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Nintendo Switch Online’s DK Challenge Is Kind Of A Letdown

Nintendo Switch Online’s DK Challenge Is Kind Of A Letdown

6 Comments | donkey kong, nintendo, nintendo switch 2, nintendo switch online, retro games, video games | By Peter Paltridge | June 9, 2026 | 2 minutes of reading

This morning during Nintendo‘s big Direct presentation, one of the announced new perks of Nintendo Switch Online was DK Challenge, a compilation of tasks from various levels in Donkey Kong games that are playable on NSO (and Donkey Kong Bananza). NSO has offered things like this in the past (Super Mario Bros 35 comes to mind), but if you’re thinking it’s gonna be similar in any way, prepare for disappointment.

First off, it’s not a separate app. DK Challenge is part of the NSO menu. I guess that would make it easier to take down once the event ends on September 1, but a simple menu doesn’t have the same pizazz as a full app. Scroll left and you get access to levels from Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr, Donkey Kong 3, Donkey Kong Jr. Math, Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong Country 2 , Donkey Kong Country 3, Donkey Kong Land, Donkey Kong Land 2, Donkey Kong Land 3, and Donkey Kong 94 (the newly added Donkey Kong 64 did not get a challenge). Scroll right and you find checkpoint challenges for DK Bananza.

These aren’t specifically culled moments from a level, like in NES Remix and similar titles. They are the full level, loaded directly from the respective NSO app they’re on. All you have to do is complete the level, and it gets more unspectacular. You’re not on a time limit, you’re not competing with others online for the best score or best time, and…THE REWIND FEATURE IS FUNCTIONAL. How is it really a challenge? It feels like Nintendo threw this together in an afternoon, with the workforce being one intern.

Once you complete each challenge, they become inaccessible from the menu, but you get a card marking your victory. Get all the cards and…maybe something will happen, or maybe something won’t. It doesn’t feel like there’s much of a motive to do this. It wasn’t really worthy of mentioning during the Direct.

Anyway, if you’re bored and want to mess with it, DK Challenge is available on the Nintendo Switch Online menu through the summer. I wish the challenge was real.

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#1 Jun 10, 2026

This morning during Nintendo‘s big Direct presentation, one of the announced new perks of Nintendo Switch Online was DK Challenge, a compilation of tasks from various levels in Donkey Kong […]
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Nintendo Switch Online's DK Challenge Is Kind Of A Letdown

This morning during Nintendo's big Direct presentation, one of the announced new perks of Nintendo Switch Online was DK Challenge, a compilation of tasks

popgeeks.com

I can see where you’re coming from regarding the DK Challenge being a bit of a letdown. As a fan of platformers, I always expect that Nintendo will surprise us with something fresh and exciting. It would have been great if they included some new levels or unique challenges that innovate on the classic gameplay. Instead, it feels like they leaned too heavily on nostalgia without offering much new. What are your thoughts on the other announcements from the Direct? Anything that caught your attention?

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I hate you! shh

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#2 Jun 22, 2026

I think Nintendo has been relying too much on people being excited just because Donkey Kong is involved. I love Donkey Kong Country, but replaying normal stages without any extra conditions is not enough for me. They could have added score attacks or weekly leaderboards. Even ghost data would have made it interesting. It is strange that this got Direct presentation time when it feels more like a small update hidden in patch notes.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Frog

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#3 Jun 22, 2026

I guess I'm in the minority because I don't completely dislike it. I don't always want everything to be competitive. Sometimes I just enjoy having a reason to revisit old games I haven't touched in years. That said, I understand why people expected more. Calling it a challenge raises expectations. If Nintendo had marketed it as a celebration of Donkey Kong history with collectible cards, maybe the reaction would have been less negative.

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#4 Jun 22, 2026

This feels like one of those ideas that had potential but never went through a second round of development. Someone probably pitched, "Let's celebrate Donkey Kong," and everybody said yes. Then nobody asked what would actually make it exciting. Nintendo has done much better with remix concepts before. Even simple conditions like "no rewinds allowed" or "finish under a certain time" would have changed everything. Instead, it feels unfinished.

UniversalDreamer

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#5 Jun 22, 2026

Honestly, I don't mind that it's simple. Not every NSO event needs to become a stressful competition. I have work and other responsibilities, so a relaxed event where I can jump in for ten minutes isn't the worst thing in the world. I do agree that the rewards seem weak, though. If Nintendo wants people to keep checking NSO regularly, they need to give players something worth earning.

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#6 Jun 22, 2026

I was more disappointed that Donkey Kong 64 didn't get included. Out of everything announced, that stood out to me the most. You finally add the game and then don't use it in the featured event? That choice makes no sense to me. I would've preferred collecting bananas in a DK64 challenge over replaying regular levels from games I've already finished multiple times.

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Media Lab Books released The Game Master's Book of Magic and Mayhem for Kids, and Kyle gives it five out of five stars. Despite the "kids" label, this is really an idea book that works for any age group - it just keeps the content appropriate for that sweet spot 10-12 age range where new players often start.

What's inside: NPCs divided into allies, villains, and wild cards (including an 8-year-old with a magical greatsword and Sissy Ontario, the urban druid). Random tables for taverns, locations, and weird items. A complete one-shot adventure featuring ghost pirates, treasure, dwarves, and a baby rescue mission. Plus traps, magic items, and maps by Czepeku with QR code access.

