Dixie Kong returns.
Following the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD last year on January 16, 2025 for the Nintendo Switch, a new update has just been made available for the game that adds Dixie Kong as a playable character. The new update also affs a Turbo Attack mode, support for the “Brazilian Portuguese language” and quality enhancements.
For the full patch notes, we have them here:
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD | Ver. 1.1.0 Patch Notes: (Released January 20, 2026)
General:
The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch:
- 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.
The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo 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.
About Donkey Kong Country Returns HD:
Take off with a barrel-blasting adventure!: Help Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and Dixie Kong* recover their precious banana hoard from the villainous Tiki Tak Tribe in this visually enhanced version of the Wii™ game. Stomp enemies, blast through barrels, and ride rockets, minecarts, and even Rambi the Rhino in 80 levels across nine worlds, including the additional levels from the Nintendo 3DS™ version. You can even join up with a buddy for two-player local co-op!
Stomp, blast, and roll across Donkey Kong Island: Platform your way across DK Island’s vibrant and obstacle-filled levels. You’ll be stomping and rolling through environments ranging from jungle to volcano.
Swing into action as Donkey Kong: Some levels will have you swinging on vines, blasting through barrels, or riding things like mine carts, rockets, and Rambi the Rhino.
Deal with obstacles and enemies the DK way: Execute moves like Ground Pound, Roll, Blow, and Grab and Cling.
Work together to find those bananas!: Team up with a friend and take on the Tiki Tak Tribe together as DK and Diddy or DK and Dixie in two-player local co-op. Pelt foes with the Peanut Popgun, hover using Diddy’s Barrel Jet or flutter jump with Dixie’s Helicopter Spin.
Play as Donkey Kong or join the fun as Diddy Kong or Dixie Kong in two-player local co-op to take down the Tiki Tak tribe. You’ll meet some wild characters along the way!
- Donkey Kong: This powerful Kong goes absolutely bananas when it comes to jumping and pounding. He wears a fancy tie, but he still likes to crash through branches and boxes in the jungle.
- Diddy Kong: He might look harmless to jungle baddies, but this small Kong is a peanut-popping powerhouse! He can ride on Donkey Kong’s back and blast his buddy to new heights with his Rocket Barrel.
- Cranky Kong: Stooped in stature but sizeable in spirit, the curmudgeonly Cranky Kong runs a shop which supplies Donkey Kong with the items needed to rid the jungle of banana-nabbing baddies.
- Donkey Kong can smash his way through a box or two, but he needs this rambunctious rhino to power through stone blocks (and the occasional enemy).
- With a bit of hocus pocus, these musical hypnotists can turn the gentle beasts of the jungle into fearsome foes.
- Squawks: A brightly colored bird which can be purchased with in-game coins in Cranky Kong’s shop. Squawks will let you know when puzzle pieces are nearby.
- Professor Chops: This helpful porcine offers tips as you make your way through each level. He will indicate the halfway point where your progress is saved.
Explore, collect, and unlock: Search every inch of the jungle to uncover special items and unlock extras.
- K-O-N-G letters: Letters spelling K-O-N-G are spaced throughout each level. Collect all the letters in all the stages of a world to unlock that world’s temple, where a Rare Orb can be found.
- Puzzle pieces: Puzzle pieces are hidden in out-of-the-way places. Get all the puzzle pieces in a level to unlock something in the gallery.
Two ways to play: Play the game as it was first designed for the Wii system or reduce the difficulty for extra hearts and other goodies to make your journey a little easier.
Free update includes Turbo Attack and more!
- Download a free update with improvements on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, including enhanced visual effects and the new Turbo Attack time trial mode.
- On the Nintendo Switch 2 system, the update also features enhanced resolution and load times. GameShare** support is included, so you can play together with a friend who does not have the game via local wireless!
Source: Nintendo
