underrated games on the system. Great review as usual. Still waiting for your Goemon reviews. :)
Ironically enough, at the time the graphics are what really drew my interest for this game. Obviously like many, I was infatuated with 3D graphics, but visually this game just looked so gorgeous (it still holds up very well visually imo), I just had to play it.
is one of my favorite games. I really enjoyed this game back in the 90s and was my first treasure game. I remember reading a lot about their sega genesis games(and also played shortly guardian heroes). Something that always surprised me is the low scores and the average reviews from the magazines. And the boss fights, there were awesome
Another well researched and entertaining video! Hard to say what was most underrated...among my friends I struggled to get them into Turok and Killer Instinct, but I know those weren't hidden gems lol.
I remember when my dad bought me this game I was disappointed because it was 2D game and at that time I have enough 2D games on NES and SNES. I wanted 3D game and put it beside. When I finished all games I have on N64 and decide to play this it become my favorite game of all time. Even my friends who never played games start watching me playing because they lover SHAKE SHAKE line XD.
This game equally fascinated and creeped me out as a kid, but I remember being excited to play it. Some other lesser known 64 titles I really liked back then are Clay Fighter, Body Harvest, and Buck Bumble
Great game had it as a kid. Would love to play it again. I was unable to progress past the olympic style games competition stage because i was in early elementary and couldn't understand the math sections
Thank you for bringing attention to this treasure, pun intended, few people know about, but is a cherished part of my childhood. I feel like this game deserves soo much more credit than it gets
I wish MORE N64 games used the D-pad. The control sticks on our controllers wore out from all the Mario Party and Smash Bros we played. While the D-pad never saw much use.
Fun Fact: This was one of only two N64 games published by Enix prior to the merger and the only Enix published game to even be released in North America. Wonder Project J2 wasn't given a NA release.
YES!!! It's a horrible shame this game was over looked simply because it wasn't 3D. No lie Mischief Makers was my first 64 game I bought with my own money, I got it a loved it because I thought 2D games were on their out (20 years late and boy was I wrong LOL) so I wanted to get my hands on as many new 2D games as I could before 3D took over. I loved everything about Mischief Makers then and now and I'll never for get this hidden gem. (sorry lol)
This is one of those game I just had to own as fan of Treasure's previous titles and compared to the action gakeplay of those this threw me kff and took a good amount of time to get used to. Once you're able to do that this game truly shines as both a Treasure game and an N64 gem.
@@n64glennplant i rented not too long after i saw the movie starship troopers so it always reminded me of that which i thought was awesome. Plus the gameplay to me felt nearly as fun as goldeneye but this had the added bonus of Co op story mode which makes a game so much more fun to me. So me and my brother rented this several times back in the day and i finally bought it and beat it all the way through a couple years ago. I do think duke nukem 64 and goldeneye are a little better because duke has slightly more character while still having the co op story mode and goldeneye is just pure amazingness all around even without co op but i'd definitely put armorines as 3rd best fps on the n64 for me so thats why its the n64's most underrated game to me.
Rareware was a *second-party* developer during the Nintendo 64 era, not a third-party developer. Nintendo bought a large part of the company in the mid-90's.
This game brings back SO MANY memorys of me playing (and failing) at it lol thankfully my copy had the game mostley conplete and (after a rather long and somewhat difficult battle) with the final boss and I saw I needed all the gold crystals to get the final ending I kept trying my best to do as much as I could in the game but being young and all I could not figure out how to get some of the gold crystals
Mischief Makers in an VERY underrated and hiddem gem on the N64, the game has great 2D-styled graphics, great gameplay, great soundtrack and offers an unique puzzle-platforms style of gameplay.
Hidden Gem indeed. Remember critics crapped all over this game but I think it's amazing. A really unique platformer. What has happened to Treasure? They haven't mad an original game in years. It's just been re-releases of their old games for new systems.
