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To play classic Donkey Kong games on a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2, install or open the appropriate Nintendo Classics app, choose its library, and launch the game. A standard Nintendo Switch Online membership covers the NES, Super NES, and Game Boy collections. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack adds the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 64 libraries, which is required for titles such as Mario vs. Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong 64. The catalog below reflects Nintendo of America’s US listings checked October 13, 2026; availability can differ by country and can change.
Which Donkey Kong games are included?
Nintendo distributes the classic games by console library rather than through one Donkey Kong-specific menu. The following table shows the Donkey Kong titles listed in Nintendo’s US catalogs and the membership tier needed to access each library.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - Nintendo Switch | $52.20 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2) | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Mario Vs. Donkey Kong™ - US Version | $48.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| Nintendo Classics library | Donkey Kong titles listed in the US catalog | Membership needed |
|---|---|---|
| NES | Donkey Kong; Donkey Kong 3; Donkey Kong Jr.; Donkey Kong Jr. Math | Any Nintendo Switch Online membership |
| Super NES | Donkey Kong Country; Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong-Quest; Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble! | Any Nintendo Switch Online membership |
| Game Boy | Donkey Kong; Donkey Kong Land; Donkey Kong Land 2; Donkey Kong Land III | Any Nintendo Switch Online membership |
| Game Boy Advance | Mario vs. Donkey Kong | Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack |
| Nintendo 64 | Donkey Kong 64 | Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack |
Catalog membership and availability are separate from ownership: these games are provided through the subscription service, not sold as permanent individual purchases. Nintendo’s catalog pages are the authoritative place to check the current US lineup: NES, Super NES, and Game Boy.
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What membership do you need?
Standard Nintendo Switch Online
The standard plan includes Nintendo’s NES, Super NES, and Game Boy classic libraries. That tier is enough for every Donkey Kong title in the NES, Super NES, and Game Boy rows above, including the complete three-game Donkey Kong Country Super NES trilogy. Nintendo describes these libraries and their access requirements on the individual catalog pages linked in the table.
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Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
Expansion Pack includes the standard membership benefits and adds selected libraries such as Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 64. You need it for the Game Boy Advance version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong and for Donkey Kong 64. Nintendo announced Donkey Kong 64 as an Expansion Pack addition on June 3, 2026; see the official announcement for that release information.
Choose the higher tier because you want those specific libraries and their other benefits, not because the standard plan is missing the NES, Super NES, or Game Boy Donkey Kong games. Nintendo’s current tier description is at the Expansion Pack overview. Pricing and included benefits vary by region and can change, so this guide does not quote a universal price.
How to launch a Donkey Kong classic
Nintendo provides two equivalent ways to reach the games. The app names and catalog contents can change, but the process is the same on Switch and Switch 2.
- Confirm the account and membership. Sign in with the Nintendo Account that has the active Nintendo Switch Online or Expansion Pack membership. Make sure the account region matches the catalog you expect; the lists in this article are for Nintendo of America’s US storefront.
- Open the service software. From the HOME Menu, open the Nintendo Switch Online app if it is already installed. Alternatively, open Nintendo eShop, download the applicable Nintendo Classics app for the library you want, and then launch it. Nintendo’s classic-games access instructions describe both routes.
- Choose the library. Open the NES, Super NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, or Nintendo 64 collection that contains your game. Expansion Pack libraries appear only for an account entitled to them.
- Browse or search. Scroll through the library, or use its search function if available, and select the Donkey Kong title. For example, choose the Super NES collection for one of the Donkey Kong Country games, not the NES collection.
- Start the game. Select the game’s tile and choose the on-screen launch command. The title runs inside the corresponding Nintendo Classics app; it does not appear as a separately purchased game on your regular software list.
- Return through the same app. When you want to play another era, close or leave the current classic and open the app for the other library. A game from the Game Boy Advance or Nintendo 64 catalog will not be found inside the NES or Super NES application.
Nintendo describes classic-game access on both Switch and Switch 2. Some Expansion Pack benefits are platform-specific, however, so check Nintendo’s current Expansion Pack information before assuming that every extra benefit works identically on both systems.
What is in each Donkey Kong library?
NES: the original arcade-style games
The NES collection contains Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong 3, Donkey Kong Jr., and Donkey Kong Jr. Math. These are the early Nintendo releases, with shorter arcade-style stages and mechanics that differ substantially from the later side-scrolling Country games. A standard Nintendo Switch Online membership unlocks the NES library. Confirm the current listing on Nintendo’s NES catalog page.
Super NES: the Donkey Kong Country trilogy
The Super NES collection is where you find Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong-Quest, and Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble!. All three are covered by the standard membership’s Super NES access. They are separate entries, so select the individual game you want from the Super NES app. Nintendo’s Super NES catalog lists the trilogy.
Game Boy: the Donkey Kong Land games and Game Boy Donkey Kong
The Game Boy collection lists Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Land, Donkey Kong Land 2, and Donkey Kong Land III. Nintendo says any Nintendo Switch Online membership provides access to the Game Boy library, so Expansion Pack is not required for these entries. Use the Game Boy catalog to verify the current lineup.
