The DK Challenge event tasks Switch players with completing a series of Donkey Kong challenges to win themed Challenge Cards.
The challenges have you jump into Donkey Kong games across the Nintendo Classics library, as well as the most recent series release, Donkey Kong Bananza.
This guide explains how the DK Challenge event works, the Challenge Cards up for grabs and the challenges required to unlock them, how to access the event, and when DK Challenge ends.
Nintendo Switch Online DK Challenge event guide
How does the DK Challenge event work?
The DK Challenge event features a number of challenges across the Donkey Kong library, mostly involving completing specified levels or boss encounters.
Challenges can be seen by using the Nintendo Switch Online app. If it’s a Nintendo Classics game, selecting the challenge will see you jump into that specific moment for you to then complete the challenge there and then.
If it’s a Donkey Kong Bananza challenge, you’re given directions on where to find the challenge and how to complete it the next time you start the game.
When you successfully complete the challenge, you’ll earn the associated Challenge Card.
In some cases, you can load up a save file of the game in question and unlock challenges automatically, which happened to us in the case of the boss-related challenges when booting up a late-game Donkey Kong Bananza save file.
DK Challenge event and Challenge Card list
What follows is the list of available DK Challenge challenges and associated Challenge Cards they unlock. All are listed in the order they appear in the Nintendo Switch Online app.
Tap on the headers to sort alphabetically by game, card, or challenge.
Nintendo Classics Challenges
| Game | Challenge Card | Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong Country | Rumble Through the Jungle | Work with Diddy and Rambi to complete Jungle Hijinks. |
| Donkey Kong Country | High-Flying Mine-Cart | Jump over cut off and damaged rails to complete Mine Cart Carnage. |
| Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest | Barrelling to the Top | Reach the summit to complete Kannon’s Klaim. |
| Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest | Barrel Cannon Knockabout | Blast between Barrel Cannons to complete Bramble Blast. (Hard) |
| Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble! | Dodging Fire-Balls | Explore Mekanos and complete Fire-Ball Frenzy. (Hard) |
| Donkey Kong | Freedom From Donkey Kong! | Climb the scaffold while avoiding the barrels that Donkey Kong keeps throwing. |
| Donkey Kong | The Fall of Donkey Kong | Topple Donkey Kong by removing all the bolts holding the scaffold in place. |
| Donkey Kong Jr. | Freedom for Donkey Kong?! | Rescue Donkey Kong from his cage by opening all the locks. |
| Donkey Kong | Key Chase with Donkey Kong | Solve the puzzles, then bring the key to the door with the keyhole. (Hard) |
| Donkey Kong 3 | Shooting the Breeze with DK | Aim the spray and get Donkey Kong to the very top. |
| Donkey Kong Jr. Math | Donkey Kong Accounting | Combine symbols and numbers to arrive at the number that Donkey Kong is holding. |
| Donkey Kong Land | Donkey Kong’s Construction Site | Nimbly navigate the girders to complete the construction site level. (Hard) |
| Donkey Kong Land 2 | Donkey Kong on the High Seas | Explore the whole ship to complete Pirate Panic. |
| Donkey Kong Land III | Donkey Kong Sets Sail | Rampage across the pier to complete Red Wharf. |
| Donkey Kong Country | Bruising King K. Krool | Evade the onslaught and defeat King K. Rool. (Hard) |
Donkey Kong Bananza challenges
| Challenge Type | Card | Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Bananza Transformations! | Kong Charge Punch! | Use Charge Punches during a Kong Bananza transformation while the event is active. |
| Bananza Transformations! | Zebra Water Dash! | Run across water during a Zebra Bananza transformation while the event is active. |
| Bananza Transformations! | Ostrich Egg Bomb! | Drop Egg Bombs during an Ostrich Bananza transformation while the event is active. |
| Bananza Transformations! | Elephant Water Vacuum! | Suck up water during an Elephant Bananza transformation while the event is active. |
| Bananza Transformations! | Snake Slow-Down Glare! | Use Glare during a Snake Bananza transformation while the event is active. |
| To the Planet Core | Battle Grumpy Kong! | Progress through the story and defeat Grumpy Kong. |
| To the Planet Core | Battle Poppy Kong! | Progress through the story and defeat Poppy Kong. |
| To the Planet Core | Battle Void Kong! | Progress through the story and defeat Void Kong. |
| To the Planet Core | Battle the Great Harmoneel! | Progress through the story and break the Great Harmoneel’s mask. |
