Donkey Kong 64 and the Five Kongs Join Nintendo Switch Online Next Month

Nintendo confirmed today that Donkey Kong 64 will join the Nintendo 64 library available on Switch Online. Access to the game opens June 4, 2026 for those holding an active Expansion Pack subscription. Both the original Switch and the Switch 2 will run the title without issue.

Rare was given the opportunity to work on an experience focused around a large, connected island brimming with surprises in late 1999. According to the plot, Donkey Kong must strive to save his family after King K. Rool kidnaps them, and to make matters worse, he gets up stranded on a mechanical island next to DK Island. Meanwhile, the Kremlings are threatening the entire area, so the players must go out and collect a load of Golden Bananas to force them back.

Players can freely switch amongst the five Kong family members, as variety increases their chances of success. Donkey Kong is the go-to guy for heavy lifting and other brute power tasks. Diddy Kong, on the other side, is all agility, with a jetpack for those hard-to-reach areas. Tiny Kong can shrink down to size and swim extremely fast, which is quite useful for passing through all of the tiny gaps and underwater locations. Lanky Kong reaches far out, making him ideal for bridging large distances and solving reach-based problems, but Chunky Kong is simply a big ol’ tank, with raw force to blast through obstacles and carry all the heavy goods.

You’ll have to switch between the various Kongs quite a frequently if you want to get to all of the different regions of the levels, as it’s an important component of clearing blocked passageways and overall making progress. Exploring the stages consists of climbing, swimming, jumping, and some simple puzzle solving, all while seeking for those annoying collectibles. Every now and then, you’ll come across one of those small, enjoyable mini-games that have their own rewards in addition to the main rescue quest. Along the trip, you’ll meet several other characters, such as K. Lumsy, who are always willing to help out.

For multiplayer fans, there are four player split screen battles where you and your friends can duke it out on the same screen, all focused on friendly competition, and if you want to do something different from the main storyline, these arena modes are a great way to do so. There’s also no need for any setup; simply invite some friends over and you’re ready to go.

When Nintendo introduced the game, they made an homage to the legendary DK Rap. By the way, the service now features 40 N64 titles to choose from, including notable hits like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Subscribers can expect to get their hands on the entire Kong gang in just a few days, and the classics lineup is just getting started with the full original release ready to go.