Nintendo Switch Next Free Game Is The N64 Classic You've Been Begging For
Topics: Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Featured Image Credit: Philip Fong - Getty Images
Topics: Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo fans have finally been blessed with the beloved 3D platformer they’ve been begging years for.
Compared to the likes of PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass, the Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 subscription service, Nintendo Switch Online is a little bit underwhelming.
Its main purpose is to enable online play but the real prize is the growing number of retro classics becoming playable on modern hardware. Even this is flawed though.
Nintendo seemingly adds new games to the service on a whim, which can be incredibly frustrating, though the latest addition is so good we’re letting go of that frustration for a bit.
That’s right, Donkey Kong 64 is finally coming to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. You’ll need the Expansion Pack tier otherwise, you’re locked out of the Nintendo 64 library.
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Donkey Kong 64 is a brilliant 3D platformer made by Rare, the studio that basically made Nintendo’s famous ape the household name he is today.
After the success of the Donkey Kong Country titles and the introduction of the Nintendo 64, it was a no-brainer for Rare to bring DK into the realm of 3D but this time he’s accompanied by more friends than ever.
Players will take control of the five members of the DK Crew, including Donkey Kong himself, Diddy Kong, Tiny Kong, Chunky Kong and Lanky Kong. Each Kong has their own unique abilities to master, which are upgraded throughout the game.
It’s a solid game and thwarting King K. Rool’s nefarious plans in glorious 3D was fantastic for its time. The only problem is that the game is notoriously annoying to complete 100%.
Like Rare’s other beloved platformer, Banjo Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64 is a collectathon, meaning there’s a staggering amount of bananas and other collectables littered throughout each level.
Not only that, but some bananas can only be collected by a specific Kong, so you’ll be constantly switching between them if you want to grab everything. You’re basically doing five different playthroughs of the game in one go.
That doesn’t make the game any less fun though, and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers will be able to play it at no additional cost from 4 June onwards, after literally years of waiting.
DK 🎵
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 28, 2026
DONKEY KONG! 🎵
Help Donkey Kong rescue his friends, reclaim the Golden Banana, and save his homeland in Donkey Kong 64, coming to the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics app on Jun 4 for #NintendoSwitchOnline + Expansion Pack members! pic.twitter.com/WfAZ73Cwvo
Now Nintendo fans are turning their attention to other standout Nintendo 64 titles that are also due to make a comeback, namely Super Smash Bros (1999).
We wouldn’t get our hopes though. We think Nintendo is planning to re-release the Super Smash Bros games through some sort of remaster or compilation for a new price, much like what was done with the Pokémon FireRed And LeafGreen re-releases.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is supposedly getting the remake treatment sometime this year/2027, so why wouldn’t Nintendo want to turn a profit on Super Smash Bros too?
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