Today, Nintendo released a demo for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on the eShop and it’s available to download for all Switch users. The title is the latest first-party release from Nintendo as it just released on January 16, 2025.

In our review of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, we scored it an 8.5 out of 10. While it doesn’t reach the heights of Tropical Freeze, it’s a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch library.  

As for how much content is available in the demo of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, that is unknown but if it’s like any demo it could be around thirty minutes to an hour of gameplay.

Here is an overview of the game via Nintendo:

Work Together to Find Those Bananas!

Team up with a friend and take on the Tiki Tak Tribe together as DK and Diddy in two-player local cooperative play. Pelt foes with Diddy’s Peanut Popgun and hover using his Barrel Jet. If you’re playing solo, break open a DK barrel to find Diddy Kong—he’ll take damage instead of DK!

Meet the Top Bananas

Play as Donkey Kong or join the fun as Diddy Kong in two-player local co-op to take down the evil Tiki Tak tribe. You’ll meet some wild characters along the way!

• Donkey Kong (playable) – This powerful Kong goes absolutely bananas when it comes to jumping and pounding. He wears a fancy tie, but he still likes to crash through branches and boxes in the jungle.
• Diddy Kong (playable) – He might look harmless to jungle baddies, but this small Kong is a peanut-popping powerhouse! He can ride on Donkey Kong’s back and blast his buddy to new heights with his Rocket Barrel.
• Cranky Kong – Stooped in stature but sizeable in spirit, the curmudgeonly Cranky Kong runs a shop which supplies Donkey Kong with the items needed to rid the jungle of banana-nabbing baddies.
• Rambi – Donkey Kong can smash his way through a box or two, but he needs this rambunctious rhino to power through stone blocks (and the occasional enemy).
• Tiki Tak Tribe – This troublesome tribe can’t mask their thieving nature. With a bit of hocus pocus, these musical hypnotists can turn the gentle beasts of the jungle into fearsome foes.
• Squawks – A brightly colored bird which can be purchased with in-game coins in Cranky Kong’s shop. Squawks will let you know when puzzle pieces are nearby.
• Professor Chops – This helpful porcine offers tips as you make your way through each level. He will indicate the halfway point where your progress is saved.

Explore, Collect, and Unlock

Search every inch of the jungle to uncover special items and unlock extras.

• K-O-N-G Letters – Letters spelling K-O-N-G are spaced throughout each level. Collect all the letters in all the stages of a world to unlock that world’s temple, where a Rare Orb can be found.
• Puzzle Pieces – Puzzle pieces are hidden in out-of-the-way places. Get all the puzzle pieces in a level to unlock something in the gallery.