Donkey Kong 64 finally joins Nintendo Switch Online next week

At a glance:

• Donkey Kong 64 arrives on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on June 4, 2026
• The 1999 N64 title was the only 3D Donkey Kong game before Donkey Kong Bananza
• Nintendo fans have long requested the game's inclusion in the N64 emulator library

What happened

Nintendo has confirmed that Donkey Kong 64, the 1999 N64 platformer developed by Rare, will be added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack library on June 4, 2026. This marks the first N64 game to join the service in 2026, following Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Tonic Trouble which were added in December 2025. The game's arrival fulfills a long-standing fan request, as the N64 emulator was introduced to the Expansion Pack tier nearly five years ago, and players have been advocating for its inclusion ever since.

The announcement was made via Nintendo of America's official Twitter account, which highlighted Donkey Kong's mission to rescue his friends and reclaim the Golden Banana. The game's addition comes amid ongoing discussions about the Expansion Pack's value proposition, which costs $50 annually for individual members. While the library now includes many of the N64's biggest titles, notable omissions like Diddy Kong Racing and Super Smash Bros. remain absent.

Why it matters

Donkey Kong 64 holds a unique place in Nintendo's history as the only 3D Donkey Kong game prior to the release of Donkey Kong Bananza in 2025. Unlike Rare's more celebrated side-scrolling Donkey Kong Country series, this title embraced a collectathon structure with expansive 3D levels packed with items to gather. The game's divisive reception stems from its open-ended design and multiple playable characters, which some found engaging while others criticized its backtracking and confusing layout. Despite these issues, it remains a nostalgic touchstone for many players, particularly for its quirky soundtrack featuring Grant Kirkhope's infamous 'DK Rap'.

The inclusion of Donkey Kong 64 also underscores Nintendo's strategy to gradually expand its classic game library through the Expansion Pack. While the service has faced criticism for its pricing and incomplete catalog, the addition of titles like this one helps justify the subscription for retro gaming enthusiasts. However, the game's dated camera controls and awkward mechanics may present challenges for modern players, even as its cultural significance endures.

Context and legacy

Before Donkey Kong Bananza redefined the franchise in 3D, Donkey Kong 64 stood alone as the series' sole foray into three-dimensional platforming. Its design philosophy closely mirrors Rare's earlier Banjo-Kazooie, which is already available in the Nintendo Classics library. Both games exemplify the experimental nature of early 3D platformers, with sprawling worlds and collectible-driven gameplay that influenced later titles in the genre.

The game's divisive legacy reflects broader trends in gaming history, where ambitious design choices sometimes clashed with player expectations. While some praised its open-ended exploration and character variety, others found the camera system and level design frustrating. For Nintendo, adding Donkey Kong 64 to the Switch Online library represents both a tribute to its past and an opportunity to introduce the title to a new generation of players who may not have experienced the original N64 release.

What to watch next

Fans will likely continue pushing for other missing N64 classics, such as Diddy Kong Racing and Super Smash Bros., to be added to the service. Nintendo's roadmap for the Expansion Pack remains unclear, but the steady drip of retro titles suggests a long-term commitment to the library. Meanwhile, the upcoming June 4 release of Donkey Kong 64 will provide a test case for how well the game holds up in 2026, particularly for players encountering its quirks for the first time.

The Expansion Pack's pricing and content strategy will also remain under scrutiny, especially as competitors like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass offer their own retro-focused tiers. Nintendo's approach to balancing nostalgia with accessibility will be critical in maintaining subscriber interest in the months ahead.