I recently acquired this game, an then just so happened to stumble your review here; rather coincidental. I look forward to what you have to say about this I'll be experiencing soon (or at least, when I remember to set back up the N64). 0:00 - True, though I could hear the odd person say Hudson, Konami or Acclaim as they had quite a lot of decent output on the N64. 1:30 - Interesting to hear for the N64's cartridge format and pixel quality; neither being often praised at the rising time of discs and polygons. Said pixel quality does show though as the game looks fantastic. I rather wish the system had more games with a pixel and/or 2D art focus, though I also happen to find N64 styled 3D graphics oddly charming to look back on. 3:22 - I love Marina's design; super cool and cute! I'm not quite sure what shaking has to do with being a maid but it's a unique mechanic and Wario Land: The Shake Dimension has also proven it can quite awesome. 6:10 - Given the look of the game and it's SNES roots; D-pad only seems natural. Neat the variety of levels and bosses, though that spike section showcased looked like hell! 11:58 - What is the N64's most underrated title? As someone whose mostly only played the more well known N64 games, that is hard for me to say. I reckon most people aren't too familiar with N64 games outside of the Nintendo and Rare output (with Turok being the exception). From my own limited experience, Bomberman 64 and Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon are 2 N64 exclusive well deserving of more praise, but I feel they are at least known enough to not be considered 'hidden' gems. There are a lot of N64 games I'd probably love to try out; Rakuga Kids comes to mind immediately, as well as N64 games I enjoyed back in the day through borrowing but never owned. Amazing review by the way; I loved hearing all the background and development trivia to the game.
Second best 2-D N64 game that doesn't have "Ninja" or "Geoman" in the title. Wait, isn't one of them 3-D? I remember destroying a town with a giant mech in one of them
I think this game as well as Robo Tron, Mega Man 64, and Glover are the best most underrated games on the N64's library for sure! I have played Robo Tron before and Mischief Makers also before on an emulator, but I want to play Robo Tron again someday as I either lost or sold it. I also want to play Mischief Makers again on N64 this time. Lastly, I want to play Mega Man 64 and Glover someday as Mega Man is just such a huge franchise (especially in Japan), and Glover is such a popular game here in the states and I'm said I never got to play it yet (and I'm 24 years old).
When devs like Capcom and Square mostly abandoned the N64, I knew I wasn't getting a new Mega Man game. Mischief Makers was sort a Mega Man replacement for me, I sunk a hundred+ hours into it, both solo and with friends. It is a gem of 2d game design, a shame that it didn't sell well enough at the time.
Haven't given this one a proper chance yet. The controls kinda turned me off at first. I'll get around to it. The art style is amazing and I wish there were more like it on the 64
I miss those days, going to blockbuster and renting a game. Pure nostalgia! I wish I could go back to the 90s and the N64. Rare at their Peak aswell. Noone distracted by mobile phones and everyone playing together in one room with splitscreen. :)
Amazing game! The bosses are great, specially when they do the "Voltron" kind of mega boss. This game definitely don't have the praise that deserves. It was the first buy when I got my N64.
I would love to see Mischief Makers on the N64 classic, back in the day I missed this game when I was a teenager and could only buy 1 N64 game per school holiday every 3 months. This game, if I had the chance and the money at the time, would have loved to have brought it and play it. Kinda wished there was more Treasure games released in the west, at least I made up for that in the Nintendo Wii era when I sought out the Sin and Punishment 2 game. Even Vanillaware's Muramasa the Demon Blade is another 2D game on the Nintendo Wii I would highly recommend as it was a fantastic 2D game in an era that was dominated by realistic graphics and HD Gaming was only on the XBox 360 and PS3 at the time. Funny enough I enjoyed Yoshi's Story and that was a 2D game but I have to admit if there were more 2D games on the N64 I would have brought them more. At least I remember the 2D games by playing at my friends and neighbours house on their NES and SNES systems, also had a GameBoy with Donkey Kong Land 2 as I believe that was my fav 2D game of my childhood since it was a GameBoy port of Donkey Kong Country 2. So at least I did have good 2D game experience.
See it would be an interesting addition to the games list on N64 mini but I worry that Nintendo will see it as being too niche for mass market appeal as it’s kind of an underground cult classic
I was lucky enough to be able to rent it. made it back then to the olympic level... afterwards, i was able to play it to completion... this game is not necessarily an excellent game, but oh boy was it close to be. still completely an hidden gem though.
Played this game way back in the early 2000s a friend owned it and I'd come over to play it and Goldeneye, recommend picking up a copy before it goes up in price, a few months ago I was browsing ebay to buy a copy and it was averaging $20, almost $30 now.
