Nintendo is kicking off 2026 with a meaningful update for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, bringing new gameplay options, fresh challenges, and noticeable performance improvements—especially for players on Nintendo Switch 2.
The newly released Version 1.1.0 update (dated January 20, 2026) adds a major fan-pleaser: Dixie Kong is now playable. She doesn’t control the same way as Diddy Kong, and that difference matters. Her jump action is unique, giving players another way to tackle tricky platforming sections and improving replay value for anyone who already knows the stages by heart.
The update also makes character switching more flexible. If you’re playing solo, you can swap which partner appears from the barrel pickup—choosing either Diddy Kong or Dixie Kong as you go. For two-player co-op, Player 2 can also switch between Diddy and Dixie directly on the world map by pressing the stick (including the L Stick when using Joy-Con 2 or standard Joy-Con controllers). It’s a small change that makes co-op runs smoother and lets teams experiment with different approaches without friction.
If you like speedrunning or simply want a faster, more arcade-like rush through familiar levels, the new Turbo Attack mode is designed for you. After clearing a course once, Turbo Attack appears alongside Time Attack, offering a high-speed race through the stage. Beat the course within the time limit and you’ll earn a turbo medal—an extra reward that gives completionists and competitive players another reason to revisit stages.
There’s also a welcome accessibility win: Brazilian Portuguese language support has been added. Players can change the language using the “Language” option inside the System menu of System Settings, making the game more inviting for a wider audience.
Beyond new content, Nintendo also notes additional fixes and improvements aimed at refining the overall experience. Expect general issue resolutions and image quality enhancements designed to make the game look cleaner and play more smoothly.
Nintendo Switch 2 owners get even more benefits. The update introduces support for GameShare (Local User), accessible by selecting “GameShare (Local User)” under “2 Players” on either the game start screen or the world map menu. On top of that, the game has been optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs, improving image quality, and loading times have been shortened—making restarts, retries, and stage transitions feel snappier.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has been available since January 2025 on Nintendo Switch via the eShop, and this latest update makes it a stronger pick than ever for newcomers, returning fans, co-op players, and anyone looking to chase faster times with fresh mechanics.
