Ultimate Forsaken 64 Switch Guide: M-Rated N64 March 2026
What is Forsaken 64 on Nintendo Switch Online? Forsaken 64 is a six-degrees-of-freedom shooter from 1998 that just launched on Nintendo Switch Online’s Mature 17+ app, exclusively for Expansion Pack members.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about this surprise addition to Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games and N64 library, including my memories of playing this hidden gem back in the late 90s and why its arrival is such a big deal for retro gaming fans.
| Feature | Details | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | September 2025 | NSO + Expansion Pack |
| App Required | N64 Mature 17+ | Separate download |
| ESRB Rating | M for Mature | Blood and gore |
| Genre | 6DOF Shooter | 360° movement |
What Makes Forsaken 64 Special on Nintendo Switch?
I remember picking up Forsaken 64 from my local Blockbuster back in 1998, drawn in by its provocative box art featuring a woman in revealing attire – something that definitely caught teenage gamers’ attention. But beneath that controversial marketing was actually one of the most technically impressive shooters on the Nintendo 64.
Understanding Six-Degrees-of-Freedom Gameplay
If you’ve never experienced a six-degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) shooter, imagine combining the movement of a spaceship with the combat of Quake. In Forsaken 64, you pilot a hoverbike through claustrophobic tunnels and open caverns, able to move in any direction – forward, backward, left, right, up, down – while also rotating on all three axes. It’s like playing Descent but with more attitude and a late-90s edge.
The gameplay feels remarkably fresh even today because so few games have attempted this control scheme. While modern gamers might compare it to something like Overload or Sublevel Zero, back in 1998, this was mind-blowing stuff on a home console. I spent countless hours mastering the complex control scheme, which uses every button on the N64 controller to give you complete freedom of movement.
The Story Behind the M Rating
Here’s something interesting I discovered while researching this release: Forsaken 64’s M rating has always been somewhat controversial. The ESRB rated it Mature for “Animated Blood and Gore,” but compared to other M-rated games of the era, it’s relatively tame. The violence consists mainly of exploding hoverbikes and some blood effects when enemies are destroyed.
However, there’s the infamous Gore Mode cheat code that Nintendo is actually keeping intact for this Switch Online release. Enter the code at the title screen, and you’ll unlock enhanced blood effects and more visceral explosions – though even with this enabled, it’s still less graphic than modern T-rated games. It’s a fascinating time capsule of how rating standards have evolved over the past 27 years.
Nintendo Switch Online Mature App Explained
For those unfamiliar with Nintendo’s approach to mature content on Switch Online, let me break down how this system works. Unlike regular N64 games that appear in the standard Nintendo 64 app alongside family-friendly titles like Mario Kart 64 and classic N64 games, M-rated titles get their own separate application.
How to Access Forsaken 64
To play Forsaken 64, you’ll need to:
- Have an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership ($49.99/year)
- Download the “Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Switch Online: MATURE 17+” app from the eShop
- Launch the Mature app separately from the standard N64 app
- Select Forsaken 64 from the game library
This segregation might seem unnecessary, but I actually appreciate Nintendo’s approach here. It keeps mature content clearly separated for families while still making these games available for adult players who want the complete N64 experience.
Complete List of M-Rated N64 Games on Switch Online
With Forsaken 64’s addition, the Mature 17+ app now includes these titles:
| Game | Release Date on NSO | Original Year |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect Dark | October 2023 | 2000 |
| Turok: Dinosaur Hunter | March 2024 | 1997 |
| Turok 2: Seeds of Evil | July 2024 | 1998 |
| Forsaken 64 | September 2025 | 1998 |
It’s worth noting that this represents a significant portion of the N64’s M-rated library. The only major omissions at this point are games with complex licensing issues like GoldenEye 007 (which got its own separate release) and Conker’s Bad Fur Day.
My Experience Revisiting Forsaken 64 in 2026
Booting up Forsaken 64 on my Switch OLED this week brought back a flood of memories. The game’s techno soundtrack, composed by various electronic artists of the late 90s, still absolutely slaps. The opening theme immediately transported me back to my friend’s basement where we’d spend entire weekends trying to master the game’s challenging later levels.
How It Holds Up Today
Playing with modern sensibilities, Forsaken 64 is both a product of its time and surprisingly ahead of it. The graphics, while obviously dated with their low-poly models and muddy textures, have a certain charm when displayed on the Switch’s screen. The framerate, which could chug on original hardware, runs much more smoothly through Nintendo’s emulation.
The controls take some adjustment – the N64 controller’s unique layout actually worked quite well for this game, but mapping it to modern controls feels slightly awkward at first. I found myself constantly checking the button configuration for the first hour, but muscle memory from decades ago gradually kicked in.
Multiplayer Memories and Modern Reality
One of my fondest memories of Forsaken 64 was its split-screen multiplayer mode. Up to four players could duke it out in arena-style deathmatches, and the chaos of everyone zipping around in three dimensions was unlike anything else on the system. Unfortunately, as with all N64 games on complete Nintendo Switch Online library, there’s no online multiplayer support – you’re limited to local play only.
That said, the single-player campaign holds up remarkably well. The level design is intricate, with secret areas and shortcuts that reward exploration. Each stage feels like a three-dimensional maze that you gradually learn to navigate at breakneck speeds.
