Review of Donkey Kong Country Returns for the Wii

It's been well over ten years since the first Donkey King Country video game. Ever since its release, the game has been considered a classic platformer by both critics and fans. When a new one was announced at this year's E3, it seem to good to be true. Fortunately, Donkey Kong Country Returns isn't a disappointment. It's the return to the classic formula that fans have been waiting for.

Plot
The plot is simple. Evil Tikis have hypnotized animals on the island to steal Donkey Kong's bananas. The Tikis are the villains instead of the Kremlings. The only other Kong family members in the game are Diddy and Cranky. The story of the game isn't deep or that important, really. The beauty and fun of the Donkey Kong games is making it through the levels alive.

Gameplay
The gameplay is old school performer with a twist. Most of the action is side scrolling, but there are many instances were the level expands into the background. When this happens, it's more difficult to time things like running and jumping since the camera is still in the foreground. Donkey Kong Country Returns is not for the inexperienced platform gamer. It becomes increasing difficult as you progress. What can make the game even more challenging is playing co-op mode. When your partner dies, it uses the lives you share. Another challenging aspect is getting used to the Wii remote to control Donkey. Ground pounds are easy enough, but other moves like rolling or blowing are tricky to master at first. Without precision, expect to roll off a cliff instead of blowing out that candle. Other Donkey Kong staples like cannons, mine carts and Rambi the Rhino are back. Many of the levels are tough, but very rewarding when you beat them.

Unlike the original, players can't swamp between Donkey and Diddy on screen. In single player, you can only control Donkey Kong. If things get too hard in co-op mode, Diddy can jump on Donkey's back. Once eight lives are spent on a level, a Super Kong that's similar to the Super Guide from Super Mario Galaxy 2 will appear. If the Guide finishes the level, any collectibles you found won't count towards your total.

Replay Value
With so many different items to collect, the replay value of Donkey Kong Country Returns is high. It's almost impossible to grab everything on the first play through. There's puzzle pieces, Kong letters, and coins to collect. Every level also has a bonus area where you can find balloons, coins, and bananas. Many of the items unlock extra levels and difficulty modes. Once you beat any level a time trial mode opens, making you race through to earn medals.

Donkey Kong Country Returns is great for the serious gamer. While the difficulty level can be a challenge, it is a rewarding experience once you beat that tough level. The co-op mode is fun and even if your partner isn't the best, they can always enjoy the ride on Donkey's back. This installment of the DK franchise is sure to be an instant classic with many gamers, especially those who grew up with Nintendo's side scrolling platformer games.

Sources:

Personal Experience

http://donkeykong.nintendo.com/