Nintendo drops surprise Switch 2 update for Donkey Kong Country Returns

6 days ago 2

Published 22 minutes ago

For Nintendo, it's just a Tuesday

Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong standing next to each other in a screenshot from Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

You never know when Nintendo's just going to drop a random update to an old game. And no, we're not talking about the surprise early release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons' big update, but Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, which got additional content and Switch 2-exclusive improvements on Tuesday as part of a new update. It's the best kind of Nintendo surprise.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD's new update adds a new playable character in Dixie Kong — who is also playable in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Dixie can swap in for Diddy as either the assist character to Donkey Kong or as a second player in co-op mode. As an assist character, Dixie can give DK a boost and help him jump further.

The update also adds Turbo Attack, a mode that lets players race through high-speed versions of levels in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.

While the update for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is available for both the original Switch and Switch 2, Nintendo's current-gen system will have some hardware-specific upgrades. The Switch 2 version will boast enhanced resolution and higher-definition graphics, according to Nintendo, as well as faster load times. GameShare is also supported, letting two players play the game from one copy.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is the 2025 Switch rerelease of 2010's Donkey Kong Country Returns for Wii. The game was also released for Nintendo 3DS in 2013. We had pretty positive things to say about Returns HD it in our review of the HD release:

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a solid game — it’s just far from the best primate platforming experience on the Switch. The original Super Nintendo trilogy remains timeless (yes, even the one with Kiddy Kong), and 2018’s port of Tropical Freeze is both thematically and creatively superior, with an entire cast of Kongs along for the ride. That being said, fans of 2D platforming will still find plenty to love in Returns HD’s 80-plus levels and oodles of collectibles. And with plenty of padding for newcomers in the form of Modern Mode, equippable items, and Super Kong, Returns HD is easily the most accessible entry in the Donkey Kong Country lineup to date.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD ver. 1.1.0 is available now as a free update.

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