![Mischief Makers [N64] review - SNESdrunk](/img/n.gif)
Worth pointing out that graphically, the game's also aged better than quite a lot of 3D N64 games too.
That’s a very good point
I wish there were more 2d games on the 64 but I guess at the time all the hype was for 3D
@@sandman8993 Nintendo pushes gimmicks on most of their consoles, Unfortunately the gimmick of the N64 was the 3D capability and it's aged horribly. There is a serious lack of titles that have aged well in the N64 era due to the basic 3D capabilities on the console at the time and developers being forced to use them (seriously how many non-3D games are on the N64, not too many). Fortunately in the modern era there is an appreciation for not always pushing maximum graphic capabilities and we get plenty of 2d/3d games with graphic styles that age well.
@@StabStabStabStabby Well on N64 is wasn't really as much of Nintendo pushing them (I am sure that was partially the case) but *everyone* was all over the 3D power during that generation. If it wasn't for so many 3D titles we would have taken a while longer to get to where we are now in gaming.
Kind of an unfair comparison, since 2D games had pretty much been mastered by this point whereas 3D was more uncharted territory.
In my social circles back then, nobody knew this game. One of my absolute favorites on the N64 and a completely unique game at the time.
yeah not much like it at all!
This is such a rare type of game to exist on a mainstream console. It plays more like a weird indie title you'd buy on steam like today than a mainstream release on like any console ever. One of my all time favorite games to this day and I've never met anyone irl who has even heard of it. Definitely the definition of a hidden gem.
Definitely one of the most underappreciated and underrated N64 titles. Glad I grew up owning it.
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon has to be my pick for the most underrated title on the console.
Always loved the goemon N64 games
@@n64glennplant where can i get the Goemon games without having to pay a shit ton of money for the games
This game is sensational!!
I never was much into speedrunning, but I remember playing Mischief Makers as quick as possible back then.
Really love that game, wish they'd make a sequel
I wish that too, would’ve been awesome then but even more so now
Mischief makers is a really good game the graphics are bright and the game is funny as well.
Glad you enjoyed this one too 😬👍
@@n64glennplant I also own the cart as well
Treasure is the best!
They are pretty fly!
Man, I've been waiting for you to get to this review and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Mischief Makers is seriously one of my favorite games of all time. I've even got the game in both English and Japanese. Definitely worth a play.
I think so too, treasure get all the praise they deserve
My second favourite N64 game after Lylat Wars. There's nothing else like it. Cool boss fights and an incredible soundtrack.
More than Zelda!?!?!?
i think like you, my 2 favorite games of the mighty N64
It's almost unreal how fresh this game felt. Coming when whole 2D platform -gaming was thought to be end of genre's lifespan. This game still managed to include brand new ideas and offered new gameplay features & mechanics. Certainly one of the most unique and entertaining games out there.
Couldn’t agree more 👍
I would like a sequel to this or at least remastering for the switch, how is that not a thing?!
Probably the same reason this didn’t sell well...☹️
Not likely. Most of the original team is gone, it didn't sell well, and it was kind of a one off in terms of game design.
This was a really unique game, then again Treasure always makes unique games. Plus they were ballsy and made it with 2D sprites, which I always liked growing up in console generations 3&4. Great review Glenn. 🤘
Treasure we’re awesome at this time 😬
I believe they weren't even trying to be ballsy, it was just the kind of gameplay style they were very good at. A conservative approach, to put it in other terms.
@@awanderer5446 it was ballsy for the time because the push to 3D polygonal games brought on by the Gen 5 of consoles. Ballsy in that context. They could've bent the knee and went full 3D, but they stuck to tried and true sprites.
Yo you have no idea how long I've been waiting for this review
Glad I could deliver for you finally 👍
Slight correction: Rare was actually a second party developer. Not third party.
That’s right, we’ve been discussing that above
One of my all time favorite games, such a unique Masterpiece, specially that OST which has been recorded to my brain since I was 5 years old.
Same!!!!!
Underrated ...
Jet Force Gemini or World Driver Championship.
Both great games 👍😬
Man I played the heck out of Jet Force Gemini, one of my favorite N64 games
Not sure I'm missing much, but I'm glad if you guys enjoyed it.
