Donkey Kong 64 Hits Nintendo Switch Online This June!

Nintendo announced that the N64 classic Donkey Kong 64 will be available on June 4 through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. This highly anticipated release follows years of fan requests since the N64 emulator was introduced nearly five years ago. Donkey Kong 64, developed by Rare in 1999, was the only 3D adventure for the iconic ape prior to last year's Donkey Kong Bananza.

The game offers a departure from the Donkey Kong Country series, presenting large 3D environments filled with numerous collectible items. While some players enjoyed the open-ended exploration and diverse characters, others criticized the backtracking and complex level design. Similar to Rare's 1998 title Banjo Kazooie, also available on the service, Donkey Kong 64 has a distinctive collectathon approach.

Despite potential camera and control challenges inherent to early 3D games, Donkey Kong 64 offers a unique experience, including the origin of the 'DK Rap.' This release signifies the first N64 game added to Nintendo Switch Online in 2026, following December's additions of Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Tonic Trouble. The Expansion Pack, priced at $50 annually, now hosts a significant portion of the N64 library, though titles like Diddy Kong Racing and Super Smash Bros. remain absent.