A classic Nintendo 64 game from Rare is now available to play for free with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. You’ll need the Expansion Pack – a standard Nintendo Switch Online membership won’t give you access. If you’re already subscribed with the Expansion Pack on either Nintendo Switch or Switch 2, you can play the game as much as you like. However, if you owned an N64 back in 1999, you’ve probably already spent countless hours enjoying this game!
Released on November 22, 1999, Donkey Kong 64 was a Nintendo 64 exclusive game from Rare, the studio that would later be acquired by Xbox. It aimed to build on the success of both Super Mario 64 and Donkey Kong Country. While it received high praise and a Metacritic score of 90, some players initially felt it didn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessors. Over the years, however, Donkey Kong 64 has become recognized as a classic N64 title. It also marked Rare’s last Donkey Kong game for over two decades, and the series wouldn’t see another 3D platformer until Donkey Kong Bonanza on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.
First Release Since Wii U
Originally released in 1994, Donkey Kong Country became available again in 2015 on the Wii U, but since the Wii U wasn’t very successful, few fans had a chance to play it then. This new release on Nintendo Switch Online gives many players their first opportunity to experience the classic game in decades. It remains to be seen how well the gameplay holds up today and how smoothly it runs with emulation. While some older GameCube games on Nintendo Switch Online have had issues, N64 games have generally worked well.
To play this new Nintendo 64 game, you’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscription, which costs $50 per year. It’s not available to buy separately on the eShop, so you can’t own it permanently.
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2026-06-04 15:11