| To the Planet Core | Planet Core’s Secret! | Progress through the story and see the game’s ending. |
| Feel the Nostalgia | Find the Hidden Spot! | Obtain the Banandium Gem from the hidden spot in the Hilltop Layer’s Nostalgia Country challenge. |
| Feel the Nostalgia | Escape the Maze! | Obtain a Banandium Gem by reaching the goal in the Forest Layer’s Bramble Country challenge. |
| Feel the Nostalgia | Mine Cart Madness! | Obtain a Banandium Gem by reaching the goal in the Resort Layer’s Mine-Cart Country challenge. |
| Feel the Nostalgia | Jump Those Girders! | Obtain a Banandium Gem by reaching the goal in the Radiance Layer’s Arcade Country challenge. |
| Time Is of the Essence | Kong and Destroy! | Complete the Canyon Layer’s Kong Bananza: City Smash challenge with at least 40 seconds left on the clock while the event is active. (Hard) |
| Time Is of the Essence | Skate and Attack! | Complete the Freezer Layer’s Antickoid x5 challenge with at least 18 seconds left on the clock while the event is active. (Hard) |
| Time Is of the Essence | Dig and Freeze! | Complete the Landfill Layer’s Quick-Service Ice Treats challenge with at least 60 seconds left on the clock while the event is active. (Hard) |
| Time Is of the Essence | Miracle Shots! | Complete the Forbidden Layer’s Buzzoid x3 challenge with at least 20 seconds left on the clock while the event is active. (Hard) |
| Time Is of the Essence | Thorny Surfing! | Complete the Hilltop Layer’s Thorny Hill Speed Surf challenge with at least 25 seconds left on the clock while the event is active. (Hard) |
| Time Is of the Essence | Demolition Challenge | Complete the Feast Layer’s Freestyle Bananzas: City Smash challenge with at least 40 seconds left on the clock while the event is active. (Hard) |
| Time Is of the Essence | Rambi Rumble Challenge | Complete a Rambi Rumble Rowdy Race in 55 seconds or less while the event is active. (Hard) |
| Time Is of the Essence | Bonus Stage Challenge | Complete a Bonus Stage with +6000 gold or more while the event is active. (Hard) |
| Time Is of the Essence | Boss Rush Challenge | Complete a Boss Rush with no skills unlocked while the event is active. (Hard) |
| Time Is of the Essence | The Final Rehearsal | Complete the Final Rehearsal with no skills unlocked while the event is active. (Hard) |
FAQs
How do you access the DK Challenge event on Switch?
The DK Challenge is found within the Nintendo Switch Online app, which can be found in the bottom left corner of the main menu. Within the app, the DK Challenge event will be towards the top of the list.
What do I need to participate in the DK Challenge event?
Accessing everything within the DK Challenge event has a number of requirements.
First, challenges only unlock when you have an active internet connection.
Second, you need Nintendo Switch Online membership, as not only is DK Challenge found within the Nintendo Switch Online app, but the challenges are mostly based on games found within the Nintendo Classics library. (You are free to view the challenges without a membership, but you cannot play them until you have one active.)
Third, there is a separate menu just for Donkey Kong Bananza challenges, which requires access to a digital or physical copy of the game, as well as Nintendo Switch Online membership.
In other words, to access every challenge, you need both Nintendo Switch Online membership, a copy of Donkey Kong Bananza, and an active internet connection.
How many DK Challenge challenges are there?
There are 15 Nintendo Classics challenges and 24 Donkey Kong Bananza challenges.
Can you get Challenge Cards retroactively?
In some cases, yes – if you have a Donkey Kong Bananza save file that has completed the challenge, load the game and you’ll get a notification saying Challenge Cards have been collected.
However, some will specifically state that you need to play ‘while the event is active’ – meaning you may have to complete that challenge again.
What if I complete a challenge and a Challenge Card isn’t rewarded?
Nintendo recommends restarting the game / app to see if that will help resolve the issue. In the case of retroactive challenges, make sure the game’s firmware is up to date and that you have loaded up your save file.
Can you get Challenge Cards on Switch 1?
While you can complete challenges on Switch 1, Challenge Cards will only be rewarded when playing on Switch 2.
When does the DK Challenge event end?
The DK Challenge event dates run between 9th June, 2026 to 7:59am BST on 1st September, 2026. Though not confirmed, our guess is it’ll then rotate to a different themed challenge – and it’ll be exciting to see which Nintendo franchise will be chosen next.