Play Operation WinBack (E) Online

Duck behind cover, time your shots between enemy reloads, and watch your flank—this N64 shooter makes you actually think before blasting. The controls feel their age, but there’s a tense rhythm to picking off terrorists who aren’t just standing around waiting to get shot.

Developer: Koei

Genre: Third-person shooter

Released: 1999

File size: 10.55 MB

Game Overview

Operation WinBack came out for the Nintendo 64 in 1999, developed by Koei. It was one of the earlier third-person shooters on the system, arriving at a time when the genre was still finding its footing on consoles. The game stood out for its tactical approach to action, offering something a bit different from the run-and-gun style common back then.

You control Jean-Luc Cougar, an agent tasked with stopping a terrorist group from launching nuclear missiles. The gameplay revolves around using cover effectively; you press against walls, pop out to aim, and try to pick off enemies while managing your own exposure. Levels are structured as a series of interconnected rooms and corridors, encouraging methodical advancement rather than rushing ahead. The difficulty can be unforgiving, with enemies that flank and suppress you, demanding careful positioning and ammo conservation. It feels tense and deliberate, rewarding patience over pure reflexes.