2026 Tips for New Players Experiencing Forsaken 64
If you’re jumping into Forsaken 64 for the first time, here are my hard-earned tips from countless hours with the original:
Master the Controls Gradually
Don’t try to use all six degrees of freedom immediately. Start by playing it like a traditional shooter, then gradually incorporate vertical movement and rolling. The game’s early levels are designed to ease you into the complex control scheme.
Use the Save State Feature Liberally
One advantage of playing on Switch Online is the save state functionality. Forsaken 64 could be brutally difficult in its later stages, and the original’s checkpoint system was unforgiving. I recommend creating a save state at the beginning of each level and after completing particularly challenging sections.
Experiment with Different Control Configurations
The Switch Online app allows you to remap buttons. I’ve found that mapping the vertical movement to the right stick feels more intuitive than the original C-button configuration. Don’t be afraid to spend time finding what works for you.
Learn to Use Afterburner Effectively
The afterburner isn’t just for going fast – it’s essential for dodging enemy fire. Quick bursts in different directions can help you avoid incoming missiles and navigate tight spaces more effectively than standard movement.
The Significance of This Release for Retro Gaming
Forsaken 64’s arrival on Nintendo Switch Online represents more than just another retro game addition. It’s Nintendo acknowledging and preserving a unique piece of gaming history that might otherwise be forgotten. Six-degrees-of-freedom shooters were always niche, even in their heyday, and seeing one get official re-release treatment in 2026 is genuinely exciting.
This release also suggests Nintendo is willing to dig deeper into the N64’s catalog beyond the obvious classics. While everyone expected Mario, Zelda, and Nintendo 64 gaming classics, seeing titles like Forsaken 64 gives me hope for other overlooked gems getting their due.
For gaming enthusiasts interested in exploring more retro treasures, I recommend checking out our comprehensive guide to the best fighting games of all time, which includes several N64 classics that showcase the system’s diverse library beyond shooters.
What This Means for Future Nintendo Switch Online Updates
The addition of Forsaken 64 in March 2026 continues Nintendo’s steady pace of monthly updates to the service. Based on the pattern we’ve seen, I expect we’ll continue getting one or two retro titles per month, with occasional surprises like this one mixed in among the more predictable releases.
Looking at what’s still missing from the N64 library, potential future additions could include Mischief Makers, Rocket: Robot on Wheels, or even more mature titles like Shadow Man. The fact that Nintendo is willing to add relatively obscure M-rated games suggests the possibilities are broader than many assumed.
Nintendo’s commitment to preserving gaming history extends beyond just N64 titles – they’ve been consistently expanding their retro library across all platforms. If you’re interested in exploring more of Nintendo’s retro offerings, our guide to the most popular video game characters of all time features many Nintendo icons that have appeared across different generations of their consoles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forsaken 64 worth playing in 2026?
Absolutely, especially if you’re interested in gaming history or unique gameplay mechanics. While it shows its age visually, the six-degrees-of-freedom gameplay remains distinctive and challenging. For Expansion Pack subscribers, it’s essentially free, making it easy to recommend trying.
Do I need the Expansion Pack to play Forsaken 64?
Yes, Forsaken 64 requires Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, which costs $49.99 per year for individuals or $79.99 for a family plan. The base Nintendo Switch Online membership ($19.99/year) doesn’t include N64 games.
Can I play Forsaken 64 online with friends?
Unfortunately, no. Like all N64 games on Switch Online, Forsaken 64 only supports local multiplayer. You can play split-screen with up to four players on the same console, but there’s no online multiplayer functionality.
Why is Forsaken 64 in a separate app from other N64 games?
Nintendo segregates M-rated games into a separate “MATURE 17+” app to maintain family-friendly content in the main N64 app. This allows parents to easily control access to mature content while still making these games available for adult subscribers.
What’s the Gore Mode cheat and how do I activate it?
Gore Mode enhances the blood and explosion effects in Forsaken 64. To activate it, enter a specific button combination at the title screen (the exact code varies by region). This feature is intact in the Switch Online version, though even with it enabled, the violence is tame by modern standards.
Final Thoughts on Forsaken 64’s Nintendo Switch Debut
Forsaken 64’s surprise addition to Nintendo Switch Online is exactly the kind of curation I want to see more of from Nintendo. Instead of just hitting the obvious nostalgia notes, they’re preserving games that pushed boundaries and tried something different. For younger players who missed the N64 era, this is a chance to experience a truly unique style of gameplay that’s rarely attempted today.
As someone who spent countless hours with Forsaken 64 in the late 90s, seeing it available on modern hardware with save states and improved performance feels like the definitive way to experience it. Sure, it’s not going to convert everyone into six-degrees-of-freedom shooter fans, but for those willing to invest time in mastering its unique controls, Forsaken 64 offers a gaming experience you genuinely can’t find anywhere else on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
The fact that Nintendo continues to surprise us with these deep cuts gives me hope for the future of the service. If Forsaken 64 can make it onto Switch Online, what other forgotten gems might we see in the coming months? Whatever comes next, I’ll be ready with my Expansion Pack subscription and a healthy dose of 90s nostalgia.
For gamers looking to explore more retro gaming experiences beyond Nintendo’s offerings, I highly recommend browsing through our best multiplayer games of all time guide, which features classics from various platforms that have stood the test of time just like Forsaken 64 has.