| Donkey Kong Country Returns HD | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
| Release Date | |
|---|---|
| January 16, 2025 More Details |
|
| Genre | |
| Platformer, Action | |
| Platforms | Price (MSRP) |
  |
$59.99 |
| Developer | Publisher |
| Nintendo | Nintendo |
| Number of Players | Age Rating |
| 1-2 | ESRB E |
| Time to Finish | Cross Platform Play |
| 15-30 Hours | No |
| Official Website | Official Website for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD |
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Latest News
⚫︎ Donkey Kong Country Returns HD receives a free update, adding Dixie Kong and enhanced visuals and loading times for Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. This free update launched on January 21, 2026.
⚫︎ Donkey Kong Country Returns HD joins Tetris 99 next weekend, beginning on February 13, 2025.
⚫︎ Japanese Charts: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has 35,256 copies sold, after pre-release backlash regarding its pricing.
⚫︎ Nintendo released a new Donkey Kong Country Returns HD trailer, providing an overview of the new re-release. It goes over the game's plot, levels, challenges, Modern and Original Mode, and more!
⚫︎ Nintendo released the opening movie of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, which features the Tiki Tak Tribe invading the inhabitants of DK Island.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Overview
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a 2D platformer action game remastered from the original 2010 Wii release, which launched worldwide for the Nintendo Switch on January 16, 2025, and was followed by a free update to optimize the game for Nintendo Switch 2 consoles on January 21, 2026, with enhanced visuals and faster load times.
Players control Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as they navigate the island to reclaim their bananas from the Tiki Tak Tribe. The remaster features updated HD visuals and includes additional levels from the 3DS version. It also supports co-op play across various levels.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch |
|||||
| $59.99 |
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Gameplay
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a remastered 2D platformer featuring enhanced HD visuals and new quality-of-life updates. The game includes 80 levels, including those exclusive to the 3DS version, along with collectible coins and rideable mounts. Players can choose solo play or local two-player co-op, controlling Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as they tackle obstacles, ride mine carts, soar on rocket barrels, swing on vines, and ride Rambi the Rhino.
For single-player mode, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong work together, with Diddy using his rocket pack for a jump boost and both characters performing moves like the roll-jump to navigate pits or large gaps. In multiplayer mode, players can take advantage of Diddy’s Peanut Popgun and Barrel Jet for hovering or use Donkey Kong’s Ground Pound and Barrel Roll to defeat enemies. Players can also toggle difficulty levels to add extra hearts for a more accessible experience.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Characters
Donkey Kong
The titular hero, Donkey Kong, is out on another adventure as DK Island is being invaded by a new threat known as the Tiki Tak Tribe. With his banana hoard stolen and animal inhabitants hypnotized, it's up to him and Diddy Kong to save the day. He is the grandson of Cranky Kong through Donkey Kong Jr.
Diddy Kong
Diddy Kong, the nephew and trusted partner of Donkey Kong, tags along for his uncle's new adventure to rid DK Island of the Tiki Tak threat. While riding Donkey Kong's back, he can use his Barrel Jet to hover temporarily and use the Peanut Popgun to stun their opponents.
Dixie Kong
Dixie Kong is Diddy's girlfriend and his trusted partner when Donkey went missing. Added as a new playable character in the free Version 1.1.0 update, giving Donkey Kong a boost when he jumps.
Cranky Kong
Cranky Kong, the original Donkey Kong from the 1981 title, is back to help his family. He supplies both Donkey Kong III and Diddy with items for the price of banana coins.
Rambi the Rhinoceros
A long-time companion of the Kong Family, Rambi the Rhinoceros returns to offer his riding services to Donkey Kong and company. Not only that, but he can also smash blocks, break wooden spikes, and charge through enemies.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Announcement Trailer
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD – Update Overview – Nintendo Switch & Nintendo Switch 2
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD — Launch Trailer — Nintendo Switch
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD — Overview Trailer — Nintendo Switch
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Announcement Trailer Switch
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Trivia
⚫︎ This marks the 58th release in the Donkey Kong game series.
⚫︎ Takashi Nagasako reprises his role as Donkey Kong as well as voicing Cranky Kong in the game.
⚫︎ The game was originally planned to feature live dinosaurs.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Similar Games
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Mario vs. Donkey Kong Platformer, Action |
|
Mario & Luigi: Brothership PvP, Casual, Strategy |
|
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Adventure, RPG |
|
Princess Peach: Showtime! Action, Adventure |
