The world is waiting for Nintendo to officially reveal something about the Switch 2, but there is some other business to take care of first. The original Switch is still the focus for now, and the third best-selling console of the year's first big game of all time is another remaster a year after its successful revival in 2024.
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First on the docket for Nintendo in 2025 is Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. A somewhat dormant remaster of the Donkey Kong game that Nintendo hopes will get a new lease on life with a new coat of paint applied to its Switch port. With nearly 150 million people equipped with the hardware to play it, there are more potential customers on hand than when it started in 2010. Below you'll find everything you need to know about pre-ordering Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. And save your copy.
Where to find Donkey Kong Country returns HD's various pre-order bonuses
In typical Nintendo fashion, where there aren't many versions of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD to choose from, it comes with different pre-order bonuses depending on where you buy it, so choose your retailer wisely.
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Gamestop |
My Nintendo UK |
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Pre-order bonus |
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Unfortunately, even though the pre-order bonus started in November, there's still no indication that, like previous Switch games, Walmart and Target will have their own pre-order bonuses. For now, at least in the US, the only retailer that includes a bonus with your pre-order is GameStop.
Pre-order Donkey Kong Country Returns HD from GameStop and you'll get a free DK pencil barrel. If you're lucky enough to live in the UK, buying the game through My Nintendo UK will get you KONG pins modeled after the badges you've collected in the game. There's also a Donkey Kong bum bag – the fanny pack in the US – but you'll buy the adventure bundle if you want.
Help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong retrieve their treasured banana stash from the villainous Tiki Tok tribe! Dodge enemies, blast through barrels, and ride rockets and mine carts (and even Rumby the Rhino) through 80 levels across nine worlds.
- issued
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January 16, 2025
- ESRB
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E For All – Mild fantasy violence
- Number of players
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1-2
Why Amazon Doesn't Have Donkey Kong Country HD Returns
You'll notice that there is no Amazon option for pre-orders. The game appears to have an Amazon page, with no pre-order option available. This is nothing new for Switch games, but neither Nintendo nor Amazon have explained what's going on nearly a year after it all started.
It started with Amazon canceling pre-orders for Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, and it hasn't stocked the new Switch games since. A listing for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom suggested that all was well, but apparently not. On the bright side, Walmart, which seems to have had a similar slump, seems to have patched things up when pre-orders are available. However, both sides want to mend the bars before the Switch 2 is released.
FAQ
When will Donkey Kong Country Returns HD release?
Nintendo has not confirmed exactly when its new Donkey Kong remaster will be released. However, digital pre-orders unlock at midnight EST no matter where you are in the world. The game will probably be released on January 16, 2025.
Is Donkey Kong Country Returns an HD remake?
No, the HD version of Donkey Kong Country Returns is a remaster, not a remake. Although it will contain levels from the Nintendo 3DS version of the game, it will only contain enhanced visuals.
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