As someone who has spent countless hours traversing pixelated landscapes and leaping from perilous cliffs, I must say that Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a true gem for retro platformer fans like myself! Having played the original on the Wii back in the day, I can attest to the fact that this updated version brings all the nostalgia while offering some welcome new features.
One of my favorite aspects of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is its challenging gameplay. The levels are meticulously designed, with hidden paths and secret objectives that reward exploration and patience. The tight controls and responsive physics make every jump and swing feel satisfying, and the enemies provide a worthy adversary. As someone who grew up on these types of games, I appreciate the level of skill and precision required to master them.
Another highlight is the inclusion of the New Mode, which caters to more casual players or those who want to enjoy the game without too much frustration. It’s a nice touch that allows people with different playstyles to still experience the fun and excitement of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.
One thing I noticed is that the visual changes from the Wii version aren’t always for the better, but it doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the game. The higher resolution certainly makes it easier on the eyes, and the new JoyCon features add a fun twist to the classic control scheme.
In conclusion, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a challenging and enjoyable platformer experience. It’s not often that we get to revisit these types of games with modern upgrades, and I can confidently say that this game delivers on all fronts. Just remember to watch out for those pesky crocodiles!
Despite anticipation building for Nintendo’s future console, the Switch continues to offer a variety of fresh releases in 2025. One such game is “Donkey Kong Country Returns HD,” set to launch on January 16th at $59.99. This game is an upgraded version of the 2010 platformer originally released for the Nintendo Wii, and with over 6.5 million copies sold and widespread critical praise in its day, it’s definitely worth checking out. Here are 15 interesting facts to consider before you pre-order.
Origins
Moving on to discuss “Donkey Kong Country Returns” now that “Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze” is playable on Nintendo Switch, it’s only logical to upgrade this game with high-definition graphics as well. However, it’s important to note that at its initial release, “Donkey Kong Country Returns” held significance for several other reasons. It was the first “Donkey Kong Country” title since the SNES trilogy, and it came out 14 years later on the Nintendo Wii. Furthermore, unlike the previous entries which were developed by Rare, this time around, the team behind “Metroid Prime,” Retro Studios, took charge of the franchise for the first time.
Developed by Forever Entertainment
Nevertheless, unlike the Nintendo Switch version, it’s not Retro Studios who are responsible for its development, but Forever Entertainment, as stated by Bankier. This studio, known for publishing remakes of both Front Mission 1 and 2, has also worked on Tropical Freeze for the Switch, delivering a commendable performance. We’ll soon discuss the visual adjustments made in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.
Gameplay
If you’ve experienced SNES classics, the game Donkey Kong Country Returns HD might seem reminiscent. As a side-scrolling platformer, it lets you control both Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, although only Donkey Kong can be played alone. You can leap on and roll over adversaries, pound the ground to move forward or uncover hidden items, ride mine carts, swing from vines, gather bananas and Puzzle Pieces to unlock bonus content in the gallery. Familiar faces like Rambi and Squawks are back to assist you along the way.
New Mechanics to the Series
In the original Donkey Kong Country series, characters could be defeated in just one attack; however, in Donkey Kong Country Returns, a health bar has been introduced. This modification means that players can no longer switch to Diddy Kong when playing alone, but they can jump on Donkey Kong’s back with his jetpack for extended jumps. Additionally, the game introduces a new silhouette style for certain levels, not only enhancing the visual aesthetic but also introducing new obstacles and challenges.
As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of peculiar gaming worlds, but Sunset Shore and Foggy Fumes are truly unique. In these vibrant virtual landscapes, you never know what to expect – one moment you’re lining up background objects, the next you could be showered with bananas and coins!
However, navigating through these games isn’t always straightforward. The platforms in Foggy Fumes can be deceptively tricky, making it hard to find your footing at times. It’s a constant game of second-guessing yourself, which adds an extra layer of challenge.
But the real test comes with the latest addition – the Rocket Barrel. This vehicle takes treacherous stages to a whole new level. As someone who’s played through countless games, I can tell you that mastering this speedy contraption will be no easy feat. So buckle up, grab your controller, and get ready for a wild ride!
