Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

The apes are back! Almost 15 years after the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns for Wii, Nintendo is releasing an HD version for Switch. The levels from the later 3DS version are also included, but that's not all that's new.

Although the life cycle of the Nintendo Switch is coming to an end, Nintendo continues to release new games for the platform, most recently Super Mario Party Jamboree, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and Mario & Luigi Brothership. In 2025, things will continue with two remasters: the Definitive Edition of the hugely popular Xenoblade Chronicles X and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, which will be released in January. Even if these are just re-releases, it's good and important that a platform holder continues to support its console with regular first-party releases even at the supposed end of its life - and with remasters that are really worth it.

Donkey Kong Country Returns was released for Wii at the end of 2010. It was the first game in the Donkey Kong Country series not to be developed by Rare, but by US-based Retro Studios - and is also a revival of the franchise, which had been dormant since Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! in 1996. In mid-2013, Monster Games, also based in the United States, brought the game to the 3DS with a ninth world. Meanwhile, Retro Studios was working on Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, which was released for the Wii U and re-released for the Switch in 2018. According to the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (2021), Donkey Kong Country Returns sold nearly 6.5 million copies on Wii and 2.91 million copies on 3DS. The HD version is also not being developed by Retro Studios, as they are currently working on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. It is being developed by Forever Entertainment of Poland, best known for their remakes of Front Mission and House of the Dead.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a 2D platform adventure game set on Donkey Kong Island, just like the original. Players help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong rescue their banana supply from the clutches of the Tiki Tak Tribe. The apes stomp on enemies, shoot out of barrels and ride rockets, mine trucks and even Rambi the Rhino through 80 levels spread across nine worlds. The extra 3DS levels are included and, of course, all the graphics have been updated. The game can be played as it was originally designed for Wii, which was quite difficult, or players can lower the difficulty to earn extra hearts and other bonuses to make the journey a little easier. It can be played alone or with a friend in local co-op mode, where players team up as Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. Both can and should work together to get the bananas back.

On 16 January 2025, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD will be released digitally and in stores for Switch.

Conclusion

This 2D platforming highlight truly deserves its HD return!

Features

• Classic 2D platformer
• HD version of the original Wii title
• Additional 3DS Levels included

Order tip

AAA