When it comes to first-person shooters,Doomis practically synonymous with the genre and continues to inspire to this day. WhileWolfenstein 3Dhelped birth the FPS, it was the 1993 follow-up that popularized it, taking it to new heights and making its developer, id Software, a household name in PC gaming. There was also theDoomgame for the Nintendo 64 back in the 90s, unsurprisingly calledDoom 64, and a new fan-made mod has just come out which aims to ensure this forgotten gem remains in the limelight.
Updating the ModDB add-on recently, user Cryonaut has managed to turn the traditionally classicDoomgames into something more akin to the N64 version. Called “The D64ifier,” this mod takes the first games in the series, as well as the “No Rest For The Living” expansion pack and other mapsets, and makes them look likeDoom 64. Given this console version’s darker atmosphere and graphics more befitting the Nintendo system, Cryonaut’s project gives the classic id titles a more distinctive aesthetic while still maintaining the gameplay.
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Doom 64was something of a cult classic, regarded as the best-looking installment at the time of its release back in 1997. It received decent scores across the board, and while there were numerous ports to things like PC, PS4, Xbox One, and even Google Stadia, it’s possible that many will have forgotten this hidden game, especially for those who weren’t around during the N64 era. In a discussion aboutDoom, most will immediately think of the first two entries, or perhaps the most recent reboot and the 2020 follow-up, but many considerDoom 64to be a strong entry in the franchise.
Among other things, “The D64ifier” comes with hi-res textures and some tweaks to the monsters. The modder does say that this might not be forDoom"purists," as it drastically changes the look of the original games, so some may not feel that the spirit of these beloved games is there anymore. But for anyone else who’s interested in trying it out, it does look pretty good. It’s also telling of this series' legacy that there are stillDoommods being made to this day.
As avideo game with a heavy metal inspired soundtrack,Doomis not just something that helped to usher in the FPS genre, but its high-octane action is what keeps people going back to both the originals and the newer entries. With id Software about to make a start on its next project, many will be hoping that there will be a new game in the long-running franchise, or at the very least, a newQuaketitle.
Doom 64originally came out on N64 in 1997, and is available on PC, PS4, Stadia, Switch, and Xbox One.