Mischief Makers was one of the first 7 games I had for N64. Bought it from Hollywood video when they went out of business. Definitely in my top 5 for the system, but I've never collected all the gold gems.
Time to go back and get them to see the proper ending....or just find it on UA-cam haha
It's shocking this was never released on the Wii Virtual Console . Would actually work with the motion controls
Never thought of that....I’m sure it was on VC though? Maybe my memory isn’t correct
No, it was not on the system. I was able to snag every N64 game on the Wii VC before it was shut down. The only way I was able to play this game was to get the cart. A shame really because Nintendo did an amazing job with the picture quality of N64 games on the Wii VC.
Wii Virtual Console games were always in their original form though. They never had tacked-on motion controls (thank god).
Good point. They could have released it as a WiiWare title. Wait, I do remember Super Hang on the Wii VC could use the Wii Wheel which was motion controls.
My only guess the reason for Mischief Makers not releasing for the Virtual Console is because due to licensing issues since Enix published the game in Japan while Nintendo published the game in North America and PAL regions.
I watched your Doom 64 and Rocket: Robot on Wheels reviews. Those got me to buy and play those on my N64. Awesome games.
There was no Mischief Makers review at the time, but I got that anyway too. It’s one of the most hidden gems I’ve ever played.
Thank you for existing, Glenn. Glad I discovered your channel!
and thank you for finding me sonic!
I'm proud to say that I collected all the yellow gems back in the days... It's a crazy game throwing you all kind of bosses ... A Power Rangers Robot boss... A sailor moon boss ... The variety is insane!!!!
Thumbs up for being in the REAL endings crew 👍😬
I loved this game as a kid, I'd never heard anyone else talk about it til now. This video was pure nostalgia ❤️
I swear man i remember playing this when i was like 9 or some shit...im 29 now...my parents weren't lying when they told me time flies and to treasure every moment i had back then
Brilliant review! The graphics were absolutely stunning for the time! You know it still holds up! The music was fine in my opinion and none of my friends were aware of it.. In fact the comic book store guy only had one copy and no one cared for it but by seeing the box art and my growing love for anime gave me the courage to buy it 😸
Haha see even my local game store had a few copies of this, I think word spread in my town that it was a good game so they stocked up
Most underrated game on the N64 for me would be Castlevania 64. It’s not a timeless classic or anything but it’s way better than the internet hivemind would have you believe. It was fairly well reviewed at the time and had really great atmosphere and music, and although the controls weren’t the easiest to deal with even at the time, it was still very fun to play. Coming face to face with a giant Skeleton Gorilla boss within the first 5 minutes, being chased by a chainsaw weilding Frankenstein monster, and jumping out of my skin when the Vampire first attacks you in the dining room all certainly made it a memorable experience for me.
I think if SOTN hadn’t been much better on the PlayStation people would remember the N64 Castlevania more fondly. I do like keeping up to date with the Castlevania 64 speed run crew which is still very much active
i agree with you timeless gaming uk 100 percent castlevania 64 by no means a classic by any streatch of the imagination but its definitetly way better then what the internet hivemind give credit for avgn/james rolfe,mike metai and game grumps anyone and im looking at you roo clan of the gray wolf who dissed castlevania 64 from his castlevania rondo of blood review which roo said that the castlevnia series doesn't really need anymore 3d bombs lol but i digress
I love this game.
#metoo .....oh wait, wrong hashtag to be using 😂
This game was a huge part of my childhood. Definitely one of the most overlooked and underrated games on the system.
yeah just a shame we won't see marina return anytime soon
I cant tell you how much i smiled watching this. I was trying to explain to my mom about this game. She always used to do the big race thing for me because I sucked at it as a kid. But as I was watching the video, I was thrown back far into childhood and was smiling so much. I remembered the feeling of enjoyment, happiness, and even annoyance at some of the bosses. Honestly, this was such an awesome throwback. Im so glad I found this video. I wish there was some way I could play this now. It was amazing.
Thanks Tyler you know I always enjoy hearing when I’ve bought back some awesome memories for people 👍
Mischief makers, legend of mystical ninja first game, and Body Harvest are top 5 n64 games totally under the radar.
all great games right there
I never heard of this when i was growing up and still havent played it, i need to check this out!