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The Game Boy Advance collection includes Mario vs. Donkey Kong. Because Game Boy Advance is an Expansion Pack library, this title requires Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. It is not the same product as the separately sold modern Switch release discussed below. Nintendo’s current Game Boy Advance listing is at this catalog page.
Nintendo 64: Donkey Kong 64
Donkey Kong 64 is an Expansion Pack title in Nintendo’s US lineup. Nintendo announced its addition on June 3, 2026, so an Expansion Pack subscription is required to launch it through the Nintendo 64 Classics app. If you do not see it, check that the membership is active, the app is updated, and your account is using the same region as the catalog you are checking.
Do the classic games work offline?
Nintendo allows a classic game to be played offline after the relevant software is available on the console, but this is conditional access rather than a permanent purchase. Your Nintendo Switch Online membership must remain active, and the system must connect to the internet periodically so Nintendo can verify the membership. If verification has not occurred recently, an offline launch can be blocked until the console reconnects. Nintendo explains this requirement in the classic-games FAQ and access page.
Rank #2
- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
- Bash through just about anything in groundbreaking exploration! Crash through walls and carve tunnels—the more you smash, the more areas open up to you
- Pair up with Pauline to use Bananza Transformations: smash through obstacles with the raw strength of Kong form, gallop with incredible speed as a Zebra, and more
- Team up with a friend in two-player co-op as Donkey Kong and Pauline! Blast foes and terrain alike with Pauline’s voice as you explore together
For travel, launch the relevant Classics app while you have an internet connection before leaving. Keep the membership active, and reconnect periodically when the system requests verification. Downloading the app alone does not convert the included games into owned software.
Standard membership or Expansion Pack?
| If your priority is… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The NES Donkey Kong games | Standard Nintendo Switch Online | The NES library is included. |
| The Super NES Donkey Kong Country trilogy | Standard Nintendo Switch Online | The Super NES library is included. |
| Donkey Kong and the Donkey Kong Land games on Game Boy | Standard Nintendo Switch Online | The Game Boy library is included. |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Game Boy Advance | Expansion Pack | Game Boy Advance classics require the higher tier. |
| Donkey Kong 64 | Expansion Pack | The Nintendo 64 library requires the higher tier. |
| Several extra libraries beyond Donkey Kong | Compare the Expansion Pack benefits you will actually use | Expansion Pack includes standard access plus selected additional libraries and benefits; platform-specific availability can differ. |
Do not upgrade solely to play the NES, Super NES, or Game Boy entries: the standard plan already covers those libraries in Nintendo’s US catalog. Upgrade when a Game Boy Advance or Nintendo 64 title is the reason you are subscribing.
Switch and Switch 2 requirements
- You need a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 with the applicable Nintendo Classics software installed.
- The Nintendo Account used on the console must have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, or Expansion Pack membership for Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 64 titles.
- Your console needs internet access for the initial availability check and periodic membership verification, even though Nintendo permits offline play between checks.
- The catalog shown depends on your Nintendo Account region. The title lists in this guide are the US listings checked October 13, 2026, not a guarantee for every country.
- An NES wireless controller is optional. Nintendo notes that its NES wireless controller 2-pack can be used with NES classics, but standard system controls are the straightforward default and the accessory is not required. See the controller note on Nintendo’s NES catalog page.
Choosing the right app and library
A common mistake is searching the regular HOME Menu software list for a game title and assuming it is unavailable when no individual tile appears. Nintendo groups the games inside the relevant Classics software. Think of the console generation first: NES for the four early NES entries, Super NES for the Country trilogy, Game Boy for the Land games, Game Boy Advance for Mario vs. Donkey Kong, and Nintendo 64 for Donkey Kong 64.
The app is also tied to the membership entitlement. If you have standard Nintendo Switch Online, you should expect the NES, Super NES, and Game Boy collections, but not the Game Boy Advance or Nintendo 64 collections. Paying for Expansion Pack does not create a separate purchase of each game; it unlocks access to the additional classic libraries while the membership remains active.
Controller and multiplayer considerations
You can use the normal controls supplied with the Switch or Switch 2. Nintendo’s NES wireless controller 2-pack is an optional accessory for NES classics, not a requirement for launching or playing them. If you are deciding whether to buy it, treat it as a control preference rather than an access requirement.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe classic-game membership should also be distinguished from the modern Donkey Kong Country Returns HD release. Nintendo specifically lists that current Switch game as supporting one or two players on one system, including local co-op. The classic catalog entries above are accessed through their individual Classics apps; do not assume that a feature advertised for the modern release applies to every classic.
Common subscription and catalog pitfalls
- Confusing a library with a game. Membership grants access to the applicable collection, and the game remains inside that collection’s app.
- Buying the wrong tier. Expansion Pack is necessary for Mario vs. Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong 64, but not for the NES, Super NES, or Game Boy titles listed here.
- Assuming the US list is worldwide. Nintendo’s catalog is regional. A title shown on Nintendo of America’s page may not be licensed in another country.
