Nintendo has confirmed that Rare’s Donkey Kong 64 will join the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack catalog on June 4, 2026.
The publisher released a gameplay trailer on the Nintendo of America YouTube channel showing the N64-era platformer running on Switch hardware, and reiterated that an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription is required to download and play the title.
Background and developer context
Donkey Kong 64 was developed by Rare and originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 1999.
The game is widely recognized as a collectathon-style 3D platformer, marking a clear departure from Rare’s earlier 2D Donkey Kong Country trilogy on SNES.
Rare, which built a reputation in the 1990s for high-production platformers and technical polish on Nintendo hardware, remains the credited developer for the title’s Switch release, with Nintendo handling distribution on the Switch service.
Trailer and official messaging
Nintendo showcased extended gameplay footage in the official trailer posted to its YouTube channel, giving fans a look at movement, camera behavior, and the game’s hub-and-collect structure.
In announcing the addition, Nintendo made clear that Donkey Kong 64 will be made available to subscribers for download starting June 4, 2026, and that the Expansion Pack tier of Nintendo Switch Online is required to access the Nintendo 64 library.
What players should expect
Donkey Kong 64 retains the original’s emphasis on exploration and item collection, featuring multiple playable characters and a large, interconnected world typical of late-1990s Rare design.
As with other Nintendo 64 releases added to the Switch Online Expansion Pack since the service expanded its retro library, the title will be accessible only through subscription rather than as a standalone eShop purchase for non-subscribers.
Platform and subscription details
The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier added Nintendo 64 support to the service in 2021 and has continued to rotate and expand its catalog.
Players who want to play Donkey Kong 64 on Switch should ensure their Nintendo Switch Online subscription includes the Expansion Pack before June 4, 2026.
Source: Nintendo of America YouTube channel (official trailer release)
The publisher released a gameplay trailer on the Nintendo of America YouTube channel showing the N64-era platformer running on Switch hardware, and reiterated that an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription is required to download and play the title.
Background and developer context
Donkey Kong 64 was developed by Rare and originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 1999.
The game is widely recognized as a collectathon-style 3D platformer, marking a clear departure from Rare’s earlier 2D Donkey Kong Country trilogy on SNES.
Rare, which built a reputation in the 1990s for high-production platformers and technical polish on Nintendo hardware, remains the credited developer for the title’s Switch release, with Nintendo handling distribution on the Switch service.
Trailer and official messaging
Nintendo showcased extended gameplay footage in the official trailer posted to its YouTube channel, giving fans a look at movement, camera behavior, and the game’s hub-and-collect structure.
In announcing the addition, Nintendo made clear that Donkey Kong 64 will be made available to subscribers for download starting June 4, 2026, and that the Expansion Pack tier of Nintendo Switch Online is required to access the Nintendo 64 library.
What players should expect
Donkey Kong 64 retains the original’s emphasis on exploration and item collection, featuring multiple playable characters and a large, interconnected world typical of late-1990s Rare design.
As with other Nintendo 64 releases added to the Switch Online Expansion Pack since the service expanded its retro library, the title will be accessible only through subscription rather than as a standalone eShop purchase for non-subscribers.
Platform and subscription details
The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier added Nintendo 64 support to the service in 2021 and has continued to rotate and expand its catalog.
Players who want to play Donkey Kong 64 on Switch should ensure their Nintendo Switch Online subscription includes the Expansion Pack before June 4, 2026.
Source: Nintendo of America YouTube channel (official trailer release)