One of the N64’s Most Controversial Games Is Coming to Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo has officially revealed that Donkey Kong 64 is joining the Nintendo 64 library within the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. Set to arrive on Wednesday, June 3, this release marks the return of a title that, until the debut of Donkey Kong Bananza last year, stood as the only fully 3D platforming adventure for the franchise.

While the game garnered respectable reviews upon its 1999 debut, Donkey Kong 64 occupies a polarizing space in gaming history today. Rare, the studio behind the legendary Donkey Kong Country series, had previously set a high bar for 2D platforming excellence. However, with this entry, they leaned heavily into the design philosophy seen in Banjo-Kazooie, opting for an immense, often overwhelming deluge of collectibles.

For many critics, this “collectathon” approach felt like artificial padding, with some analysts even suggesting it signaled the beginning of the 3D platformer genre’s decline. In a 2018 retrospective, Polygon placed it 18th out of 23 titles in the franchise, highlighting its mixed legacy.

Then, of course, there is the infamous “DK Rap.” Composed by Grant Kirkhope, this cringeworthy theme has become a legendary relic of the era. Once derided as one of the worst musical tracks in gaming, it has since transcended its reputation to become an ironic fan favorite—arguably achieving greater pop-culture recognition than the game itself.

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Donkey Kong 64 may not be Rare’s crowning achievement or even their superior 3D offering on the N64. Nevertheless, it remains a vital chapter in Nintendo’s storied history, and its inclusion in the Nintendo Classics collection is a welcome development for fans and preservationists alike.

Source: Polygon