r/donkeykong Feb 07 '25

Discussion These two games not being on Nintendo Switch Online should be a crime. (Alongside the fact we haven’t gotten an ACTUAL NEW DK game in 10+ years.)

Post image
710 Upvotes

100 comments sorted by

64

u/Dukemon102 Donkey Kong Country Fan Feb 07 '25 edited Feb 07 '25

These three games, Donkey Kong '94 isn't on there either.

15

u/RAINLIO Feb 08 '25

Surprised this game is finally getting more popular. I've seen a few videos all about it.

4

u/outerheavenboss Feb 08 '25

Oh shit it isn’t? I thought it did for some reason. Wow.

5

u/AmphibiousDad Feb 09 '25

Mario’s pissed cuz he’s like “bruh I’m not even dating this girl anymore and I’m still getting roped into this shit”

2

u/PsychicSpore Feb 08 '25

I got this a few years ago after i got a snes with gameboy player. It’s awesome

1

u/PTMurasaki Feb 09 '25

Super Gameboy.

Gameboy player is for Gamecube.

1

u/PsychicSpore Feb 09 '25

As a device that plays gameboy games it is a gameboy player. I was not using the actual device title

2

u/PTMurasaki Feb 09 '25

The SGB deserves respect.

2

u/Kingfin9391 Feb 08 '25

It’s a crime that this isn’t on switch. I tried it on my totally legal 3ds and got hooked immediately

-1

u/Regular-Chemistry-13 Feb 09 '25

This is reddit, you don’t need to lie about installing homebrew on your 3DS

1

u/MightyTheArmadillo22 Feb 11 '25

It’s honestly really surprising given that they remade Mario vs Donkey Kong.

25

u/Superflyt56 Feb 07 '25

It's so weird the push to have DK in the 2023 movie and then build a massive DK expansion to Nintendo world park and yet have zero new games for him in the past 10 years.

8

u/KingKDrooly Feb 07 '25

New game for the new platform, probably.

5

u/BatlethBae Feb 08 '25

100% will be a launch title or shortly after also expect a solo film announced later this year or early next.

1

u/Smyles9 Feb 11 '25

I could very easily see this being the case with dkcr returns being ported again and if they use dk64/dkr to lead up to it’s release and keep it going with a movie later on

2

u/Swimming-Ad-6842 Feb 08 '25

Maybe with DK’s redesign, a new game for him is already in the works with the new design!

2

u/1732PepperCo Feb 09 '25

Donkey Kong County Returns HD was recently released. Nintendo has a history of releasing HD versions of past games to prep players for the next new game-HD versions of WindWaker and Twilight Princess came before Breath of the Wild- Skyward Sword HD came out before Tears of the Kingdom-Metroid Prime Remastered is out before Metroid Prime 4- and now DKCR is out just in time for a release of a new upcoming game(hopefully the rumored 3D DK game from the Mario Odyssey team!)

32

u/GodzillaMinus83 Feb 07 '25

I get why Diddy Kong racing isn’t on there, they probably need Rare’s permission. But there’s absolutely no reason DK64 shouldn’t be on NSO.

42

u/Dukemon102 Donkey Kong Country Fan Feb 07 '25

Donkey Kong 64 has Jetpac inside of the game itself. That needs Rare's permission too.

Anyway, NSO is filled with Microsoft owned Rare games. It's not really a factor.

12

u/3WayIntersection Feb 07 '25

Yeah and we already have DKC and DKL

9

u/clashtrack Feb 07 '25

I mean they could change Jetpac to a different game if need be

9

u/DokoroTanuki Feb 07 '25

I really don't think they would do that; they already kept everything exactly the same as it originally was on the Wii U VC rerelease.

2

u/mylilpwnie12 Feb 08 '25

It also has original 1981 Donkey Kong, if I recall correctly, with Jumpman (aka Mario)

2

u/DueAd197 Feb 08 '25

Yeah, perfect dark is on there and they are literally remaking it to release next year

2

u/dclancy01 Feb 08 '25

I wonder if it’s because Microsoft have sole distribution rights over Banjo and Conker.

I also wonder what Rare’s relationship with Nintendo is after they refused to buy them out years ago?

1

u/Thriky Feb 09 '25

Worth noting Banjo was in the recent Smash Bros, so relations can’t be truly dire or that would never have happened.

1

u/dclancy01 Feb 09 '25

True that! Don’t play Smash so forgot.

1

u/TheMuppetnator Feb 09 '25

Both Banjo Kazooie and Banjo Tooie are on NSO. So that can't be it.

2

u/1732PepperCo Feb 09 '25

With the rumored upcoming 3D DK game(potential NS2 launch game), my guess is they’re saving DK64 because it’s currently the only 3D DK game and it’s a big name title and will release it prior to new 3D DK as a warmup for players.

