Donkey Kong 64 Joins Nintendo 64 Nintendo Classics on June 4
The addition fills a notable gap in the Nintendo 64 Classics lineup and marks the first re-release of Rare's collectathon since the Wii U Virtual Console shut down, giving subscribers access to a title that directly inspired last year's Donkey Kong Bananza.
Key Facts
- Donkey Kong 64 joins the Nintendo 64 Nintendo Classics library on June 4, 2026, for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers.
- The game originally required the Memory Expansion Pak accessory, which expanded the N64's RAM by 36 Mbit.
- It features five playable Kongs: Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Tiny Kong, Lanky Kong, and Chunky Kong.
- The re-release includes bonus content that unlocks the original 1981 arcade Donkey Kong and the 1983 game Jetpac.
- The Nintendo 64 Classics service on Switch 2 adds rewind, an analog filter, and more features.
Reporting from 7 sources: 4Gamer.net, GAME Watch (Impress), ASCII.jp, Automaton, and 3 more.
Nintendo will add Donkey Kong 64 to the Nintendo 64 Nintendo Classics library on June 4, 2026, the company announced on May 28. The title is available to subscribers of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 1999, Donkey Kong 64 is a 3D action game developed by Rare. It features five playable Kongs: Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Tiny Kong, Lanky Kong, and Chunky Kong. Players explore eight hub worlds, collect Golden Bananas, and battle the Kremling army led by King K. Rool. The game includes side activities such as collecting coins and blueprints and photographing fairies. It also contains a multiplayer mode for up to four players and bonus content that unlocks the original 1981 arcade Donkey Kong and the 1983 game Jetpac. Donkey Kong 64 previously appeared on the Wii U Virtual Console in 2015, but that service ended in 2026. The re-release is the first time the game has been available on a Nintendo platform since then. The Nintendo 64 Classics service is also playable on the Nintendo Switch 2.
The game originally required the Memory Expansion Pak, an accessory that expanded the N64's RAM by 36 Mbit, making it a dedicated title for that hardware. It was released before The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, another game that required the pak.
As a 3D action game, Donkey Kong 64 is similar to Rare's own Banjo-Kazooie, particularly in its abundance of collectible items. The story follows Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and the new Kongs Lanky, Tiny, and Chunky as they face the Kremling army led by King K. Rool, who plans to destroy DK Island with a weapon called the Blast-o-Matic.
Nintendo sells a dedicated N64 Controller for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers that reproduces the original feel. It works wirelessly with both the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2. The Nintendo 64 Classics service on Switch 2 also adds three new features: rewind, an analog filter, and more.
Donkey Kong Bananza, released for the Switch 2 in 2025, is the first 3D action Donkey Kong game in 26 years since this title. It includes references to Donkey Kong 64, such as the "OH, BANANA" voice when collecting the Banamond item and music from the mini-game Rambi Rumble. King K. Rool's Final Smash in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is also based on this game.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 7 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- 4Gamer.net 「ドンキーコング64」NINTENDO 64 Nintendo Classicsに6月4日追加へ。5匹のコングが活躍する3Dアクション
- GAME Watch (Impress) 「ドンキーコング64」が「NINTENDO 64 Nintendo Classics」に6月4日より追加！
- ASCII.jp 【待ってた】「ドンキーコング64」がNintendo Classicsに追加
- Automaton 『ドンキーコング64』がNintendo Switchにて復刻。「NINTENDO 64 Nintendo Classics」で6月4日配信へ
- Denfaminicogamer 『ドンキーコング64』が“6月4日”より「NINTENDO 64 Nintendo Classics」に追加！1999年発売の名作3Dアクションゲーム
- Game Spark 『ドンキーコング64』が「NINTENDO 64 Nintendo Classics」向けに6月4日配信決定！懐かしの名作が蘇る
- Inside 『ドンキーコング64』が「NINTENDO 64 Nintendo Classics」向けに6月4日配信決定！懐かしの名作が蘇る