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Calling Donkey Kong Country Returns HD non-essential might seem harsh, but the phrase fits as snugly as a banana in its peel. This HD remaster of the beloved 2010 Wii title brings minimal innovation but polishes the original just enough to make a return trip worthwhile.

When the original Donkey Kong Country Returns debuted, it was a refreshing blast of sunshine in an era dominated by brown-hued action games and casual titles created for the Wii’s expanded audience.

Retro Studios, already celebrated for transitioning Metroid into 3D, showed just as much talent for nuanced 2D design, and delivered an experience rich in gameplay depth and bursting with colour. Along with games like New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Kirby’s Epic Yarn, Donkey Kong’s revival proved that carefully designed side-scrolling games still had a place in contemporary gaming.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

At its core, Donkey Kong Country Returns captures the essence of the SNES originals developed by Rare. The gameplay is challenging yet rewarding, blending precise platforming with moments of chaotic joy. And while Donkey Kong Country Returns HD doesn’t retain the sense of surprise it had 2010, the game remains a finely crafted platformer.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD banana

Donkey Kong’s distinctive gait – lumbering, powerful, and deliberate – sets him apart from more nimble platforming icons like Mario or Sonic. His moveset is relatively simple, but it demands careful thought and precise control, especially when facing enemies whose patterns are designed to disrupt the rhythm of his movement. This dynamic creates a delicate balance between feeling in control and losing it completely.

Each level complements this design philosophy. Every sun-dappled location features hidden collectables, including jigsaw pieces and K-O-N-G letters that require methodical exploration, meticulous platforming skill, and a fair degree of courage, to obtain. The famous minecart stages offer a change of pace, shifting the focus to quick reflexes, but they too demand accuracy. Mastering the required moves to 100% a level is akin to learning a complex Guitar Hero pattern—frustrating at times, but when you pull it off, the results are exhilarating.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Those frustrations are slightly mitigated by the inclusion of Modern Mode, carried over from the New Mode added to the game’s 2013 port for the Nintendo 3DS. Modern Mode softens the game’s notorious difficulty without undermining its core challenge, especially during the devilishly complex boss encounters. The 3DS version’s Cloud world—consisting of eight new levels—is also included, making this the definitive edition of the game, unless you’re particularly attached to the original’s superfluous motion-control moves.

The new makeover also enhances the rugged, colourful aesthetic of the Wii release. It’s not spectacular by modern standards, but the crisp resolution and smooth frame rates highlight the art style’s beauty. The soundtrack, crafted by series veteran David Wise, also shines. Familiar themes, such as Jungle Hijinxs and Fear Factory, are revitalized with lush, expansive arrangements. These tracks gain new depth through layered percussion and synth elements, evoking a genuine sense of wonder and adventure.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

The only real sticking point with this release, aside from Nintendo’s refusal to credit the original development team, is the sticker price. The steep cost for what is, essentially, a second remaster will understandably deter some customers. Additionally, the game’s place in the series has undoubtedly been overshadowed by the superior Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Even so, the underlying quality of the game is undeniable, making it a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch library for those who missed it the first or second time around.

Hopefully, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD serves a dual purpose: bolstering the original Switch’s final year while building anticipation for a new entry in the series on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Game: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Developer: Retro Studios / Forever Entertainment
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: Out now

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD review

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
3.5 5 0 1
If you’re looking for a fresh, ripe banana, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD might not hit the mark. But if you missed the original or want to revisit Donkey Kong’s lush, treacherous jungle in high definition, this is a worthwhile adventure. It might feel like filler as we wait for the Nintendo Switch 2, but it's undoubtedly good filler.
If you’re looking for a fresh, ripe banana, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD might not hit the mark. But if you missed the original or want to revisit Donkey Kong’s lush, treacherous jungle in high definition, this is a worthwhile adventure. It might feel like filler as we wait for the Nintendo Switch 2, but it's undoubtedly good filler.
3.5 rating
3.5/5
Total Score
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