Donkey Kong Country Returns HD review: definitive but derivative

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Donkey Kong Country Returns HD review: definitive but derivative
Author: scott.mccrae9512@gmail.com (Scott McCrae)
Published: Jan, 14 2025 14:00

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is finally a definitive way to play Retro Studios first Donkey Kong adventure that’s untethered from forced motion controls of the Nintendo Wii or the performance of the Nintendo 3DS. However, outside of that, it brings nothing new to what is probably the weakest entry in the series, apart from a high price point.

 [A screenshot from a secret banana level in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD]
Image Credit: TechRadar [A screenshot from a secret banana level in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD]

Finally a definitive version of DKC Returns. Challenging and satisfying platforming. Steps out of the original trilogy’s shadow as the adventure goes on. Brings nothing new to the game outside of easy mode. Probably the weakest of the five DKC games. Visually not on par with Tropical Freeze’s Switch port.

 [A screenshot from the jungle level in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD]
Image Credit: TechRadar [A screenshot from the jungle level in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD]

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test. Rareware’s trilogy of Donkey Kong Country platformers was a huge statement back on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). Not only was Donkey Kong back, but he could stand up to Mario himself when it came to the 2D platforming crown with three excellently designed games released back to back from 1994 to 1996.

 [A screenshot from the factory level in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD]
Image Credit: TechRadar [A screenshot from the factory level in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD]

After a fourteen-year absence, Donkey Kong Country finally returned in 2010 with Metroid Prime developer Retro Studios taking over the mantle from Rare with the aptly named Donkey Kong Country Returns. And now fourteen years on we’re getting the game again, but this time without the forced waggles of the Wii version or the hindered framerate of the later 3DS port, meaning Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is finally the definitive version of the game - but it’s not much else.

 [A screenshot from the minecart levels in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD]
Image Credit: TechRadar [A screenshot from the minecart levels in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD]

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