Kirby 64 is the next N64 game coming to Switch Online

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shares is the latest Nintendo 64 game set to join Switch Online’s Expansion Pack line-up, Nintendo has confirmed.

The 2.5D platformer will be added to the service on May 20, and will be available to Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers.

Kirby 64 marked Kirby’s first polygonal game, at least in a starring role (he had already appeared in Super Smash Bros. a year earlier).

Despite its 3D appearance, the game is very much a side-scrolling platformer in the style of the previous Kirby adventures on the Game Boy, NES and SNES.

While it makes use of Kirby’s trademark Copy Ability technique, it works differently. There are only seven abilities to inhale, but Kirby can store two in his stomach at once and combine them to create up to 35 different abilities.

Kirby 64 will be the 15th Nintendo 64 game available on Switch Online in the west, following on from the addition of Mario Golf in April, F-Zero X in March and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mark in February.

Once Kirby 64 is added, the full list of Nintendo 64 titles on Switch Online will be as follows:

• Banjo-Kazooie
• Dr Mario 64
• F-Zero X
• Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
• The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
• Mario Golf
• Mario Kart 64
• Mario Tennis
• Paper Mario
• Sin & Punishment
• Star Fox 64
• Super Mario 64
• WinBack
• Yoshi’s Story

Switch Online’s Expansion Pack tier launched in October 2021 alongside a library of Nintendo 64 games. This was met with frustration from some players, due to emulation issues and a lack of features including button mapping.

However, an update to the service in January provided evidence that the company was slowly improving its much-criticised N64 emulation, with further improvements added in February.

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Nintendo 64 and Sega Mega Drive / Genesis games can only be played if Switch Online members upgrade to the optional Expansion Pack.

Nintendo will continue to expand and create new content for Switch Online “throughout” 2022, the company’s president said this week.