Why The F*** Isn’t Donkey Kong’s Last 3D Game On NSO?

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Despite Nintendo continually releasing Donkey Kong content, it’s truly perplexing that Donkey Kong 64 hasn’t yet been added to the Nintendo Switch Online service.

This season is brimming with Donkey Kong (DK) goodness! The release of the Donkey Kong Land trilogy, the opening of the DK-themed park at Universal Studios Japan, and the high-definition revival of Donkey Kong Country Returns have truly made it a DK-filled time. And let’s not forget about the upcoming game Donkey Kong Bananza for the Switch 2!

What’s the deal with one of the most famous (yet debatable) games from the series not being included yet? One factor could be Nintendo’s approach to its classic games.

They usually release content gradually, particularly for the Expansion Pack level of NSO. Rather than overwhelming the service with everything simultaneously, they often delay some games for extended periods, keeping the rollout schedule lively and sustaining interest over time.

Despite previously being available on the Wii U’s Virtual Console, Donkey Kong 64 might not see action until it’s part of a future update or release.

It’s important to keep in mind that Donkey Kong 64 has a technical requirement: it requires the Expansion Pak to function properly. This additional hardware component was essential for the game to handle its large game worlds, multiple character interactions, and numerous mini-games effectively.

Attempting to replicate something as popular as the Jetpac arcade game could prove more challenging, especially when it involves characteristics similar to those found in the game. This is because such elements have a strong association with Rare’s distinguished line of games. Notably, even though Nintendo owns the DK brand, details like these can potentially delay the process.

Another important point to consider is that the studio responsible for creating the game, known as Rare, has been absorbed by Microsoft. Although Donkey Kong 64 is officially a Nintendo title, its creation was heavily influenced by Rare’s tools, design methods, and potentially some unresolved legal complexities.

Banjo-Kazooie and other games developed by Rare are now available on Nintendo Switch Online, and unlike Donkey Kong 64, these titles don’t come with excessive side content or memory dependency issues.

It’s possible that Donkey Kong 64 demands more under-the-hood work compared to many other Nintendo 64 games. When it returns, there might be discussions and debates surrounding it.

The game stands out not only for its daring size, vibrant aesthetics, but also for the vast array of collectibles it offers and the often perplexing path to advancement it presents.

The layout of alternating among five characters to gather colorful bananas on each stage appears rather outdated now.

To certain individuals, the design may seem outdated or annoying, so it wouldn’t be unexpected if Nintendo were reluctant to resurface such an experience unless they updated it first.

Here’s another way to put it: It’s worth considering that Donkey Kong 64 may get postponed, possibly in favor of a more substantial release such as a single-title remaster or an enhanced rerelease. Instead of releasing it through Nintendo Switch Online, they might choose this alternative approach.

Given that Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has been officially confirmed for release this year, it seems likely that they are strategically releasing games at a gradual pace to maintain the excitement and momentum surrounding the franchise’s comeback.

Delaying the release of a DK64 remaster seems wiser if the goal is to reintroduce the brand with superior quality productions.

Regardless of whether it comes as an expansion to the current version (NSO) or undergoes a complete re-launch later on, it’s evident that there remains significant untapped potential in Donkey Kong’s quirkiest, noisiest, and most treasure-laden journey.

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2025-04-10 04:42