Nintendo confirms Donkey Kong 64 joins Switch Online on June 4
Nintendo confirmed on May 28, 2026, that the iconic 1999 platformer Donkey Kong 64 will officially join the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service next month. The game is scheduled for release on June 4, 2026, marking the first time the title has been available on a modern Nintendo console since its 2015 appearance on the Wii U Virtual Console. Subscribing members will be able to play as all five members of the Kong family as they attempt to rescue their island and reclaim their Golden Bananas from the villainous King K. Rool.
Originally developed by the British studio Rare, Donkey Kong 64 became a definitive title for the Nintendo 64 (N64) era. It was famously one of the few games to require the physical N64 Expansion Pak add-on to function. Its arrival on the Switch service follows months of fan speculation, which intensified in July 2025 when social media users spotted what appeared to be a blurred version of the game’s box art in an official Nintendo trailer. The upcoming release will bring the total number of N64 titles available on the service in the West to 43.
The timing of the announcement has also drawn attention for a unique calendar coincidence. Today, May 28, 2026, marks exactly 10 years since the passing of Harambe, the gorilla whose death sparked a decade of internet culture. While Nintendo’s marketing focused on the game’s features—using the legendary “DK Rap” in the promotional materials—the date has added an extra layer of visibility to the news across social media platforms.
Five playable characters and competitive battle arenas
Donkey Kong 64 is renowned for its scale and its roster of five playable heroes. While the adventure begins with Donkey Kong, players must progress to unlock Diddy Kong, Lanky Kong, Tiny Kong, and Chunky Kong. Each character possesses specific abilities and weapons needed to find collectibles scattered across DK Island. This “collectathon” style of gameplay saw a resurgence of interest recently, similar to how Valve’s recent sticker releases have revitalised interest in digital collections.
The Nintendo Switch Online version will include modern quality-of-life enhancements not present in the 1999 original. Players will have access to save states and a rewind feature, allowing for more forgiving gameplay during difficult platforming sections. Additionally, the game’s competitive battle arenas will support four-player split-screen play, mirroring the local multiplayer experience that made the original release a staple for social gaming in the late nineties.
This release follows a productive period for the Expansion Pack tier. Last year, in 2025, Nintendo added five notable N64 games to the service: Ridge Racer 64, Killer Instinct Gold, Forsaken 64, Rayman 2: The Great Escape, and Tonic Trouble. Donkey Kong 64 stands as the first N64 addition to the library in 2026, addressing one of the most significant gaps in the digital catalog for classic gaming enthusiasts.
Expansion Pack subscription tiers and pricing
Access to the N64 library, including the upcoming Donkey Kong 64, requires a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. This is a higher tier than the standard online service. For a one-year Individual Membership, the cost is $49.99 USD (£34.99 / €39.99). This represents a step up from the base service, which is priced at $19.99 USD for a 12-month individual plan.
For households with multiple users, Nintendo offers a Family Membership for one year at $79.99 USD. This plan covers up to eight separate Nintendo accounts, making it a cost-effective option for larger groups. The service remains accessible across the entire Switch family of devices, including the Switch Lite and the OLED model. Much like how Tekken 8 keeps players engaged with post-launch crossovers, Nintendo’s steady stream of retro hardware titles serves as a primary retention tool for its digital ecosystem.
The enduring cult status of the DK Rap
Few elements of Donkey Kong 64 have endured as strongly as the “DK Rap,” the game’s introductory musical number. Initially met with mixed reviews in 1999, the song has since achieved cult status within the gaming community. It has appeared in various forms across the Super Smash Bros. series and was featured in the Super Mario Bros. Movie, cementing its place in the broader Nintendo canon. Nintendo has leaned into this nostalgia by using the track prominently in the Switch Online announcement.
The game remains a fascinating example of Rare’s design philosophy during its partnership with Nintendo. While its focus on a massive number of collectibles can be daunting, the game’s technical ambition was high for its time. With various coins and bananas color-coded to specific characters, it encouraged deep exploration of every level. The Switch port will allow a new generation to experience this complexity without the need for the original physical hardware or the prone-to-failure Expansion Pak.
As the industry sees major companies restructuring budgets, such as Bobby Kotick’s recent claims regarding major industry deals, Nintendo’s reliance on its high-value legacy content provides a stable draw for its subscription services. Donkey Kong 64 will be available for download via the N64 app on June 4, requiring only an active Expansion Pack subscription and an internet connection to sync the updated library.