You Probably Didn't Realize These Were The Last Games Released For N64
The Nintendo 64 had quite a reign when the console released in 1996. For seven years, gamers across the world were introduced to iconic titles such as Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Smash Bros., among many others. As one of the first home consoles to have 4-player support, this system truly set the tone for what would become industry standards.
Although the Nintendo 64 was eventually replaced by the GameCube in 2001, the console was still relevant even after its more powerful successor, the Nintendo GameCube, hit store shelves. Games for the Nintendo 64 were still very much in development for a few more years. While the final games to come out for the Nintendo 64 didn't measure up graphically to sixth generation consoles, developers were still relying on this system as a platform for their new titles. This didn't last long since the Nintendo 64 did have to retire eventually, but these last entries still clung onto the console for dear life.
Aidyn Chronicles (Europe and PAL)
Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage was the last Nintendo 64 game to be released in Europe and the PAL region when it launched on August 3, 2001. The title was an RPG developed by H20 Entertainment and published by THQ. Ironically enough, Aidyn Chronicles was also one of the final games that H20 would develop before it eventually closed in 2001. The game allowed players to take on the role of Alaron, a young squire who goes on a search to find a missing farmer, which inadvertently leads him on a journey to save his kingdom from evil.
Aidyn Chronicles wasn't received well. Critics at the time gave it mixed reviews, citing that the game was overly ambitious in its execution and its graphics were horrendous. Many said that the gameplay was too complex for newcomers to the RPG genre, and would frustrate veterans who were looking for a fun and engaging experience. With the game being hampered down by its less than stellar mechanics, it's no wonder why H20 Entertainment fell alongside this title.
Bomberman 64 (Japan)
Not to be confused with 1997 Bomberman of the same name, this version of Bomberman was the last Japanese exclusive Nintendo 64 title that was released on December 20, 2001. While previous Nintendo 64 Bomberman entries were all in 3D and plot-heavy, this particular entry in the series decided to go back to its 2D SNES roots and focus on puzzle gameplay mechanics rather than action-adventure and platforming.
By leaning more towards the original SNES puzzle designs and adding new tile matching modes such as "Same Game," this version of Bomberman 64 was more of an experimentation with classic Bomberman gameplay. In addition, engaging multiplayer battle modes were also brought to the forefront. There was a solo quest mode for the game, but at its core, Bomberman 64 was mostly focused on tile puzzles and mini-games.
While Bomberman wasn't on an epic journey full of tricky platforming, this Nintendo 64 title became the foundation for the Bomberman Land series that mixed together mini-games and old school Bomberman gameplay.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (North America)
The third entry in the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series was the last official Nintendo 64 game to come out in North America. The game was released on August 20, 2002, making this title the absolute last game to come out for the system. Although it was the final game that was developed for the Nintendo 64, THPS3 was also available for PlayStation 1 and 2, GameCube, Xbox, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and PC. Ironically enough, most of these ports came out well before the Nintendo 64 version of the game was released.
Although the Nintendo 64 port of the title was severely underpowered compared to its sixth gen counterparts, the game still played pretty well on the system. While many reviews cited the PlayStation 2 version of the game to be the best way to play it, the Nintendo 64 port still got plenty of love. A review from GameSpot even called it "one of the best skateboarding games the platform has to offer." Not a bad note to end on for the Nintendo 64's era.