Although general gameplay in SimCity 64 is much like SimCity 2000, the game's graphical textures and building tilesets are considerably different and also, the game eliminates the water buildings and pipes only leaving the power plants and power lines.

The 64DD incarnation of the game SimCopter,[3] which was first planned as a stand-alone title, was later integrated into SimCity 64.

[6] After numerous delays of the 64DD, SimCity 64 was made playable at Nintendo Space World in 1999.

[7][8] The game is considerably obscure, given its Japan-only release and designation to run on the ill-fated 64DD platform.

The four reviewers of the Japanese magazine Famitsu awarded SimCity 64 scores of 8, 8, 8 and 7[7] for a total of 31 out of 40 points.