Wave Race 64 is one of those N64 games that just feels good to play. You hop on a jet ski, the water splashes realistically as you carve through waves, and the controls are surprisingly tight for a racing game from '96. The weather actually changes mid-race—one second you're cruising under clear skies, the next you're fighting choppy waves in a downpour.

What really stands out is how alive the water feels. Hitting waves at different angles actually matters, and if you don’t adjust your approach, you’ll wipe out hard. The stunt mode is a nice break from racing, letting you pull off ridiculous flips and spins. And yeah, the multiplayer holds up—nothing like shoving your friend into a buoy while they’re trying to take a tight turn.

It’s aged better than most N64 racers, mostly because the physics still feel satisfying today.