Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Could Have Revived a Tropical Freeze Mode

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I’ve seen the evolution of Donkey Kong from arcade brawler to platforming legend. The announcement of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD for the Nintendo Switch is like a dream come true for this old-school platformer enthusiast like myself.

The highly-anticipated remastered version of “Donkey Kong Country Returns HD” is set to grace the Nintendo Switch, making it the ultimate destination for “Donkey Kong Country.” Expected on January 16, 2025, this unexpected announcement during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct has sparked excitement. In preparation for the launch of “Donkey Kong Country Returns HD,” the Game Boy “Donkey Kong Land” series was rolled out on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack from November to December 2024. Alongside the 2018 port of “Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze” and the original “Country” trilogy already available on NSO, the entire “Donkey Kong Country” series can now be experienced in a single location.

Some enthusiasts consider this a long-awaited realization of their dreams. The Donkey Kong Country series, a beloved Nintendo platformer franchise that gained cult status on the SNES due to its challenging yet fair gameplay and high replay value, was brought back to life by Retro Studios, best known for developing Metroid Prime. They revitalized the series on multiple platforms such as the Wii, 3DS, Wii U, and most recently, Nintendo Switch with games like Donkey Kong Country Returns and Tropical Freeze. Although it’s satisfying to see Donkey Kong’s collection of games available on contemporary hardware, the HD version of Returns failed to incorporate one of the best features added in Tropical Freeze for the Switch.

What’s New In Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

In the game Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, additional features are scarce; it’s primarily a remastered version of the original title. The main alteration is the introduction of Modern Mode, an easy setting available at the start of a new save file. Some might perceive this as a concession, but for those intimidated by the game’s notoriously high difficulty, it provides an accessible option. Essentially, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD caters to these players.

How Country Returns’ Modern Mode Works

As a cinephile diving into Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze HD, I’ve found that Modern Mode introduces two significant enhancements for us gamers – additional health and more items to play with. DK and Diddy Kong now have three hearts instead of the usual two in Modern Mode, granting a total of six hits when they team up. This small tweak will undoubtedly make breezing through certain levels a piece of cake.

Tropical Freeze Has Already One-Upped DKC Returns’ Modern Mode

As a movie critic reviewing “Donkey Kong Country Returns” on the latest gaming platform, I must admit that the in-game store aligns quite well with the shop from “Tropical Freeze,” especially when it comes to variety and selection. However, where “Returns” falls short is in the area of playable characters. You see, “Tropical Freeze” on Switch introduced a unique feature called “New Funky Mode.” Unlike the original storekeeper who only benefits from co-op play, Funky can perform impressive feats such as rolling indefinitely, hovering, and even standing on spikes! He can also absorb five hits instead of the standard two, making him an extraordinary blend of all Kongs. Admittedly, other Kongs have their advantages, but let’s face it, Funky is hands-down the best choice for any adventurer in this game.

In “Donkey Kong Country Returns HD”, there was a potential oversight, as introducing Funky Kong or other apes from “Tropical Freeze” in a revamped mode named Modern Mode could have greatly enhanced the game. Adding new content would have made “DKCR HD” more engaging and offered it a unique appeal for players seeking fresh movement mechanics. By incorporating elements similar to “Tropical Freeze”, “Donkey Kong Country Returns HD” could have surpassed the value of Modern Mode, offering a more balanced experience between Modern and Funky Modes.

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2024-12-14 19:07