At Cranky's Video Game Heroes, there are three ranks that a player can reach if they collect enough DK coins. The characters that have each rank by default are Mario, Yoshi, and Link. In the original SNES release of the game, there is a trash can in the bottom-right corner with a sign that says "No Hopers". Next to the trash can is Sonic the Hedgehog's speed shoes and Earthworm Jim's gun. The No Hopers section and these items are completely removed in the Game Boy Advance port of the game.

In the GBA version, there is a new boss of K. Rool's Keep, called Kerozene, who can be found in the level "Stronghold Showdown." In the SNES version, there was only a cutscene in this location which gave you a Kremkoin before taking Donkey Kong away.