Tag: Donkey Kong
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's Game Boy Library With Another Classic
Dixie and Kiddy return in Donkey Kong Land 3
Following the recent return of Donkey Kong Land and its sequel, Nintendo has now expanded the Switch Online Game Boy library with the third entry. Yes, Dixie Kong and Kiddy Kong return in Rare's 1997 Game Boy release Donkey Kong Land 3, and it's available to play right now as long as you have an active...
News Nintendo Highlights Every 'Donkey Kong Country' On Switch With A New Trailer
Prepare to return... again
Nintendo has released a new trailer taking a look at every Donkey Kong Country game on Switch in preparation for the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on 16th January 2024. If you've got a subscription to the standard Nintendo Switch Online service, you can play every SNES game from the series right now. That...
Poll So, Will You Be Getting Donkey Kong Country Returns HD For Switch?
Go bananas in early 2025
We're almost in December and that means Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is arriving very soon. Yes, in case you somehow missed it, the 2010 Wii Classic is getting another release. This remaster will not only include a facelift but it also features all of the bonus levels from the 2013 3DS game, bumping up the total amount of...
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's Game Boy Library With Another Classic
The sequel to Donkey Kong Land is now available
Following the arrival of Donkey Kong Land for the Switch Online Game Boy service last week, Nintendo has now added Donkey Kong Land 2! Yes, Rare's 1995 sequel starring Diddy and Dixie Kong is playable right now (as long as you're a subscriber). It's packed with "over 40 levels" and an assortment of...
Random New 3D Scans Stop Classic Donkey Kong Country Figures From Being Lost To Time
Keshi Kong
We love a bit of niche video game history here at Nintendo Life, and the work of Mr Talida (aka Keshi Corner) has caught our attention on more than one occasion. This is the 3D scanning specialist that has ensured rare Zelda and Mario figures from the 1980s and '90s live to fight another day and now, they ha
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's Game Boy Library With Another Classic
Donkey Kong's pocket-sized adventure returns
In a surprise update, Nintendo has today announced Donkey Kong Land for the Switch Online Game Boy library, and you can play it right now! This classic pocket-sized platformer was originally released by Rare in 1995 and marks the beginning of the DK Land trilogy on the Game Boy. Here's the official...
Random Iconic 'DK Rap' Song Has Been Remade 25 Years Later
With help from rapper 'Substantial'
If you've been a part of the Nintendo gaming community for a while, then chances are you're well acquainted with 'DK Rap', the charming introductory theme tune seen in 1999's Donkey Kong 64. It's gained significant notoriety and love over the years, though many fans do concede that the song isn't actually that...
Anniversary Donkey Kong Country Is Now 30 Years Old (SNES)
King K-O-N-G
Believe it or not, Donkey Kong Country for the SNES has turned 30 years old after originally launching in the UK on 18th November 1994. Often regarded as one of the greatest platformers of all time, Donkey Kong Country was the first in an SNES trilogy from developer Rare, and was really the game that properly kickstarted a fruitful...
Random Donkey Konga Fan Creates Custom Track Tool
Though bongo support isn't available yet
If you're a fan of the severely underrated Donkey Konga franchise from the GameCube era, then you're in luck. A dedicated fan has created a tool called Konga Beat that allows you to import songs and create your own custom tracks that can then be exported for use with either Donkey Konga 2 or Donkey Konga 3...
News Super Nintendo World's Donkey Kong Country Park Gets Opening Date
Absolutely bananas
Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo have lifted the lid on the upcoming Donkey Kong Country expansion, coming to Super Nintendo World in Osaka, Japan. And in today's Nintendo Direct, we finally know when the expansion is opening to the world — 11th December 2024. We've had a few teasers sneak peeks at the park over the years, but...
News My Nintendo Store Reveals Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Pre-Order Bonuses & Bundle (UK)
In the bag
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD's 16th January 2025 release date might still feel like a long way off, but the new year is rapidly approaching and Nintendo is getting the hype train a-moving with a first look at some pre-order bonuses. My Nintendo Store UK has today provided a peek at some of the merch that will come bundled with DKCRHD...
News Nintendo Direct Announced For Super Nintendo World's Donkey Kong Expansion
Tune in for a 10-minute tour
A Nintendo Direct is on the way, folks. This one, however, won't feature any upcoming Switch games, nor any information on the elusive 'Switch 2'. Instead, Nintendo will be showcasing a 10-minute look at the new Donkey Kong Country expansion for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan. The broadcast will take...
