Nintendo has explained how to access the secret Christmas-themed bonus stages in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble for Nintendo Switch.
Donkey Kong country 3 gets a bad rap from fans of the original trilogy, but I call it one of the best platformers on the SNES, and that's a hill I'm willing to die on. It has an amazing overworld that rewards exploration and the levels are packed with secrets. The Rare of the '90s were masters of stage design, and they loved including secrets in their games.
Donkey Kong Country 3 is available now on the Nintendo Switch Online app. We're fast approaching the holidays and Nintendo has decided to reveal an old Christmas-themed secret from the game. A video of the secret in action has been uploaded to the Nintendo of America Twitter page.
In order to access Christmas themed bonus stages in Donkey Kong Country 3, you need to create a file and save your game at least once (which will happen automatically shortly after you start the game). Reset the game and go to the VHS main menu. Highlight the type you want to use and press L, R, R, L, R, R. L, R, L, and R. This will allow you to change the name of the save file. Change the name to MERRY and start the game. Now, when you access a bonus stage, the music will change and the bananas will change to bells. The video also explains how to get 85 Bonus Coins. Use the same L/R code as above, but change the name of the file to WATER. Once you start the game, go to the waterfall near the starting area and complete the timing minigame. This will give you 85 Bonus Coins.
Cheat codes were a common occurrence in the old days of gaming, but they've fallen out of favor, thanks to DLC. It's good to see Nintendo reminding fans of these ancient secrets in some of their oldest (and greatest) games.
Donkey Kong Country 3 is available to download now on Nintendo Switch Online.