- Expecting permanent ownership. Ending the membership removes access, even if the Classics app remains installed.
- Forgetting periodic verification. Offline play is supported only between membership checks; reconnect when the console asks.
- Mixing up similarly named products. The Super NES Donkey Kong Country classic and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD are different releases with different access models.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a separate Switch game
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD should not be confused with the Super NES Donkey Kong Country classic. Nintendo lists Donkey Kong Country Returns HD as a separately sold physical Nintendo Switch game released January 16, 2025. It is not supplied through any Nintendo Switch Online classic-games library, so you must purchase that game separately. Nintendo’s product page says it supports one or two players on one system, including local co-op: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.
The distinction is practical: a membership gives you subscription access to the original-era entries listed in the library table, while Returns HD is a current Switch release with its own purchase and installation. Seeing the modern game in Nintendo eShop does not mean it is included in Nintendo Switch Online.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting when a Donkey Kong game is missing
The Classics app is not installed
Open Nintendo eShop and download the Nintendo Classics app that matches the library you need, then launch it from the HOME Menu. Nintendo’s access instructions explain that the games are reached through the Nintendo Switch Online software or the applicable Classics app, rather than through the ordinary game list.
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The title appears in a guide but not in your app
- Check the library first. A Super NES game will not appear in the NES app, and an Expansion Pack title will not appear in a standard-tier library.
- Confirm the membership on the Nintendo Account currently signed in to the console. Mario vs. Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong 64 need Expansion Pack.
- Check your country or account region. Nintendo’s US catalog is not a promise that the same title is licensed in every market.
- Reconnect the console to the internet so membership status and the current catalog can refresh. Catalog contents can change over time.
The game will not start offline
Reconnect to the internet and let Nintendo verify the active membership. Offline play is allowed only after the software is available on the system and while the subscription remains active; periodic verification is still required.
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- Jump and climb your way through over 130 puzzling levels as Mario to retrieve the Mini-Marios stolen by Donkey Kong
- Overcome obstacles like spikes, lava, and falling bricks to make it to the end of each level
- Revisit the original challenge in Classic Style, or try Casual Style for a more relaxed experience
- Play through two new worlds, featuring new environments, enemies, and game mechanics
- Join the action as Toad and work together in the newly-added co-op mode
You expected Returns HD to be included
It is a separate, paid Switch release, not one of the classic titles supplied by Nintendo Switch Online. Use its product listing rather than a Classics app when you want that game.
Checking the catalog before you subscribe
Because Nintendo can add, remove, or rearrange classic titles and because country catalogs differ, check the live page for the exact library before subscribing. Start with the NES, Super NES, Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance catalog pages linked above, then check Nintendo’s Expansion Pack information for the current Nintendo 64 and other benefits. This is especially important if a specific Donkey Kong game, rather than a whole console generation, is the reason you are joining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Donkey Kong games come with standard Nintendo Switch Online?
In Nintendo’s US catalog, standard membership covers the NES titles Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong 3, Donkey Kong Jr., and Donkey Kong Jr. Math; the Super NES Donkey Kong Country trilogy; and the Game Boy entries Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Land, Donkey Kong Land 2, and Donkey Kong Land III.
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Yes. Donkey Kong 64 is in the Nintendo 64 Classics library, which requires Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Nintendo announced its US addition on June 3, 2026.
Do I need Expansion Pack for Mario vs. Donkey Kong?
Yes. The Game Boy Advance version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong is an Expansion Pack title. It is separate from any modern Switch version sold in eShop.
Where do I find the games on my Switch?
Open the Nintendo Switch Online software or download the applicable NES, Super NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, or Nintendo 64 Classics app from Nintendo eShop. Select the library, then browse or search for the game inside that app.
Can I play Nintendo Switch Online Donkey Kong games without internet?
Nintendo permits offline play after the relevant software is available on the console, but the membership must stay active and the system must connect periodically for verification. Offline access is not permanent ownership.
Will the US Donkey Kong lineup be the same in every country?
Not necessarily. Nintendo’s classic catalogs are regional and can change. The lists here are Nintendo of America US listings checked October 13, 2026; check the catalog for your Nintendo Account region.
Is Donkey Kong Country Returns HD included with Nintendo Switch Online?
No. Nintendo lists Donkey Kong Country Returns HD as a separately sold Nintendo Switch game released January 16, 2025. It supports one or two players locally and is not a Classics-library title.
Do I need Nintendo’s NES wireless controller?
No. The NES wireless controller 2-pack is optional. You can use the standard Switch or Switch 2 controls to play the NES Classics games.
The Bottom Line
For the US catalog checked October 13, 2026, standard Nintendo Switch Online is enough for the NES games, the Super NES Donkey Kong Country trilogy, and the Game Boy titles. Choose Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack only if you want Game Boy Advance’s Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Nintendo 64’s Donkey Kong 64, or the tier’s other added libraries. Launch each title from its matching Nintendo Classics app, remember that offline play requires periodic verification, and treat Donkey Kong Country Returns HD as a separate purchase.
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