This N64 Game Was a Masterpiece, But You’ll Never See It Again

by

Growing up, the Nintendo 64 was a huge part of my life, and I have a lot of great memories playing it. Some of my favorites included *Paper Mario*, *Yoshi’s Story*, and *Super Mario 64*. That console is where I first fell in love with platforming games, and one game, in particular, really stood out. Its expansive 3D world and characters were amazing – truly ambitious and unlike anything else I’d seen. For years, fans like me have been hoping Nintendo would bring it back to modern consoles, perhaps with some improvements to its older design elements.

Let’s face it: we’re unlikely to ever see another game quite like *Donkey Kong 64*. While fans remember it with a lot of affection, the way the game performed commercially means a revival is improbable. Some are excited about *Donkey Kong Bananza* and its familiar faces, but I still find myself wanting to revisit and play this classic Nintendo 64 title again.

Donkey Kong 64 Is the Forgotten Gem of Rare’s Golden Era

Rare created some of the most beloved games for the Nintendo 64. Titles like *Banjo-Kazooie*, *Perfect Dark*, and *GoldenEye 007* were huge successes and really showed what the console could do. *Donkey Kong 64* was another standout game, a massive platformer and a personal favorite of mine.

While *Super Mario 64* had already shown what 3D platformers could do, *Donkey Kong 64* was much more than just another game in that style. It was a huge collecting adventure, pushing the boundaries of how large and detailed game worlds could be. Rare took things even further with five playable characters, vast and varied levels, tons of hidden collectibles, and even included a playable version of the original *Donkey Kong* arcade game. *Donkey Kong 64* really felt like a showcase of everything Rare and Nintendo accomplished as partners.

While *Donkey Kong 64* might feel a bit awkward by today’s standards, it was truly amazing when it first came out. It also holds a special place in gaming history as the last game Rare made before being acquired by Microsoft, effectively ending a fantastic period for Rare games. This timing has made it a beloved classic and a poignant reminder of the strong relationship between Rare and Nintendo.

Licensing Nightmares Keep Donkey Kong 64 Locked Away

The ownership of *Donkey Kong 64* is complicated and unfortunate. While Nintendo owns the characters, franchise, and console it’s played on, the game was developed by Rare, which was later bought by Microsoft. This acquisition brought many of Rare’s games under Microsoft’s control, creating a legal mess. Though Donkey Kong itself stayed with Nintendo, the specific rights and agreements surrounding *Donkey Kong 64* became a difficult issue for everyone involved, and no one wanted to resolve it.

Despite the popularity of recent *Donkey Kong* games like *Tropical Freeze* and *Bananza*, the Nintendo 64 *Donkey Kong* adventure hasn’t been updated or re-released. Many fans, including myself, have repeatedly asked Nintendo for a remake or even just a re-release of *Donkey Kong 64*. However, this would require Nintendo to work with Microsoft and Rare, the developers who are currently focused on improving *Sea of Thieves*.

While it’s not entirely out of the question that a collaboration could bring back *Donkey Kong 64*, most people don’t think it will. I still hope it might happen, but realistically, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see this classic Nintendo 64 game available again.

Why Fans Still Hope Donkey Kong 64 Returns

Despite everything, many fans still hope to see *Donkey Kong 64* released on the next Nintendo console, the Switch 2. This hope is fueled by two things: the inclusion of Banjo-Kazooie in *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*, and Microsoft’s recent shift in how they handle games exclusive to their consoles. These developments have led many to believe that Nintendo, Microsoft, and Rare could collaborate to finally give fans what they’ve wanted for years.

When Banjo-Kazooie was added to *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*, fans of the older *Donkey Kong 64* game were thrilled. Banjo-Kazooie’s original game paved the way for the 3D style of *Donkey Kong 64*, so its return in another classic Nintendo series – also starting on the Nintendo 64 – felt especially meaningful. While Banjo’s inclusion renewed hope for more collaboration between Rare and Nintendo, it’s likely a special case rather than a sign of things to come.

Microsoft’s willingness to release games like *Forza Horizon 5*, *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle*, and *Gears of War: Reloaded* on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 suggests that a re-release of *Donkey Kong 64* could also happen. If Microsoft approves and Rare develops it, and Nintendo agrees, there’s no clear reason why this older game couldn’t be made available on those platforms.

It’s unclear if *Donkey Kong 64* will ever be released on platforms other than the Nintendo 64, aside from the *Donkey Kong Bananza* DLC. Personally, I doubt it will happen, even though there’s been talk and wishful thinking. However, I’d fully support it if Nintendo, Microsoft, and Rare could come to an agreement. For now, it seems stuck due to legal issues and remains a fondly remembered classic.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

Read More

2025-09-27 16:22