Nintendo Switch Online may not be as robust of a service as Xbox Game Pass or the soon-to-be launch of the new PlayStation Plus, but there’s certainly plenty to enjoy about the idea of Nintendo bringing its classic library back from the dead. While we’ve only seen the NES, the Super NES, the Nintendo 64, and the third-party SEGA Genesis arise so far, all of these libraries continue to be expanded through the passage of time. With that in mind, the newest NSO game is announced to be none other than Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards.

Set to be added to Nintendo Switch Online on May 20th, Kirby 64 represents the 15th game brought to the Nintendo 64 section of the service, which, along with the SEGA Genesis list, is locked behind the premium Expansion Pack tier. The expansion was tepidly-received upon the first announcement, with its comparatively high price point and shaky emulation quality being a sticking point with fans. However incremental improvements and the availability of select DLC content have greatly improved the pack’s value.

Released for the N64 in 2000, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards was the first 3D game in the then-decade-spanning series, although, keeping with the 2D platforming style the character was known for. In the adventure, players follow Kirby as he collects a splintered artifact dubbed “The Crystal Shards” from falling into the hands of the dastardly Dark Matter. These collectibles are scattered across several in-game worlds and often appear in hidden areas or in the hands of familiar foes along the way.

In addition to being a mainstay for the retro Nintendo 64, the classic Kirby 64 also acts as a precursor to all 3D Kirby games to follow, most notably, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, which was released earlier this year for Nintendo Switch. While continuing the platforming and boss-battling prowess of the pink puffball, Forgotten Land considerably upped the ante with its signature mechanic, which allowed Kirby to envelope large appliances to inherit their properties in often bizarre ways.

​What do you think? Are you excited to see Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards added to Nintendo Switch Online, or are you just waiting for Kirby’s many Game Boy games to finally arrive on the service? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day!​

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