Nintendo Switch 2 Users Get Free New Challenge Mode For Beloved 2025 Game

Nintendo Switch 2 users can now pick up a free challenge mode for one of Nintendo’s most beloved titles released in 2025.

Donkey Kong Bananza was one of Nintendo’s biggest darlings of 2025, and fans have been eager to dig their claws into what comes next for the game.

As announced during this week’s Nintendo Direct, Donkey Kong Bananza is getting a brand new challenge mode available for Nintendo Switch Online users to play.

Called DK Challenge, this feature can almost be seen as Nintendo’s answer to achievements and trophies, which are available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

The challenges task players with completing specific tasks across Donkey Kong Bananza, with collectible cards being awarded for completing them.

You can also collect some special Nintendo Switch Online icons as well for completing various challenges, which will be distributed once the event ends.

In addition to Donkey Kong Bananza, the challenges will also be available in other classic Donkey Kong games, such as Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong Jr., and Donkey Kong Land (along with their sequels). These games are available on Nintendo Switch Online.

“Coming soon to Nintendo Switch Online on the Nintendo Switch 2 system, it’s the DK Challenge!” reads the announcement from Nintendo.

“Take on challenges across several NES, Super NES and Game Boy games featuring Donkey Kong available with Nintendo Classics – by completing them, you can earn and enjoy collectible digital Challenge Cards. And if you have the Donkey Kong Bananza game, you can attempt even more challenges.”

Nintendo

Nintendo Switch 2's Challenges Are Basically Achievements, At Long Last

DK Challenge runs until 1 September, 2026, so you have a little under three months to complete all the challenges on the list.

Nintendo seems to be implying that more challenge modes will be coming in the future for different games.

With the announcement of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake yesterday, we can bet on Zelda-themed challenges coming to the system when that drops later this year.

This week’s Nintendo Direct also came with a lot of other fun announcements to get excited for. A free playtest for FromSoftware’s Bloodborne spiritual successor The Duskbloods was revealed, as well as a free update and paid DLC dropping for Pokémon Pokopia throughout the year.

Meanwhile, Nintendo is set to release the Star Fox remake on 25 June, followed by Splatoon Raiders on 23 July. Moving later into the year, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is set for launch in September, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort in October.

That just leaves the Ocarina of Time remake. Given its legacy and the fact it’s releasing as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, it feels like it has the legs to go against the GTA VI hype train and could possibly release in November. But we’ll wait and see about that.

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