You’re in for a treat
This was such a beautiful game. It was a huge step forward for rendered graphics, like a 64-bit Donkey Kong Country (and as you all know DKC was the best-looking game on the previous system) so it was a revelation seeing all the rotations and zooms, screen-filling fantastically animated characters, tons of objects at once and stuff going on in the backgrounds without flashing sprites or stuttering framerate, and integrated 3D effects with no pop-up, and a wealthy fat variety in level design. It was the perfect showcase of next-level state-of-the-art 2D, but unfortunately the N64 didn't show much more afterwards. It was all about early 3D and nothing about high-end 2D. Should mention that this was also one of the few games running at 60fps (the only other N64 game I know of that ran at 60fps was F-Zero X).
Mischief Makers is one of my all-time favs. While other N64 hidden gems like Goemon, Body Harvest, Silicon Valley, and even most of the groundbreaking classics that you all know and love feel kinda sluggish nowadays, Mischief Makers doesn't seem to age at all. It's as perfect now as it was back then. It's truly a treasure and it's timeless. One of the best games ever made. 10/10
Also, the game was out 1997 in Europe. I know because I got it Christmas '97.
I am playing with it right now on my N64
Great choice 🎉
This game was such a trip when I got it back in the day. I was thinking OHHH this is what the L and R buttons are for...
Yeah one of the few games to embrace the dpad instead of stick
...You're right, Rare is my favourite developer. I didn't realize I was so predictable.
have a like from me :)
great to see you putting out 60fps videos glenn, looks awesome.
Thanks for noticing 😬
Thank you for covering this overlooked game. I had lots of fun playing and speed running this growing up. I believe a game like this would be a hit these day.
I think so too, maybe one day we will get a proper sequel
That would be great! I’d buy it instantly.
Great review for a great game. This was one of those games I had to pick up for my N64 being a huge Treasure fan and I don't regret it. Because of its art style and 2D graphics it still looks great today provided people have a good way to connect their N64 systems to modern TVs.
Or an awesome CRT like a beovision 😍
Just bought this game again, first time owning it in years. Remember loving it and can't wait to play it again
I got this and Diddy Kong Racing for Christmas of ‘97. Mischief Makers was such a uniquely N64 game in its usage of the c buttons as well... my brother took it to some weekend thing in high school and let someone borrow it... I knew then I wasn’t getting it back when he told me that! Oh well. Wish I could play this on Switch. Would be super nostalgic.
I was wondering when you were going to review this game, and now here it is. Great video as always!
Glad I could deliver, been too long
SHAKE SHAKE!!!
This was such a great game, I used to rent it all the time until the gamecube came out.
I eventually remembered it a couple of years ago and bought a copy on Amazon for somewhat cheap and played through the entire thing again. It was great.
Awesome review as always, Glenn. I still don’t own this game but it’s been on my radar for years. I wish Treasure would just re-release this game on modern platforms!
Maybe one day but for now it’s still cheap to pick up 👍
Loved this game! To see the whole ending you had to find the golden gem on each normal level, and for the boss ones, beat them without being hit. There was a lot of playtime and enjoyment I got out of the game. Really underappreciated game!
Would also love to see it ported, or updated. Sadly it never left the N64. :(
yeah its one of those games that I think would do well now if it Popped up on steam or something
Treasure has always made unique and innovative games and this one's no exception; especially on the N64. Great review!!
I remember seeing this on one of the tv’s at...I forgot the name of the store. It was a music/movie and video game store in Las Vegas sometime in ‘97 or ‘98. Played it for a few minutes, and had no idea what I was doing. Later my friend rented it and we both fell in love with the game. Haven’t played it since!
You should defo play it again now then 😬
Underrated N64 games by genre:
Racing - Beetle Adventure Racing
Puzzle - Wetrix
Adventure - Indiana Jones - The Infernal Machine
Fighting - Last Legion UX
RPG/Strategy - Ogre Battle 64
Shooter - Bangi O
Sports - Excitebike 64
great choices!
i couldnt agree more
This was a fun and uniquely different game for the console
this game is one of my favorites risk purchases as a child. regretted nothing! i desire a remaster as well.
After watching the video, I feel like I need to get this game again!
You do! Do it!
