4 Most Surprising N64 Games Still Missing From Nintendo Switch Online

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For many Millennials, the Nintendo 64, released in 1996, was the console of their childhood. It was home to some of Nintendo’s most popular games, like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and the original Super Smash Bros. While many of these classics are now available on the Nintendo Switch through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, the N64 had a lot of great games over its five years. That means some fan favorites are still notably absent from the NSO library.

Nintendo first added classic Nintendo 64 games to its Nintendo Switch Online service in 2021 with the launch of the Expansion Pack subscription. To play these games, and titles from later Nintendo consoles, you need to upgrade to this more expensive subscription level. Many players find it worthwhile due to the growing library of N64 and now GameCube games. Despite the service being available for several years, some popular N64 titles are still missing. Here are four N64 games that haven’t yet been added to Nintendo Switch Online, along with possible reasons why.

4) Hey You, Pikachu!

Released in 2000, a few years after it first came out in Japan, Hey You, Pikachu! is a game I always remember wanting as a kid. I used to rent it from Blockbuster and loved the idea of raising and talking to Pikachu using a special voice-activated attachment for the Nintendo 64. While the voice recognition wasn’t perfect, it was a really innovative concept for its time. Today, with the popularity of relaxing, low-key games, it would be great to revisit, but unfortunately, it’s not currently available on Nintendo Switch Online.

The reason the Hey You, Pikachu! game hasn’t been released on Nintendo Switch Online likely comes down to voice recognition. The original Switch didn’t have a built-in microphone, which this game needs to function. While Pokemon is incredibly popular, it’s surprising the game isn’t available yet. Now that the upcoming Switch 2 will have a built-in microphone, it seems likely Hey You, Pikachu! will eventually be offered as an exclusive game for NSO subscribers on the new console.

3) Diddy Kong Racing

Released in 1997, Diddy Kong Racing was a fun racing game that came about as Nintendo looked for another hit similar to Mario Kart. While some felt it borrowed a little too much from Mario Kart, it was still a very enjoyable experience. Developed by Rare but made in collaboration with Nintendo using the Donkey Kong characters, the game was originally exclusive to the Nintendo 64 and later received an updated version on the Nintendo DS. That’s why many fans are still hoping to see it added to the Nintendo Switch Online service.

Despite already having several racing games on Nintendo consoles, Diddy Kong Racing was a huge success. It was a top-selling game for the Nintendo 64, and players loved its fun and unpredictable races. The reason it hasn’t been added to the Nintendo Switch Online service as of 2026 is likely because it was originally made by Rare, even though Nintendo later published a version for the DS. Hopefully, it will be available on NSO for N64 sometime in the future.

2) Donkey Kong 64

Donkey Kong is a hugely popular Nintendo character, right up there with Mario and Link. Several older Donkey Kong games are already available through the Nintendo Switch Online service. With a brand new Donkey Kong game released on the Switch last year, it seemed like a great time to add this classic 3D Donkey Kong game to the Nintendo 64 games available on NSO, but surprisingly, it hasn’t happened.

Released in 1999, Donkey Kong 64 brought a fresh Donkey Kong experience to the newest Nintendo system. Developed by Rare (the team behind Diddy Kong Racing) and published by Nintendo, the game featured a fantastic soundtrack that I still remember, even though I mostly played it at a friend’s house. Though it received somewhat mixed reviews when it came out, Donkey Kong 64 is an important part of Donkey Kong’s legacy and should be added to the Nintendo Switch Online library.

1) Super Smash Bros.

For me, the original Super Smash Bros. is the game that truly defined my experience with the Nintendo 64. I spent countless hours battling opponents with Pikachu, and it all began with that first game on the N64. Released in 1999, it created a whole new type of fighting game. While the series has continued with many installments, including 2018’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Switch, the original deserves a place in the Nintendo Switch Online library.

Many other game series have new installments and older titles available on the Switch and through Nintendo Switch Online. So, the lack of the original Super Smash Bros. on Switch isn’t likely due to those reasons. It’s probably a licensing issue with some of the characters who weren’t included in later games – though it’s hard to say exactly which ones. Alternatively, Nintendo might be saving it for a special occasion, like the announcement of a new Super Smash Bros. game, before adding it to the Nintendo Switch Online library of N64 titles.

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2026-05-25 16:14