Nintendo Switch Online Checks Another Big Item Off Players’ Wish Lists

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming experience under my belt, I must say that Nintendo Switch Online has been a rollercoaster ride. While it has its fair share of flaws, the service’s retro game library is nothing short of phenomenal. The recent addition of Donkey Kong Land 2 to this collection has only solidified my admiration for it.

The Nintendo Switch Online service, launched in 2018, hasn’t quite reached the heights of its Xbox and PlayStation counterparts. It’s missing essential features such as group chats and private messaging, which have been a letdown for many users. Additionally, the service has faced ongoing criticism due to network code and server problems that frequently result in significant delays. However, one area where it consistently shines is its expansive collection of classic video games.

Starting off with only a few NES games, Nintendo Switch Online now houses more than 300 vintage titles spanning the SNES, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, GBA, and Nintendo 64. This extensive library has recently expanded slightly, as a timeless Donkey Kong game was added just a few days ago.

Nintendo Switch Online Has Just Added Another Donkey Kong Game

Donkey Kong Land 2 Is Now on Switch Online

1995 saw the launch of “Donkey Kong Land,” a game developed by Rare, for the classic Game Boy system. This was an exceptionally bold endeavor at the time, as it was essentially a scaled-down, revamped adaptation of the popular SNES game “Donkey Kong Country.” Although some bosses were swapped out and new levels were incorporated, “Donkey Kong Land” managed to impressively emulate the gameplay mechanics of “Donkey Kong Country.” This imitation was so effective that a follow-up was produced only a year afterwards.

In September 1996, just like the first one, Donkey Kong Land 2 was released for the original Game Boy. Similar to its predecessor, this game aimed to condense a full Super Nintendo Donkey Kong game into a small cartridge. Essentially, Donkey Kong Land 2 is a revamped version of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, adopting the storyline and many stage names from the SNES game. However, it also altered some level designs.

Back in the day, playing Donkey Kong Land 2 on the good ol’ SNES offered a major upgrade – you could swap out Donkey Kong and play as his daughter, Dixie Kong instead! What made her stand out was her unique ability to twirl her hair and glide through the air. And guess what? You can now jump back into those nostalgic jungles, as Donkey Kong Land 2 has been brought back to life on Nintendo Switch Online!

Another Donkey Kong Game Could Be Right Around the Corner

However, the Donkey Kong Land series, contrary to belief, consists of three games in total. This implies that one more game is yet to be included in Nintendo Switch Online’s collection. Donkey Kong Land 3, which originally came out in 1997, offered players a portable adaptation of Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble!, although the level designs were tweaked once more. Since Donkey Kong Land 1 and 2 are now accessible on Switch Online, it would be fantastic if Donkey Kong Land 3 followed suit, particularly since DKL2 was added merely four days after its precursor.

Nintendo Switch Online’s Game Boy Library Is Full of Heavy Hitters

On the Nintendo Switch Online platform, we now have both Donkey Kong Land 1 and Donkey Kong Land 2 available, bringing the total number of Game Boy/Game Boy Color titles to a substantial 33. Although this count is not as extensive as the NES or SNES game libraries on NSO, it’s important to note that the majority of these Game Boy games are iconic Nintendo masterpieces.

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2024-11-30 04:14