The Donkey Kong Land trilogy has finally arrived in its entirety on Nintendo Switch Online with the recent addition of Donkey Kong Land III to the Game Boy app. However, North American players are experiencing a familiar disappointment: they’ve received the original Game Boy version, while Japanese subscribers enjoy the vibrant Game Boy Color edition. This disparity means North American players miss out on the visually enhanced experience of the later release.
This discrepancy likely stems from the Game Boy Color version of Donkey Kong Land III being exclusive to Japan. Originally released in North America and Europe in 1997, the game didn’t reach Japan until 2000, well into the Game Boy Color’s lifespan. This resulted in a colorized version for the Japanese market. While Nintendo has incorporated other Japan-exclusive titles into Nintendo Switch Online, the GBC version of Donkey Kong Land III remains a notable exception. This isn’t a new occurrence either; the 3DS Virtual Console release followed the same regional divide, offering the GB version in North America and Europe and the GBC version in Japan.
While the core gameplay remains consistent across versions, the visual difference is substantial. The Japanese trailer for the Nintendo Switch release highlights the vibrant color palette:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKCzKvt11PE[/embed]
The GBC version boasts a significant visual upgrade, leaving North American fans yearning for the same experience. Will we ever see a North American release of the GBC version? Only time will tell.
Despite this setback, Donkey Kong Land III remains a worthwhile experience, even in its less colorful form. Developer Rare skillfully translated elements from the Super Nintendo Donkey Kong Country games, incorporating unique changes that distinguish the Land series. While the original Donkey Kong Land holds the title for most unique in the trilogy, all three offer enjoyable gameplay for Donkey Kong enthusiasts.
The timing of the Donkey Kong Land releases on Nintendo Switch Online seems strategically aligned with the upcoming release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD next month. It remains to be seen if Nintendo will continue to add more Donkey Kong titles to the service in the interim. Several potential candidates remain, including Donkey Kong ’94 and the GBC remake of the original Donkey Kong Country for the Game Boy app, and Donkey Kong 64 and Diddy Kong Racing for the N64 library. Hopefully, more Donkey Kong adventures await!
This release sparks the question: are you disappointed by the absence of the GBC version of Donkey Kong Land III in North America? Have you been enjoying these classic Donkey Kong games? Share your thoughts on Twitter @Marcdachamp, Bluesky @Marcdachamp, or Instagram @Dachampgaming!
