Donkey Kong 64 finally arrives on Nintendo Switch Online next month
Nintendo has announced that Donkey Kong 64, the legendary N64 platformer originally released in 1999, will arrive on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack next month on June 4, 2026. The classic title, developed by British studio Rare, will be accessible to all Switch and Switch 2 owners with an active subscription.
Donkey Kong 64 features a colorful cast of playable Kong characters—Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Lanky Kong, Chunky Kong, and Tiny Kong—as they embark on a 3D platforming adventure to stop the villainous King K. Rool from stealing the banana hoard from DK Island. The game originally required the N64 Expansion Pak, a hardware accessory that enhanced the console’s capabilities.
The title is remembered for several distinctive elements, most notably the iconic DK Rap, which was featured prominently in the game and has since achieved cult status, appearing in the Super Mario Bros. Movie and multiple Super Smash Bros. soundtracks. The game is also known for its abundance of collectibles and level exploration.
However, Donkey Kong 64 has developed a complicated legacy over the past two decades. While it received generally positive reviews upon release, players have increasingly criticized its heavy emphasis on collectibles as unnecessary padding that detracts from the core platforming experience. This reflected Rare’s approach in Banjo-Kazooie and other 3D platformers of the era. Until last year’s Donkey Kong Bananza—a game that gained critical acclaim—Donkey Kong 64 remained the only fully 3D Donkey Kong platformer, making its addition to the Switch Online collection a long-awaited one for fans of the series.