Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Review

Matthew Rondina

4 days ago5 min read

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD swings onto the Nintendo Switch, offering plenty of fun and challenging platforming, my full review.

A banner with a brown cartoon gorilla, Donkey Kong and his pal a smaller gorilla riding on his back named Diddy.

The classic platformer has arrived on the Nintendo Switch with Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.

Originally released on the Wii in 2010, this HD iteration has been optimized for modern hardware, offering veterans and new players a refreshed yet faithful experience. The franchise has always held a special place in my heart; I remember swinging across the pixelated jungles of Donkey Kong Country on the SNES like it was yesterday. The Donkey Kong franchise has always found ways over generations of games to offer an excellent blend of great graphics and challenging platforming. In this review, I dive back into the jungle to share my thoughts on Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and whether it successfully recaptures the magic that made the original a standout title.

An in-game Nintendo Switch screenshot with a brown cartoon gorilla, Donkey Kong and his pal, a smaller gorilla named Diddy, standing next to him.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Review Details

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Reviewed on: Nintendo Switch OLED

Developer: Retro Studios

Publisher: Nintendo

Genre: Side-scrolling platformer

Available Game Modes: Single-player, Co-op

ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

An in-game Nintendo Switch screenshot with a brown cartoon gorilla, Donkey Kong, and his pal, a smaller gorilla named Diddy, navigating a large template with a floating letter "K."

Welcome to the Jungle

The story of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD doesn’t stray far from its roots, and that’s part of its charm. The peaceful Kong Island is thrown into chaos when the nefarious Tiki Tak Tribe hypnotizes its animal inhabitants to loot Donkey Kong’s beloved banana hoard. With Diddy Kong at his side (or yours, if you’re playing co-op), Donkey Kong sets off on a journey across vibrant jungles, fiery volcanoes, and even treacherous underwater caves to reclaim his golden treasure.

"Donkey Kong sets off on a journey across vibrant jungles, fiery volcanoes, and even treacherous underwater caves to reclaim his golden treasure."

Sure, it’s a classic "save the bananas" trope, but it’s more than enough to move along the story and get us to what really matters: the signature platforming fun.

An in-game Nintendo Switch screenshot with a brown cartoon gorilla, Donkey Kong and his pal, a smaller gorilla named Diddy, running along a beach jumping on a crab enemy.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Gameplay

Gameplay is where Donkey Kong Country Returns HD truly shines. At its core, it’s a faithful modernization of the classic side-scrolling formula. The tight platforming mechanics demand precision, while level design constantly challenges you to think two steps ahead. In an era where platformers do plenty of hand-holding, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD refreshingly demands skill and perseverance to succeed. Each level is fun, as I remember offering a mix of clever puzzles, hidden collectibles, and dynamic environments that keep the gameplay feeling fresh and rewarding.

"In an era where platformers do plenty of hand-holding, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD refreshingly demands skill and perseverance to succeed."

From dodging collapsing platforms to bouncing off enemies in rhythmic succession, the game is both thrilling and unforgiving. The introduction of motion controls—like pounding the ground or blowing air—adds an extra layer of immersion, though it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, I thought it was a fun touch. The co-op mode elevates things further, allowing you to tackle challenges together, adding an extra layer of strategy and fun.

An in-game Nintendo Switch screenshot with a brown cartoon gorilla, Donkey Kong, and his pal, a smaller gorilla named Diddy, running across a very orange and yellow screen with a sunset and they are the shadows.

Challenging, Action-Packed Levels

One standout is the variety packed into the game’s 80 levels. Each stage introduces unique challenges, from mine cart rides that will make you curse under your breath to rocket barrel segments that require pixel-perfect timing. Boss battles are also fun, combining pattern recognition, quick reflexes, and just the right difficulty level to make victories feel earned.

"Boss battles are also fun, combining pattern recognition, quick reflexes, and just the right difficulty level to make victories feel earned."

The one area with boss showdowns that needed attention was the lack of saves between stages of the battle. My only gripe is some of the difficulty spikes felt like Retro Studios’ way of testing my sanity. Still, every victory felt well-earned, and it kept me coming back for more.

An in-game Nintendo Switch screenshot with a brown cartoon gorilla, Donkey Kong and his pal, a smaller gorilla named Diddy, flying through the air in a barrel as explosives go off.

Graphics and Performance

Visually, this HD upgrade offers revamped textures and crisper resolution, making the lush environments pop, especially on the vibrant OLED screen. The game’s art direction remains faithful to its original charm, blending cartoony aesthetics with intricate background details. Whether you’re trekking through a jungle illuminated by fireflies or dodging lava flows in a volcanic cavern, each setting bursts with personality. I felt like I was playing through a “Saturday Morning Cartoon” with many levels bursting with colour and character.

"Whether you’re trekking through a jungle illuminated by fireflies or dodging lava flows in a volcanic cavern, each setting bursts with personality."

Performance-wise, the game runs smoothly at 60fps, ensuring that every jump, roll, and banana grab feels responsive. I didn’t encounter any noticeable frame drops, even during the most chaotic moments, which speaks volumes about the care put into this port.

An in-game Nintendo Switch screenshot with a brown cartoon gorilla, Donkey Kong and his pal, a smaller gorilla named Diddy, riding a mine cart through a dark level.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Audio and Sound Design

The sound design in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is delightful. The soundtrack—a mix of remastered classics and new compositions—hits all the right notes for me. David Wise’s iconic jungle beats get a fresh twist, keeping my nostalgia in check while drawing me deeper into the game’s world. From the cheerful jingles of the beach levels to the intense, percussion-heavy tracks in the volcano stages, the music perfectly complements the gameplay.

"From the cheerful jingles of the beach levels to the intense, percussion-heavy tracks in the volcano stages, the music perfectly complements the gameplay."

Sound effects deserve a shout-out, too. The rustle of leaves, the clatter of mine carts, and the satisfying "thunk" of DK’s ground pound all contribute to the fun jungle-style adventure.

Final Thoughts on Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is 2D platforming at its pinnacle. It balances nostalgia with a few modern improvements sprinkled in that offer a platforming experience that’s as challenging as rewarding.

"Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is 2D platforming at its pinnacle."

While some difficulty spikes and the optional motion controls might frustrate players, the game’s charm and polish more than makeup for it. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer looking for an old-school challenge, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a must-play.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD PROS

+Gorgeous HD visuals with vibrant environments

+Challenging and rewarding gameplay

+Fantastic remastered soundtrack

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD CONS

-Occasional difficulty spikes

-Motion controls feel gimmicky

-Co-op can be chaotic, especially for beginners

Overall Assessment of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Gameplay: 9/10

Graphics: 9/10

Sound: 8/10

Replayability: 8/10

Overall Rating: 34/40 = 85%

Nintendo provided dappertux.com a copy of the game to conduct this review.

About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina

Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a video game and tech industry veteran who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. In addition to being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and join in on the fun!

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