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NWR Interactive => TalkBack => Topic started by: Shaymin on January 20, 2026, 03:54:32 PM

Title: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Gets Surprise Update To Add Dixie Kong, Switch 2 Enhancements
Post by: Shaymin on January 20, 2026, 03:54:32 PM

With about nine days left to buy Switch vouchers, maybe this puts someone over the top to burn one.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/74016/donkey-kong-country-returns-hd-gets-surprise-update-to-add-dixie-kong-switch-2-enhancements

One of the last pre-Switch 2 releases is getting an update tonight, and perhaps not the one you might expect.

A free update for Donkey Kong County Returns HD (roughly timed to the game's anniversary) is out now which makes Dixie Kong available as a playable character with her trademark skills (replacing Diddy). A new "Turbo Attack" mode is also included, which sets a fast time limit to complete stages, and Brazilian Portuguese was also added as a text language.

The update also brings some Switch 2 enhancements for resolution and load times, and also enables GameShare co-op play.

Title: Re: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Gets Surprise Update To Add Dixie Kong, Switch 2 Enhancements
Post by: Stratos on January 23, 2026, 01:06:11 PM
I just couldn't justify grabbing this since I have the original, but now it feels like a no-brainer since I never finished it AND it added all this new stuff and fixes Co-op.

For those unaware the pre-update HD game broke how co-op worked. Enemies died too fast leading to partner deaths. In the original there was a delay before killed enemies dropped, allowing both simians to use the same enemy for hopping over chasms. The HD release made the enemies die immediately so partners would fall. Now the delay has been fixed.
Title: Re: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Gets Surprise Update To Add Dixie Kong, Switch 2 Enhancements
Post by: broodwars on January 23, 2026, 06:46:04 PM
Quote from: Stratos on January 23, 2026, 01:06:11 PM
I just couldn't justify grabbing this since I have the original, but now it feels like a no-brainer since I never finished it AND it added all this new stuff and fixes Co-op.

For those unaware the pre-update HD game broke how co-op worked. Enemies died too fast leading to partner deaths. In the original there was a delay before killed enemies dropped, allowing both simians to use the same enemy for hopping over chasms. The HD release made the enemies die immediately so partners would fall. Now the delay has been fixed.

From everything I've heard, this update more or less Returns everything to how it was in the original Wii version, including visual effects and the load times. Would have REALLY liked those 4 second load times last year when I was waiting 15 seconds at a time just to load into game. Unfortunately, I just don't see the point to going back to the game right now since I already completed all the levels, including the Bonus World.
Title: Re: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Gets Surprise Update To Add Dixie Kong, Switch 2 Enhancements
Post by: Caterkiller on January 24, 2026, 12:55:15 PM
Yabadabadoooooo!!!!!!

I finished my 200% play through last year but my son and I never finished our co-op adventure. With co-op fixed and Dixie Kong added it's time to return to Returns.

The upgrades and clarity in the visuals is a great bonus and for my super trained DK eyes, very noticeable. Despite finishing hard mode while achieving Gold/Shiny Gold in every single stage and boss fight, this new super speed mode does not appeal to me. Not yet anyway. Not a fan of a game like this on Dodrio Mode.

Lastly but most importantly... Do you all notice the ongoing attempt in bringing the DK brand back into S-Tier?! This has been a continuous slow burn for over a decade now culminating in the theme park and Bananza and I'm so glad to have DK treated like a top tier franchise again. Remember how Nintendo introduced Dixie Kong in Mario Kart Tour? Now look at what we are getting here! It's not the biggest thing but still! It's like getting Knuckles in Sonic 2! Sonic 1 & 2 these days! As THE prominent female figure in the Donkey Kong series they have been pushing her as one of the faces of the franchise and I couldn't be happier! Now that Nintendo internally took over DK, you watch Smash is gonna get so Donkified including Dixie as a newcomer! Mark my words!