Nintendo has revealed a free set of Donkey Kong trading cards, but fans that want to get the set will have to put in some work if they want to get it for their collection. Donkey Kong is one of Nintendo’s oldest characters, but the big ape didn’t get a lot of focus during the Switch era. The character appeared almost exclusively in ports and remakes of older games, such as Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and Mario vs. Donkey Kong. Things have changed in the Switch 2 era, with DK getting the biggest push the character has seen in several years.
Back in June, Nintendo announced the DK Challenge, a limited-time event available through Nintendo Switch Online that tasks players with overcoming obstacles in multiple Donkey Kong games. Many of the challenges can be found in older titles playable through the Nintendo Classics apps, including Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Land. However, other challenges are found specifically in Donkey Kong Bananza. That means players need to have a copy of the game if they want to fully complete the DK Challenge before it comes to an end on September 1 at 12:59 PM PST.
How to Get Nintendo’s Donkey Kong Trading Card Set
Over two months after the DK Challenge was first unveiled, Nintendo has announced a trading card set that will be given out to players who complete every single challenge. The 39-card set will feature physical replicas of the digital cards that players earn when they complete each challenge. The cards feature art spanning the history of the franchise, from the 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game, to the present day. All players that successfully complete the DK Challenge by the time the event ends will be rewarded with the card set, and it will not cost any Nintendo Platinum Points to obtain.
Find all 10 pairs
Find all 10 pairs
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Some of the tasks found in the DK Challenge are more difficult than others. All the Nintendo Classics challenges must be played through the DK Challenge tab found under the Nintendo Switch Online section on the console. However, many of the challenges from Donkey Kong Bananza may have already been completed by players through normal gameplay, meaning they won’t have to complete them a second time. None of the challenges require Donkey Kong Bananza‘s Emerald Rush DLC. However, the promotion is only available to players in the United States.
Reception to the physical card set has been largely positive, though some fans have lamented the fact that Nintendo did not reveal the set sooner, leaving them with a shorter window to complete the DK Challenge. It’s unclear why Nintendo didn’t advertise this from the start, but the set should be a strong incentive to push passionate Donkey Kong fans towards the finish line.
Between the release of Donkey Kong Bananza, and the arrival of Donkey Kong 64 on Nintendo Switch Online, fans of Nintendo’s big ape haven’t had it this good in decades. It does seem like the character has been getting a much bigger push than he has in the past, and that’s a very good thing. After several years of Mario and other Nintendo icons taking up the spotlight, it seems like the Switch 2 era is putting DK back on top, right where he belongs.
- Released
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July 17, 2025
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
