Nintendo Switch Online Update Adds Donkey Kong Land Title
The digital library of content in subscribers' pockets has been expanded recently, and a fresh wave of nostalgia has been ushered in. Specifically, the 1995 Game Boy entry Donkey Kong Land is playable through the Nintendo Switch Online service. The announcement follows closely on the heels of the 30th anniversary of the original console game Donkey Kong Country, and it is an excellent opportunity for fans of the long-running platformer series to return to the portable romp.
For further insight into the enduring quality and expansion of the Kong universe, we recommend reading the Donkey Kong Bananza review.
The Origins of a Handheld Trilogy
First created by Rare (in conjunction with the original developer), the 2D platformer brought the gameplay and lore of the successful Country series to a portable platform.
Released in June 1995, the first plot is about Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong accepting a gauntlet thrown by Cranky Kong. The two are then tasked with embarking on an adventure to reclaim their banana treasure stolen from them by their archenemy, King K. Rool.
Key Features of the Original Version:
Level Number: Features 30 original levels specifically designed for the handheld console.
World Number: Features four unique and challenging worlds.
Legacy: Its success left the instant legacy of having its own trilogy, with two sequels developed in 1996 and 1997.
Playing the Game Boy Classic
This title is available to subscribers all at once and can be played instantly through the dedicated Game Boy app. Opening up the title is easy and provides for a personalized nostalgic experience.
To ensure you can begin your adventure:
Application Update: Ensure that your Game Boy application is updated. It will automatically update if your console is connected to the internet. If it's not connected to the internet, players can manually update the application by accessing the Options menu, then clicking "Software Update" and "Update via Internet."
Filter Options: You don't have to stick with the default green-tinted appearance. You can choose from three different visual settings to personalize your gameplay:
The default Game Boy filter.
The darker, less vibrant color of the Game Boy Pocket filter.
The added color of the Game Boy Color filter.
The Game Boy Trilogy Expands the Service
Having broken new ground upon its initial release, the adventure did not let up as its direct sequel arrived. This expansion provides more content and variety of play to the growing roster of handhelds.
The sequel title, Donkey Kong Land 2, was out soon after the initial release. The game revolved around Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong, who must rescue Donkey Kong from Captain K. Rool, just as the original Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest was.
Character Dynamics in the Sequel
Even though they both share the same overall aim, there are some discrepancies between the two characters' locomotion abilities:
Diddy Kong: Performs his signature cartwheel attack quicker than Dixie.
Dixie Kong: Can sustain her helicopter spin for longer, float jumps, which is incredibly handy for jumping across vast distances and moving long distances. She also has a marginally slower descending speed.
This second title, originally out in September 1996 to positive reception, features a cycle of gameplay that draws inspiration from elements and concepts of its Super Nintendo ancestor, but possesses a final outcome that is an entirely different, one-of-a-kind level of design.
A Growing Library for Retro Gamers
The inclusion of the Land series titles really shows the platform's commitment to delivering vital pieces of gaming history.
Rare's Legacy: These Kong adventures form part of an increasing roll of games that Rare initially developed, such as retro classics Banjo-Tooie and Perfect Dark on the Nintendo 64 app.
The Future is Bright: With the influx of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and the coming release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, today's era is a fine one indeed for blue-blooded fans. The service still fills the gap between classic portable gaming and modern console ease. The fan base waits with bated breath to see which classic title will be the next to be added to the digital vault, perhaps filling out the handheld trilogy with number three.
