Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Gets New Difficulty Mode on Switch

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD will launch on Switch in January and will come with a new, easier difficulty mode.

While the original mode will retain the high difficulty of the original release, the new modern mode will give the titular gorilla three hearts by default instead of two, plus players can carry up to nine items to help out.

The more forgiving option is detailed in a new trailer for the game released by Nintendo. Check it out below.

Rare’s HD re-release of the game draws inspiration from both its original Wii release and its subsequent 3DS release.

The 3DS version, for example, also included an easier difficulty mode known as New Mode. Here Donkey Kong had an extra heart and a wider variety of items available to purchase in Kranky Kong’s shop.

And like the Wii release, Switch players will be able to use the Joy-con motion controls to hit the ground.

Co-op mode will also be included with a pair of Joy-con controllers.

Donkey Kong Country Returns was released for the Wii in 2010, followed by its release for the 3DS in 2013. Its sequel, Tropical Freeze, came to the WiiU in 2014 and was later ported to the Switch in 2018.

The release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on Switch follows the addition of the Donkey Kong Land game Boy games to Switch Online earlier this month.

It’s all to celebrate the opening of the Donkey Kong Country theme park expansion at Universal Studios Japan, after a six-month delay.