Donkey Kong Returns on Nintendo Switch Today

Author: Zachary Feb 21,2025

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Fifteen years after its initial Wii debut, Donkey Kong Country Returns is back! This acclaimed platformer finally arrives on the Nintendo Switch as Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, offering a fresh experience for both newcomers and longtime fans who may have missed it on the Wii or Wii U.

This $59.99 remaster boasts enhanced visuals and incorporates the additional levels from the 2013 3DS version. Cooperative gameplay also makes a welcome return.

For those choosing the digital Switch eShop version, precise release timing is crucial.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Release Time and Date

While Nintendo typically remains tight-lipped about specific eShop release times, their support pages reveal that most first-party titles, including Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, generally launch at 9 PM PT on the evening before the official release date.

Therefore, expect Donkey Kong Country Returns HD to become available on January 15th at 9 PM PT (California time). The following table provides release times for other time zones:

  • January 15 at 10 PM MT (Denver)
  • January 15 at 11 PM CT (Chicago)
  • January 16 at 12 AM ET (New York)
  • January 16 at 5 AM GMT (London)
  • January 16 at 6 AM CET (Berlin)
  • January 16 at 1 PM CST (Beijing)
  • January 16 at 2 PM JST (Tokyo)
  • January 16 at 4 PM AEDT (Melbourne)

For fans craving some retro Donkey Kong action, Donkey Kong Land 3 is now available on Nintendo Switch Online.