Local Play
One reason people enjoy playing Donkey Kong Country is the option of teaming up with a friend, and fortunately, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD allows for this. A second player can manage Diddy Kong, while you can still climb on Donkey Kong’s back to boost his jumps (and make things a bit easier for yourself). When a character’s health runs out, you can revive them using DK Barrels that are hidden within the game levels.
Super Kong
If a level becomes too challenging and you find yourself repeatedly dying, you can summon Super Kong as a rescue. This character will complete the level, including boss fights. However, there are trade-offs: you won’t earn bananas, coins, balloons, or extra lives; collectibles won’t be added to your total, and their locations remain hidden. Consequently, achieving 100% completion or even finishing the final stage becomes impossible. But for those struggling with the game’s progression and eager to move on with the storyline, this can serve as a helpful solution.
K-Stages
By gathering all the KONG letters hidden across each stage, you’ll gain access to a K-Stage. These stages are tough to conquer in every world, but overcoming them rewards a Rare Orb. If you manage to get all eight Rare Orbs by finishing the game, you can unlock the last world and then engage Mirror Mode.
Extra Levels
Previously, Donkey Kong Country Returns has been moved to other systems on occasion. In a subsequent release, Monster Games adapted it for the Nintendo 3DS, introducing innovations such as New Mode and eight fresh stages set in the new Cloud realm. To unlock these stages and ultimately reach the final level, players must gather all the Rare Orbs, which grant access to the Cloud Gateway.
Mirror Mode
As a seasoned gamer with countless hours under my belt, I must say that the Mirror Mode in this game is a true testament to its challenging design. Having played through the levels multiple times, I can confidently say that I relish the opportunity to replay them all in reverse, without Diddy Kong and with only one heart to my name. The added difficulty makes it feel like a whole new experience, pushing my skills to the limit. And let’s not forget the lack of items – that truly ramps up the tension. I can’t wait to take on this mode and see if I have what it takes to conquer these familiar levels anew!
Time Attack
For those who enjoy speed-running, you might find Time Attack mode interesting. Once you’ve cleared a level, your objective is to reach the finish line as quickly as you can. You can collect Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals based on your time, but there are also elusive Shiny Golds whose completion times are secret. There are no rewards for collecting all the medals, so this mode is entirely optional, but it’s a fantastic way to showcase your mastery of the levels.
Original Mode and New Mode
In the Nintendo Switch version of the game, a fresh addition called New Mode has been carried over from the 3DS port. Essentially, this mode functions like an easier setting, boosting your health, allowing nine held items, and implementing additional safety measures. With Crash Guard, you can withstand two collisions with mine carts or rocket barrels, while Green Balloon comes to your aid once if you fall into a bottomless pit. For those who prefer the original challenge, Original Mode remains an option as well.
Playtime
On average, the main storyline in Donkey Kong Country Returns (HD) on Wii lasts approximately 11.5 hours. If you include additional content, this increases to about 18 hours. However, for those who aim to complete every aspect of the game, it can take an average of 31 hours. Keep in mind that these times don’t account for the extra levels available in the 3DS port. In essence, if you’re ready for a substantial platforming adventure, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is worth your time and dedication.
Visually Enhanced (?)
The upgraded version of Donkey Kong Country Returns, titled Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, boasts a higher resolution compared to its Wii counterpart. However, there are discernible alterations in the visual aspects, not all of which might be viewed positively. For instance, certain items like Hearts and KONG letters appear less radiant; some levels lack the sunset effect; and in numerous instances, colors differ from the original version. The importance of these changes may depend on your personal preferences, but if you prioritize a perfect 1:1 HD adaptation in terms of visuals, this remaster might not meet your expectations (though it still looks good overall).
JoyCon Features
Playing this game at home can be done using a pair of JoyCons, where each player controls their character with one. Though you can play the entire game using buttons alone, an interesting feature is that shaking the JoyCons simulates smacking the ground, revealing hidden goals. This feature was present in the Wii version and it’s nice to see it continued on the Switch, even though it’s not essential.
File Size on Nintendo Switch
As a gamer, I found out that Donkey Kong Country Returns HD needs a bit more storage space on my Switch compared to Tropical Freeze. While the latter required around 6.7 GB, this one asks for 8.3 GB. It’s not a massive jump, but it’s still something to consider when managing my game library.
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2025-01-04 19:13