Nintendo’s Most Underrated N64 Game Is an Untouchable Hidden Gem

While Super Mario 64 remains well-remembered, many other Nintendo 64 games have faded into obscurity. For every popular title like Banjo-Kazooie, there are numerous lesser-known ones. Blast Corps is a prime example – it’s arguably the most underrated game made by one of Nintendo’s partners for the console.

Originally released 29 years ago by Rare and Nintendo, Blast Corps was a popular game that sold reasonably well. While it’s been somewhat forgotten in comparison to other Rare N64 classics like Donkey Kong 64 and Conker’s Bad Fur Day, it remains a surprisingly enjoyable experience today.

Blast Corps Is a Blast to Play

In Blast Corps, you’re in charge of a team tasked with clearing a route to transport incredibly dangerous weapons that could destroy the world. It’s an action game, but solving puzzles is just as important as the fast-paced gameplay.

Players drive a variety of vehicles – everything from compact cars to large planes and helicopters – using their power or weapons to create a clear route. The game’s top-down perspective provides a good overview of obstacles ahead.

Okay, so Blast Corps has 57 levels, and let me tell you, they really ramp up the difficulty as you go! The cool thing is, you’re always unlocking a new vehicle to learn, which keeps things interesting and makes the challenges even more fun. It’s a blast trying to figure out how to use each one to tear through everything!

Besides the main game mode, players can also enjoy Time Attack, where the goal is to complete levels as quickly as possible. And for those who really want a challenge, there’s a dedicated time trial mode focused solely on speedrunning courses.

Blast Corps Was Rare’s First N64 Game

Despite being Rare’s first game on the Nintendo 64, Blast Corps is often overlooked. When people think of Rare’s N64 library, they usually remember titles like Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, Conker’s Bad Fur Day, Perfect Dark, GoldenEye 007, Diddy Kong Racing, or lesser-known games such as Mickey’s Speedway USA and Jet Force Gemini.

However, it didn’t receive as much attention, likely because it came out relatively early in the Nintendo 64’s life, when the console was still establishing itself. Now, the N64 is famous for imaginative platform games like Super Mario 64, as well as groundbreaking first-person shooters such as GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark.

Rare created some truly memorable games for the Nintendo 64, and Blast Corps was an early example of their talent. Though it’s often overshadowed by titles like Conker’s Bad Fur Day and Diddy Kong Racing, it remains a fun and engaging action-puzzle game, and another great reason to dust off your N64.

Most critics at the time praised Blast Corps, giving it a score of 90 out of 100 on Metacritic. It also sold a million copies, which was quite successful for a Nintendo 64 game. This demonstrates how much people enjoyed it when it was first released, and many still enjoy it now.

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2026-03-23 20:44