Tag: Donkey Kong
Random Paul Rudd "Got A Real Kick" Out Of Reuniting With Nintendo For New Commercial
"It made me nostalgic in all the right ways"
If you haven't seen the new Nintendo Switch 2 commercial featuring Paul Rudd, where have you been? It's a delightful throwback to one of the Ant Man and Anchorman actor's first ever acting roles, a SNES commercial from 1991. It's daft, it's silly, and we didn't think we could love Rudd any more. F
Round Up The First Impressions Of Donkey Kong Bananza Are In
He's finally back...
Apart from Mario Kart World for Switch 2, Nintendo has also announced Donkey Kong Bananza is on the way to the new system. This game will be released a month after the Switch 2 launch and although it's still a while away, we've now got our first impressions. As you might have seen, we've already shared our 'hands on' here on...
News Nintendo: Switch 2's Launch Titles Are "Sort Of" Genre- And Franchise-Defining
It's something you "really can't miss"
The next Nintendo generation is upon us and if you're not already on the Switch 2 bandwagon, it's apparently something you "really can't miss" according to Nintendo's Bill Trinen. Speaking to GameSpot, Trinen mentioned how he hopes the fanbase can see how Nintendo Switch 2 launch window titles Mario Kart World...
News Nintendo Won't Reveal Donkey Kong's Switch 2 Dev, But We Might Already Know
You got a...banana!
You got a moon...sorry, a banana! Nintendo looks to be continuing its trend of not revealing the developers behind key first-party IP releases for the Switch 2 generation. IGN asked who was the development team on Donkey Kong Bananza for Switch 2 and Nintendo of America's vice president of product and player experience Bill...
News Switch 2 Game Cart Max Capacity Is 64GB, Says CD Projekt Red
Enough for a few Mushroom Kingdoms
So, you may or may not have been wondering just how big the Nintendo Switch 2's game cartridges are actually going to be, especially now that we know the sizes of the initial line-up of games. Nintendo's first-party launch games are all surprisingly dinky, with Mario Kart World just 23.4GB, and
News Did Donkey Kong Bananza Key Art Accidentally Leak A Big Surprise?
Is that...?!
Some key art for the upcoming Switch 2 game Donkey Kong Bananza might have been accidentally leaked ahead of schedule. On Nintendo's Korean website, now-removed art featuring Donkey Kong and...spoiler...what supposedly looks like a "young Pauline" has been spotted. It seems we've also got a full art reveal. This discovery follows...
Guide Where To Pre-Order Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV On Nintendo Switch 2
Best deals and cheapest prices
One of the Switch 1 games being treated to a beefed up 'Nintendo Switch 2 Edition' release is the now catchily-titled Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV. This one will arrive on the new console on 24th July 2025 as both a stand-alone purchase and a Switch 1 upgrade. Below, we'll be...
Guide Where To Pre-Order Donkey Kong Bananza On Nintendo Switch 2
Best deals and cheapest prices
After decades of waiting, Nintendo has finally unveiled a new 3D adventure for its prized primate: Donkey Kong Bananza. Set to launch on Switch 2 on 17th July 2025, this action platformer is guaranteed to be one of the console's biggest hitters in its launch year. Below, we'll be keeping track of all the different...
Hands On Rock Surfing And Boulder Bashing - 'Donkey Kong Bananza' Is Brilliantly Bonkers
Bananza split
Donkey Kong's new design is perfect. Nope, we're not changing our stance here, and Donkey Kong Bananza solidified it even more. A new 3D Mario isn't here to usher in a new generation of platformers for the new console, but we have plenty of fuzzy monkeys and apes to keep us company over the summer months as we bask in the Switch 2...
News Donkey Kong Country Artist Shares His Thoughts On Kong's New Design
"I don't understand why there's any debate to be had"
Yesterday, as you'll all be aware, Nintendo showed off the Switch 2 along with a bunch of games, one of which was a new entry in the Donkey Kong saga. Donkey Kong Bananza showcased a new version of the character, marking the first time he's been redesigned for a game since Rare's Donkey Kong...
News Check Out Donkey Kong Bananza's Beautiful Switch 2 Box Art
The Thick Red Line
Nintendo has given us our first official look at what the Switch 2 physical game cases will look like with a peek at the Donkey Kong Bananza box art. We've got to admit, it's a beauty. The art shows our HD hero, DK, pounding into the ground, sending cracks of colourful light up around him and his purple rocky pal. It's yet...
