A new wave of Rare-developed games has found a home on the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. However, there remains a gap where six Nintendo 64 games from the illustrious company should rightfully be. Although Rare is under Microsoft's umbrella now, its legacy with Nintendo is indelible, particularly for creating some of the most beloved Nintendo 64 games.
Thankfully, the camaraderie between Microsoft and Nintendo has borne fruit, leading to the inclusion of some Rare gems in the Nintendo Switch Online service. The journey began with Banjo-Kazooie's arrival in the Expansion Pack tier, followed by titles like GoldenEye 007 and Jet Force Gemini. The latest addition, Blast Corps, made its debut on Switch Online Expansion Pack, yet there are still six Rare-crafted games awaiting their turn.
The six elusive Rare Nintendo 64 games yet to grace the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service are Banjo-Tooie, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Diddy Kong Racing, Donkey Kong 64, Perfect Dark, and Mickey's Speedway USA. While some of these games have a realistic chance of joining Switch Online in the future, others might never see the light of the service due to various constraints.
The Roster of Missing Rare Nintendo 64 Games on Switch Online
- Banjo-Tooie
- Conker's Bad Fur Day
- Diddy Kong Racing
- Donkey Kong 64
- Mickey's Speedway USA
- Perfect Dark
With Banjo-Kazooie already accessible to Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers, the prospect of Banjo-Tooie joining seems promising. Originally released in 2000, Banjo-Tooie garnered critical acclaim akin to its predecessor. While the fate of Banjo-Tooie on Switch Online remains uncertain, fans can still enjoy it on modern consoles. An HD version of Banjo-Tooie was launched for Xbox 360 and is part of the Rare Replay collection, playable on current Xbox consoles.
Conker's Bad Fur Day, another Rare Replay inclusion, is unlikely to make its way to Switch Online due to its mature content and irreverent humor. This M-rated game is a cult favorite for its bold satire of the typical 3D platformer. Similarly, the acclaimed first-person shooter Perfect Dark carries an M rating, making its arrival on the Switch Online Expansion Pack improbable.
On the brighter side, Diddy Kong Racing and Donkey Kong 64, both Rare creations based on Nintendo's Donkey Kong IP, stand a good chance of eventually landing on Switch Online. While Diddy Kong Racing is a kart racing favorite, rivalling Mario Kart 64 in entertainment value, Donkey Kong 64 offers a substantial 3D platforming experience with its dedicated fan base. The absence of Diddy Kong Racing and Donkey Kong 64 on Switch Online, compared to titles like GoldenEye 007 and Jet Force Gemini, may stem from their unavailability on Xbox platforms, unlike the already ported Rare titles.
Time will unveil the destiny of Donkey Kong 64 and Diddy Kong Racing, with a more optimistic outlook for their return. However, the prospects for Mickey's Speedway USA, a 2000 Rare-developed and Nintendo-published title, seem dim. Although devoid of controversial content, its association with Disney IP complicates its addition to Switch Online.
Nintendo 64 Titles on Switch Online Thus Far
- 1080 Snowboarding
- Banjo-Kazooie (Rare)
- Blast Corps (Rare)
- Dr. Mario 64
- Excitebike 64
- F-Zero X
- GoldenEye 007 (Rare)
- Harvest Moon 64
- Jet Force Gemini (Rare)
- Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
- Mario Golf
- Mario Kart 64
- Mario Party
- Mario Party 2
- Mario Party 3
- Mario Tennis
- Paper Mario
- Pilotwings 64
- Pokemon Puzzle League
- Pokemon Snap
- Pokemon Stadium
- Pokemon Stadium 2
- Sin and Punishment
- Star Fox 64
- Super Mario 64
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
- Wave Race 64
- WinBack
- Yoshi's Story
While titles like Mickey's Speedway USA may not find their way to the Switch Online service, the remaining Rare Nintendo 64 games hold varying degrees of promise. Despite potential hurdles like M-ratings for titles such as Conker's Bad Fur Day and Perfect Dark, there is optimism for Nintendo fans to relive these classics on their preferred platform, buoyed by Microsoft's recent gestures towards cross-platform gaming.
Microsoft's shift towards inclusivity is evident in its decision to make some first-party games available on diverse platforms. For Nintendo Switch, Microsoft has confirmed the arrival of two games - Grounded and Pentiment. Should Microsoft extend this openness to the Rare Replay collection, encompassing all Rare Nintendo 64 games except GoldenEye 007 and Mickey's Speedway USA, it could pave the way for Nintendo enthusiasts to revisit timeless classics unlikely to land on Switch Online.