I got this game for my birthday, I wanted a N64 game and the store was selling it for $25 so it was easier to convince my mom to get that for me over a $60 game. I knew nothing about it. I just wanted another game and didnt care. And shockingly, it was a fantastic and under rated game. Still in my collection
Sometimes you just luck out right!
Stunt Racer 64 is an amazing hidden gem of the N64. But since it was a blockbuster exclusive, made during the end of the N64's lifetime, it is a rare one. The 2nd copy I've ever seen in person was selling for $150 (game only. No box or instruction booklet)!
Yup, already reviewed that and it’s fun too
Ocarina of Time is a TRUE hidden gem.
Joking of course. This game really is a hidden gem though, and definitely one of the most underrated games on the system. Great review as usual. Still waiting for your Goemon reviews. :)
They’ll be soon 😬
Ironically enough, at the time the graphics are what really drew my interest for this game. Obviously like many, I was infatuated with 3D graphics, but visually this game just looked so gorgeous (it still holds up very well visually imo), I just had to play it.
I LOVE this game, I grew up with it.
is one of my favorite games. I really enjoyed this game back in the 90s and was my first treasure game.
I remember reading a lot about their sega genesis games(and also played shortly guardian heroes). Something that always surprised me is the low scores and the average reviews from the magazines. And the boss fights, there were awesome
treasure did 3 awesome n64 games, sadly they didn't do more as I'm sure others would have been so fun
Another well researched and entertaining video!
Hard to say what was most underrated...among my friends I struggled to get them into Turok and Killer Instinct, but I know those weren't hidden gems lol.
they were cool games though for sure
Definitely! I had and still have lots of fun with them
I remember when my dad bought me this game I was disappointed because it was 2D game and at that time I have enough 2D games on NES and SNES. I wanted 3D game and put it beside. When I finished all games I have on N64 and decide to play this it become my favorite game of all time. Even my friends who never played games start watching me playing because they lover SHAKE SHAKE line XD.
Haha it’s so funny how iconic shake shake is
i loved this game i rented it a bunch of times
Ever end up buying it?
This game equally fascinated and creeped me out as a kid, but I remember being excited to play it.
Some other lesser known 64 titles I really liked back then are Clay Fighter, Body Harvest, and Buck Bumble
Also add Blast Corps to that list
Great game had it as a kid. Would love to play it again. I was unable to progress past the olympic style games competition stage because i was in early elementary and couldn't understand the math sections
Thank you for bringing attention to this treasure, pun intended, few people know about, but is a cherished part of my childhood. I feel like this game deserves soo much more credit than it gets
I very rarely finished games and that's still true, but I came back to this game time and time again.
I wish MORE N64 games used the D-pad. The control sticks on our controllers wore out from all the Mario Party and Smash Bros we played. While the D-pad never saw much use.
Yeah it’s crazy how under used it was
Hidden gem
I'm gonna go with
Wetrix
&
Tetrisphere
Like your puzzle games then?
when i first played this many years ago i really liked it. fun game.
also recommend glover 64
Another fun game 👍
SMASH DLC IS CONFIRMED
MARINA'S GOT A CHANCE BOYS
SHE'S GONNA SHAKE THE ROSTER!
One day 😍
@@n64glennplant IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE
WE JUST GOTTA SHOW OUR SUPPORT HARDER THAN EVERYONE ELSE
@@hollardude shantae>
It's one of the first games I got for the N64 with my 3 siblings. Along with Super Mario 64, Turok, Diddy Kong Racing, and WCW vs NWO World Tour.
Fun Fact: This was one of only two N64 games published by Enix prior to the merger and the only Enix published game to even be released in North America. Wonder Project J2 wasn't given a NA release.
J2 is a fun game, especially not with the English patch
This Game is Great, with or without HD.
No matter how you play it, it’s great 👍
I remember my Friend Kade and I renting this and Duke Nukem 64. I miss those days.
Good memories though!
RIP Treasure, thy stopped making games or closed up
YES!!! It's a horrible shame this game was over looked simply because it wasn't 3D. No lie Mischief Makers was my first 64 game I bought with my own money, I got it a loved it because I thought 2D games were on their out (20 years late and boy was I wrong LOL) so I wanted to get my hands on as many new 2D games as I could before 3D took over. I loved everything about Mischief Makers then and now and I'll never for get this hidden gem. (sorry lol)
Arghhhhhh 😂😂😂😂
This is one of those game I just had to own as fan of Treasure's previous titles and compared to the action gakeplay of those this threw me kff and took a good amount of time to get used to. Once you're able to do that this game truly shines as both a Treasure game and an N64 gem.