News Alleged Concept Art From Cancelled Donkey Kong Project Emerges
What could have been
Following details of a cancelled Donkey Kong project at the now-defunct development studio Vicarious Visions, supposed concept art has now surfaced online. Known online as 'Donkey Kong Freedom' (though an extensive video from Did You Know Gaming claims that this was never the working title for the project), the game was...
News Universal Orlando's Super Nintendo World Opens Its Doors May 2025
Let's-a gOrlando
After getting delayed to 2025 way back in the days of the Covid-19 pandemic, Universal Orlando has today announced that its Epic Universe (which includes Super Nintendo World) will open its doors to the public on 22nd May 2025. The above reveal trailer only contains a small snippet of the Nintendo attraction (with Mario and the...
Feature Catch-Up Crew: Donkey Kong Country - "I Liked His Big Red, Er, Ribbit-Bag?"
Catching up with the DK crew
Welcome aboard once again for this edition of Catch-up Crew, the series where the senior staff of the USS Nintendo Life do what every good crew should do on a seat-of-your-pants cosmic adventure - adjourn to the observation lounge for a conference. Yes, we're back at the table to discuss a classic video game that at...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Donkey Kong Country (GBA)
The Diddy one
We are back, back, back with another edition of Box Art Brawl! Last time, we matched up two different covers for Contra 4 on the DS, and it wasn't even close. The North American variant walked comfortably away with the win, taking 76% of the vote and leaving Japan with the remaining 24%. Oof. This week, we're swinging it back a...
News Donkey Kong 'Lego Ideas' Set Has Enough Support For An Official Review
Reviewing process starts in September
A little while back, we reported on a 'Lego Ideas' set featuring a recreation of the classic Donkey Kong game starring the titular villain alongside Pauline. Well, the set - courtesy of user 'By If You Build It' - has now surpassed 10,000 supporters and has qualified for an official review from Lego itself. The...
Random Donkey Kong Country 3 Fan Creates Incredible Epoxy Resin Statue
Yes, we want one
There have been some truly gorgeous video game statues in our time, from the likes of the First 4 Figures Samus Gravity Suit statue from Metroid to the ludicrous Ghosts 'n Goblins statue from Dream Figures. We love one-off designs though; statues that likely won't be made available to the general public,
News Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition Player Uses Glitch To Top Donkey Kong Leaderboard
Tournament scandal
Update [Sat 3rd Aug, 2024 03:30 BST]: Nintendo recently launched a website in Japan featuring replays of the fastest times in the Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition tournaments. The same 'Donkey Kong Barrel Roll' replay (which can be seen in the original story below) is notably featured on this page (thanks, OatmealDome)...
Poll Box Art Brawl - DK: King Of Swing
B-A-N-A-N-A-S
We are back, back, back with another edition of Box Art Brawl! Before we swing into this week's match-up, let's take a look at what went down last time when we looked at two regional covers for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Despite a duo of swanky designs being on display, it was Europe and North America's dark, moodier cover that...
Random Nintendo Considered Some Bananas Names For DK, Including "Kong Dong"
The name's Kong, Bill Kong
It's crazy to consider DK called anything other than Donkey Kong, but there was a time when Nintendo considered other possibilities including some wild swings. Back in the '80s, Nintendo and Universal went head to head in a lawsuit with the former accused of basing DK on the iconic ape of the big screen, King Kong...
News Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Costs $60 On Switch
Nintendo's "pricing strategy" has some fans confused
Last year, when Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was released, there were concerns raised about the game's $70 USD price tag. It followed with Nintendo mentioning how pricing of its new releases would be based on a "case-by-case basis". Now, the latest game that seems to be generating some discussion...
News Donkey Kong Country Returns Switch Dev Appears To Have Been Revealed
It seems to link back to a previously announced deal
Donkey Kong Country Returns is returning for a third time early next year and it seems we might already know who is behind the latest HD iteration. According to some official documentation which has already been spotted by
News Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Swings Onto Switch Next Year
Barelling our way in January
Nintendo has announced as a part of today's Direct that Donkey Kong Country Returns HD will be barrelling onto Switch on 16th January 2025. It might not be the new Donkey Kong game everyone is hoping for, but this remastered version of the Wii platformer has not only had a sweet new facelift, but it will also include...
Video Donkey Kong '94 - The 101-Level Sequel To Arcade DK
It's on like (101 stages of) Donkey Kong
14th June 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of Donkey Kong for the Game Boy's Japanese release. It's one of the finest games on the system and a hybrid arcade port/spin-off that ushered in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series which recently came to Switch. In honour of the occasion, we thought we'd highlight this...
