Donkey Kong Country Returns

When my wife and I saw previews for this game, we both decided together immediately that we would get it. We both had hyper levels of nostalgia for the classic trilogy of Donkey Kong Country games on the SNES, and when I saw that Retro studios, the geniuses behind the best Metroid games in the franchise ( I'm referring to the amazing Metroid Prime Trilogy, for those sadly unacquainted ), I knew this sequel/reboot would be of the highest quality. We were not disappointed. We had an absolute blast playing together through each level to the end barrel, collecting red ballons, banana coins, and literally hundreds and hundreds of bananas along the way. We jumped around on evil sentient tiki torches, ran away from mountains of ants, and pounded on weird yet ridiculously fun bosses ranging from toad-armadillo-rhino hybrids, to a chicken operating a mech. All the while, we laughed, we fought, we screamed at the television, and we high fived when we actually got through a particularly difficult patch. This is not an easy game by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it is one of the most challenging games I have ever attempted to play in my life. Oh, it starts out easy enough, but by the fourth world, every level will leave you breathless and your adrenal gland aged at least a couple more years. Playing it on co-op, as me and my wife did, makes it even harder as you have to be almost one minded in jumping at the same time in rapid succession across platforms that collapse within one or two seconds of landing on them. We didn't have too much of a problem though, and it was made all the funner for it. Who would have thought Donkey Kong would be awesome for husband-wife bonding? Plus, if a sequence is too difficult OR requires you to be too precise for two players to get through, the second player as Diddy can jump on DK's back and let player one get through that rough area. It's a brilliant, yet simple, design choice on Retro's part. This game has a ton of replay value as well, as you can't see everything this game has to offer without all the KONG letters and puzzle pieces. Heck, we were even playing optional levels, just to experience the greatness that is DKCR in every way we could. Obviously, I am smitten with DKCR's gameplay, its strongest suit, but is there anything else that is great about it? The answer is a resounding YES! The graphics are fantastic by any system's standards. The backgrounds are full of depth and amazing originality. Because of this advancement in graphical technology, Retro could do things unheard of in the day's of DKC 1-3. For instance, some of the barrel shooting sequence send you in full 3-D trajectories and may land you way off in one of the background courses, only to send you crashing through giant stone totem poles to get you back to the main ground. Some levels also feature foregrounds being only black silhouettes with the only color being DK's tie and Diddy's hat and shirt. These levels were very, very unique and visually stunning. The animations are fantastic in every way, as well as the animal designs. The music is a perfect blend of nostalgic tunes and very cool new tunes that resonate with surprisingly deep atmosphere. I was very impressed. All-in-all, Donkey Kong Country Returns is a brilliant and triumphant return to platform for DK, who has spent too long being cameos in Super Smash games and Mario Kart or starring in bizarre titles like Jungle Beat. After playing this, I can't help but wonder what took the big guy so long to come back, but boy am I glad he did! My wife and I can't recommend this game enough! BUY IT! PLAY IT! LOVE IT!

CONCEPT: Just as the name suggests, "Donkey Kong Country Returns" is an updated version of the beloved platforming series from the SNES. The story line is very familiar as once again Donkey Kong has been robbed of his banana treasure stash. Only this time it's not the Croc's who are the enemies but a mysterious brainwashing group of Tiki creatures. GRAPHICS: As I'm sure you've seen in still pics and game trailers this game is truly one of the most gorgeous to grace the Wii. Retro Studios has been known for their attention to detail, and on DKCR the game designers do not disappoint. The diversity between levels is also stunning, (I especially like the silhouette stage). The creativity implemented into each and every different stage makes this game retain all the charm of the original games. SOUND DESIGN: Obviously there are songs from the original game that appear in the soundtrack, (it just wouldn't be the same without that sweet jungle theme). They've been updated, remixed and compliment the atmosphere of the game nicely. The ambient sounds blend great to the backdrop of the level. Action sounds are clean, crisp, and very responsive I love when DK slams down his massive fists and my sub kicks out a double low thud... CONTROLS: At first using both the nunchuck and remote simultaneously seemed a little unneccesary and excessive for a platforming game. A few levels in though I realized there were many different movements implemented into the game. This really helped to change things up and make gameplay a lot less repetitive. Unfortunately this complicates the mechanics and there are just certain times where the controls are well... a lil' bit clumsy. Nothing bad enough to hold back this title, but this is after all a review so it does bear mentioning. ENTERTAINMENT: This game is loads of fun for fans of the platforming genre, in fact I'll go so far as to say this game would have a place in the top 5 Greatest Platformers Ever. The levels are difficult and sometimes even mentally challenging, the bosses are tricky and YOU WILL have a hard time completing this game. Although it can be played as a 2 player game, I found it to be extremely limiting for whoever was controlling Diddy. REPLAY VALUE: HIGH Lots and lots of hidden puzzle pieces, K-O-N-G letters, time trials, unlockable levels... yea I'd say this game has a load of replay value to it, on top of the fact that the levels are fun to play. Mine Carts, Rocket Barrels... etc. OVERALL One of the best games of 2010 on any console and perhaps THE best Wii release last year. A must play for fans of the franchise, Donkey Kong Country delivers both a fun and challenging game. I highly recommend this title as it will keep you entertained for weeks, especially if you want to achieve 100% completion. FINAL RATING : 9/10

wonderful 2d platforming game great condition thanks

Excelente juego muy estilo old school!

Simple(ish) game made harder by tokens to collect (and you want them all) and boss fights that require more thought as to how to beat them than jumping on their head. The graphics are colourful and the music is great in bringing out DK's world. Maybe there should be more level variety but the gameplay is undemanding and addictive. Trying to collect all the tokens for unlockable content really adds to the gameplay and will leave you frustrated until you get it right. I would have liked to have seen some mini games but you can't go wrong. Anyone getting this for the wii, or even the 3ds version when it comes out will find a classic in the making...

Jeu plutôt sympa qui permet de jouer à 2. Le principe du jeu est simple: récolter un maximum de bananes, de coeurs (vies), de pièces (pour effectuer des achats de vies, ballons etc...) ou autres cachés dans de multiples endroits pour accéder aux mondes suivants et vaincre les ennemis de Donkey Kong. Mes enfants adorent.

yes,this is briliant.not that easy for small children.teen or adult game i would say,or anyone that could do mario galaxy should be ok.its aremake of my favourite ever,donkey kong country on the snes.its similar but nothing like it.totally modernised,but the same simple story and gameplay.if you like platformers.dont consider anything else for pure fun and a little frustration.mario galaxy 2 i like just as much,but is more of a technical achievement than this.dont get me wrong...this looks amazing for a 2d platformer,but it is pure classic old school and is mainly 2d.10/10