News Nike's Donkey Kong Country-Inspired Trainers Finally Launch Today, But Be Quick
Talk about Funky
The worlds of gaming and footwear crossover more than you might expect. The snazzy Pokémon x Crocs collection took our breath away last year, Bull Airs released a range of console-inspired sneakers and even Converse has got involved in the past too. But all of them pale
Review Donkey Kong (GB) - One Of The Game Boy's Very Best
It's on with the King of the Kongs
This review was originally published in June 2011. We're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of the game in the Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy library. In 1994, Nintendo had a great idea; why not make a true sequel to the original Donkey Kong arcade game? The result is Donkey Kong for the Game Boy,...
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's Game Boy Library With Two More Titles
Mario and Donkey Kong are here
Nintendo has announced two more Game Boy titles for the Switch Online service this week and they're available right now. First up, we have the 1994 title Donkey Kong and along with this is the 1995 puzzle game Mario's Picross. You can see both games in action in the video above. Here's a bit about both games, courtesy...
News Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Tops Switch Charts In Opening Month (US)
The king of January
To help get 2025 underway Nintendo revived its Wii and 3DS title Donkey Kong Country Returns for the Switch. Circana's executive director and industry analyst Mat Piscatella has now shared US chart data for the month of January - revealing how exactly the game performed on the local charts. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD debuted...
News Nintendo Announces The First Tetris 99 Maximus Cup For 2025
It's Donkey Kong!
Nintendo's first release of the year was Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, so it's only fitting to make the first Tetris 99 Maximus Cup of 2025 the same theme. With this in mind, a new event will kick off next 13th February 2025. As usual, you'll be able to unlock a new theme featuring Tetriminos, music, and art based on the latest...
News Surprise! Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Now Has A Switch eShop Demo
Try before you buy
Well, here's something we weren't exactly expecting - Nintendo has today released a Switch eShop demo for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. This is the third time this game has been released, with the original version starting life on the Wii in 2010 before being ported across to the 3DS in 2013. You can grab the demo, which gives...
Random Speedrunner Takes Donkey Kong Run To New Heights By Beating The Kill Screen
But wait, there's more!
44 years after its release, you'd think that the speedrunning community would have pushed the Donkey Kong arcade game to its limit. But, as it turns out, there are a handful of extra levels hidden behind the game's long-assumed unbeatable kill screen. All you've got to do is beat it. That's the challenge that was recently...
News Bananas Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Platforming Problem Is Ruining The Co-Op Fun
Un-ape-peeling
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD swung onto Switch earlier this month and it's a perfectly good time. Nothing we haven't seen before, but still a good bit of fun. That is unless you want to play some of the later stages in co-op, it seems, because fans have discovered an oversight that sucks all the fun out of platforming with your pals...
News New-Look Donkey Kong Items Now Available On The My Nintendo Store
"You'll go bananas for this"
In case you somehow missed it, Donkey Kong seems to be getting a makeover in the upcoming Mario Kart title. His redesign has led to all sorts of conversation within the DK and Nintendo community, and now, some new themed items have been spotted on the My Nintendo Store. This includes some "charm straps" (featuring DK...
Random Donkey Kong Country's Artist Reacts To Nintendo's Redesign
"Everything changes!"
We've seemingly had our very first look at Mario Kart 9 during the Switch 2 reveal trailer, and one thing you might have noticed is the similar but slightly different-looking character designs. Perhaps the highlight is Donkey Kong's new look, which has been labelled a "redesign" by some. It's been a bit of a talking point...
Poll What Review Score Would You Give Donkey Kong Country Returns HD?
Returns returns
Last week saw the Wii's Donkey Kong Country Returns return in HD on Switch. Following the first time it returned on 3DS, the Switch port — helmed by Forever Entertainment this time, with the original devs at Retro getting only a cursory nod in the credits this time — brought the levels of the 2013 3DS port to
News Nintendo Believes In "Giving Proper Credit" After Backlash Over Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
So why the omission?
Nintendo has issued a short statement in response to the backlash following the omission of Retro Studios' staff from the credits of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. In speaking with Eurogamer, Nintendo said that it believes in "giving proper credit for any
Poll What Do You Think Of Donkey Kong's Redesign In Mario Kart 9?
Got whiplash?