News Universal Orlando 'Epic Universe' Preview Event Shows Off Super Nintendo World
Scheduled to launch in 2025
In an update last month, it was confirmed Universal Orlando's Super Nintendo World was still on track for its 2025 opening. It teased what fans could expect with some animated footage and now in an update courtesy of Theme Park Insider, we've got another look at the plans for this park thanks to a new model featured at a...
News Switch Online's Missions & Rewards Adds Donkey Kong Icons You Can Only "Get By Playing"
Play the arcade hit on the NES library to unlock them
Nintendo has announced a new batch of Switch Online icons you can only "get by playing" its digital retro library. It's already hosted missions like this for Super Mario World and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and now it's Donkey Kong's turn. This time, Switch Online members will need...
Poll A New Donkey Kong Game Must Be Coming, But What Should It Be?
The wait is driving us bananas
It feels like Donkey Kong is everywhere at the moment. With the lovable ape’s significant appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the upcoming DK-themed expansion at Japan’s
News Details Emerge Of A Cancelled Donkey Kong Project From Vicarious Visions
Rope burn'd
Of all the studios to potentially work on a Donkey Kong project, Vicarious Visions (now known simply as Blizzard Albany) admittedly wasn't particularly high up on our list. However, details have emerged of a now-cancelled DK project at the studio via a new video from Did You Know Gaming (with prior reporting from DK Vine). According to...
News Get A Closer Look At Universal Orlando's Super Nintendo World, Opening 2025
Mario, Yoshi AND Donkey Kong all set to appear
If you cast your mind way back to 2021, you might remember the announcement that Universal Orlando's Super Nintendo World was getting pushed to 2025. Well, today Universal has reconfirmed that this is still happening (yay!) and it has given a sneak peek at what's in store. The above video gives an...
News Super Nintendo World's Donkey Kong Country Park Delayed To Late 2024
Swinging away from Spring
It was right at the end of 2023 that Universal Studios announced the opening date for its Donkey Kong Country park at Super Nintendo World Japan. It was supposed to be this Spring (any day now, we would assume), but instead, the studio has announced that the opening has been pushed back to "late 2024". The delay was...
News Super Nintendo World Footage Showcases A Near-Complete Donkey Kong Expansion
Looking good!
When Nintendo announced that the Super Nintendo World attraction in Japan would be receiving a Donkey Kong expansion in Spring 2024, our hearts nearly leapt out of our chests. Well, it's Spring 2024 uh, now, so it must be nearing completion, right? Right. Judging from the above footage recorded by YouTube channel L.C.A.STUDIOS (USJ...
Random Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze Could Have Been About Alien Invaders
Donkey Kong Country: Independence Day?
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is all about snow; that much should be obvious from the game's title, even for those who have yet to play Retro Studios' excellent platformer. According to a recent interview from KiwiTalkz in which he chats with former Retro artists Eric Kozlowsky and Ted Anderson,...
Guide Best Donkey Kong Games Of All Time
Every DK game, as ranked by you
The list below is governed by each game's User Rating in our database and is subject to real-time change even after publication. Read on to find out more and see if Tropical Freeze, our original pick for number one, is still top banana... While Mario is the undisputed man when it comes to all things Nintendo, let it...
Poll So, Will You Be Getting Mario vs. Donkey Kong For Switch?
The GBA title is back
Apart from the arrival of the Smash Bros. Sora amiibo this week, Nintendo has also revived Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Switch. This one is a bit different to the average new release because it's a remake of the 2004 Game Boy Advance title with a few new worlds, co-op mode and a new casual difficulty setting. We rather enjoyed...
News Switch Online's 'Missions & Rewards' Adds Mario vs. Donkey Kong Icons
Wave one is available now
Alongside the arrival of Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Switch, Nintendo has today released some new Switch Online icons. Some of the characters included in the first few waves are Mario, Donkey Kong, Shy Guy and Toad. You'll be able to redeem these for the usual price of 10 Platinum Points, with frames and backgrounds setting...
News Mario vs. Donkey Kong Launch Week Update Now Live, Here's What's Included
There's a patch for the demo, too
Apart from the Tomb Raider Remastered trilogy, this week also marks the return of the Game Boy Advance title Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Switch. Although the game isn't even out yet, like so many other first-party releases nowadays, it's already been updated. Version 1.0.1 addresses an issue where the controls could...
Anniversary Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Is Now A Decade Old
Time for a new one?
