In this feature I will take a look back at some older titles and decide whether of not they are still fun to play today.
With the release of Donkey Kong 64 on the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service on June 6th 2026, I thought it would be fun to check out this title and see if it was worth playing nearly 30 years later.
DK64 was the first time the big ape and his pals made their way into the 3D realm, with the help of Rare Studios, and their expertise off the back of Banjo-Kazooie.
DK64 has such a strong Banjo-Kazooie feel to it, so anyone who likes those games should feel right at home, with all the weapons and moves it actually has more in common with Banjo-Tooie. All the while though, it puts a Donkey Kong spin on the formula creating a really strong 3D platformer.
It also shares one of Banjo's biggest weaknesses, and one of nearly every N64 3D platformer, the camera! The camera is not your friend, it always gets stuck behind the environment and can make normally simple tasks very difficult.
As this is an emulation and not a remake, the camera is mapped to the right analogue stick but works in the same rudimentary way it did back on the N64 controller, being mapped to the C-buttons. I found the camera easier to control with a pro-controller rather than the Joy-cons.
Alleviating the stress of the camera would make the game much more fun to play, but it doesn't stop it from being fun as a result.
In fact, as somebody who played the game originally on the N64, the controls are similar to both Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie, meaning I don't have much trouble remembering them. Anyone new to this control scheme might find it convoluted and clumsy, and this could be a genuine barrier for entry.
The biggest gripe with the game back in the day is obviously still present today, and that is the big collect-a-thon nature of the game. There are so many bananas to collect, and you won't just be collecting them as Donkey Kong either.
Sprawled across the same levels are a variety of different coloured bananas that can only be collected by their corresponding cast member: Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Lanky Kong, Tiny Kong and Chunky Kong. This means a lot of back tracking and switching between characters.
Switching characters isn't instant either, you have to locate a barrel and choose your desired character every time.
Regardless of these nuisances, DK64 is still a gem to play. There are some incredibly fun levels and clever platforming sections. The whole game is littered with peak Rare charm and humour. There is a lot to do, and for some too much to do, but it is hard to argue against how fun it is to play this game even today.
Verdict: Donkey Kong 64 has some issues but none of them really detract from the core quality of the game. You might need to adjust to the clunky controls and strap yourself in for all the banana collecting, but it is worth it to experience one of the best 3d platformers of its generation. Plus, the 'DK rap' is worth the price of admission alone.