Donkey Kong 64 is coming to Nintendo Switch Online next week, Nintendo has confirmed.
The legendary N64 platformer will arrive on June 4, and like other N64 titles will be accessible to any Switch or Switch 2 owner with an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.
Originally released in 1999 and developed by famed British studio Rare, Donkey Kong 64 is remembered for its many levels filled with collectibles, its use of the N64’s Expansion Pak add-on, and as the birthplace of the iconic DK Rap.
While disliked at the time, the DK Rap has gone on to find cult status (and appear in numerous other things, such as the Super Mario Bros. Movie and various Smash Bros. soundtracks). Today, Nintendo’s announcement for the game’s Switch re-release also uses the DK Rap as its music.
All the N64 Games Currently in the Switch Online Expansion Pack
Donkey Kong 64 will join around 40 other games from the Nintendo 64 era available via Nintendo Switch Online, including other classics such as Super Mario 64, Paper Mario and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. For the full catalog, IGN has a list of every Nintendo Switch Online game available to date.
Today’s announcement follows last year’s launch of excellent new DK platformer Donkey Kong Bananza for Nintendo Switch 2 (IGN’s Donkey Kong Bananza review returned a rare 10/10), and comes amid growing fan speculation that Nintendo’s mysterious upcoming Mario movie spinoff slated for launch in April 2028 is actually a Donkey Kong film.
In a bizarre twist, fans have noted that today’s announcement has also arrived exactly on the 10th anniversary of legendary gorilla Harambe’s untimely passing. Whether intentional or not, it’s an apepropriate gesture.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