Just in case you weren't feeling old today, it's now been a decade since Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was released for the Wii U in Japan (13 February, 2014). Yes, the latest platformer in the Donkey Kong Country sub-series is now basically old enough to sneak a tenner out of Dad's wallet and laugh incessantly at toilet...
News Nintendo's Switch Online Service Spotlights Donkey Kong With New Hub
The DKC series celebrates 30 years in 2024
Nintendo seems to be slowly putting the spotlight back on Donkey Kong with a series of announcements in recent times. He will also star in the upcoming release Mario vs. Donkey Kong, due out on the Switch later this month. With this in mind, Nintendo has now launched a special section in the Switch Online...
Random Yep, Mario Vs. Donkey Kong Has Already Been Modded On Switch
Super Mario 64 returns
Stone the crows, these folks don't hang around, do they? Mario vs. Donkey Kong has yet to be released on the Nintendo Switch (though we've not got long to wait; it launches on February 16th, 2024), but it looks like people are already looking to mod the game based solely on the public eShop demo. One particularly intriguing...
Poll What Did You Think Of The Demo For Mario Vs. Donkey Kong?
Go on, tell us
Nintendo surprised Switch owners yesterday with a demo of the upcoming release Mario vs. Donkey Kong. In case you've missed the coverage so far, this title is a revival of the 2004 Game Boy Advance release featuring additional content such as new worlds, co-op, and even multiple difficulty settings. Now that everyone has had a...
Round Up The Previews Are In For Mario Vs. Donkey Kong
Returning next month
Nintendo's upcoming release Mario vs. Donkey Kong will revive the 2004 Game Boy Advance title next month on the Switch. If you haven't already seen our own "hands on" here on Nintendo Life, we mentioned how "psyched" we were for the full release, as the Switch version is a game filled with meaningful changes, new modes, and a...
Video Nintendo Shows Off Mario Vs. Donkey Kong's New Co-Op Gameplay
Two heads are better than one
We're nearing next month's release of Mario vs. Donkey Kong on the Switch and Nintendo has started to share more footage of the game on its social media channels. The latest clip showcases the game's "new" co-op mode. In the latest video, you can see Mario teaming up with Toad to solve various problems and overcome all...
News Nintendo Highlights New Stages In Mario Vs. Donkey Kong Switch
This new version will come with two new worlds
Nintendo has finally got its marketing push for Mario vs. Donkey Kong underway, and after revealing the Switch release would be getting some new stages filled with new enemies and levels, it's now highlighting some scenes from the previous clip on social media. This latest post on the official Nintendo...
News Nintendo World's New Donkey Kong Ride Will Literally Send You Off The Tracks
Well, in a totally fake kind of way
Toward the end of 2023, it was revealed that a Donkey Kong expansion would be making its way to Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan. Now, thanks to some keen investigation from CoasterTalk (thanks, Gizmodo), some more information has been discovered regarding the site's new rollercoaster ride. The...
Video Mario vs. Donkey Kong Switch Shows Off New Worlds, Co-Op And More
Launching next month
Nintendo is gearing up for another year of game releases and one of the titles you'll soon be able to get your hands on is an enhanced version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong. It's arriving next month on Switch on 16th February 2024. In a new video today, Nintendo has outlined what to players can expect. This new version will feature...
Video Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country Expansion Commercials Released
Opening in Spring 2024
Earlier this month, Universal Studios revealed the Super Nintendo World 'Donkey Kong Country Expansion' would be opening in Japan in Spring 2024. At the time, there was a brief look at what to expect in an official teaser trailer featuring Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. Now, in an update, a few commercials have surfaced online...
Soapbox Donkey Konga Introduced Me To One Of My Favourite Songs Ever
A mighty impression
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Donkey Konga in Japan, Ollie recounts how the game introduced him to a song that remains one of his all-time favourites... I used to love...
News Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Power-Up Bands Revealed
Part of the Donkey Kong Country expansion
Yesterday, Universal Studios announced the Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country expansion would be opening in Spring 2024. As part of this, it's also revealed two brand new Power-Up Bands, featuring amiibo functionality. There's one for Donkey Kong and the other is based on Diddy Kong. These special...
News Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong Country Expansion Opening Spring 2024
Check out the announcement video
Remember when Nintendo confirmed Super Nintendo World in Japan would be getting a Donkey Kong-themed expansion? In the latest development, it's now been announced 'Donkey Kong Country' will be opening at Universal Studios in Spring 2024. As highlighted by Universal Parks News Today, this announcement was made during...
