Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Update Adds Dixie Kong, Switch 2 Enhancements, And New Mode

Out of nowhere, Nintendo has released a significant free update to Donkey Kong Returns HD. Players can now enjoy a new playable character, an additional mode, and Switch 2 owners reap the benefits of graphical and technical boosts.

The update adds Dixie Kong as a new playable character. As in her previous appearances, she can use her ponytail like a helicopter rotor to boost Donkey Kong’s jump and glide over longer gaps. Although you can control Dixie, one player will still need to control DK, so it doesn’t seem possible to do a Diddy/Dixie team-up à la Donkey Kong Country 2. Whatever your pairing, you can use them in the new Turbo Attack mode that challenges players to race through high-speed versions of stages within a time limit. 

Lastly, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD receives Switch 2 enhancements, including improved visuals and faster load times. It also now supports Game Share, meaning owners can share the game locally with another player who does not own a copy.

You can download this free update now, and be sure to check out our review of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD here.