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DOOM 64

DOOM 64

id Software, Nightdive Studios · released Mar 19, 2020

Action

Play the enhanced version of the original game released on the Nintendo 64 in 1997. Years have passed since you stopped Hell’s invasion of Earth. Quarantined for humanity’s safety, the UAC research facilities on Mars were abandoned and forgotten...until now.

86
VGC Score
Stablehigh confidence
88%
At launch
93%
Steam all-time
76%
Press
75%
Player sentiment
90%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)7614
All-time Steam reviews93%871000
Metacritic user ratings0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)90%8437
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 106 reviews sampled · 103 total reviews in window · weighted 52.2 up / 5.7 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (25)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 80
    trust 76Mar 20, 2020

    While it was already something of a relic when it launched on the N64 almost 25 years ago, Doom 64 remains a great example of just how refined a formula the series offers and just how good a job the late Midway did in the shadow of id Software. The lack of local multiplayer support still stings, even after all these years, but with support for motion controls on Switch, something Nightdive has already pulled off to a tee with its Turok ports, and the addition of a new DOOM Eternal-themed level, this is classic retro shooter that deserves a little more love.

    read full review ↗
  • 75
    trust 70Mar 20, 2020

    While I’ve played many iterations of DOOM over the years going back to the original shareware the N64 incarnation of it was one that I’d missed out on...

    read full review ↗
  • 50
    trust 70Mar 19, 2020

    DOOM 64 is considered a cult classic, meaning that the people who love it, really love it. The one writing this doesn't though. It is way too slow, tries to have a horror atmosphere (and almost succeeds), although it is in no way a horror game, and, most importantly, the level design is mediocre at best, as its more about flipping switches than killing demons. Those who loved the original will be glad to know that this a very good port, with FHD resolution and an improved frame-rate - just don't expect any new content.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 69Mar 24, 2020

    Something that hasn’t aged quite as well are the shooting galleries. The enemy spawns feel too abundant on some levels, causing the gunplay to get a bit too monotonous. This is especially true on 'The Lost Levels' which are brand new bonus missions meant to connect “old” Doom to “new” Doom, but end up overstaying their welcome.

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    trust 69Mar 24, 2020

    Its gameplay is refined and this port in particular cleans up its most egregious rough edge. The maps are as confusing as ever but being able to see where you're going makes it much more tolerable. If you're a classic Doom fan and have never played Doom 64, you owe it to yourself to pick it up. This just may be the best classic-style Doom.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 65Apr 13, 2020

    It's easy to take one look at Doom 64 and dismiss it as obsolete; but when you actually play through the first few hours of the game, you'll realize that not only Doom 64 is still a great first person shooter, but also that it proves why Doom is one of the greatest franchises ever made in the history of games.

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  • 85
    trust 65Mar 26, 2020

    Doom 64 invites players to revisit this overlooked gem of the series, and either alongside Doom Eternal or on its own, is well worth the price of admission.

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    trust 64Apr 2, 2020

    Doom 64 is a great remaster of the somewhat forgotten Doom episode from Nintendo 64. It still offers unique visual style, great level design and fun gameplay. If you're a fan of retro shooters, you can't afford to miss it.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 64Mar 19, 2020

    An unfairly neglected part of the Doom canon is given the remaster it most certainly deserves, in what is one of the most welcome retro remasters of recent years.

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  • 80
    trust 64Mar 31, 2020

    GREAT - Doom 64 is as fun to play today as it was back on the Nintendo 64, while looking better than ever. If you’re looking for a mindlessly entertaining way to pass the time until you can play Doom Eternal on the Switch this might be the best remedy for you.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 63Mar 21, 2020

    Despite a few minor errors, DOOM 64 is still great 20 years later, and Nightdive's excellent port adds extra content to a game that is already worth your time.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 62Mar 24, 2020

    It's classic Doom at its best, but also something else --an old school shooter that also tries to do new stuff.

    read full review ↗

…and 13 more tracked reviews.

Patch history