Nintendo Switch Critic Reviews

While the first two Doom games carry very little of the horror they may have originally had into the modern age, Doom 64 absolutely does. This game is still creepy, but without sacrificing any of the action of the originals. 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.

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.

Doom 64 is a different experience, it's still Doom, but it's like your favourite movie got directed by someone else and had to make everything from scratch again. While still fun all these years later, it's still a bit of-its-times, but that's part of the charm. It's Doom, done just a little bit different.

Thankfully, we live in a good world and Bethesda is letting people experience this twisted and dark take on id Software's work. If you've never played this before, let the $5 price tag be all the inspiration you need.

Its long disappearance created an aura that, surprisingly, the game still is able to maintain while playing it. DOOM 64 is back and the medium is a bit better for it.

After 23 years DOOM 64 is still a great game. Nightdive Studios has done a great job adding new features to the Switch version. If you couldn't play it in the past, now is a good time to do it.

DOOM 64 is a time capsule, but one worth digging back up. [Issue #46 – May/June 2020, p. 20]

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.

Doom 64 for Switch was overshadowed by Doom Eternal’s release on Nintendo’s handheld, but it would be a shame to ignore it. Do not mistake it for a port of the original Doom. Developed for Nintendo 64, it features a completely different campaign, offers more complex levels, and goes for a darker atmosphere. The enhanced Switch edition looks better, brings six additional levels, and fits the platform perfectly. [02/2021, p.55]

Doom 64 is an impressive port of the forgotten son of the series. Without a multiplayer mode it sits as one of the less essential shooters from the era, but as the first effort at bringing Doom into three dimensions, it's a valuable bit of series history, and to this day it plays very nicely indeed.