It’s definitely one of those games which you’ve got to get to grips with the unique mechanics before it’s enjoyable 👍
The best hidden gem/ most underrated game on the n64 imo is Armorines
see I never was a big fan of that one
@@n64glennplant i rented not too long after i saw the movie starship troopers so it always reminded me of that which i thought was awesome. Plus the gameplay to me felt nearly as fun as goldeneye but this had the added bonus of Co op story mode which makes a game so much more fun to me. So me and my brother rented this several times back in the day and i finally bought it and beat it all the way through a couple years ago. I do think duke nukem 64 and goldeneye are a little better because duke has slightly more character while still having the co op story mode and goldeneye is just pure amazingness all around even without co op but i'd definitely put armorines as 3rd best fps on the n64 for me so thats why its the n64's most underrated game to me.
I had some much fun with this game as a kid. Loved it! It’s a shame no one ever talks about this game when people talk about the N64.
The more i revisit the past the more impressive dreamcast becomes
Weve missed you, how many more N64 games do you have left to review?
50 odd
One of the benefits of making an old-school 2D platformer on a console overpowered for the task is that you can make the game look sick!!
Rareware was a *second-party* developer during the Nintendo 64 era, not a third-party developer. Nintendo bought a large part of the company in the mid-90's.
Yeah that’s right, we’re discussing it above 😬
This game brings back SO MANY memorys of me playing (and failing) at it lol thankfully my copy had the game mostley conplete and (after a rather long and somewhat difficult battle) with the final boss and I saw I needed all the gold crystals to get the final ending I kept trying my best to do as much as I could in the game but being young and all I could not figure out how to get some of the gold crystals
Yeah some of them are very tough but that’s all part of the games fun 😬
Mischief Makers in an VERY underrated and hiddem gem on the N64, the game has great 2D-styled graphics, great gameplay, great soundtrack and offers an unique puzzle-platforms style of gameplay.
pretty much the entire package is awesome right
@@n64glennplant Yep its an great game i intent to get it next year.
I'm glad I've came across this game as a kid.
Hidden Gem indeed. Remember critics crapped all over this game but I think it's amazing. A really unique platformer. What has happened to Treasure? They haven't mad an original game in years. It's just been re-releases of their old games for new systems.
Like many developers I think the best team members they have will all be long gone
I recently acquired this game, an then just so happened to stumble your review here; rather coincidental. I look forward to what you have to say about this I'll be experiencing soon (or at least, when I remember to set back up the N64).
0:00 - True, though I could hear the odd person say Hudson, Konami or Acclaim as they had quite a lot of decent output on the N64.
1:30 - Interesting to hear for the N64's cartridge format and pixel quality; neither being often praised at the rising time of discs and polygons. Said pixel quality does show though as the game looks fantastic. I rather wish the system had more games with a pixel and/or 2D art focus, though I also happen to find N64 styled 3D graphics oddly charming to look back on.
3:22 - I love Marina's design; super cool and cute! I'm not quite sure what shaking has to do with being a maid but it's a unique mechanic and Wario Land: The Shake Dimension has also proven it can quite awesome.
6:10 - Given the look of the game and it's SNES roots; D-pad only seems natural. Neat the variety of levels and bosses, though that spike section showcased looked like hell!
11:58 - What is the N64's most underrated title? As someone whose mostly only played the more well known N64 games, that is hard for me to say. I reckon most people aren't too familiar with N64 games outside of the Nintendo and Rare output (with Turok being the exception). From my own limited experience, Bomberman 64 and Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon are 2 N64 exclusive well deserving of more praise, but I feel they are at least known enough to not be considered 'hidden' gems. There are a lot of N64 games I'd probably love to try out; Rakuga Kids comes to mind immediately, as well as N64 games I enjoyed back in the day through borrowing but never owned.
Amazing review by the way; I loved hearing all the background and development trivia to the game.
