Donkey Kong 64 joins Nintendo Switch Online library next week

Nintendo has confirmed that Donkey Kong 64 will join the Nintendo Switch Online Classics catalogue on 4 June, ending years of speculation among fans who have been waiting for the game to arrive on the service. The title will be available through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership tier, which includes access to a growing collection of Nintendo 64 games.

DK 🎵
DONKEY KONG! 🎵
Help Donkey Kong rescue his friends, reclaim the Golden Banana, and save his homeland in Donkey Kong 64, coming to the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics app on Jun 4 for #NintendoSwitchOnline + Expansion Pack members! pic.twitter.com/WfAZ73Cwvo

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 28, 2026

Originally released in 1999 and developed by British studio Rare, Donkey Kong 64 marked the first and only full 3D platform adventure starring Nintendo’s famous gorilla before the launch of Donkey Kong Bananza last year. Since the Nintendo 64 emulator debuted on Switch almost five years ago, players have repeatedly called for the game’s addition to the online service.

The arrival of Donkey Kong 64 continues Nintendo’s gradual expansion of its retro games library, which has become a major part of the company’s subscription offering. The Expansion Pack tier currently costs US$50 per year for an individual membership and provides access to Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance and Sega Mega Drive titles alongside other downloadable content.

Rare’s ambitious platformer remains divisive

Donkey Kong 64 has long held an unusual place in Nintendo’s history. While the game remains popular with many players, it has also attracted criticism over the years for its design choices and demanding approach to collecting items. The title followed Rare’s successful Banjo-Kazooie, released in 1998, and shared a similar style built around large 3D environments filled with hidden objects and puzzles.

Unlike the side-scrolling Donkey Kong Country series, which focused on fast-paced platforming, Donkey Kong 64 encouraged exploration across expansive worlds. Players switched between multiple members of the Kong family, each with unique abilities required to unlock new areas and progress through the game.

Supporters praised the title for its scale, colourful worlds and variety of playable characters. Many players also appreciated its more open structure compared with earlier platform games. However, critics argued that the game relied too heavily on repetitive item collection and forced players to revisit areas multiple times to complete objectives.

The game’s camera system and controls have also become more controversial with age. Like many titles from the early years of 3D gaming, Donkey Kong 64 reflected the technical limitations of its era. Modern players returning to the game may find some mechanics less polished than those in contemporary platformers, particularly compared with newer Nintendo releases.

Despite those criticisms, the game remains memorable for several reasons, including its soundtrack by composer Grant Kirkhope. One of the title’s most recognisable features is the opening “DK Rap”, which has become a well-known part of Nintendo culture over the years. The song continues to attract attention online and remains closely associated with the game’s identity.

Nintendo continues to expand its retro games offering

The addition of Donkey Kong 64 marks the first Nintendo 64 title added to Nintendo Switch Online in 2026. The most recent Nintendo 64 releases for the service arrived in December, when Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Tonic Trouble were added to the library.

Nintendo has steadily increased the number of classic titles available through the subscription service since introducing support for Nintendo 64. The company’s strategy has focused on combining nostalgia with online accessibility, allowing players to revisit older games without requiring original hardware.

Many of the Nintendo 64’s best-known releases are now available through the Expansion Pack. Titles such as Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Mario Kart 64 have already been added to the service’s catalogue. The arrival of Donkey Kong 64 further strengthens the platform’s collection of late-1990s Nintendo games.

However, several high-profile Nintendo 64 games are still absent. Fans continue to request titles, including Diddy Kong Racing and Super Smash Bros., both of which remain unavailable on the service despite strong player demand.

Nintendo has not confirmed whether additional Rare-developed games will be added to the platform in the near future. The company has previously worked with Microsoft-owned Rare to bring several classic titles to Nintendo Switch Online, including Banjo-Kazooie and GoldenEye 007.

The release of Donkey Kong 64 may also renew interest in the wider Donkey Kong series following the success of Donkey Kong Bananza. Nintendo has placed greater focus on the franchise in recent years, expanding its presence through games, merchandise and theme park attractions.

Although opinions on Donkey Kong 64 remain divided, its arrival on Nintendo Switch Online gives a new audience the chance to experience one of the Nintendo 64’s most ambitious platform games. For longtime fans, the release also marks the return of a title that has been requested since the service launched.