Nintendo has released a surprise update for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, with features for both original Nintendo Switch and free Switch 2 improvements as part of the update.
All players across Switch and Switch 2 will now be able to play as and with Dixie Kong, subbing in for Diddy Kong. She has a different boost that she offers DK while jumping in single player, while she is also usable as the Player 2 character in co-op.
The update also adds a new Turbo Attack mode, which takes Time Attack and ramps up the speed of the game for even more challenge.
But the biggest benefits are for Switch 2 players, with improved game resolutions to take advantage of the 1080p built in screen and 4K output, as well as reduced loading times. The game also now supports local GameShare for its multiplayer.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD launched around a year ago in January 2025, a late-feeling port and remaster of the game for Switch, but with the (then unannounced) Donkey Kong Bananza on the horizon. In our review, I said, “[it] is a fine remaster of the Wii platformer, bringing along all the tweaks from its Nintendo 3DS port. It’s not much more than that, but it’s still a great platformer.”
Here’s the full patch notes:
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD – Ver 1.1.0 Patch Notes
- You can now play as Dixie Kong. Her action when jumping is different from when jumping with Diddy Kong.
- When playing alone, as you grab a barrel, you can switch between either Diddy Kong or Dixie Kong as the character that appears.
- When playing with two people, P2 can switch between Diddy Kong or Dixie Kong by pressing the stick (the L Stick in the case of playing with both Joy-Con 2 or Joy-Con controllers) on the world map.
- A Turbo Attack mode where you can race through the stage at high speed has been added.
- If you clear the course once, it will appear at the same time as the Time Attack mode.
- If you can clear it within the time limit, you will acquire a turbo medal.
- Now supports Brazilian Portuguese language.
- You can switch the language in the “Language” setting in the “System” menu of “System Settings.”
- Several other issues have been addressed and image quality enhancements have been made to improve the gameplay experience.
Switch 2
- Now supports “GameShare (Local User).”
- You can select “GameShare (Local User)” from “2 Players” on the game start screen or the menu screen of the world map.
- Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
- The loading time is now shorter.
Source: Nintendo
