Nintendo 64 is basically a current generation console back in 2026

I never thought we'd be here 30 years later nintendo 64 Some of the best games are being remade, and now ModRetro is basking in the glory days of 2026 with the official launch of the highly anticipated M64 console. star fox Brought back from Switch 2 star fox 64 It's done in style with one of the most successful Nintendo remakes in recent memory, and now it's ocarina of time The remake is still in progress, but is expected to be released this year. Plus, the M64 gives players a new way to use their original N64 cartridges on modern displays. After all, a console released 30 years ago feels more relevant now than it did a few years ago.

Sure, the Nintendo 64 isn't literally a current-generation console, but it already feels like one in 2026. Some games are being rebuilt for modern hardware, original libraries are getting new hardware of their own, and another generation of players is being introduced to some of the biggest and most influential 3D titles in gaming ever created. Essentially, the Nintendo 64 is experiencing a second life in 2026, and as someone who grew up playing the console, I'm totally here for it.

2026 marks the official Nintendo 64th anniversary celebration.

First of all, it seems fitting that all of this is happening in the Nintendo 64's 30th anniversary year. The console originally launched in 1996, and Nintendo could easily recognize that milestone by adding a few more games to Nintendo Switch Online and calling it a day with some merchandise. Instead, star fox 64 It's already been turned into a full Nintendo Switch 2 remake. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time The same treatment is scheduled to be received before 2026. One remake could mark Nintendo revisiting an old favorite, but with two of the N64's most important games returning in the same year, it feels like we've been spoiled.

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in fact, star fox This is an incredible example of how different Nintendo is from simply making older games more accessible and enjoyable. The Switch 2 release is star fox 64 Includes fully voiced dialogue, an orchestral soundtrack, and a complete visual overhaul. of course, ocarina of time's remake is still more mysterious, but rather than treating it like a simple Switch 2 port, Nintendo has described it as the N64 classic being “reborn” for a new generation. Even though the experience behind it is designed around hardware from 1996, this is a current Switch 2 release that is intended to sit alongside everything else coming out for the console.

Nintendo 64's Biggest 2026 Comeback Stories

• Star Fox on Switch 2 – Star Fox 64 gets a cinematic Switch 2 remake.
• Ocarina of Time Remake – Nintendo reimagines the landmark Zelda adventure for Switch 2.
• Latest N64 hardware – M64 will play the original cartridge on the current display.
• GameStop M64 Exclusive – Exclusive Smoke model brings resurgence to retail.
• New cartridge for M64 – ModRetro is publishing more real games for the platform.

of course, star fox 64 and ocarina of time These are two of the best and most obvious choices Nintendo should look at in order to find what feels like a full-fledged N64 revival. super mario 64 The same goes for remakes. star fox 64is ultimately one of the most iconic entries in a series that has struggled to find direction ever since. ocarina of time It is still widely regarded as one of the best video games ever made. Instead of digging the bottom of the N64 barrel and hoping nostalgia will do all the work, Nintendo is taking two games that helped define the console and rebuilding them for players who may not have been alive when the originals were released.

The M64 feels like more than just a remake trend.

As exciting as it is star fox 64 and ocarina of time The remake is what M64 really takes this Nintendo 64 comeback to another level for me. It's one thing for Nintendo to remake some of its biggest games, especially during the console's 30th anniversary, but completely new hardware built to play the original N64 cartridges is another. The M64 is more than just an emulation box with a list of pre-installed games. Instead, all you have to do is whip out the old cartridges again, plug in the controller, and relive the feelings of those late nights spent together. super mario 64Large pepperoni pizza and 2 liters of Mountain Dew.

M64 Key Features

• genuine cartridge – Play authentic Nintendo 64 games from all regions.
• 4K output – Supports 720p, 1080p, 1440p and 4K displays.
• accurate performance – Recreates original gameplay timings, video and audio.
• 4 controllers – Supports local split-screen multiplayer with 4 controller ports.
• controller support – Works with original and many newer N64 style controllers.
• Built-in pack – Includes Expansion Pak and Controller Pak features.
• overclock mode – Reduces frame rate drops found in original cartridge games.
• cathode ray tube filter – Add customizable scanlines and other retro display effects.
• local free – Run NTSC and PAL cartridges without restrictions.
• quiet design – Fanless cooling keeps your console completely quiet.
• new cartridge – Supports original games, remasters, and new physical releases.
• wireless update – Improves compatibility, adds feature and accessory support.
• open source hardware – FPGA-based design supports modifications and community development.
• quick start – Boots up in seconds without any account or login required.
• cartridge lights – Adjustable LED uplight illuminates inserted cartridge artwork.

Many people still play the original N64 console today, but it's not as simple as plugging the console into a modern TV and hoping for the best. The M64 is designed to eliminate most of these hassles by supporting resolutions up to 4K, built-in features for the original N64 controller, newer controller options, and accessories like the Expansion Pak and Controller Pak. This means players can experience the original game without having to endure all the inconveniences of using hardware from 30 years ago.

Then there's the GameStop aspect, which is probably the strangest part of the whole comeback. In 2026, players will be able to head to the same retailers that sell the Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and order a new console designed specifically for Nintendo 64 cartridges. Sure, the M64 isn't an official Nintendo console and is clearly aimed at a more die-hard retro audience, but seeing it for sale through GameStop at least makes it feel official, and it goes a long way in taking me back to a time when the Electronics Boutique in the mall was the place to be for all the new releases.

The M64 is also being released not just to allow players to preserve games they already own. ModRetro is supporting this with a new physical cartridge that includes a box and printed instructions, which is the most powerful thing the Nintendo 64 can do. We don't expect the new M64 release to suddenly start competing with the biggest Switch 2 games. But the fact that someone would release a new cartridge game for N64-style hardware in 2026 is a bit absurd. Now, 30 years after the original console was released, players aren't just looking for better ways to revisit their libraries. New technological features are being added.

Of course, there are some clear limits to how far this comeback can go. The M64 costs $229.99 before adding a controller, original cartridges can be surprisingly expensive, and most players will be perfectly content experiencing older Nintendo games through Switch Online or the original hardware. No one should expect the M64 to steal the Switch 2's shelf space or convince millions of people to rebuild their Nintendo 64 collections they sold off years ago.

Still, I don't think it's necessary to do something like that to make the Nintendo 64 feel new again. between star fox 64 and ocarina of time With the M64 being remade for the Switch 2, giving the original cartridge a modern home, and new physical games being created for it, almost every part of the N64 experience was suddenly revitalized. Anyway, the Nintendo 64 has its place in 2026 with new games, new hardware, and GameStop. That's over 30 years since most consoles' supposed heyday.

Basically what I'm trying to say is that Nintendo 64 couldn't have asked for a better anniversary. Players who want completely rebuilt versions of the best N64 games can get them on the Switch 2, while those who still prefer the originals now have a new console designed to retain those cartridges. The Nintendo 64 is certainly not a literal current-generation console, but for the first time in decades, it doesn't feel retired either.