In mid-2024, it was announced that Donkey Kong Country Returns HD will be released on Nintendo Switch. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD hits the Switch in physical and digital form later this month, on January 16. The title is an HD remaster of a Wii classic. The Donkey Kong Country series of games are some of the most critically acclaimed and high-selling platforming series that Nintendo is associated with. From the original SNES trilogy of Donkey Kong Country games, developed by Rare, to the revival games from Retro Studios, all have pushed the boundaries of their respective hardware graphically and provided hard-as-nails and precise satisfying platforming. Like many of us, I have enjoyed some of the games in the series and am relishing returning to this game world. Here are some cool facts about the series to get you ready for this HD remaster.
What we know of the HD Remake
Donkey Kong Country Returns was released on the Wii in 2010. It was a success on all fronts. It lived up to the legacy of Rare’s SNES Donkey Kong Country games and was a quintessential hardcore 2D platformer. It sold 6.5 million copies on the Wii. It was then ported to the 3DS in 2013. The 3DS version included an easy mode, in the form of DK having three rather than two hearts (which seems to have been brought over into the new Switch version). The 3DS version also has new levels and uses buttons rather than movement controls (as the Wii version did). I played a lot of the 3DS version and can say that it was addictive and difficult. However, the difficulty is kind of the point of hardcore 2D platformers. You learn when to make jumps and where enemy placements are through trial and error. When you finally conquer an obstacle that has given you problems it feels good and helps to drive you on further into the game. The new HD version will carry over many of the improvements from the 3DS version. The original game was developed by Retro Studios. However, it isn’t Retro Studios that will develop the HD remaster.
We now know that Forever Entertainment will be developing Donkey Kong Country HD. Forever Entertainment was acquired by Nintendo in 2021. The company has been known for working on the Panzer Dragoon series and House of the Dead series. Forever Entertainment has a bit of a mixed reputation and usually helps to make remakes, rather than being in full control of completely new projects. It’s not a surprise that Retro Studios aren’t working on Donkey Kong Country Returns HD since they are probably very busy working on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Similarly to Grezzo with the Zelda remakes, Forever Entertainment now has an opportunity to prove their skills and it could be the start of them working on a string of remakes and remasters for Nintendo.
Another HD version of an old game
Remakes and remasters seem to have made up a high proportion of the Switch’s releases over its lifetime. Whether those releases are from Nintendo’s recent back catalog or from the back catalog of third-party companies. I am more accepting of third-party remasters. The Switch’s predecessor, the Wii U had barely any third-party support, so it’s nice to have a Nintendo system where you can play a diverse range of AAA games like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and Skyrim. However, we are reaching the Switch’s last few months, and Donkey Kong Country Returns is a high-quality game where a new lick of paint (if that is the only addition) would make it worth playing through again for most people. I’m sure the game will play great as it always has. The likes of Super Mario 3D World HD, Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are all Wii U games remastered for the Switch that have worthwhile added content so hopefully Donkey Kong Country Returns HD will too. It doesn’t look like we’ll be getting a demo on the eShop, but we only have around three weeks to wait until release day.
Unlike most third party HD remasters on Switch, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD will release at full price. The digital version is currently listed at $59.99/£49.99. This is a point of contention for many consumers. While Nintendo does usually release their HD remasters at full price, Metroid Prime Remastered released at $39.99/£34.99. That game had no major extra content and it has given people hope that Nintendo will fall in line with companies like Ubisoft in releasing remakes and remasters at cheaper prices. Some players may interpret this as a bit of an insult to sell them the same game that they bought seven or eight years ago for the same price or more (if we include inflation).
Conclusion
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD releases exclusively on Nintendo Switch on January 16. The game is being ported by Forever Entertainment who have had a mixed reception in terms of the HD ports that they have worked on in recent years. The Wii Donkey Kong Country Returns was developed by Retro Studios and it sold well and was critically acclaimed. However, with the HD port releasing at full price some people will definitely be put off, particularly because other publishers are releasing HD ports at less than half the price of most “new” games. Hopefully, the precision platforming of Donkey Kong Country Returns will shine through in this new package and it’ll live up to expectations. We don’t know for sure what the new content is, but because the essence of the game is so playable and addictive, the game will probably sell well regardless of any added content. In terms of critical reception, I think new content will matter in that regard. No one wants to spend the full price on a 15 year-old game.
Are you ready for the Donkey Kong Country Returns HD remaster? What is your opinion on fully-priced remasters! Let us know in the comments and on our social media!