One of my first N64 games. SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE
great game to own as an early pick up!
I was glad i owned this gem in my n64 library. Sadly i sold my console and games for a gamecube😥
yeah this is definitely a great title and a gem for its time
Second best 2-D N64 game that doesn't have "Ninja" or "Geoman" in the title. Wait, isn't one of them 3-D? I remember destroying a town with a giant mech in one of them
Preach! 😝
@@n64glennplant you cover the goeman games yet?
Ahhh treasures successor to Gunstar Heroes. I wish they remade both of these games.
I think this game as well as Robo Tron, Mega Man 64, and Glover are the best most underrated games on the N64's library for sure! I have played Robo Tron before and Mischief Makers also before on an emulator, but I want to play Robo Tron again someday as I either lost or sold it. I also want to play Mischief Makers again on N64 this time. Lastly, I want to play Mega Man 64 and Glover someday as Mega Man is just such a huge franchise (especially in Japan), and Glover is such a popular game here in the states and I'm said I never got to play it yet (and I'm 24 years old).
When devs like Capcom and Square mostly abandoned the N64, I knew I wasn't getting a new Mega Man game. Mischief Makers was sort a Mega Man replacement for me, I sunk a hundred+ hours into it, both solo and with friends. It is a gem of 2d game design, a shame that it didn't sell well enough at the time.
Haven't given this one a proper chance yet. The controls kinda turned me off at first. I'll get around to it. The art style is amazing and I wish there were more like it on the 64
It’s a fiddly one to learn but the penny will soon drop 👍
I use to rent this at BlockBuster all the time
I miss those days, going to blockbuster and renting a game. Pure nostalgia! I wish I could go back to the 90s and the N64. Rare at their Peak aswell.
Noone distracted by mobile phones and everyone playing together in one room with splitscreen. :)
IM STILL STUCK ON THE FIRST LEVEL
Wasn't Rare a second party studio during this era? If, so Treasure is definitely the best third party dev.
Yeah we discussed this in ten comments 👍😬
Amazing game! The bosses are great, specially when they do the "Voltron" kind of mega boss.
This game definitely don't have the praise that deserves.
It was the first buy when I got my N64.
I would love to see Mischief Makers on the N64 classic, back in the day I missed this game when I was a teenager and could only buy 1 N64 game per school holiday every 3 months.
This game, if I had the chance and the money at the time, would have loved to have brought it and play it.
Kinda wished there was more Treasure games released in the west, at least I made up for that in the Nintendo Wii era when I sought out the Sin and Punishment 2 game. Even Vanillaware's Muramasa the Demon Blade is another 2D game on the Nintendo Wii I would highly recommend as it was a fantastic 2D game in an era that was dominated by realistic graphics and HD Gaming was only on the XBox 360 and PS3 at the time.
Funny enough I enjoyed Yoshi's Story and that was a 2D game but I have to admit if there were more 2D games on the N64 I would have brought them more.
At least I remember the 2D games by playing at my friends and neighbours house on their NES and SNES systems, also had a GameBoy with Donkey Kong Land 2 as I believe that was my fav 2D game of my childhood since it was a GameBoy port of Donkey Kong Country 2. So at least I did have good 2D game experience.
See it would be an interesting addition to the games list on N64 mini but I worry that Nintendo will see it as being too niche for mass market appeal as it’s kind of an underground cult classic
I was lucky enough to be able to rent it. made it back then to the olympic level... afterwards, i was able to play it to completion... this game is not necessarily an excellent game, but oh boy was it close to be. still completely an hidden gem though.
Thanks for this video. I love this game so much. I would like a new remake or game!!!
we can hope that one day we may see it!
loved it since i was a kid. um just being all uppity about your gameplay i cant help it
I remember seeing this game at Blockbuster, never rented it for some reason though.
Glen64 is back!
I’ve not left 😂
@@n64glennplant AIN'T NO SUNSHINE WHEN HE'S GONE!
Eheheehe 😂
Played this game way back in the early 2000s a friend owned it and I'd come over to play it and Goldeneye, recommend picking up a copy before it goes up in price, a few months ago I was browsing ebay to buy a copy and it was averaging $20, almost $30 now.
Yeah I think it’s one that’ll start creeping up more but I doubt it’ll ever get silly like conkers