With the reveal of the Switch 2, Nintendo also gave us a brief glimpse at a brand-new Mario Kart game; something that many of us were hoping for after the last mainline entry launched over ten years ago. Yes, the game we're currently referring to as Mario Kart 9 is still somewhat shrouded in mystery, but the short tease
News Nintendo's New Japan-Exclusive Donkey Kong Merch Range Goes Hard
You'll either love it or hate it
Nintendo has just unleashed its second DK rerelease on the Switch with Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, a game that's seemingly taken a few cues from Emperor Palpatine on how to cheat death ("Somehow..."). To celebrate, the firm has also launched a range of Donkey Kong-themed merchandise in Japan and, well, it goes...
News Switch Online's Missions & Rewards Adds Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Icons
Wave 1 is now available
Nintendo has rolled out another batch of icons, this time celebrating the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD for Switch. There'll be four waves of icons up for grabs, with the first wave starting today and running until 22nd January 2025. These new icons will set you back 10 Platinum Points each, with borders and...
Video Digital Foundry's Technical Analysis Of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
"A solid Switch port with some unexpected failings"
The folks at this Digital Foundry have this week taken a look at the latest Switch release Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. In brief, the resolution and frame rate are "surprisingly solid". This Unity-powered game runs at 1080p docked and 720p in handheld mode on the Switch - with reasonable image...
Monkey Business
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is just around the corner and, now that the embargo on our review coverage has lifted, we can officially confirm that developer Forever Entertainment is responsible for the porting duties on Retro Studios' platformer. However, much like Metroid Prime Remastered before it, Nintendo has opted to omit the...
News My Nintendo Store Adds New Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Reward (US)
Fancy some sticky notes?
It's the start of a new year and if you've already got a Nintendo themed calendar, how about some sticky notes to go with it? To celebrate the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, Nintendo's latest reward is themed sticky notes. Yes, if you need to remind yourself about anything in 2025, these notes are the perfect...
Round Up The Reviews Are In For Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Worth going bananas over?
Nintendo's first release of 2025 is almost upon us, with Donkey Kong Country Returns HD set to swing onto Switch on 16th January. With mere days to go before we get to barrel into this primate platformer again (again), it's time to get an idea of what the critics make of ol' DK's latest adventure. Here at Nintendo Life, we...
News Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Spotted In The Wild
The official release takes place next week
Ahead of the launch of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD for Switch next week, some players have supposedly already "got their hands on" physical copies of the game. This was highlighted by 'Nintendeal' on social media, which also notes how pre-orders for the game have now sold out at select locations in the...
News 'Nintendo Music' Adds Another Donkey Kong Soundtrack, Here's Every Song Included
It's double trouble with Dixie and Kiddy
Nintendo has kicked off the new year with a brand new update for its 'Nintendo Music' app. It's celebrating Rare's Donkey Kong Country series once again with the released of the third game's tracklist. All up, this soundtrack includes 40 tracks and has a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. You'll be able to...
Round Up The First Reviews For Super Nintendo World: Donkey Kong Country Are In
Here's what the critics had to say
Super Nintendo World's Donkey Kong Country expansion has officially opened its doors in Japan and the first reviews are now rolling in. This new area in Super Nintendo World comes packed with new activities, exclusive food and merchandise, and a new Mine Cart Ride. Generally, the impressions seem to be quite...
News Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Showcases 'A Barrelful Of Details' In New Trailer
It's almost a month away!
Nintendo isn't holding back on Donkey Kong Country Returns HD details this week, with a second trailer drop arriving... today! The 'barrelful of details' trailer (below) is essentially just an overview trailer, just like every other Nintendo first-party game gets. This runs down all of the things you need to know about the...
News Donkey Kong Country OG Dev Says He Would Like To Work On Another Entry
The original game is now 30 years old
Ahead of the grand opening of Super Nintendo World: Donkey Kong Country this week, some of the original Donkey Kong Country development team spoke to VGC about the IP being adapted to an entire theme park. During the same chat, artist Steve Mayles - who helped co-found Playtonic Games (Yooka-Laylee) and create...
Poll Okay, It's Time To Ask The Obvious - Will We Get Donkey Kong 64 On NSO?
The game turns 25 in Europe
Donkey Kong 64 — not the most beloved of Rare's titles, but probably the developer's most ambitious 3D platformer — turns 25 here in Europe today, 6th December 2024. DK and friends have a lot to celebrate lately: the Donkey Kong Land trilogy on Game Boy has trickled onto NSO over the past few weeks; the 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...