Kyle especially loves the random tables and appreciates having a trap resource since he admits he's terrible at creating his own. The art by Chris Seaman inspires you visualize these ideas within your own world-building. No complex rules here, only solid ideas you can incorporate in your campaign.

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🔹 Find out more about The Game Master's Book of Magic and Mayhem for Kids
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Loot Studios' Malediction lore primer does something rare in fantasy worldbuilding: it gives you just enough detail without collapsing under its own weight. Eileen digs into this 70-page book covering the world of Agnar, where the All-Mother Ymiris gets betrayed by her own children, leaving reality-piercing wounds that birth cosmic horrors.

The four factions each have clear motivations stemming from that divine trauma. Primal Blood stays closest to the original goddess's beliefs. Order of the Shattered Throne wants to become everlasting. Conclave of the Spheres embeds itself everywhere through magic. Legion of the Fallen emerged from one child's attempt to resurrect her slain consort and people.

The character art genuinely impresses, especially designs like Liena Who Dreams. Eileen could picture this as a Netflix Castlevania-style anime with all the political intrigue, betrayal, and body horror. The Lore Primer PDF is free at malediction.gg.

🔹 Find out more about Malediction
🤖 Malediction: https://malediction.gg/
🤖 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@playmalediction
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Rushing Beat X finally untangles thirty years of confusing localizations. What North America knew as Rival Turf, Brawl Brothers, and The Peace Keepers was actually a connected Japanese trilogy with completely different storylines. This revival weaves those authentic narratives back together—zombies, soldiers, and bizarre frog creatures included.

Rick Norton and Douglas Bild are back investigating the Zeekus virus outbreak in Neo-Cisco. The combat feels right most of the time, though those oversized weight weapons get loose and jumping attacks still whiff more than they should. Classic brawler positioning issues persist, but the enemy variety makes up for it. Six playable fighters, each with distinct movesets. The Tough Enough Kitchen cooking system between stages. A soundtrack we'd actually listen to outside the game.

We cycled through several characters during our multi-hour session. Rick Norton remains the most balanced pick. Wendy's wrestling moves hit that sweet spot between speed and power. Kazan gets a proper run next time—curious how that character stacks against the rest.

The game doesn't sand off the harder edges of its 90s inspiration. Street weapons, tutorial overload, and all. Sometimes that works against it. Mostly it gives the revival genuine personality.

Timestamps:
0:07 – Intro
0:59 – Rushing Beat X: Return of Brawl Brothers Gameplay
1:13:40 – Outro and Final Thoughts

🌐 Read the written review: https://popgeeks.com/rushing-beat-x-classic-beat-em-up-action/
🌐 More geeky news, reviews, and videos at https://popgeeks.com
👉 Support Indie News: https://popgeeks.com/paid-subscription-popgeeks/

#RushingBeatX #NintendoSwitch2 #BeatEmUp #BrawlBrothers #RetroGaming

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Steve and Christina from Epic Adventure Podcast are back with their take on Ion Heart Multiplayer, and spoiler alert, they're giving it five fusion cores out of five.

Parable Games didn't just slap multiplayer onto their acclaimed solo mech RPG. They rebuilt the system around dice pools, expanded the pilot-mech bond sync into "Team Fusion" mechanics, and shifted the timeline to a more conflict-heavy period that better suits group play. The result? A hope-punk TTRPG that balances excitement with accessibility.

Best part: this might be the perfect gateway drug for getting family and non-combat-focused friends into tabletop RPGs. In a genre dominated by grimdark settings, Ion Heart's hopeful tone stands out. The Backerkit campaign is live now, and if you missed their 45-minute interview with creator Ben Alexander, it's worth tracking down on their podcast.

🔹 Find out more about ION Heart Multiplayer and Parable Games
🤖 Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/parable-games/ion-heart-multiplayer-a-lo-fi-mech-ttrpg
🤖 Parable Games: https://www.parablegames.co.uk/collections/ion-heart-1
🤖 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiQzUy23CaPM_KZCfBu_chQ
🤖 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamesParable/
🤖 Twitter: https://twitter.com/GamesParable
🤖 Instagram: https://instagram.com/shiverrpg

🔹 Hear more from The Epic Adventure Podcast
⚔️ Listen to the Ben Alexander Interview: https://oddfishgames.com/pages/the-epic-adventure-podcast
⚔️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/epic-adventure/id1672022434
⚔️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/epicadventurepodcast
⚔️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/epicadvpodcast
⚔️ Radiance from OddFish Games: https://oddfishgames.com/products/radiance

🔹 More on PopGeeks
🗡️ Read the ION Heart Multiplayer TTRPG Review: https://popgeeks.com/ion-heart-multiplayer-perfect-score-review/
🗡️ Join Our Forums: https://popgeeks.com/forums/
🗡️ Join Our Discord: https://discord.gg/Txd2Hvv
🗡️ Support PopGeeks with a $1/month Subscription: https://popgeeks.com/paid-subscription-popgeeks/

#IonHeart #TabletopRPG #MechRPG #HopePunk #BackerKit

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