Game Boy Classic Now Available on Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online recently welcomed Donkey Kong Land 3 to its lineup. This nostalgic classic, celebrating its 27th anniversary in October 2024, completes the Donkey Kong Land series on the platform, bringing all the beloved titles to a new generation of players.

The Donkey Kong Land series, brainchild of Rare during its pre-Microsoft days, first kicked off in 1995 and continued annually until 1997. The original Donkey Kong Land made its way to the Nintendo Switch Online library on November 22, with its sequel following just four days later.

Donkey Kong Land 3 has now jumped into this digital expansion, making its debut on Wednesday, December 4. As with all Game Boy classics available on Nintendo Switch Online, this game is accessible to subscribers across both tiers of the service. However, it should not be confused with Donkey Kong Country 3, an SNES gem that found its way to Nintendo Switch Online back in December 2020.

While bringing Donkey Kong Land 3 to the NSO library is fantastic, it doesn’t include what fans consider the best version—the Game Boy Color port from 2000. Instead, we’re seeing the original 1997 release in its black-and-white glory. This omission likely stems from the fact that the Game Boy Color version never left Japan, and localizing it now would require considerable effort. Nintendo does occasionally tackle such endeavors, like with the localization of F-Zero: GP Legend and F-Zero Climax in October 2024, but these instances are quite rare.

Adding DKL3 to the Switch bolsters the console’s lineup as a haven for Donkey Kong aficionados. Currently, Nintendo Switch Online boasts access to ten iconic titles from the series, ranging from the classic Donkey Kong Country to DK Jr. Math. Additionally, the platform has seen a port of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and a Mario vs. Donkey Kong remake in May 2018 and February 2024 respectively. Fans can also look forward to Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, set to launch on Nintendo Switch on January 16, 2025.

Wrapping up 2024, Donkey Kong Land 3 is just the first of new titles arriving on the NSO library in December. The NES version of Tetris is queued to join the collection next week, on December 12, potentially marking the last addition to this year’s lineup.

The arrival of these games ensures that Nintendo Switch remains a versatile platform, offering both a trip down memory lane for longtime gamers and a fresh journey for newcomers.