• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Gameranx

Gameranx

Video Game News, Lists & Guides

  • News
  • Features
  • Platforms
    • Xbox Series X
    • PS5
    • Nintendo
  • Videos
  • Upcoming Games
  • Guides
  • News
  • Features
  • Platforms
    • Xbox Series X
    • PS5
    • Nintendo
  • Videos
  • Upcoming Games
  • Guides

The Gameboy Color Version of Donkey Kong Land 3 is Here!

December 4, 2024 by Andrew McKay

The special Japanese only Gameboy Color edition is coming to Switch Online.

Nintendo announced today that Donkey Kong Land 3 would be available for Nintendo Switch Online Subscribers. However, Donkey Kong Land 3 as the West knows it, was never released in Japan. Instead, the Japanese audience received an enhanced Gameboy Color variant. Today Nintendo uploaded this variant for Japanese Online subscribers. 

As shared over on Reddit by Turbostrider27 Donkey Kong Land III was announced for Nintendo Switch Online Subscribers today.

While all Gameboy games could be played on the Gameboy Color and have colors added to them. This process was automated, the colors limited and it would sometimes lead to strange pairings. Native Gameboy Color games had added colors with intentional color choices. The same is true of the Japanese version of Donkey Kong Land 3. This variant features upgraded colors that help obstacles and enemies stand out and accentuates the level designs.

Image Source: Mario Wiki

The improved colors of the Donkey Kong Land 3 are not the only additions. When a character is speaking letters appear individually instead of as a full-text box. There are no slowdowns present, which is in contrast to those present in the Western version. This is likely a result of the Gameboy Color’s improved CPU. One downgrade on the Japanese version is that the overworld maps are not animated, this is apparently a holdover from the game’s prototype where there was limited memory. In the Western version, the last Time Attack time was visible on the Time Attack screen, which was also removed from the Japanese version.

Fortunately, the Switch is not region-locked, so Nintendo Switch Online subscribers outside of Japan now also have a chance to enjoy this upgraded version of Donkey Kong Land 3.

If you’d like to read up on the Western version coming to Switch Online, click here. The announcement video is linked below if you’d like to watch it.

Share this post:

FacebookTwitterLinkedInPinterest

Recent Videos

What The HELL is GOING on With Xbox?

What The HELL is GOING on With Xbox?

10 LOCKED Areas Developers Didn't Think WE'D UNLOCK

10 LOCKED Areas Developers Didn't Think WE'D UNLOCK

Top 25 NEW Games of 2025 [Second Half]

Top 25 NEW Games of 2025 [Second Half]

10 WEIRD Gaming Stories of June 2025

10 WEIRD Gaming Stories of June 2025

10 1000 IQ Moments in Video Games That Are GENIUS

10 1000 IQ Moments in Video Games That Are GENIUS

25 Best Isometric RPGs That DEFINED A GENERATION

25 Best Isometric RPGs That DEFINED A GENERATION

10 Best Games of 2025 [First Half]

10 Best Games of 2025 [First Half]

CRAZY HORROR GAME ANNOUNCED, WHAT HAPPENED TO MONSTER HUNTER? & MORE

CRAZY HORROR GAME ANNOUNCED, WHAT HAPPENED TO MONSTER HUNTER? & MORE

10 Things 2000s Gamers Absolutely HATED

10 Things 2000s Gamers Absolutely HATED

Category: UpdatesTag: Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Land, Donkey Kong Land 3, gameboy, new, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Online

Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Silent Hill F Will Have A Special Panel Tomorrow At Anime Expo 2025
  • Roblox Beginner’s Guide
  • Are Games Like Roblox The Future Of eCommerce?
  • Roblox Grow A Garden Gets Scathing Review From UK Publication
  • Roblox The Hatch Getting Roasted By Players After Launch

Copyright © 2025 · Gameranx · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme