As all eyes are now on the Switch 2 that Nintendo announced—albeit reluctantly (thanks to leaks), the Kyoto-based company continues to cater to owners of the original hybrid console. No new exclusive game is set to kick off 2025, but another porting of an old title originally released on Wii in 2010 and then three years later on 3DS with some bonus features. This time, it’s Donkey Kong Country Returns that’s returning to the Nintendo Switch in a remastered HD version. Is this merely a high-definition port as the title suggests, or are we in for a genuine restoration effort given that it’s been 15 years since the original game’s release? I should warn you, there will be disappointments…
Three years after that, in 2013, Nintendo decided to expand the catalog of its portable console, the 3DS, by porting the game with verbatim content, although some additions were made to justify a second purchase. The bonuses included an additional world consisting of 8 levels and a new ‘modern’ mode allowing players to start the adventure with more hearts than usual and items to enhance their character’s abilities. Perhaps Nintendo recognized that the game was significantly more challenging compared to its other Mario titles, and the ‘die & retry’ aspect had surprised many players. Consequently, when the game arrived on the Nintendo Switch after 15 years, one might have anticipated that Nintendo would offer new levels or additional enticing features to justify a third purchase at €60. However, since then, Nintendo’s approach has somewhat changed. While the Japanese company continues to recycle its entire catalog of older consoles onto the Nintendo Switch without hesitation, it does so with minimal effort. Unfortunately, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD serves as evidence that only the bare minimum is being offered.
It is particularly ironic that I enjoyed replaying the entire game again, despite not having touched it since 2010 when it was first released. Even more enriching was my experience in 2025, which was shared with my children who joined me cooperatively on this adventure and encountered the challenging nature of the title themselves. Of course, given that they completed Astro Bot last September, nothing seemed insurmountable for them, but it took some time to grasp and master the gameplay, especially the inertia involved in jumps and certain movements of our primate heroes. It is worth noting that although Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a platformer like Super Mario, its mechanics differ significantly. The character is heavier, with movements that require careful management; jumps are influenced by the character’s weight, and change if Diddy Kong is riding on their back, providing a moment of gliding with his rocket pack. Additionally, Diddy has three hearts, and when he loses them, he disappears until someone rescues him from the next barrel encounter. Furthermore, rolls can be canceled to allow our gorilla character to perform an additional jump free of charge, even in mid-air; this mechanic is useful for managing large jumps and also for recovering KONG letters strategically placed by level designers.
SIMPLE & FUNKY
Certainly, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD remains unchanged since its original release in 2010. The levels are identical, enemies occupy the same positions, and the bosses still fall short of expectations as they did fifteen years ago. The gameplay’s reliance on a failure-based progression system that does not adequately test players’ reflexes is also consistent with the earlier versions. Nevertheless, I derived immense enjoyment from replaying this adventure in its entirety. This is largely due to the numerous brilliant and innovative ideas showcased throughout the levels. For instance, there is a level where one must navigate while being cautious of waves approaching from afar that can destroy the screen. It demands precise timing, patience, and emotional control. The level’s design featuring shadow play with a striking sunset backdrop, which highlights Donkey’s tie and Diddy’s cap, evokes strong emotions. This visual style is also evident later in a fog-enveloped industrial setting that references the original Donkey Kong Game & Watch game. Each world and level possesses its own unique charm, often requiring players to memorize intricate gameplay mechanics. While this might be challenging for children under 10 years old, it suits older kids over 40 well. Thankfully, the Super Guide feature is still available; in cases of repeated failure, a little pig acting as a checkpoint offers assistance. Essentially, the computer takes control during the troublesome level without collecting any bonus items or KONG letters. During this automated playthrough, Donkey and Diddy temporarily adopt completely gray fur instead of their usual colors.
