Donkey Kong Country Returns HD was announced at the June 2024 Nintendo Direct. Donkey Kong Country Returns was originally released on the Nintendo Wii, then the 3DS, and now it’s making its way to the Nintendo Switch on January 16, 2025.
The new release of Donkey Kong Country Returns includes updated graphics and some of the exclusive levels from the Nintendo 3DS release as well. The game stars both Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as they track down the Tiki Tak Tribe, who has stolen all of their bananas. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD also features two player co-op across all 80 levels.
The king of Kong returns!
Originally released on the Wii system, #DonkeyKong Country Returns HD is barreling onto #NintendoSwitch January 16th! Stomp, pound and roll your way through 80 levels of action-packed platforming – solo or in two-player co-op. #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/49EtI9QUhX
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 18, 2024
The Donkey Kong Country series is known for its smooth movement mechanics and sometimes-punishing difficulty. The series originated on the Super NES but went mostly dormant until Donkey Kong Country Returns. The most-recent game in the series, Tropical Freeze, was released on Wii U and ported to the Switch.
