Donkey Kong Country Returns HD review

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It’s been quite a while since a fresh installment came out in the series, but Donkey Kong Country Returns HD serves as a testament to the exceptional design, challenge, and overall quality that the series is known for. Although Tropical Freeze (first released in 2014, with another version in 2018) may have a more visually impressive appearance, Returns is undeniably a timeless classic, and could very well have initiated the series as a regular staple within Nintendo’s lineup of games more frequently.

Essentially, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a compilation of both the Wii and 3DS editions of the original game, enhanced with high-definition graphics for the Nintendo Switch. It offers the primary game that challenges your reflexes (and sometimes patience), along with additional levels from the 3DS version. What’s more, it provides accessibility options that allow you to play stress-free by adding extra health hearts.

For a good reason, Developer Retro Studios is highly cherished, and within just a few stages, you’ll be mesmerized by the graphics, but what truly captivates is the platforming and treasure-hunting gameplay. The levels, which combine 2D playfields with 3D backdrops, invite you to explore them from different angles. However, it’s the diverse nature of the level design that sets Donkey Kong Country Returns HD apart, making it still enjoyable in 2025.

Initially, you’re making your way steadily through a conventional side-scrolling platform game stage. However, quite unexpectedly, you find yourself either on the back of a rhino or in a mine cart. The islands you explore and the levels within them are brilliantly colorful and crafted with utmost care. There’s no strict obligation to gather all the puzzle pieces or the KONG signs, but you can’t help wanting to. You meticulously inspect each level, employing Donkey Kong’s moves to break boxes, blow flowers, and discover secret hiding spots. Despite finding almost everything, you still feel a sense of disappointment if you missed even one puzzle piece.

Here’s another way of putting it: Let’s restart the game and retrace our steps to locate the remaining item. However, if you prefer speed runs, simply play through quickly without exploring much. In case you find certain items hard to find, consider purchasing a parrot from Cranky Kong. It won’t always be correct, but it can provide some assistance.

In simpler terms, the storyline of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD may not be particularly remarkable, but it’s both entertaining and enjoyable. Donkey Kong is resistant to the Tikis invasion, suggesting he might not have enough brainpower for hypnosis. Along with Diddy, Donkey Kong embarks on a journey to reclaim their island and bananas. Each island concludes with an innovative final boss fight. The variety of opponents like the Maraca Gang who control crabs ensures that no fight is identical. Remarkably, even after all these years, the gameplay still feels new and exhilarating.

This enhanced version encompasses both Wii and 3DS iterations of the game, retaining motion control options if desired, and offering local multiplayer when preferred. The music throughout remains delightful to listen to, with minimal indicators that it’s an older title, save for the relatively consistent loading screens.

The initial version of the game was challenging to play, not unmanageable, but maybe not as easy-going as players anticipate from a Nintendo series. It’s certainly possible to master it, but Donkey Kong’s repertoire of moves is broader than one might assume. He can jump and run, but he also has the ability to roll, blow air, perform ground pounds, and many other actions. The enhancements in the 3DS edition do make it less difficult, but you have the option to adjust that difficulty level according to your preference.

After numerous re-releases, it’s challenging to conceive what else could possibly be included in this game. It’s already three generations old, with a portable version on the 3DS, and yet, it doesn’t seem like it’s 15 years old. In hindsight, I slightly lean towards Tropical Freeze, but both games are exceptional quality. The question still stands: why aren’t there more games like these? This game might not offer much for those who have exhausted the initial releases, but if you want a refresher on Retro Studios’ brilliance, it’s an excellent choice to revisit.

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2025-01-14 17:46