Nintendo just made it official – Forsaken 64 is coming to Nintendo Switch Online. After months of speculation following a leaked promotional video, the 1998 first-person shooter will join the Switch Online + Expansion Pack’s mature N64 app on September 4th, 2025.
This announcement validates eagle-eyed fans who spotted the game’s blurred box art in Nintendo’s promotional material back in May. What started as detective work on Reddit has now become reality, proving that sometimes the most interesting gaming news hides in plain sight.
What Makes Forsaken 64 Special
Originally developed by Acclaim Entertainment, Forsaken 64 wasn’t your typical N64 shooter. Set in a post-apocalyptic Earth overrun by mechanical terrors, players take on the role of a ruthless mercenary piloting an anti-gravity bike through six-degrees-of-freedom environments.
The game stood out for its unique movement system – you could fly in any direction, not just forward and backward like most shooters of the era. Think Descent meets Quake, but with attitude and style that screamed late 90s gaming culture.
Why Forsaken 64 Ended Up in the Mature App
Here’s where things get interesting. The original N64 version carried an M rating from the ESRB, which explains why it’s heading to Nintendo’s mature content app rather than the standard N64 collection. However, recent ESRB database changes suggest the rating might have been reassessed to T for Teen.
Whether Nintendo uses the original M-rated version or a potential T-rated revision remains unclear. Either way, you’ll need the mature N64 app to play it, joining titles like Perfect Dark, Turok, and Shadowman.
The Leak That Started It All
Back in May 2025, Nintendo released a features update video for their N64 Nintendo Classics service. During a segment showcasing the new CRT filter option, sharp-eyed fans noticed something unusual – blurred game box arts in the background that didn’t match currently available titles.
Reddit users and gaming forum detectives went to work, enhancing and analyzing the blurred images. Their findings included not just Forsaken 64, but also:
- Super Smash Bros 64
- Donkey Kong 64
- Glover
- Rayman 2: The Great Escape
The Forsaken 64 confirmation adds serious credibility to these other leak predictions. Nintendo rarely shows unannounced content accidentally, making this discovery all the more significant.
What This Means for Future NSO Releases
Nintendo’s confirmation of Forsaken 64 suggests the company has substantial plans for expanding their retro gaming library. The mature N64 app has felt relatively sparse compared to the main collection, so adding quality M-rated content makes perfect sense.
More importantly, if the leak proves accurate for other titles, we could see Super Smash Bros 64 and Donkey Kong 64 announcements in the coming months. Both games represent major gaps in Nintendo’s current N64 offerings.
Getting Ready for Launch
To play Forsaken 64 when it launches September 4th, you’ll need:
- An active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription
- The mature version of the N64 app (downloadable from the eShop)
- A Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 console
The game promises both single-player campaign mode and multiplayer options, though exact details about online multiplayer functionality haven’t been specified yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Forsaken 64 release on Nintendo Switch Online?
Forsaken 64 launches on Nintendo Switch Online’s mature N64 app on September 4th, 2025.
Do I need a special subscription to play Forsaken 64?
Yes, you need Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack and must download the mature version of the N64 app from the eShop.
What type of game is Forsaken 64?
Forsaken 64 is a first-person shooter with six-degrees-of-freedom movement, where players pilot anti-gravity bikes through post-apocalyptic environments.
Was Forsaken 64 part of the Nintendo Switch Online leak?
Yes, fans spotted Forsaken 64’s blurred box art in a Nintendo promotional video from May 2025, months before the official announcement.
What other games were in the Nintendo Switch Online leak?
The leak also revealed Super Smash Bros 64, Donkey Kong 64, Glover, and potentially Rayman 2: The Great Escape.
Why is Forsaken 64 in the mature app instead of the regular N64 collection?
The original N64 version received an M rating from the ESRB, requiring placement in Nintendo’s mature content application.
Will Forsaken 64 have multiplayer on Nintendo Switch Online?
Nintendo has confirmed multiplayer mode availability, though specific online functionality details haven’t been announced.
Looking Forward
The Forsaken 64 announcement represents more than just another retro game addition. It demonstrates Nintendo’s commitment to expanding their premium subscription service and validates the gaming community’s detective work.
With this confirmation in hand, the anticipation for other leaked titles has reached fever pitch. September 4th can’t come soon enough for fans eager to experience this cult classic shooter on modern hardware.