The world is waiting for Nintendo to officially reveal something about the Switch 2, but there’s some other business to take care of before that. The original Switch is still the focus for now, and the third best-selling console of all time’s first big game of the year is another remaster following a year of successful revivals throughout 2024.
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First on the docket for Nintendo in 2025 is Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. A remaster of a somewhat slept on Donkey Kong game that Nintendo will be hoping gets a new lease on life with a new coat of paint applied to its Switch port. With almost 150 million people equipped with the hardware to play it, there are a lot more potential customers on-hand than when the original launched in 2010. Below you’ll fund everything you need to know about pre-ordering Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and securing your copy.
Where To Find Donkey Kong Country Returns HD’s Different Pre-Order Bonuses
In typical Nintendo fashion, while there aren’t multiple editions of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD to choose from, it does come 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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|---|---|---|
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Pre-Order Bonus |
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Unfortunately, even though the pre-order bonus reveals began in November, there’s still no indication that, like prior Switch games, Walmart and Target will have their own pre-order bonuses. For the time being, in the US at least, the only retailer that will include a bonus with your pre-order is GameStop.
Pre-order Donkey Kong Country Returns HD from GameStop and you’ll get the DK pencil barrel thrown in for free. If you’re lucky enough to live in the UK, buying the game through My Nintendo UK will bag you some KONG pins modeled after the badges you collect in the game. There’s also a Donkey Kong bum bag – fanny pack in the US – but you’ll have to buy the Adventure Bundle if you want that.
Help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong recover their precious banana hoard from the villainous Tiki Tak Tribe! Stomp enemies, blast through barrels, and ride rockets and mine carts (and even Rambi the rhino) in 80 levels across nine worlds.
- Released
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January 16, 2025
- ESRB
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E for Everyone – Mild fantasy violence
- Number of Players
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1-2
Why Amazon Doesn’t Have Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Pre-Orders
You’ll notice that there’s no Amazon option for pre-orders. While the game does appear to have an Amazon page, the option to pre-order is not available. This is nothing new for Switch games, but neither Nintendo nor Amazon has explained what exactly is going on almost a year after all this started.
It began with Amazon canceling pre-orders for Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, and it hasn’t stocked new Switch games since. A listing for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom suggested all was well again, but apparently not. On the bright side, Walmart, which seemed to have a similar falling out, appears to have patched things up as pre-orders are available there. Whatever it is, both sides will want to mend fences before the Switch 2 is released.
FAQ
What Time Will Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Be Released?
Nintendo hasn’t confirmed exactly when its new Donkey Kong remaster will be released. However, digital pre-orders tend to unlock at midnight EST regardless of where you are in the world. The game will likely be released at that time on January 16, 2025.
Is Donkey Kong Country Returns HD A Remake?
No, the HD version of Donkey Kong Country Returns is a remaster, not a remake. It will include more than just enhanced visuals though as the levels from the Nintendo 3DS version of the game will be included.
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