- starting in multiplayer lets both players start off, rather than Donkey Kong needing to find a barrel to break out the second player
- if one person is killed in action, his or her partner can continue on
- players have a set number of lives
- downed players still have to be rescued via barrel
- Dixie is more graceful, pirouetting across the stage or using her ponytail to helicopter over enemies
- Dixie can slap the ground with her hair
- Dixie is able to fire attacks at enemies with bubblegum gun when riding on Donkey's back
- Donkey can also use the helicopter maneuver when Dixie is on his back
- find eggplant-like fruits filled with water that can put out fires
- will feature minecart levels