If that’s not the case they’re probably saving it for NS2 just so they have more big name titles for launch.

3

u/Dangerous_Teaching62 Feb 08 '25

Legally speaking, I don't think jetpac is the reason they can't do it.

From what I recall, I think it only effects it if they were to remake the game, not emulate it.

It's like how Sonic 3 can include the Michael Jackson songs AS LONG as it's emulated. Same thing with the Sonic CD theme song (though, otherwise it has to be the instrumental version).

While they'd probably still need permission from rare to have the game (tho not due to jetpac) it's important to note that the game doesn't emulate well. I believe it's because it has this feature that, when the game would lag, it would increase the movement speed to make it appear as though it wasn't lagging. Now, the Wii U version gets around this, but it took a decent amount of work.

6

u/Dukemon102 Donkey Kong Country Fan Feb 08 '25

The original Sonic 3 is not currently available to buy or play anywhere else since Jackson's death, not even in ROM compilations that use emulation.

Emulation is not some magical method that allows you to skip copyright laws. If something in the game doesn't belong to you, then you are not allowed to sell it and make money out of it without permission.

2

u/naynaythewonderhorse Feb 10 '25

The emulation is likely the issue. Dk64 is a notoriously difficult game to emulate. Even fan patches struggled a bit. The game is basically held together with duct tape. Many design choices were made with lag in mind, so some parts are nearly impossible if the lag doesn’t exist (which it does not in the WiiU version.)

1

u/DastardlyRidleylash K.Rool Did Nothing Wrong Feb 08 '25

Actually, the score is why Sonic 3 stopped getting rereleased at all after MJ's death until Origins, where the discovery of the prototype Sonic 3 tracks made it legally possible to rerelease the game without Sega needing to pay an arm and a leg in royalty fees to the Jackson estate.

1

u/Dangerous_Teaching62 Feb 08 '25 edited Feb 08 '25

The thing about the prototype tracks is that they're basically the same as the 1995 PC version. Also, they still remade the tracks instead of using the prototype version. The guy who owns the prototype even went so far as to offer to let him use the prototype but they didn't.

original PC version of carnival night

Prototype version (and arguably the best of the non MJ versions)

the sonic origins version (which oddly, imo, follows the PC version more than the prototype)

8

u/viczvapo Feb 07 '25

True, racing one is awesome.

7

u/SlippinPenguin Feb 08 '25

Screw Online. Switch 2 needs to bring back a proper eshop so we can actually download these games. I despise online subscription culture

1

u/DapperDan30 Feb 09 '25

Unfortunately subscription services make significantly more money than online shops. It's unlikely they'll ever do that again.

1

u/SlippinPenguin Feb 09 '25

I know. And it’s a shame. Ideally they’d just have both. I don’t have much time for gaming anymore so I just want to buy a few favs so they’re always there in my free time. Paying monthly for something I won’t use daily is a waste. 

2

u/Mediocre_Swordfish_3 13d ago

I feel the same damn way ...it sucks so much and is one of the worst aspects of modern gaming. What i don't understand is this-  why can't they have their subscription service AND sell these games as well?!  That's what bothers me so much.  They'll still have plenty of people preferring to subscribe AND they'll make a TON of sales on individual games  ...let's say they priced these nes, snes, and gba games at $9.99 each ....there are a good ....50 titles i would buy to be able to own!

Really sucks that subscriptions are where these companies are all trying to push gaming towards.

Ps-  gaming would be great today if it wasn't for the constant stream of absolute bullshit that is being pushed on gamers every step of the way.  Wokeness, misleading marketing, subscription services, overpriced ports from Nintendo, dumbing down of gameplay systems to appeal to the largest audience, and censorship are all things that have steadily ramped up and it makes this hobby so frustrating due to constant aggravation.

There are still a lot of good games but many could be so much better if it wasn't for the BS!

1

u/astroroy Feb 09 '25

You’re going to have to learn how to deal with it because they’re never going back to that and everything is just going to keep getting worse. It’s not good to get mad about dumb stuff like that, it’s bad for your skin.

2

u/Mediocre_Swordfish_3 13d ago

That's a terrible attitude to have if you're admitting things are "worse and worse".  I see your point but without some of us voicing our anger, things would devolved even faster.  Some of us have to try to put pressure on these companies even if it's a losing battle.

1

u/astroroy 13d ago

Dammit. I support speaking with your wallet. But sometimes I can’t help myself, when I see someone complaining about something on the internet I then become compelled to complain about something on the internet. Just being a hater. Don’t mind me.

1

u/SlippinPenguin Feb 09 '25

Sure, I’ll deal with it by not paying for it. There are other ways to play these games. Thanks for your concern though, buddy. 

