Nintendo is expanding its Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics library this December with the addition of two titles from Ubisoft’s late 1990s catalog. Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Tonic Trouble will both be available through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service, offering subscribers a pair of notable platformers that originally helped define the transition from 2D to 3D game design.
Rayman 2: The Great Escape stands as the highlight of this month’s update. The game marked a major shift for the Rayman franchise by moving from its 2D origins into a fully realized 3D world known as the Glade of Dreams. The narrative centers on Rayman as he attempts to regain his abilities, rescue allies, and stop the robotic pirate forces commanded by Admiral Razorbeard. His quest revolves around locating four magical masks capable of summoning Polokus, the creator deity who can restore balance to the world. First released in 1999 for Nintendo 64 and PC, Rayman 2 quickly earned recognition for its fluid level design, vibrant presentation, and ambitious scope.
The second addition, Tonic Trouble, offers a lighter and more comedic platforming experience. Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, the game functioned as a technical precursor to Rayman 2, sharing technology and creative influences from Michel Ancel. The story follows Ed, a well-meaning but clumsy alien janitor whose mishandling of a volatile substance known as “tonic” causes widespread environmental chaos on Earth. Vegetables mutate into aggressive creatures, landscapes distort, and Ed is forced to recover the spilled canister from Grögh, a self-appointed ruler who exploits the formula’s effects. Released in 1999 for Nintendo 64 and PC, with a later Game Boy Color version exclusive to Europe, the game received a more mixed reception due to its rough edges and less refined execution.
These titles join the Nintendo 64 catalog available through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, the premium tier of Nintendo’s subscription service. The Expansion Pack enhances the base membership by providing access to curated libraries for Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, SEGA Genesis, and, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo GameCube. Subscribers also receive included access to major downloadable content from key Nintendo franchises, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Splatoon 2.
