Nintendo has confirmed that Donkey Kong 64 will join Nintendo Switch Online’s Expansion Pack on June 4, 2026, bringing Rare’s expansive N64 platformer to modern Switch hardware for subscribers.
Originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 1999, Donkey Kong 64 is the series’ sole entry on the N64 and remains notable for its ambitious scope and heavy emphasis on collectible-driven gameplay.
Rare developed Donkey Kong 64 during the late 1990s; the studio was later acquired by Microsoft in 2002.
The title is often remembered as a major example of the era’s large-scale 3D platformers, and its arrival on the Nintendo Switch Online service marks another entry in Nintendo’s effort to make legacy N64 titles available to subscribers via the Expansion Pack tier.
Nintendo’s announcement indicates the Switch version will follow the standard approach used for recent N64 releases on the service.
Players can expect higher-resolution output and performance optimizations compared with the original cartridge release, along with controller remapping options to accommodate modern inputs on the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo has made similar enhancements for other classic N64 entries through Nintendo Switch Online, and the company attributes these adjustments to delivering a more consistent experience on current hardware.
Reporters have long noted an anecdote about Donkey Kong’s origins: acclaimed designer Shigeru Miyamoto has reportedly described the character concept as akin to a human performer wearing a gorilla costume.
That historical note underscores how Donkey Kong’s design evolved from arcade roots into the franchise’s later, more elaborate 3D outings.
For Nintendo Switch Online subscribers on the Expansion Pack tier, Donkey Kong 64 will be available beginning June 4, 2026.
The release adds another Rare-developed classic to Nintendo’s subscription catalog and gives longtime fans and new players alike a chance to revisit—or experience for the first time—one of the Nintendo 64 era’s most talked-about platformers.
Expect the game to appear through the Nintendo Switch Online interface rather than as a standalone eShop purchase for non-subscribers.
As with other legacy releases, Nintendo’s rollout will include the usual service details and patch notes at launch; players should consult Nintendo’s official channels for precise timing, supported features, and any post-release updates.
Originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 1999, Donkey Kong 64 is the series’ sole entry on the N64 and remains notable for its ambitious scope and heavy emphasis on collectible-driven gameplay.
Rare developed Donkey Kong 64 during the late 1990s; the studio was later acquired by Microsoft in 2002.
The title is often remembered as a major example of the era’s large-scale 3D platformers, and its arrival on the Nintendo Switch Online service marks another entry in Nintendo’s effort to make legacy N64 titles available to subscribers via the Expansion Pack tier.
Nintendo’s announcement indicates the Switch version will follow the standard approach used for recent N64 releases on the service.
Players can expect higher-resolution output and performance optimizations compared with the original cartridge release, along with controller remapping options to accommodate modern inputs on the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo has made similar enhancements for other classic N64 entries through Nintendo Switch Online, and the company attributes these adjustments to delivering a more consistent experience on current hardware.
Reporters have long noted an anecdote about Donkey Kong’s origins: acclaimed designer Shigeru Miyamoto has reportedly described the character concept as akin to a human performer wearing a gorilla costume.
That historical note underscores how Donkey Kong’s design evolved from arcade roots into the franchise’s later, more elaborate 3D outings.
For Nintendo Switch Online subscribers on the Expansion Pack tier, Donkey Kong 64 will be available beginning June 4, 2026.
The release adds another Rare-developed classic to Nintendo’s subscription catalog and gives longtime fans and new players alike a chance to revisit—or experience for the first time—one of the Nintendo 64 era’s most talked-about platformers.
Expect the game to appear through the Nintendo Switch Online interface rather than as a standalone eShop purchase for non-subscribers.
As with other legacy releases, Nintendo’s rollout will include the usual service details and patch notes at launch; players should consult Nintendo’s official channels for precise timing, supported features, and any post-release updates.