Review: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Donkey Kong Country Returns has returned once again! The critically-acclaimed Wii game, a reboot of the Donkey Kong Country trilogy on SNES, first launched in 2010, with a 3DS port arriving a few years later. Soon thereafter, a sequel was released for Wii U, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014), which has since made its way to Switch. Over a decade later, the predecessor is back, fully remastered, and ready for another banana-slamma on Switch with Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.

DK fans have been patiently awaiting the next entry in the Retro Studios-developed Donkey Kong Country series, and unfortunately, the wait still continues, as Donkey Kong Country Returns HD does not include any new content. While it does feature the 8 bonus levels that were previously exclusive to the 3DS version, the Switch version does not have any unique levels of its own. Instead, the main selling-point this time around is that the game now runs in an HD resolution with updated lighting and various other graphical enhancements. However, this comes at a small cost, as according to my own tests, loading times are now 5-8 seconds longer than on Wii and 3DS. This is far from being a dealbreaker, but it does come as a bit of a shock when, historically, other remasters on Switch have actually improved upon load times rather than increased them.

Similarly to other Wii-to-Switch remasters like Kirby’s Return to Dream Land, Donkey Kong Country Returns has certainly held the test of time with its bright and colourful visuals that now look better than ever in HD. While the 3DS port halved the framerate of the original due to hardware limitations, the Switch version fortunately maintains the same consistent 60fps as on Wii. Apart from graphics, the only other major difference in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is the updated control scheme, as the game can now be played entirely using a standard controller, with motion controls now a toggleable option in the settings. As expected, the controls are tight and responsive, even when the motion controls are enabled.

After a tribe of evil tiki heads emerge from a volcano, hypnotising the animal residents of Donkey Kong Island and stealing Donkey Kong’s banana stash, our understandably angry protagonist and his little buddy Diddy Kong team up to take back what’s rightfully theirs. The plot is a simple gateway into the platforming shenanigans; nothing more, nothing less. Diddy Kong essentially works as a temporary power-up, providing two additional hearts and the ability to hover for short distances when obtained. 2-player co-op mode on the other hand allows a friend to independently control Diddy Kong with a moveset similar to Donkey Kong’s, with a jetpack for hovering and an added Peanut Popgun to fire projectiles at enemies. Multiplayer is a chaotically fun way to experience the game, now more convenient and accessible with the use of Joy-Con controllers.

The gameplay of Donkey Kong Country Returns holds up remarkably well. Donkey Kong can walk/run, jump, crouch, roll, ground pound, blow, pick up/throw barrels, swing from vines, and more, with the expertly designed levels taking full advantage of this moveset. Despite sharing many similarities with the 2D Mario series, being a side-scrolling platformer with levels separated by linearly unlockable worlds on a map, the differences is what really makes the game excel. No two areas feel exactly alike and there’s a great variety of level types, whether it’s more traditional platforming challenges, jumping from track to track in a minecart, navigating the sky and avoiding obstacles in a rocket barrel, riding a fast moving rhino, or taking on boss battles. There are also plenty of secret areas and collectables to find along the way, including puzzle pieces (some of which are very well hidden) and letters to spell out K-O-N-G. As if that wasn’t enough, each level also has a Time Attack mode that unlocks after completing it normally, with a medal awarded depending on how fast you can beat it (going for gold won’t be easy).

For those unfamiliar with the Donkey Kong Country series, you may be in for a rude awakening with just how difficult Donkey Kong Country Returns can be, especially when trying to obtain all the collectables. Some levels can be very unforgiving, requiring precise timing and platforming skills. If you’re not confident in your abilities, the easy mode from the 3DS version, now referred to as “Modern Mode,” supplies you with an additional heart and more useful items from Cranky Kong’s Shop. For those brave enough to choose “Original Mode,” still make sure to take advantage of the shop on the level select map where you can use the banana coins you collect to purchase useful items like extra lives, a heart boost, or banana juice for temporary invincibility.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is the definitive way to play the still phenomenal predecessor to Tropical Freeze. While the full retail price point and lack of new content might make it hard to justify a double-dip for those that already played it on Wii/3DS, the resolution bump and visual enhancements makes one of the best Wii platformers feel fresh for a new generation, as long as you can look past the increased load times. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD launches for Nintendo Switch on 16 January 2025.

8.5/10

A copy of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD for review purposes was provided by Nintendo UK.

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