Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Reviews
Even though I love Donkey Kong, having the only games starring Donkey Kong released on the Switch being rereleases of older games is disappointing. Not only that, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has the least amount of extra content to it compared to games like Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Mario vs. Donkey Kong. That doesn't dismiss the fact that this game is extremely fun and still has a great amount of content. If you haven't played the Wii or 3DS version of Donkey Kong Country Returns, then the HD Switch version is a must-play as it is one of my favorites in the series, but returning fans might not care for the touch ups that much.
While it may be a 15-year-old game now, it holds up beautifully and still delivers thrilling platforming, spectacle, and diabolical challenges.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on the Switch is by far the best way to play the game; it avoids the awkwardness of the Wii's controls and doesn't have the visual compromises of the 3DS version. It makes it difficult to be impressed with it as a remaster, especially a full-priced one. There's a lot that could've been done to improve the visuals or add more features to the game, but as it stands, you're basically getting the same game as before. It's still an absolutely fantastic game and well worth playing. If you've already played Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tropical Freeze and are hankering for more, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is well worth picking up. If you haven't played its predecessor/sequel yet, it's better to start there.
Despite its age, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD maintains exceptional quality, offering engaging platforming sequences, visually impressive set-pieces, dazzling vistas, and a high level of difficulty. While the majority of collectibles offer limited in-game value beyond unlocking mirror mode, their inherent appeal, driven by ingrained desire, compels players to seek them out. It's highly replayable and highly addictive, leaving gamers eager to keep playing. It is disappointing that this remaster doesn't include anything new for veterans, but when the foundation is so enjoyable, it's hard to be dissatisfied.
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.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD retains its fun gameplay, with creative levels and a memorable soundtrack. However, the remaster offers few improvements, featuring only slight graphical upscaling with performance issues and long loading times.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, is a solid remastering of an already fantastic game. The solid graphics (though not without a few smudges) and the smooth, responsive gameplay (aided by the input relied on classic buttons), really offer the feeling of having a modern game on our hands and not released nearly fifteen years ago. We played the Wii version when it was launched and the 3DS version; however, we still loved every second spent in the company of this Switch version, and we are sure that - net of a price that is a bit too high (we are talking about €59.99) - it will be appreciated both by those who have already dealt with the original (especially if it has been a while) and by new players. Hopefully, this also stands to mean that in the - not too distant - future we will have more Donkey Kong Country games on the long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD exists to fill a void and not much more. That said, it is still a great game from yesterday that makes for a worthy revisit.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a bit of a hard sell at full price, especially if you still have a Wii with a copy of the original lying around. Its visual improvements are welcome but are marred by enough inconsistencies and technical setbacks that fans may find themselves dreaming of what could have been.
After playing Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, I fully understand why many consider it one of the best platformers ever. It simply deserves that distinction: great level design, lots of secrets, high difficulty, lots of content and fun mechanics. Although Nintendo doesn't seem to have put too much effort into this version, it's a great game and I highly recommend it.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a masterclass in platforming design that feels right at home on the Nintendo Switch. The updated controls, improved visuals, and new difficulty options make this the definitive way to experience the game. However, it still offers more or less the same game experience on Wii and 3DS, so some players may not see the need to return. But if you are new and love your platformers, this still comes recommended. Yes, it’s challenging, and yes, it may cause a few controller-clenching moments, but that’s part of its charm. Few games manage to balance frustration and fun as effectively as this one. So grab your bananas, ready your barrels, and swing into action; Donkey Kong is back and better than ever, even if it is for the third time.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is the definitive way to experience the game if you haven’t played it already. Its included 3DS modes, levels, and original gameplay offer the best features from its previous two versions in a shiny package so it’s great for first-time players.
The new old adventure of Donkey Kong arrives remastered from Wii with all the power of Switch to be seen in Full HD and 60fps to enjoy it as before but seen like never before.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a disappointing port of an otherwise very good 2D platformer that struggles with technical problems in the new edition. For a premium price, the HD version offers no new features worth mentioning. If you want to immerse yourself in the world of Donkey Kong for the first time on the Switch, you'd be better off picking up the much better Tropical Freeze or waiting for a sale.
Review in German | Read full review
It’s still a good game. It did not wow me, and I honestly think there are much better games in a similar vein out there (and for a fraction of the price), but Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a decent remaster of a well-put platformer. I just don’t think that, just like many other recent Switch outings, it justifies its really steep pricetag.
A straightforward remaster that struggles to outshine the Switch port of Tropical Freeze, but Returns HD is still a challenging and satisfying platformer that stands the test of time.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a passable remaster of an amazing platformer – more modern improvements and a larger graphical update would have been nice, but this is still one of the greatest 2D platformers Nintendo has released this century
It’s a challenging retro platformer that is a delight to play for the most part, but with each new set of levels, I wanted to see what a new Donkey Kong excursion might look like, instead of love letters like this that are defined by their attachment to the past.
The 2010 franchise revival gets a makeover and some modern conveniences, but wild difficulty spikes make it tough to recommend for anyone but the most dedicated DKC fan.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a fine way to play the 2010 original, but it's also lacking any real reason for fans to double-dip beyond waggle-free controls. It's less of a remaster and more of a port, to be honest, which would be all well and good if it wasn't being sold at such a premium. There's plenty of fun to be had, but we can't help but walk away from it with a slightly sour taste in our mouths. Our advice? Grab the superior Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze instead.