The 4 Nintendo 64 games we need to see added to Switch Online

The Switch Online service has added a number of classic and beloved games to the Classics section for Nintendo Switch owners to play. Many of the games that were added were standout titles from their respective consoles. As part of the online service, being a subscriber has more value when you want to revisit older titles. Now that Nintendo 64 games are part of the Switch Online Expansion Pass, fans of Nintendo have been clamoring for some of the best games that were part of the N64 library to be included on the service.

But which Nintendo 64 games should be next to come to Switch Online? The console has many fun games that were staples of the era, including a few that went on to become critically acclaimed classics that people constantly bring up. The selection of N64 games on the application is great already, but it could be even better with a few more additions that fans have wanted for a long time. Here are the Nintendo 64 games we need to see added to Switch Online.

4 Diddy Kong Racing

The other kart racer we miss!

While Mario Kart 64 was the main Nintendo racing game that many played on the N64, it wasn't the only one. Other racing games at the time tried to differentiate themselves from Mario Kart in ways that would be seen more seriously. However, Diddy Kong Racing in 1997 took what Mario Kart started and went further with the concept, resulting in a great kart racer that people still love to this day. Diddy Kong Racing focuses on Donkey Kong's energetic sidekick, along with a cast of new characters that are different from the familiar Nintendo faces. At the same time, Diddy Kong Racing also goes beyond just racing with karts, offering options to take the competition to the sea and air with new vehicles and other fresh concepts.

The game was made by Rare, who incorporated some of their characters, like Banjo-Kazooie and Conker, into the roster of playable racers. Diddy Kong Racing also has a plot that intertwines with the racing, giving a light reason for why Diddy Kong and his friends are coming together to race against one another. An alien invader known as Wizpig comes to Timber the Tiger's island to try and take over the world, changing the guardians of the island into his lackeys. Timber turns to Diddy Kong and his group of friends for help, repelling Wizpig and saving his home. The game was praised for its fun racing gameplay and visuals, along with its Adventure Mode, which tells the story.

3 Hey You, Pikachu!

Perfect spinoff for Switch Online

One of the more unique games for the Nintendo 64 was Hey You, Pikachu! from 1998. It was developed by Ambrella and published by Nintendo for the console, and the use of a microphone attached to the N64 controller was implemented in its gameplay. The plot revolves around Professor Oak asking the player to test out a new piece of technology that allows them to talk to Pokémon. With the microphone, players can use a variety of words to communicate with a wild Pikachu, engaging with it for a number of tasks and activities over a period of one year. Eventually, the Pikachu befriends the player greatly before Professor Oak urges the player to release it back into the wild.

Hey You, Pikachu! was a game that tried something different for the Nintendo 64, despite being based on one of the most popular franchises Nintendo had at the time. The game is based on the first generation of the Pokémon series, the Red and Blue versions that were released on Game Boy. The microphone the game used was called the Voice Recognition Unit (VRU), and was one of only two games that ever utilized the accessory within the console's library. While Hey You, Pikachu! received little critical praise on its release, many Nintendo fans fondly remember when it came out for the N64.

2 Donkey Kong 64

Monkeying around collect-a-thon

Games like Super Mario 64 walked so that the rest of the 3D platformer genre could run. One game that ran with everything was Donkey Kong 64, developed by Rare for the N64 in 1999. The game is a follow-up to the Donkey Kong Country series that began on the Super Nintendo, featuring many returning characters alongside a bunch of new ones appearing in the series for the first time. The story involves King K. Rool coming to destroy the DK Isles, where Donkey Kong and his friends reside. The titular gorilla needs to rescue the other DK family members and take down King K. Rool before he executes his plan.

Much like other 3D platformers of the era, players visit multiple areas and collect a number of items to progress. Exploring large stages in 3D space is very similar to what Super Mario 64 did before, but Donkey Kong 64 expands upon the concept with new playable characters and multiple items to collect. Every Kong had a unique ability that allowed them to reach new areas and unlock new places to explore as the story progressed. A lot of the writing and aspects of gameplay were characteristic of Rare at the time, who would eventually go on to develop Conker's Bad Fur Day for the console a few years later.

1 Super Smash Bros.

The original mascot brawler

The original Super Smash Bros. is a classic on the Nintendo 64 that people still love playing to this day. The concept of Nintendo characters getting into a massive rumble was taboo back in 1999, as Nintendo characters were always seen as family-friendly, even in some of their darker titles. But the shock and awe of seeing Mario, Link, Pikachu, and Donkey Kong getting into a fight was too funny and intriguing to pass up for Nintendo fans. The first Super Smash Bros. game is credited as one of the first big crossover games to bring together beloved franchises on a massive scale, including 10 different Nintendo franchises, as well as usher in a new subgenre for fighting games.

However, what made Super Smash Bros. such a massive success with fans wasn't just the crazy concept, but how simple it was to play. Every character had a selection of special moves and basic attacks mapped to a few buttons, with easy-to-use controls. This lets casual players jump into the action quickly, while others could take things further competitively as well. The game was so popular that it eventually led to multiple sequels across different Nintendo consoles, which also resulted in the biggest crossover in gaming history with the release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch. Although not as big or roster-heavy as its sequels, the original Super Smash Bros. is still very fun to play with its basic concept of bringing beloved Nintendo characters into a big battle.

More N64 fun with Switch Online

The Switch Online service offers more value to Switch owners who subscribe, as more games are added. With multiple Nintendo legacy console libraries becoming available for the service, Nintendo fans will eventually want to see all of their favorite games there. Some of the biggest games released for the Nintendo 64 are missing from the N64 Classics section. Hopefully, Nintendo will continue to bring more games to the service and allow console owners to revisit all of their favorites from the Nintendo 64 era.