Hold onto your bananas! In classic Nintendo fashion, a substantial, surprise update has dropped for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, injecting new life and a familiar face into the 2025 platformer remake . Version 1.1.0, released on January 20, 2026, is headlined by the playable debut of Dixie Kong and introduces a frantic new way to play, all as a free download .

The update brings a mix of universal enhancements and exclusive features for Nintendo Switch 2 owners, showcasing Nintendo’s ongoing effort to enhance its library for its latest console.

What’s New for All Players (Switch & Switch 2)

The core of the update adds meaningful content for everyone who owns the game.

• Play as Dixie Kong: The fan-favorite Kong with the iconic ponytail is now available in both single-player and local co-op modes . She isn’t just a visual swap for Diddy; her signature “Helicopter Spin” maneouvre allows for higher and further jumps, offering a fresh way to navigate the game’s challenging levels . In single-player, you can switch between Diddy and Dixie when grabbing a barrel, while Player 2 can choose between them on the world map in co-op .
• Turbo Attack Mode: Ready for a speedrun challenge? This new mode unlocks after clearing a level once, letting you race through a high-speed version of the course against a tough time limit . Successfully clearing it rewards you with a special turbo medal .
• Language Support: The update adds Brazilian Portuguese as a new supported language .

Exclusive Enhancements for Nintendo Switch 2

If you’re playing on the newer hardware, the update delivers noticeable technical improvements:

• Visual & Performance Upgrades: The game has been “optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs,” resulting in a sharper image and improved visual quality . Load times are also now shorter .
• GameShare (Local User) Support: This feature allows two players to enjoy local co-op from just one copy of the game, making it easier to team up with a friend .

A Welcome Boost for a Solid Platformer

This surprise update is a significant gift to players. When Donkey Kong Country Returns HD launched in 2025, some reviews noted it was a faithful and fun remaster but lacked new content for returning veterans . The addition of a full new character with unique mechanics and a dedicated challenge mode directly addresses that, giving seasoned players compelling reasons to revisit the jungle.

It also continues a pattern of Nintendo updating its back catalog to better leverage the Switch 2’s capabilities, a trend that benefits players investing in the new system .

How to Get the Update

The update should download automatically if your console is connected to the internet with Software Auto-Updates enabled . To manually update, highlight the game on your HOME Menu, press the + Button, and select Software Update > Via the Internet.

Whether you’re a longtime fan eager to finally play as Dixie or a newcomer looking for an extra challenge, this free update makes a great platformer even better. As the gaming news site Polygon put it, this is simply “the best kind of Nintendo surprise” .