Donkey Kong 64 Heads to Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Rare's classic 1999 title Donkey Kong 64 is arriving on the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack library next week, bringing its massive collection grind and the infamous DK Rap to modern players.
Nintendo is bringing a piece of gaming history to modern hardware. According to a report by Polygon, Rare's divisive 1999 platformer Donkey Kong 64 is heading to the Nintendo 64 library for Nintendo Switch Online plus Expansion Pack subscribers on Wednesday, June 3. Until last year's release of Donkey Kong Bananza, this title stood as the sole fully three dimensional platformer in the franchise, carrying a legacy that remains complicated among platforming fans.
Originally launched at the tail end of the Nintendo 64 era, the game leaned heavily into the maximalist collectible design popularized by Rare during the nineties. While praised at launch for its sheer scale, modern critical consensus often views its massive item counts as padding that helped stall the genre's momentum. Of course, the game is equally famous for Grant Kirkhope's infamous DK Rap. What started as a universally mocked musical experiment has evolved over decades into an ironic community meme, proving that internet culture can turn almost any piece of retro media into pure gold.
For today's players, this drop is less about peak game design and more about preserving platformer history on current systems. Whether you are diving in for nostalgia, speedrunning curiosity, or just waiting to hear the iconic rap track all over again, having the title accessible on modern hybrid hardware makes it easy to experience a fascinating misstep from a legendary studio. Check out the original coverage on Polygon for all the details on the rollout.
Tags: Nintendo Switch Online, Retro Gaming, Donkey Kong 64, Nintendo 64, Rare
Original article: Polygon