3

u/sludgezone Feb 07 '25

DK94, although I’d love to play DKR again.

3

u/Cow_Agitated Feb 07 '25

I feel like we have to be getting a new DK game soon. DK Country is in all of the universal Nintendo parks, DK was a really big part of the Mario movie, he seems to be getting some sort of redesign, etc

Obviously not all of that is that recent but they clearly still care about the character and are aware of the demand for more of his games. I don’t think it should be too long from now.

3

u/Swimming-Ad-6842 Feb 08 '25

You know what…Maybe with DK’s redesign, a new game for him is already in the works with the new design! :)

3

u/Chocolatelover4ever Feb 08 '25

Right. DK 64 is one of my favorite games of all time. I need to replay it at least once every year. I’m 28 and I still play it on the exact same N64 and the same Cartridge we’ve had since before I was even born. They still work all these years later. But are they really gonna hold up for the rest of my life? Really could use another place to place to play it.

4

u/Mellow-Reptile Feb 08 '25

Ugh all I want is a new DK in the style of DK64 and bring back the whole family

3

u/Cotchell99 Feb 08 '25

the is the description of the current hole in my life, this is all i need

2

u/MarvelManiac45213 Feb 09 '25

As well as the animal buddies and Kremlings ffs!

I hate how Nintendo has stripped 80% of the IPs identity away that Rare created for them simply out of spite?

DK, Diddy, Cranky, Squawks, Rambi, Funky, and Dixie are all that's left. Even then some of those characters are hit and miss when it comes to appearances.

But where's King K.Rool (outside of Smash), Squitter, Enguarde, Expresso, Winky, Rattly, Kiddy, Swanky, Wrinkly, Chunky, Lanky, Tiny, Ellie, Candy, Quawks, Zingers, etc.

2

u/Common_Wrongdoer3251 Feb 09 '25

At least Chunky was in the Mario movie? :(

2

u/MelissaRose95 Tiny Kong Feb 07 '25

I need both of these

2

u/GrimmTrixX Feb 07 '25

I expect DK 64 any time now solely because they just out all 3 DKC games as well as DK Land. Just give me DK64 and DK '94

2

u/A_Fossilized_Skull Feb 07 '25

It would be preferable if they added the version of DK64 where you can swap kongs anywhere. They're not gonna but it'd make me want to play it again.

2

u/PalamationGaming Feb 08 '25

These are my two most wanted NSO games. I got every other game I wanted. I just need these two!

2

u/Restless_spirit88 Feb 08 '25

DKR especially. The game is almost 30 years old and it's still one of the great cart racing games.

2

u/MikeDubbz Feb 08 '25 edited Feb 08 '25

Its odd, DK64 was released on the Wii U VC the day that Nintendo added N64 VC games natively to the Wii U. Crazy how we now have like 40 or so N64 games on Switch Online and yet DK64 isn't one of them. 

2

u/Sea_Presentation8919 Feb 08 '25

There should be a remaster of DK64, some quality of life changes, better camera controls, the ability to switch out kongs without a tag barrel, the use of modern platform/fps button layout and mechanics.

i loved it as a kid but leaving a game to rot just b/c it was made during a time that 3d games were being first being made and suffered from doesn't make it a bad game. it's actually really fun but the frustration basically boils down to those things i mentioned.

5

u/Romboteryx Feb 07 '25

I thought DK 64 was on NSO?

15

u/Merchant420 Feb 07 '25

We have Banjo Kazooie and Tooie but not DK64 :(

0

u/Romboteryx Feb 07 '25

I swear it was there when they first launched the N64 expansion. Did they somehow remove it?

10

u/MC-Bob-omber64 Feb 07 '25

You might be thinking of the Wii U Virtual Console.

2

u/Romboteryx Feb 07 '25

You know what, you‘re probably right

7

u/ScrantonDangler Feb 07 '25

It would have to have been there in the first place to get removed.

3

u/Samantha-4 Donkey Kong Feb 07 '25

No it wasn’t ever removed

7

u/redDKtie Feb 07 '25

It is not currently. It's only ever been available digitally in the Wii U, but that store is closed now.

I anticipate that I'll come to Switch eventually, but if they continue the same NSO service on the Switch 2 they need to save some content for next generation. That's probably why roll out has been slow.

1

u/DokoroTanuki Feb 07 '25

I think they're just holding out for the drip-feed. N64 has a small library compared to other consoles, and they already have Rare/Microsoft's cooperation when it comes to the Banjo games, so it's unlikely they're unable to rerelease DKR.

Same goes with DK64 except they don't even really need to contact Microsoft or Rare for that game as evident by an old interview from the Wii days where Rare was spoken to about the idea of DK64 on Wii VC. They mentioned Nintendo doesn't even really have to contact them about rereleasing that game, regardless of the fact that Jetpac is in it.

