Nintendo Could Expand DK Challenge Into a New Achievement-Like System

A Nintendo Switch Online datamine hints at new challenges, rewards, and features inspired by the successful DK Challenge.

Nintendo is reportedly developing a new feature for its Switch Online ecosystem that will allow games to have an achievement-based system. The Nintendo Switch Online app has recently been datamined for functionality that appears to be an expansion of the concepts expressed in the Donkey Kong Challenge.

Nintendo has been testing the waters with games like Donkey Kong Bananza and other Donkey Kong games on Nintendo Switch Online of late. There was a DK Challenge, where users could perform challenges and collect digital cards that showed their successes. A few of the cards also had a little video on how to complete certain difficulties.

The DK Challenge may be over, but it looks like the idea has stuck around. Nintendo doesn’t have a single achievements system across its games right now, unlike Microsoft’s accomplishments and Sony’s trophies. Some people want Nintendo to stay the way it is, while others have been asking for a system that will recognize your accomplishments across several games.

Nintendo can take their current Switch Online infrastructure and make something like this without just copying the old achievement systems. A new discovery in the Nintendo Switch Online app indicates the company is already testing the core functions.

Nintendo’s latest datamine could reveal how challenges will work in future games.

Nintendo Everything’s findings reveal the upcoming Nintendo Switch Online software update has references to features with a number of “gift events.” The results indicate that several events can occur simultaneously, each with its own set of movies, thumbnails, animations, and materials. It looks like the functionality is more than just giving people gifts.

The mention of music, visual elements, and animations suggests that Nintendo might be working on a more elaborate way to unlock prizes. The feature may be related to problems in certain games. Nintendo has already dipped its toes into reward-based challenges with its Platinum Points system.

Basic activities like starting games from Nintendo Switch Online can earn you Platinum Points. These points can be redeemed later for digital icons, backgrounds, and sometimes actual gifts. But the DK Challenge demonstrated how Nintendo could connect those activities more directly to the games. The tasks to unlock collecting cards in Donkey Kong Bananza were completed, and real cards were released.

Maybe you'll be able to expand on that idea in future Nintendo games. Nintendo might create dozens of tasks for one of its massive games down the line, and gamers could fulfill some of the objectives to get cards, account items, emblems, or other incentives. The idea could also extend beyond a single game.

Nintendo also saw the potential of digital awards to boost gameplay engagement with the DK Challenge.

Nintendo may also potentially offer challenges over a series of Nintendo Switch Online games, creating more reasons for players to revisit older games. For those who want physical verification of what they have accomplished, tangible rewards can be an added incentive to participate.

One example is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Nintendo might incorporate a challenge system into the game, where players are presented with a lot of missions and are rewarded with things like cards and other incentives as they progress through the game. Still, there’s no indication that Nintendo is working on a system for Ocarina of Time specifically.

Mined data shows Nintendo is currently testing new features for the Switch Online app. It’s not clear what these assets are for, as the company hasn’t announced any achievement or trophy system. Still, it could be a sign that Nintendo is looking for new ways to get players more involved with its games.

Nintendo might come up with a more creative system than simply copying XBOX Achievements or PlayStation Trophies, with challenges, trinkets, movies, and even physical rewards. If Nintendo wants to expand the DK Challenge concept, future games may have a more complex system for recognizing completed goals. Fans will have to wait until then for an official announcement to see if these data-mined features are part of Nintendo’s plans.