Best N64 Racing Games on Switch Online
The top pick for most players is Mario Kart 64—it’s the most accessible, chaotic, and replayable racer in the Nintendo 64 library, and it runs perfectly on Switch Online. Its four-player local multiplayer, iconic tracks, and simple drift-and-item combat make it the best balance of fun and nostalgia for both solo and party play.
What to Look For
When choosing an N64 racing game on Switch Online, the criteria that actually matter are:
- Multiplayer support: How many players can race locally? Four-player split-screen is the gold standard for couch gaming.
- Gameplay depth vs. accessibility: Some games are pick-up-and-play (Mario Kart), others demand mastering drifting, drafting, or vehicle tuning (F-Zero X, Diddy Kong Racing).
- Single-player content: Do you want a full campaign with boss battles and unlockables, or just quick races and time trials?
- Control scheme on Switch: N64 games use the C-buttons and Z-trigger—Switch Online remaps these to the right stick and shoulder buttons. Check if the game feels okay with that layout.
- Visual and audio hold-up: Some N64 racers have aged better than others. Frame rate and texture clarity matter, especially on a modern TV.
Mario Kart 64
Strengths: The definitive party racer. Four-player split-screen, 16 tracks (including the beloved Rainbow Road and Toad’s Turnpike), and the classic three-item roulette. The drift mechanics are simple yet satisfying, and the rubber-band AI keeps races tense even against friends.
Trade-offs: The item balance is brutal—a single Blue Shell can ruin a race. The single-player mode is just a series of cups with no story or unlockable characters beyond the initial roster. The graphics are charming but dated, and the frame rate dips in four-player mode.
Who it suits: Anyone who wants a fun, accessible racer for groups, or who wants to relive the classic that started the modern kart craze. Also great for kids and casual players.
F-Zero X
Strengths: Pure speed and precision. 30 futuristic machines, 24 tracks, and a blistering 60 frames per second—even in four-player mode. The sense of speed is unmatched on the N64, and the track design rewards memorization and split-second decisions.
Trade-offs: Brutally difficult. One mistake can send you off the track, and the AI is ruthless. The music is heavy metal (which some love, others find grating), and the visuals are sparse—lots of grey and neon, with no real scenery. The default control scheme on Switch Online can feel twitchy until you adjust the sensitivity.
Who it suits: Hardcore racing fans who want a pure skill-based challenge, and players who enjoy mastering a game over time. Not for casual parties.
Diddy Kong Racing
Strengths: The most content-rich racer on the N64. A full adventure mode with a hub world, boss races, and unlockable characters and tracks. It features karts, hovercrafts, and planes, each with different handling. The single-player campaign is genuinely engaging, and the co-op mode (two players can play through the adventure together) is a rare treat.
Trade-offs: The vehicle switching can feel gimmicky, and some races force you into a vehicle you might not like. The item system is less chaotic than Mario Kart—you hold one item at a time, and it’s often just a speed boost or a shield. The game is also longer and more grind-heavy if you want to 100% it.
Who it suits: Players who want a full single-player experience in a racing game, and those who enjoy exploration and progression over pure racing. Also good for two-player co-op.
Wave Race 64
Strengths: A unique water-based racer with a surprisingly deep physics system. The jet skis bob and tilt with the waves, and learning to use the waves for jumps and tricks is incredibly satisfying. The track design is excellent, with multiple paths and changing water conditions. The game also has a great sense of speed and a memorable soundtrack.
Trade-offs: Only 9 tracks (though the Championship mode adds variations), and the single-player is limited to a few modes. The trick system is simple—just a few button combos—and the AI can be frustratingly perfect in later difficulties. The water physics might feel floaty to players used to land-based racers.
Who it suits: Players looking for something different from the typical kart or futuristic racer, and those who appreciate physics-based gameplay. Also a great choice for solo players who want to master a skill-based challenge.
Excitebike 64
Strengths: A surprisingly deep motocross racer with a focus on stunts and risk-reward. You can pull off tricks to boost your boost meter, but crashing can cost you the race. The track editor is a standout feature—you can create and share your own tracks (locally). The game also has a solid single-player campaign with multiple classes and unlockables.
Trade-offs: The controls take time to learn—stunts require precise timing and button combos. The frame rate can dip in four-player mode, and the visuals are a bit bland compared to other N64 racers. The track editor is fun, but sharing tracks requires a memory card, which is a hassle on Switch Online (you can’t easily share custom tracks).
Who it suits: Fans of motocross or stunt-based games, and players who enjoy a challenge that rewards practice. Also good for creative players who like building their own tracks.
How to Choose
First, consider your budget: Switch Online is a subscription service, so you don’t pay per game—you get all these titles with a standard or expansion pass membership. If you already have the base membership, the N64 games are included in the Expansion Pack tier, which costs more. So your real cost is the subscription, not the game itself.
Next, think about your use case. If you’re buying the subscription for a family or a group of friends, Mario Kart 64 is the safest bet—it’s easy to pick up and fun for everyone. If you’re a solo player who wants a long, engaging campaign, Diddy Kong Racing offers the most content. If you’re a competitive player who wants to master a game, F-Zero X or Wave Race 64 will give you hundreds of hours of practice.
Common trade-offs: Multiplayer focus vs. single-player depth. Mario Kart and F-Zero X are more about the race itself, while Diddy Kong and Excitebike 64 have more progression and side content. Also, consider the control scheme—if you’re playing on a Switch Lite, the smaller screen and lack of a detachable controller might make four-player split-screen less enjoyable. In that case, a single-player game like Wave Race 64 might be better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the Expansion Pack to play N64 games on Switch Online?
Yes. The N64 library is only available with the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier. The base membership only includes NES and SNES games.
Can I play these games online with friends?
Yes, Switch Online supports online multiplayer for N64 games, including Mario Kart 64 and F-Zero X. However, the online experience can be laggy depending on your connection, and some games have no online support (like Excitebike 64).
Are the controls remapped for the Switch controller?
Yes. The C-buttons are mapped to the right stick, and the Z-trigger is mapped to the ZR button. You can also remap buttons in the Switch Online app’s settings, but the default is usually fine.
Do these games have save states?
Yes, the Switch Online N64 app includes save states (suspend points) and rewind features. This is a huge quality-of-life improvement, especially for games like F-Zero X where you might want to retry a race.
Which game has the best four-player split-screen?
Mario Kart 64 is the most fun in four-player mode, but F-Zero X runs at 60fps even with four players, making it the smoothest. Diddy Kong Racing also supports four players, but the frame rate can dip.
Are there any other N64 racing games on the service?
As of this writing, the service also includes Mario Golf (not a racer) and 1080° Snowboarding (a racing-adjacent game). The lineup is updated periodically, so keep an eye out for future additions.
Bottom Line
If you only pick one, Mario Kart 64 is the best all-around choice for most people—it’s fun alone, great with friends, and easy to jump into. But if you’re a solo player who wants a deep campaign, Diddy Kong Racing is the most content-rich. For pure speed and skill, F-Zero X is unmatched. The beauty of Switch Online is that you can try them all with one subscription, so start with Mario Kart, then explore the others based on your mood.
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