@@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.
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 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
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 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.
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 😸
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 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!
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. :(
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.
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. :)
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)!
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
Looking forward to playing this one.....hey, were you anything to do with N64 magazine back then as you use the logo? That was definitely my N64 magazine of choice during the console's prime
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
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
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
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
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 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.
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)
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.
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
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.
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
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 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.
Glenn I hope you've been following Smash Remix. Marina has just been added to the game! She is their third original fighter after Mad Piano and Conker :) I'm gonna get this game very soon
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.
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.
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
Does Hal count as third party? I really like smash bros haha, I know I shouldn't that much but I've never been huge into 3d platformers so Rare to me has always been just okay; only one I played was Conkers really, and I mostly just played the multiplayer solo in that on the fake D-Day invansion. *ah, guess they'd be second party too perhaps.
