Donkey Kong Country Returns HDis a perfectly practiced game , but it will be Nintendo ’s most underwhelming release in 2025 . Those who ’ve already work this platformer from Retro Studios on Wii or 3DS do n’t have much cause to buy the secret plan on Switch unless they ’re itching to replay a large platformer . LikeLuigi ’s Mansion 2 HDand some other straightforward remasters that Nintendo launched recently , this experience like makeweight so that Nintendo can bide metre until the launch of the Switch ’s successor .
When it comes to filler , you could do much worse . Donkey Kong Country Returnsis one of the Wii ’s proficient games . Anyone checking it out for the first meter through the re - release is in for an fantabulous platforming adventure . Donkey Kong Country Returns HDis the definitive version of the Wii classic , but let ’s hope it ’s one of the last releases of its kind for a bite rather than one that sets the point for Nintendo ’s 2025 .
Still a great game
Donkey Kong Country Returnscomes from an era where Nintendo platformers were light on account and very straightforward in structure . It keep up Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as they struggle the Tiki Tak Tribe , magical masks that stole Donkey Kong ’s banana and mesmerized the island ’s animals . This quest takes spot across eight worlds that contain seven to 10 horizontal surface each and descend into topic like jungle , vent , or factory . It ’s not the most original platformer , but it feels just as good to play in 2025 as it did in 2010 .
tap into the same secret plan feel as Rare ’s SNES Donkey Kong Country titles , Returns ‘ Donkey Kong is big than your standard platformer eccentric . Each jump , bun , and land hammering has heft behind it , but it ’s still possible to move through levels efficiently after get a handgrip on Donkey Kong ’s moveset , which is enhanced with a hover if players find a Diddy Kong cask in a horizontal surface . Returnsdoes get quite hard toward the endgame and during drum bam and minecart levels .
That trouble feels earned becauseReturnsfeatures creative - level design , even though it works within the constraints of generic Earth themes . My favourite leg forced me to bob and weave between rock to avoid lifespan - taking waves as I tardily inched forward and scrub for collectibles . return HDdoes nothing to muck up the core game I do it on Wii . Those who have n’t play the game on Wii or 3DS before are in for a delightful platforming escapade .
While I savor revisit it , this is a humdrum re - release otherwise . replication HDis a basic double dip ; it ’s more likeLuigi ’s Mansion 2 HDorPikmin 1 + 2than the Switch versions ofSuper Mario RPGorPaper Mario : The Thousand - Year Door . The widescreen and HD face lifting are welcome , but there ’s a roof on how much adept this plot could make the original look . I even encountered some lag I never experienced in the original and found load times to be surprisingly prospicient .
The best affair the software has endure for it is that motion controls are n’t forced on players , and spare subject fromDonkey Kong Country Returns 3Dis included . On Wii , participant had to constantly waggle the Wiimotes if they wanted to twine or ground pound , which got tire and made precise platforming more challenging for minimal tactile gain . movement control can still be toggle on if players desire , but I enjoyed revisiting this adventure without shaking my Joy - Cons care crazy .
approach to the excess 3DS stratum is a nice spot , weigh the other new content is lusterless . That boils down to a advanced mode that dedicate player an supernumerary heart and soul and adds items to Cranky ’s Shop , one of which make the bbl and minecart levels a small bit easier . Compared to the much - memed “ New Funky Mode ” thatDonkey Kong Country Returns : tropic Freeze’sSwitch port received , this is a duller way to make the adventure more accessible .
I had an odd impression after wrap up my time withReturns HDon Switch . I had a great clip , but that ’s only because the Wii original was just as upright . By default , it ’s the best version ofReturnsto play now . But looking in front toward a year that will see the release ofMetroid Prime 4 : Beyond , Pokémon Legends Z - A , and asuccessor to the Nintendo Switch , I ca n’t help but be exhaustively whelmed by a canonical re - release like this .
This simple HD porthole wo n’t be in tilt for Nintendo ’s best secret plan of the twelvemonth . That ’s hopefully a good house for things to make out .
Donkey Kong Country Returns HDlaunches for Nintendo Switch on January 16 .
