Nintendo is growing its Switch Online service by offering an "Expansion Pack" that includes Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games. The company has yet to announce how much this new option will cost, but the list of games being added from each console should be more than enough of a selling point for some. Among the N64 games coming to Switch some time after the Expansion Pack launches in late October is Rare's classic 1998 3D platformer Banjo-Kazooie.
One of the most exciting things about Banjo-Kazooie coming to Nintendo Switch Online is it means Microsoft has given its blessing to include titles published by its now-subsidiary. Microsoft purchased Rare in 2002, making it one of many first-party developers under the Xbox Game Studios umbrella. However, before that Rare was largely known for its Nintendo games. With the exception of Banjo-Kazooie, there are 10 Rare N64 titles ripe for the Switch Online library.
Killer Instinct Gold (1996)
Rare's output on the N64 is notable for its 3D platformers, shooters, and racing games. Killer Instinct Gold stands out as its only fighting game on that console, which makes it perfect to appear in Nintendo Switch Online. That being said, the Killer Instinct franchise has continued on Xbox platforms, so it seems less likely Microsoft would relinquish the game.
Blast Corps (1997)
Unlike Killer Instinct, Blast Corps is not part of a larger franchise, making it more likely to be seen again. Even if it is more obscure now compared to all-time hits like GoldenEye 007 and Banjo-Kazooie, Blast Corps was an innovative game about demolishing buildings and solving environmental puzzles to clear the way for a nuclear missile carrier. It released to critical acclaim in the late-1990s, and deserves another shot at stardom.
GoldenEye 007 (1997)
If there's any game out of Rare's Nintendo 64 library that needs no introduction, GoldenEye 007 is probably it. The licensed first-person shooter revolutionized the genre, paving the way for future games like Halo to become blockbuster franchises. It was reimagined in 2010 with a Wii game of the same name, one that later came to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as GoldenEye 007: Reloaded. With James Bond's next adventure No Time to Die releasing soon and a game by IO Interactive in development, there's still interest in the franchise that Nintendo could capitalize on.
Diddy Kong Racing (1997)
Rare's Donkey Kong Country series was a massive success on the SNES, revamping a classic Nintendo character with a whole new universe all his own that continues influencing games to this day. Thus, it made sense to see Diddy Kong get his own racing game spin-off in the vein of Mario Kart. Many consider Diddy Kong Racing to be a better version of Mario Kart, and it's one of the N64's best-selling games. It would be a shame not to see it appear in Nintendo Switch Online, and leaks suggest Diddy Kong Racing is on the way.
Jet Force Gemini (1999)
Following the breakout success of Banjo-Kazooie, Rare returned to the shooter genre with its third-person shooter Jet Force Gemini. The sci-fi game follows its titular galactic law enforcement team as they take on a race of giant, aggressive insects. As with many of Rare's N64 games, Jet Force Gemini includes multiplayer that would be fun to try using Nintendo's modern-day online service.
Donkey Kong 64 (1999)
Diddy Kong returned to the fold of Donkey Kong Country's expanding continuity with Donkey Kong 64, a 3D platformer akin to Banjo-Kazooie in which the DK Crew sets out to stop another plot by the nefarious King K. Rool. It's a controversial game compared to Banjo, with many decrying the decision to have each Kong gather their own unique collectibles across each stage. Many also remember the game for its DK Rap, which composer Grant Kirkhope thinks is "bloody awful."
Perfect Dark (2000)
Of every game in Rare's N64 library, Perfect Dark is the hardest to judge regarding how likely a reappearance might be. On one hand, it's an acclaimed first-person shooter that spawned a whole franchise with iconic protagonist Joanna Dark. In fact, a reboot of Perfect Dark is coming to Xbox Series X, developed by The Initiative, so Microsoft may want the extra advertising. However, this continuation within Xbox's sphere of influence is perhaps reason to expect Nintendo may be out of luck.
Mickey's Speedway USA (2000)
GoldenEye 007 is not the only licensed game Rare put out on the Nintendo 64. Mickey's Speedway USA is another racing game in the style of Mario Kart or Diddy Kong Racing, but with far fewer accolades to its name. There was also a Game Boy Color version released in 2001, though given both are under the Disney license it's less likely Nintendo will be able to re-release them through Switch Online.
Banjo-Tooie (2000)
If Nintendo is releasing Banjo-Kazooie via Nintendo Switch Online, it would be remiss not to also release the game's sequel, Banjo-Tooie. With Banjo and Kazooie becoming DLC fighters in Smash Ultimate, it's likely Microsoft will be willing to let the N64 franchise thrive on Nintendo hardware in full - especially after the middling reception to Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts on Xbox 360.
Conker's Bad Fur Day (2001)
Conker's Bad Fur Day is perhaps the game many fans of Rare would be most excited to see release through Nintendo Switch Online. Conker's celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, and it has become a cult-classic 3D platformer thanks to its raunchy, irreverent, and deeply British sense of humor. That being said, the game's infamy is reason to believe it will never be touched by Nintendo again.
Even so it is a possibility given Nintendo published Conker's Bad Fur Day in the first place. Hopefully it or other Rare-developed games appear via Switch Online in the future, but even if they do not there are still ways to play many of them through Xbox channels. Rare Replay offers a collection with quality-of-life updates, and there are the occassional revivals or remakes like Conker: Live & Reloaded. Still, it would be fun to see these games return to Nintendo's tent as part of the wider Nintendo Switch Online N64 library.
