Today, Nintendo of America announced release dates for several upcoming games, including two that will feature Donkey Kong.

Donkey Kong Country Returns, in development for Wii by Retro Studios, will bring DK back to his 2-D platforming days when the game is released on November 21. Mario and DK will square off once again on the Nintendo DS in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem, which is set for release on November 14.

Link: NOA press release

It appears that the battle for the "King of Kong" continues to rage: Billy Mitchell now holds the high score for both arcade Kongs.  On August 7, 2010 at Boomers-Grand Prix Arcade in Florida, Mitchell set record scores of 1,062,800 on Donkey Kong and 1,270,900 on Donkey Kong Junior.  How long before Steve Wiebe attempts to retake the crown is anyone's guess.

Source: Twin Galaxies

The Wii Games: Summer 2010 Event begins July 16, 2010 in New Jersey.  Competitors at various locations may win a trip to the nationals in Los Angeles, CA.  Other prizes include a team cruise, flat screen TV and surround system, a black Wii, and Nintendo Wii games for a year.  At the time of this announcement the home download kit wasn't available, but you can start practicing the featured games now.  Even if there's not an event in your area you can still enter the sweepstakes on July 16th for a chance to participate in the finals in Los Angeles, CA.  For more information visit www.wiigames2010.com or check out the press release.

During their E3 press conference earlier today, Nintendo revealed Mario Sports Mix and Donkey Kong Country Returns for Wii. Mario Sports Mix is currently set for a 2011 release.

On the portable side, a new Mario Kart and Paper Mario are being developed for Nintendo 3DS, the upcoming DS model that features glasses-free 3D gaming. For the current DS model, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem is scheduled for a "holiday" release.

Mario returns to outer space in Super Mario Galaxy 2, out now for Wii in North America. Super Mario Galaxy 2 will be released next in Japan on Thursday, May 27.

You can visit Nintendo's official Super Mario Galaxy 2 website at SuperMarioGalaxy.com.