Nintendo 64 Turns 30: The U.S. Anniversary, Super Mario 64 and How to Play N64 Classics Today

Nintendo 64 reaches a major milestone this week: September 29, 2026 marks 30 years since the console launched in the United States. Nintendo’s own company history records the U.S. launch on September 29, 1996, alongside Super Mario 64.

Three decades later, the N64 remains easy to recognize—not only for its three-pronged controller, but for a library that helped define 3D console gaming.

September 29 is the U.S. anniversary

The Nintendo 64 first launched in Japan on June 23, 1996. For U.S. players, however, the anniversary falls on September 29. Nintendo confirms that both the system and Super Mario 64 arrived in the U.S. that day.

That makes September 29, 2026 the console’s 30th U.S. anniversary—and also the 30th anniversary of the U.S. release of Super Mario 64.

Why the controller still stands out

The N64 controller was built around a central analog Control Stick at a time when 3D movement was becoming central to console design. Its unusual three-grip layout also included a rear Z trigger and four yellow C buttons.

For collectors, the controller is one of the fastest ways to visually identify the N64 era. It also reflects how dramatically game controls were changing as developers moved from predominantly 2D play into fully navigable 3D spaces.

Super Mario 64 launched with the system in the U.S.

Nintendo’s official Mario history lists Super Mario 64 on September 29, 1996 for Nintendo 64. The game moved the mainline Mario series into a freely explorable 3D environment centered on Princess Peach’s castle and its painting worlds.

Its importance to the anniversary is straightforward: this was not a later hit that helped the console find its identity. In the U.S., Super Mario 64 and the hardware arrived together.

The cartridge is part of the N64 collecting experience

The Nintendo 64 continued to use ROM cartridges—officially called Game Paks—rather than moving to optical discs. That physical format remains a major part of N64 collecting today.

Anyone buying original N64 games today should pay attention to more than the front label. Condition can vary substantially after 30 years, so inspect the shell, rear label, connector area and screws, and compare questionable copies against known-authentic examples before paying collector prices.

How to play N64 classics on current Nintendo hardware

Nintendo still officially offers a selection of Nintendo 64 games through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Nintendo says the membership includes access to select N64 classics with added online play, alongside Game Boy Advance and Sega Genesis libraries.

• Nintendo Switch: N64 classics are available through the Expansion Pack membership.
• Nintendo Switch 2: the same membership continues to include the N64 library, while Switch 2 also receives additional classic-system benefits such as Nintendo GameCube titles.
• Membership required: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is a paid membership and availability varies by title and region.

A useful anniversary for players and collectors

The 30th anniversary is a good excuse to revisit the N64 from both sides of the hobby. Players can explore Nintendo’s current classic-game service, while physical collectors can take stock of aging cartridges, controllers and hardware before condition becomes an even larger part of the market.

Most importantly, the date is worth getting right: September 29, 2026 is the 30th anniversary of the Nintendo 64’s U.S. launch, not the console’s original Japanese debut in June.

Sources: Nintendo corporate history; Nintendo’s official Super Mario history; Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Hardware photography by Evan-Amos via Wikimedia Commons, released to the public domain.