Quick As Can Be, Donkey Kong Land 2 Added To NSO

6 Comments | donkey kong country, nintendo, nintendo switch, nintendo switch online, retro games, video games | By | | 2 minutes of reading

It’s been less than a week since Donkey Kong Land was added to the Game Boy section of NSO. In what has to be some kind of speed record, its sequel just appeared in the same location today. You can now play Donkey Kong Land 2 as well.

In describing this game, I’m going to have to repeat myself. I already said that the first Donkey Kong Land was an original game and Donkey Kong Land 2 was closer to the SNES Diddy’s Kong Quest, and it’s still true all these hours later. There is less of a reason to play this when DKC2 is also on the Switch — it’s literally a downgraded DKC2, from back in the days when handheld gaming was always one or two generations behind, and it was what you had to make do with.

“K. Rool is demanding the entire banana hoard as ransom! Donkey Kong has been ape-napped, and it’s up to Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong to rescue their pal. Play as either Kong and take advantage of their unique abilities. Diddy’s Cartwheel can take out the bulkiest of baddies, while Dixie’s Helicopter Spin will let you hover over some tricky spots. There’s also a wild assortment of friendly animals ready to help out the two little Kongs. There are over 40 levels in all, each filled with traps, collectibles, dastardly Kremlings, and a boatload of barrels to blast out of!”

Why so many Donkey Kong Landseses at once? We have a theory: the original 1994 Donkey Kong Country turned 30 on the 18th of November. Since that game is already available, the Land games could be Nintendo‘s way of celebrating the anniversary. This also makes it highly probable Donkey Kong Land 3 will show up next week, but…with Nintendo, even the most predictable patterns are never a given.

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Avatar of Barukyu
Barukyu

It's Molin time!

371 messages 7 likes
#1 Nov 26, 2024

I don’t really see the point of this release. Donkey Kong Land 2 feels redundant when the original DKC2 is already on the same platform. I get that it’s part of the Land trilogy, but there’s less incentive to play this when the SNES version does everything better. It might be nice for completionists or hardcore fans of the series, but for anyone else, it seems unnecessary. I wish Nintendo focused more on releasing titles with distinct gameplay or historical value.

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Avatar of Berlin
Berlin

Money Heister

106 messages 1 like
#2 Nov 26, 2024

This takes me back! I had Donkey Kong Land 2 as a kid, and even though it was a “downgrade,” I loved it. The limitations of the Game Boy made me appreciate its clever design even more. Dixie’s Helicopter Spin was a game-changer for me—I used to think it was the coolest ability in any platformer. I’ll definitely be giving this a run just for the memories.

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RedditBannedMe

Please do not Ban Me

409 messages 7 likes
#3 Nov 26, 2024

It’s an interesting addition, but I think whether you’ll enjoy Donkey Kong Land 2 depends on your perspective. If you’re here for a nostalgic handheld experience, it’s a solid offering. If you’re looking for a new gameplay experience, this might disappoint. Personally, I think it’s nice that Nintendo is acknowledging the Land series for the anniversary. Still, I hope this doesn’t replace new or underappreciated releases on NSO.

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Avatar of NintendoRepairman87
NintendoRepairman87

Mushroom Kingdom Expert

78 messages 0 likes
#4 Nov 26, 2024

I think Peter’s theory about this release being tied to Donkey Kong Country’s anniversary is spot on. It feels deliberate that these games are rolling out so close together. As someone who values game history, I appreciate that they’re spotlighting the Land trilogy, which often gets overlooked in favor of the SNES games. This celebration could remind fans of the effort Rare put into their Game Boy counterparts.

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Avatar of Poncho
Poncho

High Heat

84 messages 1 like
#5 Nov 26, 2024

As a die-hard Donkey Kong fan, I’m thrilled to see the Land trilogy get some love. Donkey Kong Land 2, despite its limitations, is a fascinating piece of gaming history. It’s not just about the gameplay—it’s about celebrating how Rare adapted these beloved characters and worlds for a handheld audience. I can’t wait for Land 3 to complete the trilogy.

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Avatar of IsleofManTTRPG40
IsleofManTTRPG40

Yn Chiarn y Chabbal

23 messages 0 likes
#6 Nov 26, 2024

I’ve never been big on Donkey Kong games, but I think it’s cool Nintendo is celebrating the series’ legacy. For someone like me, who isn’t deeply familiar with the franchise, this might be a good way to experience a different take on the iconic SNES games. It seems like a win for fans, and that’s always a good thing.

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