Donkey Kong Country Returns HD review: Triumphant re-re-return

As a devoted gamer, I found Nintendo’s decision to remaster Donkey Kong Returns yet again quite intriguing. To put it simply, this is the third time we’ve seen Donkey Kong make his comeback: first on the Wii, then on the 3DS, and now on the Nintendo Switch. After immersing myself in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, I can understand why Nintendo keeps bringing this gem to new players. The game continues to shine due to its brilliant level design, tight platforming mechanics, and stages that push even veteran gamers to their limits.

Monkey business

In a Donkey Kong Country game, you shouldn’t expect a narrative as complex as Shakespeare or even a story written by a thousand monkeys typing randomly. This time, the mischievous Tiki Tak Tribe has stolen Donkey Kong’s bananas yet again. The adventure of Donkey Kong and his sidekick Diddy Kong will lead them through familiar landscapes of Donkey Kong Island, but with fresh visuals, quirky features, and a host of classic gameplay mechanics to keep things exciting.

In the same vein as its initial releases for Wii and 3DS, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD preserves the level design that took cues from the Donkey Kong Country trilogy on the Super Nintendo. This translates to a game with tough jumps, barrel blasts demanding quick reactions, swinging mechanics, and lots of hidden secrets scattered throughout. While the ground pound move in the 1994 SNES classic seemed somewhat neglected, it assumes greater importance in Returns. The ground pound is not only effective against enemies but also reveals weak points, uncovers hidden areas within each level, and serves other crucial purposes.

The reason Returns stands out as a timeless game that’s enjoyable to replay is because every element – platforming, enemy placement, stage design, and unique features – work together flawlessly to create an unparalleled gaming experience. It’s truly amazing how these aspects blend seamlessly for pure entertainment. To top it off, the stunning visuals enhance the gameplay by adding depth and immersion. For instance, the intricately detailed pirate ships that sail in the background become more than just scenery when they start firing cannonballs into the foreground or when Donkey Kong leaps onto them using a barrel as a projectile.

In the game Returns, the graphics aren’t just for aesthetics. The stages with silhouette effects skillfully utilize lighting, such as using smog to increase difficulty. The mine cart levels, a recurring feature of the series, often require players to dodge falling background elements to prevent deadly collisions. This game is designed for players with sharp reflexes, particularly those who are meticulous about collecting everything. Hidden puzzle pieces and the letters K-O-N-G are cleverly concealed, sometimes to a frustrating extent. If you blink, you could easily miss a puzzle piece, making it impossible to collect without restarting the level from the beginning.

Another important point about Returns is that the aspect that made it most frustrating comes back: Rocket Barrels. The stages with Rocket Barrels, which were first introduced in the original Wii version of Returns, were fun but had issues with awkward controls. If you press and hold the button for too long, Donkey Kong will crash into the ceiling, but if you don’t hold it down long enough, he’ll fall into a bottomless pit. It was as difficult as juggling coconuts. Even though motion controls have been de-emphasized (they can still be used with Joy-Con controls), dying in Rocket Barrel stages still feels unfair, particularly when dealing with inconsistent hitboxes.

One banana, two banana

While some may have figured this out, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD can prove quite challenging. The stages that lead into the Factory and Volcano zones become particularly tough. For those playing alone, they’ll find themselves in for a tough time, even with a DK barrel broken to bring Diddy along, who can cushion falls using his jet pack. Co-op play is an option, but it comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. While Diddy can shoot enemies from afar with his peanut popgun, Donkey won’t benefit from the jet pack to break his fall unless Diddy jumps on him first. With a partner, Returns presents a demanding, yet not insurmountable, challenge.

Certain gamers might appreciate a bit of additional assistance. Frankly, after wrecking my mine cart for the umpteenth time, I can almost understand their plight. Modern Mode expands upon the New Mode introduced in the 2013 3DS re-release and grants Donkey and Diddy an extra heart. However, it also provides players with a more extensive inventory to store various items purchased from Cranky Kong’s shop. This modification makes the game slightly less challenging, but players must still navigate the game’s trickier parts independently. Those seeking something more extensive for children and beginners, similar to Funky Mode, might find it insufficient, as I’ll elaborate on soon.

Monkeyshine

It seems a bit odd that Nintendo is remastering Donkey Kong Country Returns again instead of launching a fresh game in the series. This sentiment intensifies when you consider that this updated version has been released almost seven years after the Switch release of its sequel, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Remaster. I enjoyed Donkey Kong Country Returns HD as a game, but as a remaster, it fell short, especially in comparison to the enhanced Tropical Freeze edition which came first. The latter included new characters, various Kong combinations for multiplayer, and Funky Mode, making the second Tropical Freeze playthrough feel more valuable. In contrast, Returns appears to have only received improved graphics, leaving one with the impression that Nintendo didn’t put much effort into it beyond that.

In contrast to those who might think that Donkey Kong Country: Returns didn’t necessitate more playable Kongs, its narrative seems reminiscent of an earlier point in this critique. To put it simply, the game isn’t as complex as a Shakespearean play. Including one or two additional Kongs wouldn’t have disrupted the story and would have added a touch of excitement to the Nintendo Switch version that previous iterations lacked. Presently, the main addition is Modern Mode, but it doesn’t seem as substantial given that a similar feature was offered in the 3DS remake.

If you haven’t played Donkey Kong Country Returns before, you should definitely give it a try. It’s an exceptional game with creative level designs, stunning visuals, and fun that can be enjoyed solo or with a friend. However, if you’ve already conquered this adventure on the Wii or 3DS, you may not find much new in this bunch of monkeys. It might be best to hang out in your treehouse and wait for Donkey Kong’s return.

Read More

2025-01-14 17:57