Nintendo 64 was launched in Japan 23 years ago today..

Yup, that's right, 23 years ago on June 23rd, 1996, the iconic Nintendo 64 gaming console hit the Japanese market. Three months later it was released in the US.. I'm feeling nostalgic, AND old..

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While not as popular as it's predecessors, the NES and SNES, the Nintendo 64 did usher in a new era for the Mario manufacturer.

It was the first Nintendo system to ditch the side-scrolling of the traditional 8 bit Mario and Zelda genres and implement more of an open world 3D environment with Super Mario 64 and one of the best games of all time, Zelda: Ocarina of Time!

Aside from that, it was the first console to introduce the joystick controller which was necessary for traversing these 3D worlds.

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On top of that, N64 introduced two multiplayer games that I spent HOURS.. days even.. obsessing over with my buddies.. Mario Kart 64 and... you got it.. Goldeneye 007!

The Nintendo 64 suffered in sales trying to keep up with the newly established Sony Playstation console, which had a year headstart on shelves stateside.. Also, Nintendo decided to double down on cartridges in a time when other players were moving towards less expensive CD roms.. This meant Nintendo had to pass off the extra manufacturing fees to the developers.. As a result, 3rd-party support for the system suffered.

It would be nearly a decade before Nintendo would turn around their slump with the Wii (I'm sure Nintendo would love for you to forget about the Gamecube), but being part of my prime years growing up, the N64 will always have a special place in my heart.

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Happy Birthday Nintendo 64! Thanks for the memories!

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What's your favorite N64 game of all time? Let us know in the comments below!

..Until then.. Stay savvy 😎