Single-Player Mode
In the solo campaign you play as Donkey Kong, plowing through tons of engaging levels, fighting fiercely large bosses, and collecting items. You alone must retrieve mountains of bananas, while legions of baddies and indigenous enemies roam the islands. Luckily for you, you can obtain assistance from your three friends and several different powerups.
Multiplayer Mode
Select this mode to play with a friend, sibling, or spouse as one of Donkey Kong’s three fellow adventurers. The first player must be Donkey Kong, but the second player can be either Diddy, Dixie, or Cranky Kong as a supporting character. The two players can play disconnected while grabbing separate items or waylaying bad guys, or they can piggyback and unleash some pretty powerful moves.
Time Attack Mode
It’s time to beat that best time by rolling, swinging, and launching yourself to the finish line. This mode is not for the faint of heart. Getting all gold medals for every level is a feat in itself, so if you find yourself wanting to break boards on your own face, remember that there is a way! There is always a way.
Hard Mode
Hard Mode is unlocked by completing all three levels on the secret seventh island. This mode lives up to its name by making several changes to how you can play: It’s single-player only, you have just one hit of health, and using items is not allowed. However, the highlight of Hard Mode is your new ability to go it alone as one of the other Kongs—they can normally be played only in multiplayer! This mode also features blue KONG Letters, which are fortunately in the exact same places as the red letters.