Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Update 1.1 Out Now - Adds Switch 2 Enhancements and Dixie Kong - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 20 January 2026 / 2,603 Views
Publisher Nintendo and developer Retro Studios have announced update 1.1.0 for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is now available.
The update adds Dixie Kong as a playable character and enhancements for the game running on the Nintendo Switch that includes improved image quality, shorter loading times, and GameShare (Local User) support.
View the update overview trailer below:
Read the patch notes below:
General
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 jumping with Diddy Kong.
- 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.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can follow the author on Bluesky.
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we demand new DKC with Dixie Kong as main character
It would be great, but I gave up on my hopes on that already.
This release has it's issues and never got patched. Wasn't expecting it to finally get some support a year later.
No point adding Dixie Kong if she's just a gadget instead of a playable character in 1 player mode...
TBH I see no reason why she wasn’t present with the initial release? I mean, DKC:TF has Funky, Dixie, and Cranky… I can’t see any one of these characters needing an entire year before being added to the game.
On the bright-side, at least it’s a free update.
It gives DK a new power, so it has a point. In both DKCR and DKCTF you play as DK and the other characters are like power ups.
