Donkey Kong Country Returns HD [Nintendo Switch] | REVIEW

To me, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze stands out as the best platforming adventure on a Nintendo platform that doesn’t star a plumber, so it’s great to see that its predecessor is finally getting a modern revival. After starting life as a Wii title in 2010 and getting a 3DS release in 2013, Donkey Kong County Returns HD has now made its way to the Nintendo Switch, bringing with it the same relentless platforming action that made so beloved years ago. And sure, it might not be as good as its sequel, but it’s still a blast to play nearly fifteen-years on.

Check out some screenshots down below:

The premise is pretty straightforward, with Donkey Kong and his sidekick Diddy Kong embarking on an adventure to reclaim their precious bananas, which have been stolen by the Tiki Tak Tribe (who also just so happen to have hypnotised the residents of Donkey Kong Island) There’s something incredibly simple about Donkey Kong’s motive, but its endearing and charming, ensuring the adventure will keep a smile on your face whilst playing.

The game’s structure is divided into several themed areas on Donkey Kong Island, each containing multiple levels and offering tricky boss showdowns that’ll put your skills to the test. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD remains faithful to its roots, offering a mix of traditional platforming, clever level design, and creative mechanics that keep the action fun and varied. As you jump, roll, and swing your way through levels, you’ll encounter familiar tropes from the Donkey Kong series – barrels that launch you across chasms, minecart rides, and animal buddies like Rambi the Rhino – with the game doing a great job of nodding to its SNES predecessor while introducing fresh gameplay elements that give it a modern feel. There’s so much variety to be found, with each level offering something fresh to ensure the pace never slows down and that the action never grows repetitive.

In addition to the main story, there are a plethora of collectibles scattered throughout the game. Each level contains K-O-N-G letters to collect, as well as puzzle pieces hidden within secret areas or cleverly concealed in the environment. They all add replayability to each level, rewarding those who take the time to explore every nook and cranny with some extra goodies. There’s also a co-op mode in the game, with two players working together as Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong to deal with the challenges of the world. It can actually be pretty chaotic and won’t make life easier, but it’s also satisfyingly frantic and ensures that the multiplayer experience is a treat.

“Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is as fun now as it was in 2010, with the banana-fuelled adventure certainly standing the test of time.”

That said, the controls – while responsive for the most part – are where Donkey Kong Country Returns HD can sometimes feel a bit clunky. The character movement has a certain floatiness to it, which can make precision jumps feel more difficult than they need to be. Whether you’re trying to leap across a gap or land on a moving platform, there’s an added layer of challenge that comes from not having full control over each playable character’s momentum. Admittedly, it’s something you’ll get used to the longer you play, but it did add a bit of a learning curve to the earlier hours.

It’s also worth noting that the game can be tough, but honestly? It was one of my favourite things about Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. The challenge is certainly part of the fun, and once you get the hang of Donkey Kong’s move set and learn to use it to your advantage, it becomes easier to navigate through each tricky challenge in your path. With a demand for precision and plenty of enemies to make life tough, it’s definitely one of the more challenging platformers out there.

For those who want a bit more assistance, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD introduces a new ‘Modern Mode’ that gives Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong three hearts instead of the usual two and allows more items in levels. There’s also the option to purchase helpful items from Cranky Kong’s shop, which can give you extra lives or make certain levels a bit easier. There is one glaring omission when it comes to the difficulty, though: Funky Kong. He made life much easier in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – especially for younger players – so it feels like a missed opportunity to make the game more approachable and accessible for those who might need it.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Visually, this HD remaster does an excellent job of preserving the bold, colourful aesthetic that the game is known for. The 2D structure of the levels with 3D backgrounds looks as delightful as ever, with each environment rich with meticulous detail that help make the world a joy to be a part of. From lush jungles to factory zones, from underwater vistas to mysterious temples, the game is a visual treat that brings the world of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD to life. Don’t get me wrong, some of the character models and objects in the environment will remind you that this started life as a Wii title, but the charming aesthetic and vibrant tone ensures it still remains a looker in 2025.

My only real issue with the game is that it feels a bit bare-boned as far as the remastered extras are concerned. Visually, it looks great, but there’s not much extra outside of the ‘Modern Mode’ difficulty (which itself feels limited compared to having Funky Kong). It does have the extra levels and items brought to the 3DS release, but still, it would’ve been nice to have more. I probably wouldn’t complain too much, but with the game costing £49.99 in the UK, it’s hard not to feel a little underwhelmed.  

Developer: Retro Studios, Forever Entertainment
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch (Reviewed)
Website: https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/Donkey-Kong-Country-Returns-HD-2590475.html