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Donkey Kong Country is a Donkey Kong-themed expansion inside Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. It opened on December 11, 2024, and centers on Mine Cart Madness, a family coaster accompanied by interactive activities, a character meet-and-greet, themed food and merchandise. It is a theme-park land, not a new Donkey Kong video game announcement.
Where Donkey Kong Country is and when it opened
The area is part of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Japan. The park describes it as an expansion of the existing land and called it the world’s first Donkey Kong Country area at a Universal park. That “world’s first” description is Universal Studios Japan’s claim. Universal Studios Japan’s announcement and opening-eve release give the opening date as December 11, 2024.
What visitors find inside
Nintendo describes a route from the Super Mario area through a tunnel into a jungle setting. The Golden Temple is home to Mine Cart Madness, while other parts of the area offer hands-on activities and a Donkey Kong encounter. Nintendo and Universal Studios Japan also describe themed food and merchandise; menus, stock and availability can change, so check the park’s current information when planning a visit.
Mine Cart Madness: the headline ride
Mine Cart Madness is themed around a jungle race with Donkey Kong and friends to protect the Golden Banana from the Tiki Tak Tribe. Universal Studios Japan’s description depicts mine carts jumping across broken track sections. These are the park’s descriptions of the experience; they do not establish further technical details or current ride requirements. See the official Mine Cart Madness page for its ride premise.
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Activities beyond the coaster
- Rambi’s Jungle Conga: Play congas in time with the music to call out Rambi.
- Hidden K-O-N-G letters: Look for the letters concealed around the area.
- Donkey Kong meet-and-greet: Nintendo describes an encounter in front of Donkey Kong’s house.
Nintendo recommends a Power-Up Band as a companion for the activities. Its overview does not say the band is required for admission or for Mine Cart Madness, and does not establish a current price or retail availability. Check Nintendo’s area overview for the activities and band details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Planning a visit
Admission, opening hours, ticket prices, reservations and ride conditions are separate practical questions from what the land contains, and can change. The Universal Studios Japan area page provides the official visitor description and links to studio-pass tickets; check it and the park’s current notices before setting plans.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Take control of Donkey Kong and his buddies as they try to get back their stolen bananas from invaders from the polar regions
- Travel through a variety of environments, including Jungles, Deserts and Forests spread over 7 worlds
- Play through the entire game with a buddy in local co-op
- This version adds Funky Mode and a new playable character, Funky Kong (only available in Funky Mode) these additions are aimed at making the game more accessible for inexperienced players
- Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Rank #4
![Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51yDjETddDL._SL160_.jpg)
- Team up with a friend and take on the whole game as Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong
- Pass a Joy-Con controller to a buddy and take on the Tiki Tak Tribe as DK and Diddy in two-player local play. Pelt foes with Diddy’s Peanut Popgun and hover using his Barrel Jet, and slam bad guys into submission with DK’s Ground Pound—or just Barrel Roll right through them. Work together to reclaim those bananas by the bunch!
Rank #3
- Jump, roll, and stomp through Donkey Kong Island in this 2D platforming adventure
- Help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong recover their precious banana hoard from the villainous Tiki Tak Tribe in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD for Nintendo Switch! Stomp enemies, blast through barrels
- Play the game as it was first designed for Wii, or reduce the difficulty for extra hearts and other goodies to make your journey a little easier. This barrel-blasting adventure is visually enhanced
- Team up with a friend and take on the whole game as Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong
- Region-free compatibility: Region-free/unlocked game works on compatible systems; international version may differ in age rating, labeling or instructions
Rank #2
- Donkey Kong, diddy Kong, dixie Kong and cranky Kong return for the franchise's debut on the Nintendo Switch system!
- This title includes all the fun and challenge of the original game, plus a brand-new mode that lets new and novice
- Players Enjoy this critically acclaimed adventure as Groovy surfing simian funky Kong.
- Funky Kong can double jump, hover, perform Infinite rolls and even perform Infinite underwater corkscrews.
- Thanks to his sturdy surfboard, even spikes can't slow him down.
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