About this game
Donkey Kong 64 (1999) is the definitive collectathon — the genre's grandest, most expansive expression, and for many its most exhausting one. Five playable Kongs, hundreds of bananas per level, an entirely different instrument for each character, and the first game to require the N64 Expansion Pak. Scored by Grant Kirkhope and opening with the notorious 'DK Rap,' it sold over 5 million copies and was Nintendo's best-selling game of the 1999 holiday season — a commercial juggernaut whose design philosophy continues to generate debate.
Key Features
Five Kongs — Donkey, Diddy, Lanky, Tiny, Chunky — each with unique abilities, instruments, and color-coded collectibles. The N64 Expansion Pak was required and bundled with the game. Eight worlds plus a hub world, with colored bananas, coins, banana medals, battle crowns, and Banana Fairies to collect. Mini-games, boss fights, and the Donkey Kong arcade original playable inside the game. The infamous DK Rap opening was composed by Grant Kirkhope.
The Story Behind
Donkey Kong 64 arrived during the peak of 3D collectathon mania — Banjo-Kazooie and Super Mario 64 had established the template, and Rare went further than anyone had before in sheer volume of content. The game was the first to require the Expansion Pak, which Nintendo bundled with it, effectively expanding the N64's installed accessory base overnight. Its commercial success was enormous; its critical legacy is more ambivalent — it is often cited as the game that formalized 'collectathon fatigue' as a genre problem.
Tricks & Tales
The DK Rap was written by Grant Kirkhope and Grant Kirkhope was asked to make it 'as bad as possible' as a parody — he has since expressed mixed feelings about its legacy. The game requires the Expansion Pak; copies sold without the Pak bundled cannot be played on a base N64 with only 4MB RAM. The arcade Donkey Kong game playable within DK64 was licensed from Nintendo and is fully functional — one of the earliest examples of emulated classic game content embedded in a modern title.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
Released worldwide. North America (November 1999), Europe (December 1999), Japan (December 1999). All versions require the Expansion Pak. The original bundle included the Expansion Pak.
Maintenance Tips
Standard N64 cartridge care. The game requires the Expansion Pak — if the console only has the Jumper Pak installed, the game will not run. Battery-backed SRAM saves — check the battery if saves are lost.
Available in our shop
Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.
Direct purchase supports this museum directly. eBay Top Rated Seller · 1,750+ reviews · 100% positive feedback.
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