Review: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Developer – Nintendo

Publisher – Nintendo

Platforms –   Nintendo Switch (Reviewed)

Review copy given by Publisher

The iconic Donkey Kong and his beloved tropical jungles return in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD for the Nintendo Switch, offering a nostalgic yet slightly uneven experience for fans of the franchise. With updated visuals and accessibility features, this HD port revives the Wii classic, but it struggles to hold a candle to Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze in certain key areas.

The HD upgrade breathes new life into the vibrant levels of Donkey Kong Country Returns. The lush jungles, fiery volcanoes, and cascading waterfalls are a joy to look at, with the enhanced resolution allowing the artistry to shine like never before. The animations for Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong retain their charm, with plenty of humorous and expressive details that fans will adore.

Gameplay-wise, the game holds up reasonably well. The platforming is tight, the levels are cleverly designed, and the signature challenge that defines the Donkey Kong Country series is intact. Motion controls from the Wii version have been swapped out for traditional button inputs, which many will appreciate. The sense of rhythm and timing required for the game’s platforming sections keeps players engaged, and the minecart levels remain a highlight with their intense pace and sharp reflex requirements.

However, compared to Tropical Freeze, this game feels less refined. The controls can occasionally feel imprecise, and the pacing of certain levels doesn’t flow as smoothly. Where Tropical Freeze offers a polished, modern take on Donkey Kong’s adventures, Returns HD sometimes feels like a step back, showcasing its roots as an older game.

Unfortunately, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD doesn’t perform as well as Tropical Freeze on the Switch. Frame rate dips are noticeable in some of the more visually demanding levels, which can disrupt the platforming precision that is so crucial to the game.

In Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, a significant co-op issue arises that fundamentally alters the flow and synergy of multiplayer gameplay. In the original version, both players could jump on the same enemy, allowing for precise platforming and the execution of extra bounces when needed. However, in the HD version, this mechanic has been inexplicably removed. Now, if one player jumps on an enemy, the second player attempting the same action will pass right through it without receiving an additional bounce. This can lead to numerous frustrating deaths, especially in sections where cooperative precision is critical. The removal of this feature not only disrupts the pacing of challenging platforming segments but also diminishes the teamwork dynamic that made the original co-op experience so rewarding.

Another notable issue revolves around the game’s updated grab mechanics. In the HD version, the grab button also functions as the run button in the classic control scheme, while combining with Diddy Kong is now simplified to a single press of the grab button. In the original game, combining required pressing both the grab button and up on the D-pad, making it deliberate and less prone to accidental inputs. This change in HD introduces frequent, unintended interactions where the Donkey Kong player accidentally grabs Diddy Kong, forcing the Diddy player to repeatedly dismount to regain independent control. This not only disrupts the gameplay rhythm but can also lead to untimely deaths, particularly during high-stakes platforming sections where split-second reactions are necessary. One way to mitigate this frustration is by enabling modern controls, where running is removed as a separate action, reducing the overloading of multiple functions on a single button. However, this workaround does little to address the core design flaw that mars the co-op experience.

Despite its shortcomings, Returns HD retains the unmistakable charm of the Donkey Kong Country series. The game’s soundtrack, composed by Kenji Yamamoto and featuring remixed classics alongside new tracks, captures the spirit of adventure perfectly. Longtime fans will appreciate the throwback to the original Donkey Kong Country trilogy, with familiar elements like barrel cannons, secret paths, and a sense of discovery that keeps the levels feeling fresh.

While Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch library, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Tropical Freeze. It plays well enough and captures the charm that fans love, but issues with performance and some dated design elements hold it back. If you’re looking to revisit Donkey Kong’s past adventures or experience them for the first time, it’s still a worthwhile trip—just don’t expect it to outshine the Kong family’s most recent outing.