Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Reviews
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.
Nintendo has brought the excellent Donkey Kong Country Returns HD to the Switch, but since it was already outstanding on the Wii U and 3DS with few changes made, the slightly improved visuals may not justify the full price for those who've played the original, though it remains the best version for newcomers and platforming purists.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Donkey Kong Country Returns is a blast from the past at its core. Its novelty has faded slightly since its first release on Wii, and many of its refinements have been outshone by the later Tropical Freeze. However, it’s the ideal way to play DKC Returns due to its high-quality level design and the visual updates
It contains all of the content from the original Wii and later 3DS releases, plus some neat quality-of-life modern improvements. At the same time, it plays everything pretty safe to make for a solid but not must-have platformer.
Fun, playable, challenging and packed full of replay value.
Almost at the end of the day between one generation and another, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD arrives to strengthen the release calendar and prove that good games don't age, using an impeccable remastering from a technical point of view, even if not very daring in other aspects.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has all the typical characteristics of a Nintendo game: beautiful, full of charisma and with infinite creativity. The story is almost non-existent and the multiplayer chaotic, but this remake shows the strength of the Donkey Kong mascot.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
It’s been a good while since I’ve played Donkey Kong Country Returns and this HD upgrade has been a delightful reminder of just how much fun Retro Studios’ first stab at the platforming series was. As far as new additions go, this definitely ranks near the bottom when it comes to Nintendo’s Switch porting efforts. That being said, the visual update is certainly pleasant on the eye and it’s hard to argue the game’s sustained quality in level design. If you missed out on the game the first time around, then bump the score up a point. Returning players, meanwhile, will still find a brilliant time awaits, one far more impactful, the longer the gap since your last Donkey Kong Island visit.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a true remaster in a nutshell, with minor graphical upgrades but lacking any newly introduced gameplay elements. Still, it remains one of the best 2D platformers ever made.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
This will become more varied and challenging over time, especially as enemies that can only be defeated with multiple hits or a combination of several types of attack appear. The variety of levels is at least as great, both in terms of theme and gameplay elements.
Review in German | Read full review
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is the third time Donkey Kong has returned with the same game. While this might a simple remaster, it holds up as one killer platformer on the Switch. It goes to show how unrivalled the series is, even 15 years later. Nintendo, please make a new game now... I beg you.