Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Is the spirit of the beloved NES Remix series finally making its grand return? During the recent June Nintendo Direct, it was heavily hinted that we would be getting a lot more challenge-type games coming to the Nintendo Switch and the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 through the ever-expanding Nintendo Classics line. It was speculated that this format would function similarly to the fantastic NES Remix packs. Well, looking at the gameplay footage right above me, the brand new DK Challenge event is now officially live, and we are diving in today to see exactly what this is all about!
Let’s break down how to play and what to expect from this exciting new Nintendo Switch Online event. We are greeted with the main DK Challenge menu screen. If you navigate to the right side of the screen, you are presented with modern challenges specifically tied to the new game Donkey Kong Bananza. You are tasked to master the Kong Charge Punch and deliver devastating charge punches with incredible timing. You also have to find clever hiding spots to secure the elusive Banandium Gem completely hidden deep within the Hilltop Layer. This section includes the difficult Nostalgia Country challenge and the Rehearsal Challenge, where you complete the final rehearsal stage with zero skills unlocked while the limited-time event is active.
Now, if you go over to the left side of the menu, you can play the pure retro stuff. This is where the nostalgia truly shines! Jump straight into Donkey Kong Country to evade a relentless onslaught and defeat the iconic King K. Rool. In the "DK Sets Sail" challenge, rampage across the docks and complete the Red Wharf stage. You can also see DK on the high seas as you explore the pirate ship and completely finish the Pirate Panic level. For classic portable fans, "DK's Construction Site" makes you nimbly navigate the dangerous girders. Then we have "DK Accounting," a fun throwback where you combine mathematical symbols and numbers to arrive at the exact number Donkey Kong is holding in Donkey Kong Jr. Math.
The variety is staggering! In the Donkey Kong 3 challenge, carefully aim the bug spray to force Donkey Kong to the top of the screen. Solve classic puzzles to bring the key to the door. Free Donkey Kong from his cage by quickly opening all scattered locks, or topple him by removing bolts holding his scaffolding in place. Explore Mekanos to complete Fire-Ball Frenzy, or blast between barrel cannons to complete Bramble Blast. Reach the summit to complete Kannon's Klaim. And of course, jump perfectly over cutoff sections to complete the harrowing high-flying minecart sequence. Finally, adventure alongside Diddy Kong and Rambi to complete Jungle Hijinxs.
For our gameplay session today, we hooked up our official NES online controller for maximum retro authenticity. We are starting right off with the original arcade Donkey Kong. It is super interesting that it launches directly into the game! You do not get a title screen or lengthy menus—it instantly drops you into the action, capturing that fast-paced NES Remix feeling. All right, we got that first challenge beat! This whole experience provides very much a feeling of the classic NES Remix. That was a great game concept, and I absolutely love this implementation. I am sincerely hoping we get a lot more stuff exactly like this coming down the road from Nintendo. While not a true sequel to NES Remix, it definitely has the feeling of a spiritual successor, and its right at home on the Switch and Switch 2.
Let me know what you think down below in the comments! What classic retro games and specific challenges would you most like to see them add? Quite honestly, I would love to see the legendary Nintendo World Championships format fully brought into an application exactly like this.
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Is the spirit of the beloved NES Remix series finally making its grand return? During the recent June Nintendo Direct, it was heavily hinted that we would be getting a lot more challenge-type games coming to the Nintendo Switch and the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 through the ever-expanding Nintendo Classics line. It was speculated that this format would function similarly to the fantastic NES Remix packs. Well, looking at the gameplay footage right above me, the brand new DK Challenge event is now officially live, and we are diving in today to see exactly what this is all about!
Let’s break down how to play and what to expect from this exciting new Nintendo Switch Online event. We are greeted with the main DK Challenge menu screen. If you navigate to the right side of the screen, you are presented with modern challenges specifically tied to the new game Donkey Kong Bananza. You are tasked to master the Kong Charge Punch and deliver devastating charge punches with incredible timing. You also have to find clever hiding spots to secure the elusive Banandium Gem completely hidden deep within the Hilltop Layer. This section includes the difficult Nostalgia Country challenge and the Rehearsal Challenge, where you complete the final rehearsal stage with zero skills unlocked while the limited-time event is active.
Now, if you go over to the left side of the menu, you can play the pure retro stuff. This is where the nostalgia truly shines! Jump straight into Donkey Kong Country to evade a relentless onslaught and defeat the iconic King K. Rool. In the "DK Sets Sail" challenge, rampage across the docks and complete the Red Wharf stage. You can also see DK on the high seas as you explore the pirate ship and completely finish the Pirate Panic level. For classic portable fans, "DK's Construction Site" makes you nimbly navigate the dangerous girders. Then we have "DK Accounting," a fun throwback where you combine mathematical symbols and numbers to arrive at the exact number Donkey Kong is holding in Donkey Kong Jr. Math.
The variety is staggering! In the Donkey Kong 3 challenge, carefully aim the bug spray to force Donkey Kong to the top of the screen. Solve classic puzzles to bring the key to the door. Free Donkey Kong from his cage by quickly opening all scattered locks, or topple him by removing bolts holding his scaffolding in place. Explore Mekanos to complete Fire-Ball Frenzy, or blast between barrel cannons to complete Bramble Blast. Reach the summit to complete Kannon's Klaim. And of course, jump perfectly over cutoff sections to complete the harrowing high-flying minecart sequence. Finally, adventure alongside Diddy Kong and Rambi to complete Jungle Hijinxs.
For our gameplay session today, we hooked up our official NES online controller for maximum retro authenticity. We are starting right off with the original arcade Donkey Kong. It is super interesting that it launches directly into the game! You do not get a title screen or lengthy menus—it instantly drops you into the action, capturing that fast-paced NES Remix feeling. All right, we got that first challenge beat! This whole experience provides very much a feeling of the classic NES Remix. That was a great game concept, and I absolutely love this implementation. I am sincerely hoping we get a lot more stuff exactly like this coming down the road from Nintendo. While not a true sequel to NES Remix, it definitely has the feeling of a spiritual successor, and its right at home on the Switch and Switch 2.
Let me know what you think down below in the comments! What classic retro games and specific challenges would you most like to see them add? Quite honestly, I would love to see the legendary Nintendo World Championships format fully brought into an application exactly like this.
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