A brand-new Nintendo 64 game has officially been released, and in that time it has accumulated a 4.9/5 review rating. It’s surprising to hear about a new Nintendo 64 game in the big 2026, especially with so many games coming to the Switch/Switch 2, but the latest is just further evidence that nostalgia sells.
What’s more, while a lot of older consoles show their age, the Nintendo 64 stands out a little more than most retro gaming consoles. That’s mainly because most games adopt a certain graphical stylization that makes a Nintendo 64 game undeniable, and true to the console, the latest game looks like, feels like, and is a modern N64 game.
Xibalba 64 is Playable on Original Nintendo 64 Consoles
Check Out Xibalba 64’s Product Page
Developed by PhobosLab, Xibalba 64 is a brand new first-person shooter for the console. It was released as one of the launch games for ModRetro’s M64, which is a machine designed to replicate the experience of the original Nintendo 64, but Xibalba 64 itself and all “M64” games are compatible with the original Nintendo 64. Players can put the physical cartridge into a Nintendo 64 and boot it up like any other game; it even has N64 Rumble Pak support. In other words, it’s a Nintendo 64 game released in 2026 that can also work on cheaper, more easily obtainable hardware. It does not use software emulation, either, as it recreates authentic hardware performance.
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
Xibalba 64 is built around the limitations and style of the beloved Nintendo console, with players fighting through high-tech bases, ancient catacombs, and jungle environments inspired by classic 1990s shooters. The game focuses on fast run-and-gun combat, maze-like levels, hidden paths, traps, ambushes, and an assortment of heavy weapons. Its Mayan underworld setting gives it a distinct visual identity, while its low-poly graphics and dark ambient soundtrack are designed to feel at home alongside games like Doom 64, Quake, and Hexen. The campaign is relatively short at around 3-5 hours, but the game also includes 4-player Deathmatch and 2-player co-op.
As of this writing, it seems the reception of Xibalba 64 is highly positive. On Monretro’s product page, it currently sits at a 4.9 out of 5 review rating for customers after 23 submissions. Many, many Steam games have way more reviews than that, but given how niche the retro market can be, any reviews are a good sign that it’s a solid title. Several reviewers specifically highlight the fact that it is a genuinely new N64 game, with one calling it an “amazing boomer shooter” and another describing it as a polished addition to the N64 game library. One reviewer did note that the opening levels are a little slow before the game picks up.
The comparisons to games like Doom 64 also show up in the reviews, although players generally seem to view Xibalba 64 as its own thing instead of a replacement for the classic. One reviewer called it an “extremely enjoyable” experience across roughly 17 levels, while praising its enemy and weapon design. Outside of ModRetro’s own reviews, early community discussion has also been positive, with players specifically calling out Xibalba 64 as one of the M64 launch games worth picking up.
