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Donkey Kong Country Returns originally launched on the Nintendo Wii in 2010 and eventually swung onto the 3DS in 2013 with an extra world to master. Now, the game is back and better than ever in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, which features all the content from both versions of the game and a visual update to help it meet current standards.
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PostsAfter a group of enemies known as Tikis hypnotizes the local animals and convinces them to steal Donkey Kong's bananas, he teams up with Diddy Kong to get them back. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is filled with challenging levels, dozens of collectibles, and a spectacular soundtrack, but is it worth it?
Review
This is the third time Donkey Kong Country Returns has been available to play on a Nintendo console, and the game has mostly aged pretty well since 2010. Executive Editor Jade King reviewed it for TheGamer and ultimately gave it a 3.5/5 in her "Donkey Kong Country Returns HD - Monkey Business" review.
King commends the game for its creative level design, tight gameplay, and new visuals, but there are a few things about the whole experience that either feel outdated or improved on in the excellent Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.
It’s possible I’ve been spoiled rotten by the creativity of modern masterpieces like Astro Bot and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, but Donkey Kong Country Returns' dedication to such old-school design conventions can border on forgettable at times.
Despite a few hiccups, it's hard to deny how carefully crafted Donkey Kong Country Returns is with levels that reward exploration with hidden collectibles and rewards. "After you’ve memorised a level or find yourself hopping in to replay one in search of hidden collectibles, each traversable platform feels like a note in a song, with jumps, rolls, and slams representative of a delicate rhythm that takes a long time to master."
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PostsThe new visuals are another highlight as they help this colorful world feel even more vibrant and alive. It would be nice to see Donkey Kong explore other environments outside his usual jungle, but each level still looks great within the confines of the aesthetic. "As for the visual improvements, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD brings a Wii classic to life in the best ways we could have hoped for. Character models and sprites are bursting with detail, while animation work across the board is improved."
King's biggest complaint about the game was the unpredictable and sporadic spikes in difficulty. "...worse by an uneven difficulty curve, with some early levels being hard as nails and rotten with one-hit kill obstacles, while others are a breeze. It’s an inconsistent rollercoaster that feels great to play, but had me curious to see what Donkey Kong might look like if the series was willing to modernise."
Overall, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a fun addition to the Nintendo Switch's library, but certain things hold it back from being as well-regarded as the original Donkey Kong Country trilogy and Tropical Freeze.
Time Expenditure
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a pretty standard platformer in terms of length and should keep you busy for at least a weekend if it's your main focus. From beginning to end, it should take you somewhere between 10 and 12 hours to complete the adventure.
If you're someone who likes to see everything in a game by exploring every corner in search of collectibles or secrets, you can expect to add another decent chunk of time to your playthrough. Anyone looking to complete 100% of the game can expect to spend around 30 hours with it before they're done.
Cost
Despite being a remaster of an older Wii game, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD will cost you the same amount as most first-party Nintendo Switch games.
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PostsYou can purchase it physically at your local retailer or digitally through the Nintendo eShop for $59.99 USD.
What Players Are Saying
The Definitive Way To Play DK's Grand Comeback - PJ Molloy
Donkey Kong Country Returns is one of the greatest platformers ever, and the HD remaster is the definitive way to play it. My only complaint with the Wii original was the motion controls. Luckily, you can opt for a more traditional control scheme in the Switch version. I can't emphasize enough how much better this makes the gameplay.
The level design and platforming are just as good as they were back in 2010, now enhanced with stunning HD visuals. Plus, it's a blessing to finally play the 3DS content on a TV. While all of that might not be enough to convince returning fans to double-dip, newcomers should definitely give it a try.
6 Images 6 Images CloseDonkey Kong Country Returns HD
Platformer Systems Released January 16, 2025WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALHelp Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong recover their precious banana hoard from the villainous Tiki Tak Tribe! Stomp enemies, blast through barrels, and ride rockets and mine carts (and even Rambi the rhino) in 80 levels across nine worlds.
Play the game as it was first designed for the Wii™ system, or reduce the difficulty for extra hearts and other goodies to make your journey a little easier. This barrel-blasting adventure is visually enhanced in HD for the Nintendo Switch™ system and includes the extra levels from the Nintendo 3DS™ version!
Team up with a friend and take on the whole game as Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong
Pass a Joy-Con™ controller to a buddy and take on the Tiki Tak Tribe as DK and Diddy in two-player local play. Pelt foes with Diddy’s Peanut Popgun and hover using his Barrel Jet, and slam bad guys into submission with DK’s Ground Pound—or just Barrel Roll right through them. Work together to reclaim those bananas by the bunch!
