Nintendo can always be relied on to bring back its greats in remakes & remasters, bringing titles to a new generation of players or to fans that just want to see their beloved classics modernized. This time round, Donkey Kong Country Returns has received the HD treatment, bringing a best-selling Wii title to the Switch with a clean visual upgrade. Outside of this visual uplift, there are no major differences that would consider this a game changer, but this is definitely the premier way to experience one of Donkey Kong’s classics.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a remaster of the original platformer that released on the Nintendo Wii back in 2010, now on the Nintendo Switch, along with some modern enhancements and additional levels. This new journey begins with Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong off to recover their stolen bananas from the Tiki Tak Tribe. This adventure spans across a large number of levels presented in a world map that any Nintendo mainstay will recognize and appreciate. It’s a story that does nothing major but sets itself up for another great platforming experience, and once I was underway, I was more than along for the ride.
A large number of levels are thrown at the duo as they make their pursuit for their banana treasure, finding collectables and KONG letters through each stage. Each world varies in theme from relaxing jungles and sandy beaches that help me warm up to the platforming nature of Donkey Kong to more challenging cave and cliffside-themed worlds that really test my timing and platforming precision. Gameplay mechanics vary from climbing and swinging along vines, cannon-like sequences that require pinpoint timing as you blast your way across the beautiful landscapes, and riding carts through mole-infested caverns that had me locked in for each jump.
Outside of great mechanics, there are superb set pieces in levels that unfold around you, like riding a whale through the ocean or a sunset that creates a negative space effect, that is revisited in later levels. Throughout its 9-11 hour runtime (depending on your skill level), the level design in Country Returns HD is great, offering new mechanics and ideas that build on each platforming lesson, culminating in a fresh, inventive experience.
There are a number of aforementioned collectibles and extra offerings that will appeal to completionists, changing up levels considerably for players that are looking for it. I will say, I consider myself somewhat of a seasoned platformer, with a wealth of Super Mario and Crash Bandicoot experience, but despite this familiarity with the genre, I did run into a number of challenging levels that really tested my platforming mettle. There is a fine line of difficulty to walk when it comes to platforming and I think Country Returns HD really nails this. Incredible chase-like sequences really had me on the edge of my seat, with a rush almost comparable to defeating a boss in Elden Ring.
The level design in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is great, offering new mechanics and ideas that build on each platforming lesson, culminating in a fresh, inventive experience.
DK and Diddy Kong can be controlled in a single-player fashion, or a friend can join in for the entirety of this adventure. Donkey Kong and Diddy match in their various abilities, slamming, rolling, and blowing wind on various objects as they make their way through the different enemies hypnotized by the Tiki Tak Tribe. Diddy, however, does have a jetpack that allows for a more prolonged jump, giving him the slight edge when platforming in Co-op.
I found the cooperative gameplay to work very well throughout the majority of Country Returns HD, except in the case of the more challenging levels. Levels that centre on Donkey and Diddy being in the same object (such as a cart or barrel) do take away from the cooperative aspect. In these scenarios, it makes sense to switch to single player, as a death will end up using one life instead of two. Outside of these particular levels, the option to play with another was a welcome addition that added another level of excitement to Country Returns HD. In the platforming genre, having two players can sometimes create a level of chaos as both players bounce around that is funny at first but quickly outstays its welcome; however, I never came across that feeling in Country Returns HD. Each level was a fun-filled affair that had us shouting in unison during crumbling platforms or jumping over electrifying squid projectiles.
Each level is full of fun, vibrant colours and is pleasing to swing, bash, and run through. Levels have a lot going on in the background areas that don’t detract from the gorilla duo but instead create a busy world brimming with life. This game does look good, but due to it being a remake of a game that is over 10 years old, there’s only so much a game can do in an HD remake, with visuals not matching the clarity of today’s other Nintendo releases. Especially when compared to Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze, a game made from the ground up for the Wii U that underwent a porting to the Nintendo Switch.
The music in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is on another level; each stage is full of lively music, even the loading screens with their rhythmic, simple thumping were able to get a wee jig out of me from start to finish. Levels change up their soundtrack depending on the theme, with tense cart levels having a faster beat, with every jump potentially plummeting you to your doom, to seaside ship levels having a fitting nautical pirate-infused theme as I dodge cannonballs. Each soundtrack enhances the cheerful platforming but knows when to up its musical score when more challenging sections arise.
Overall, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD ran flawlessly throughout my playtime. The only noticeable thing was loading times, which were unusually long between levels for a remake. Outside of this, Country Returns HD is another example of Nintendo’s attention to detail and utilizing the most of the Switch hardware.
Pros
- Definitive way to experience.
- Solid, fresh level design.
- Soundtrack is superb.
Cons
- Outside of a visual uplift, this remake does not add much to make it a must play for previous players.
- Certain levels negate the co-op experience.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD brings a remarkable platformer to a new audience. This remake does little outside of a visual uplift and modern additions, but if this is your first time experiencing it, there is no denying that this is a thrilling, refreshing platforming adventure in its finest form yet.
A review code was provided by Nintendo. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is available now on Nintendo Switch.
