Dixie Kong Joins Donkey Kong Country Returns HD in Surprise Free Switch and Switch 2 Update

Surprise! Nintendo has released an unexpected free update for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, adding Dixie Kong and a new Turbo Attack mode for the game on both Switch and Switch 2.

The Switch 2 version of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD gets additional improvements, meanwhile, with improved loading times, higher resolution visuals, and the ability to play in co-op with a friend who doesn’t have the game themselves via GameShare.

Swapping out Diddy Kong for Dixie allows you to benefit from her higher, further jumps. Turbo Attack, meanwhile, tasks you with clearing levels at breakneck speed and within a tough time limit. In other words, Nintendo seems to have added something here for both new players and veterans.

A free update is rolling into #DonkeyKong Country Returns HD!

Swing into action as Dixie Kong in both single-player and two-player local co-op, and race through high-speed versions of each level in Turbo Attack. Plus, players on #NintendoSwitch2 can enjoy enhanced resolution,… pic.twitter.com/k66mpkhaOC

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 21, 2026

While today’s update has dropped out of the blue, Nintendo has been updating its many games originally released for Switch with fresh features, and improvements for those now playing on Switch 2. Some of these have included paid upgrades — such as last week’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons update — while Donkey Kong Country Returns HD’s new additions are free.

Today’s full Donkey Kong Country Returns HD patch notes lie below.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD: Ver. 1.1.0 (released January 20, 2026) patch notes:

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch:

• You can now play as Dixie Kong. Her action when jumping is different from when Diddy Kong jumps.
  • When playing alone, as you grab a barrel, you can switch between either Diddy Kong or Dixie Kong as the character that appears.
  • When playing with two people, P2 can switch between Diddy Kong or Dixie Kong by pressing the stick (the L Stick in the case of playing with both Joy-Con 2 or Joy-Con controllers) on the world map.
• A Turbo Attack mode where you can race through the stage at high speed has been added.
  • If you clear the course once, it will appear at the same time as the Time Attack mode.
  • If you can clear it within the time limit, you will acquire a turbo medal.
• Now supports Brazilian Portuguese language.
  • You can switch the language in the “Language” setting in the “System” menu of “System Settings.”
• Several other issues have been addressed and image quality enhancements have been made to improve the gameplay experience.

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

• Now supports “GameShare (Local User).”
  • You can select “GameShare (Local User)” from “2 Players” on the game start screen or the menu screen of the world map.
• Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
• The loading time is now shorter.

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social