Donkey Kong Country Returns HD gets surprise free Switch 2 update

Since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, we have seen the console maker release enhanced ports for a number of its Switch 1 titles – some paid and others free. Joining the latter is Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, with a free Switch 2 update officially available now; adding a new playable character, game modes and more.

Making the surprise announcement, Nintendo officially unveiled their latest Switch 2 update, this time for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. Available to download right now, this free upgrade brings with it quite a bit of new content.

Visually, the game has been updated on Switch 2 with “enhanced resolution, higher-definition graphics, and quicker load times” alongside support for the console’s GameShare functionality. That said, we did not get any specifics regarding the exact details of this visual boost.

In terms of gameplay additions, this latest update brings in Dixie Kong as a support character allowing for additional movement abilities (though can also be directly controlled when playing in co-op). Alongside this, update 1.1.0 also introduces a new game mode in the form of Turbo Attack – in which players will have to speed through the levels before time runs out.

Dixie Kong and the new Turbo Attack mode is available for all owners of DK Country Returns HD, not just Switch 2 owners.

Considering the relative lack of content which some paid Switch 2 Editions have had, Nintendo releasing this update for free is both unexpected yet welcome. That said, Donkey Kong Country Returns was originally a Wii title; which was then ported to the 3DS; remastered for the Switch 1 and now updated for Switch 2 – and so it's possible that Nintendo felt as though they have made enough of a profit from the game at this point.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of this update? How does it compare to some of the other paid upgrades? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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