Ethan Crossfield 
Classic side-scrolling platformers remain a strong part of the Nintendo ecosystem, especially as Switch players look for couch co-op experiences that recall the genre’s most recognizable series. Marsupilami 2: Salsa Palombia fits that space closely. Released on September 3, 2026, the platformer is available on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and other platforms, with colorful levels and two-player local play that invite comparisons to Donkey Kong Country.
A Familiar Formula With Three Playable Marsupilamis
Developed by French studio Ocellus and published by Paris-based Microids, Marsupilami 2 follows 2021’s Marsupilami: Hoobadventure. The sequel stars three Marsupilamis, the long-tailed creatures from the Franco-Belgian comic series, and gives each one abilities suited to combat, movement, and interaction with the environment. Those differences add variety to both solo play and local co-op, where two players can work through the campaign together. Unlike some recent co-op platformers, however, Salsa Palombia puts traditional side-scrolling action at the center of its design.
Why the Donkey Kong Country Comparisons Make Sense
The resemblance is most visible in the game’s structure and presentation. Salsa Palombia uses bright 2D stages, jungle-themed environments, collectible hunting, hidden paths, character-specific movement skills, and boss encounters. Its two-player format creates another connection to Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, the 2025 remaster. Reviews tracked by OpenCritic have also highlighted similarities between Ocellus’ sequel and Nintendo’s long-running platforming series. The parallel goes beyond mechanics: the story begins with a strange melody that makes Palombia’s animals dance uncontrollably as part of the Mummy Queen’s scheme. Donkey Kong Country Returns likewise features a musical enemy group controlling jungle wildlife, although the two stories diverge from that setup.
Four Worlds and Extra Modes Expand the Campaign
Marsupilami 2 is not limited to a single jungle setting. Its main campaign includes four worlds covering a jungle, a city, snowy mountains, and an underworld-like realm. Hidden stages, boss fights, battle dojos, and competitive mini-games add activities beyond the core route. Flow Mode provides a separate speed-focused challenge in which players attempt trials without dying. This broader structure gives the sequel more identity than its Donkey Kong influence alone suggests, while its 2D design may appeal to Switch 2 owners seeking a traditional platformer rather than the 3D approach associated with Donkey Kong Bananza. Ocellus’ previous Marsupilami game drew similar comparisons, making the sequel’s added co-op a natural extension of that formula.
Key points
- Marsupilami 2: Salsa Palombia launched on September 3, 2026.
- It is playable on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and other platforms.
- Two-player local co-op supports three Marsupilami characters with distinct abilities.
- Four worlds, hidden stages, boss encounters, mini-games, and Flow Mode add extra challenges.
Expert View
Salsa Palombia shows that the classic 2D platformer formula still has room for new characters and licensed worlds, particularly when co-op is built into the experience. The Donkey Kong Country parallels may help the game reach players who want familiar movement, collectibles, and hidden routes, while its four-world campaign and additional modes give it reasons to stand apart. For the Switch community, it also broadens the selection of local multiplayer platformers available across both console generations.
