Review: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a renewed challenge 1y3h1o

One of the latest titles to land in the library of Nintendo Switch before the release of Donkey Kong, to the spotlight of the video game world. Between successes and drawbacks, find out why we recommend the game in our review. 1b1h1f

“The good son returns home” 6u6o57

Before starting our Donkey Kong Country Returns HD review, we need to contextualize. The trilogy Donkey Kong Country was a landmark in the video game industry in the 1990s and a revolution in platform games for its generation. Redeg the look of the primate mascot of Nintendo, as well as the graphic aspects (using the same computers that created the film's effects Jurassic Park ), sound and game design in games of the genre, the franchise created by Rare hit the hearts and eyes of players with an engaging, beautiful and challenging title. 

After 14 years since the last release of a game in the series with Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, behold, completely unexpectedly, a sequel to the game is released for the Nintendo Wii in the emblematic E3 2010. Skirt Rare and enter the Retro Studios, new partner of Nintendo, responsible for the trilogy games Metroid Prime, and who would now be in charge of revitalizing the franchise with new and old elements. A huge responsibility, it must be said.

The success — critically and commercially — of Donkey Kong Country Returns made it yield a sequel, entitled Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014), and remasters, such as Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (2013) Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze remastered for the GameCube!).

The definitive version of Donkey Kong Country Returns? 2n2y2v

With the current release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, the high definition version of the Wii game to run on modern TVs, we can witness a greater immersion in the game with vibrant images, And gameplay improvements with new button mapping and new extra stages brought over from the portable version released for the Nintendo 3DS.

For those who haven't played the original version, or even its port No. 3DS, this is a title with a simple narrative, but with challenging gameplay! One of those games where you will make many mistakes until you get it right and manage to the level. Not to mention the secrets hidden in hidden places that give you some items — such as special coins, KONG letters and puzzle pieces — and that also take the player to special stages. It is a complete game, with platform challenges that require coordination and are a lot of fun to play, just like in the original series released for Super Nintendo.

Many of the elements from the old trilogy games Donkey Kong Country are present here in some way, whether in the arrangement of the platforms, the style of the enemies, the characteristics of the biomes in the stages and even in the soundtrack — which includes remixes and classic themes amidst more ambient music, unlike that created by the original composer David Wise (which returns only in Tropical Freeze). In total, the game has 80 levels (including the extras from the version for 3DS) spread across nine worlds, with settings ranging from the jungle to landscapes such as mines, beaches, forests, factories, among others. 

To control the apes in this adventure, in the past, the player had access to the player's motion sensors. Wii remote and later, the traditional buttons of the Nintendo 3DS. What do we see in this new version for the Switch is a mix of both — including the use of HD Rumble —, with the character's control through the stages being done through the analog stick, but the hitting of the ground and the act of blowing can be done through a simple swing of the Joy-Cons. A masterstroke that works best for most players. Additionally, it is also possible to play multiplayer using just a single pair of controllers.

It should be noted here that the graphics are very much alive — both in portable mode and on TV —, with a quality that makes every place the player es through enjoyable. It is easy to be impressed by the texture of some elements, such as the brighter water, the more colorful walls or the clearer trees in the background. Although many may criticize the changes and the lack of some graphic details that could be seen in the mobile version, Wii, overall, the game manages to deliver a much sharper, more polished and vivid look than its previous versions.

The same problems return… 5r1z13

However, some addendums need to be commented on. One of the flaws in this game is the loading time between levels, which remains as long as it was in the version for Wii. Given the processor is two generations old after the original game, this is a feature that should have been fixed, especially considering that we are playing a game on a cartridge or saved in the console's internal memory, instead of the old optical discs.

Another aspect that I feel could have been improved is the difficulty balance between the stages. Even bringing the features of the version to 3DS, which guaranteed an extra heart, a greater quantity of help items and the possibility of watching the stage being completed, it would still be better if some courses had a save point extra in the middle of certain paths. This would reduce the number of times we would need to go back a long way after bumping into an obstacle or falling off a cliff. 

Finally, no extra features were brought to this version, which would have been very welcome, especially given the time and the already existing portable remaster. Some new stages, — inspired by the subsequent version of the game, in the future film of the series Mario, or even in the park Nintendo which will include an area of Donkey Kong — could be used as a base. There were many options — including a translation into Brazilian Portuguese, which was also left out — and it seems that we will not have future DLCs for this game, which must have come more as a way to fill the gap of the absence of big titles before the arrival of Nintendo Switch 2.

Returns or Tropical Freeze, which is better? 6ej68

Many ask the following question: Is Donkey Kong Country Returns HD worth it?, or else: it is more worthwhile to buy its sequel Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, original from Wii U, also remastered in Nintendo Switch? The return of Donkey Kong Country Returns ao Nintendo Switch with improved graphics it can be considered the definitive version of the game, however, still being a release for a previous generation, when compared to Tropical Freeze, it may seem less grand or lacking in more innovations than its sequel.

Therefore, both games deserve attention from fans and the choice of “buy one instead of the other” should be replaced by “buy one before the other”. I believe it may be more advantageous to play the titles in the order in which they were originally released, with Returns firstly and Tropical Freeze However, it must be considered that this choice is a personal decision and that it also involves the hype surrounding the current title and any promotions and offers that may arise first. 

Completion and availability  3xo61

Given all the aspects mentioned above, it is possible to confirm that Is Donkey Kong Country Returns HD worth buying?, as well as being worth waiting for promotions involving the game. Whether for those who have never played it or to replace the games in their collection with a definitive version, the title is an excellent addition to the library of any player who is a fan of platform games and can guarantee many hours of fun, especially for those who want to obtain all the collectible items that are present.

Available for the Nintendo Switch by the price of R$ 299,00 in the eShop, or in physical version through selected stores throughout official price of R$ 349,90 (with variations depending on the season, sales platform and reseller), Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is the perfect choice for fans of one of the best platform games ever released in recent times. Take advantage of the current trend (and the game's trend too) and enjoy another quality and fun adventure, a feature of consoles. Nintendo!

So, what did you think of our Donkey Kong Country Returns HD reviewHave you played it before or do you plan to try it out now in HD? Tell us in the comments!

Analysis carried out with a copy of the game provided by Nintendo.

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Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 27 / 01 / 2025.