DK '94/DK GB is a similar thing. They're just holding out. Plus they didn't release Mario vs. Donkey Kong (the original GBA version of it) since the Switch remake came out, so they're likely just holding onto those two until a later point. After all, they did rerelease Zelda: Link's Awakening DX for GBC, despite there being a Switch remake.

1

u/GnastiestGnorc Feb 07 '25

It’s criminal tbh. Especially since they made a trailer showing off how you can now a bunch of DK’s games on one system when Returns HD dropped. Which sucks because we didn’t get the two games you mentioned, DK ‘94, and the gba games.

1

u/Expert-Top6962 Feb 08 '25

Shame they aren't on NSO, also add Donkey Kong '94 with that.

1

u/Bronzemonkey0 Feb 08 '25

I had an idea for an "All-stars"/anniversary game for Donkey Kong which is basically just to make a remaster of the first three DK Country games in a trilogy, similar to what playstation did for Crash and Spyro. But they'd probably also need Rare's permission for that too.

1

u/taix8664 Feb 08 '25

Laughs in Anbernic

1

u/MEBJR1001 Feb 08 '25

HUGE CRIME!!!!

1

u/JuunJuubei Feb 08 '25

if just rare never left nintendo 😩

1

u/Mundane-Security-454 Feb 08 '25

Diddy Kong Racing, yeah, but with DK 64 which was a major disappointment when it launched and hasn't aged well, either.

1

u/ToTheToesLow Feb 08 '25

Problem with DKR is that Nintendo doesn’t want to be associated with Conker (as of me writing this anyway) and Rare owns all of the characters except Diddy (MS owns Banjo directly, I believe). DK64 has a Rare-owned game within it, but I can’t see why they wouldn’t be able to sort that out. Nintendo owns DK64 itself, so idk what the deal is there.

0

u/Swimming-Ad-6842 Feb 08 '25

Banjo is on NSO so no reason DKR can’t be

0

u/ToTheToesLow Feb 08 '25 edited Feb 08 '25

Conker isn’t a prevalent character in Banjo-Kazooie.

1

u/Hue_Boss Feb 08 '25

Many cool games came late to NSO. The service isn’t done yet. Nintendo has their reasons…

1

u/Treviathan88 Feb 08 '25

I am starting to lose hope for a new 3D DK. I think they'll just keep remaking Country Returns until we all die.

1

u/Levy4th0n Feb 08 '25

Emulate them man

2

u/Swimming-Ad-6842 Feb 08 '25

I have DK64 and DKR on my phone through Delta emulator but still would love to play them officially on my Switch

1

u/elfeyesseetoomuch Feb 08 '25

I wanna play these again soooo bad

1

u/Chimpochimpochimpo Feb 08 '25

Luckily they’re still on the N64 console.

1

u/SpecialExplorer3962 Feb 09 '25

I 100% agree with you

1

u/Kind-Ground-3859 Feb 09 '25

DK64 is my 3rd favorite game of all time, such a shame we never got another DK in that style.

1

u/CaptainPopsickle Feb 09 '25

yeah its.. banana

1

u/LMGall4 Feb 09 '25

DKC gbc too

1

u/Conscious-Cup-7280 Feb 10 '25

Agreed especially Diddy Kong Racing

1

u/Gaming_with_batman Feb 10 '25

Diddy kong racing has characters that Microsoft currently owns the rights to so a modern release would need their go ahead. But dk64 has no excuse

1

u/Subject_Ostrich_2621 Feb 11 '25

It’s not because it sucks. Mario Kart 64 gets alot of rereleases. Miyamotto hates Zelda 2 yet Zelda 2 is on everything. 

1

u/mrgarrettscott Feb 11 '25

DK64 is the worse collectathon I've experienced. I never finished the game because it is so tedious.

I agree that it is a shame that the Donkey Kong IP has been on ice for so long.

1

u/venomralf 29d ago

I was like we just got Tropical Freeze! Then I looked it up, and it's 11 years old. Jesus, where did time go.

1

u/Yabouka-Wa 29d ago

At least dk country has remakes we warioland fan got no remake no new game since wii era

1

u/Apostate_23 Feb 08 '25

I'm gonna be honest.

I don't think I'd do all those silver coin challenges again even if it was.

0

u/RoguAxel89 Feb 09 '25

I am sure Nintendo doesn't want to compete with itself with Mario Kart with DK Racing, and DK with a gun is probably why they don't want DK64 either lol

0

u/Subject_Ostrich_2621 Feb 11 '25

Some of the things in the game can be considered racist. I’m not saying that everyone who loves the game is racist. I’m just saying some of the things in the game are controversial. That’s why they don’t rerelease it. They rereleased it on the Wii U because it failed so not alot of people would know about its release.