Play Iggy's Reckin' Balls Online

Iggy's Reckin' Balls came out for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, a time when the console was full of experimental 3D platformers. It was developed by Acclaim Studios Austin, which gave it a different feel from the usual Nintendo-published titles. The game stood out simply because it wasn't trying to be another Mario 64 clone; it had its own strange identity right from the start.

You control one of several characters, each a living ball with a face, racing up a vertical tower. The main objective is to reach the top of each stage before your opponents, but it's not a straightforward race. Your primary tools are a grappling hook to swing from floating anchors and a wrecking ball you swing to break obstacles and attack other players. You also collect power-ups that can freeze rivals or give you a temporary speed boost. The pacing is frantic, with constant swinging and smashing, and the difficulty comes from learning the timing of your swings while dealing with the stage's hazards. It feels chaotic and silly, a game where you're just as likely to knock yourself off the screen as you are to sabotage a friend.