Retro Gamer and Game Informer both remembered the reception as "mixed", in consideration of its similarities with Banjo-Kazooie and lack of genre-pushing changes. Though decently reviewed, this and Rare's subsequent Nintendo 64 releases did not meet the extolment of the company's preceding games, and lackluster sales led to a staff exodus that culminated with the company's acquisition by Microsoft in 2002. Donkey Kong 64 was resultingly Rare's final Donkey Kong game; the series did not receive another major installment until Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (2004) five years later. Electronic Gaming Monthly noted at the game's launch, that the Nintendo 64 was approaching the end of its lifecycle, as gamers turned their sights to the Sega Dreamcast and Sony PlayStation 2. IGN later named Donkey Kong 64 as worthy of a remake for the Nintendo 3DS handheld console. In 2009, Official Nintendo Magazine placed the game 89th in a list of the best Nintendo games, calling it "a forgotten classic".
retro gamer and game informer both remembered the reception as "mixed" in consideration of its similarities with banjo-kazooie and lack of genre-pushing changes though decently reviewed this and rare's subsequent nintendo 64 releases did not meet the extolment of the company's preceding games and lackluster sales led to a staff exodus that culminated with the company's acquisition by microsoft in 2002 donkey kong 64 was resultingly rare's final donkey kong game; the series did not receive another major installment until donkey kong jungle beat (2004) five years later electronic gaming monthly noted at the game's launch that the nintendo 64 was approaching the end of its lifecycle as gamers turned their sights to the sega dreamcast and sony playstation 2 ign later named donkey kong 64 as worthy of a remake for the nintendo 3ds handheld console in 2009 official nintendo magazine placed the game 89th in a list of the best nintendo games calling it "a forgotten classic"