The Ultimate Guide to Kao the Kangaroo on Nintendo Switch: Updates and DLC

: This major expansion released in May 2023 features a new campaign with five stages, five new challenges, and a final battle against the Crab King. It is available at Nintendo for $7.99.

1. The Vibrant Forest (Cost: $4.99 USD)

  • Content: Three new levels inspired by Kao’s original 2005 game.
  • Boss Fight: A giant, psychedelic mushroom boss.
  • Rewards: The "Hippie Kao" skin and a damage-boosting amulet.
  • NSP Size: ~350 MB.

Conclusion

Kao the Kangaroo is a charming throwback to the 3D platformers of the early 2000s. While the Switch port is arguably the weakest way to play the game purely from a technical standpoint, it remains a solid portable option for fans of the genre. However, ensuring the Update (Patch) is applied is not optional—it is a necessity to ensure the game runs smoothly without game-breaking glitches. If you are a completionist, seeking out the DLC that includes the Mystery Mask is highly recommended to ease the strain of hunting down the game's hundreds of collectibles.

The Essential Updates: From Buggy Launch to Polished Platformer

When Kao the Kangaroo launched on Switch (Version 1.0.0), it suffered from long loading times, frame rate drops in the swimming sections, and occasional collision glitches. Here is what the updates have fixed.

  1. Prepare the SD Card: Ensure your Switch SD card is formatted correctly (usually FAT32) and has your CFW files.
  2. Transfer Files: Copy the Base, Update, and DLC .nsp files to a folder on your SD card (e.g., /switch/games/).
  3. Enter CFW: Boot your Switch into Custom Firmware.
  4. Run Installer: Open a homebrew app like Awoo Installer or Goldleaf.
  5. Install Base: Select the Base game NSP and choose to install to the SD card.
  6. Install Update: Select the Update NSP and install it.
  7. Install DLC: Select the DLC NSP and install it.
  8. Launch: Exit the installer and launch the game from the Switch home menu.

has evolved from a nostalgic reboot into a complete 3D platforming experience on the Nintendo Switch