Donkey Kong Country Returns HD 2025 is a platformer video game released on Nintendo Switch on January 16th, 2025. The name may sound very, very familiar. And that's because you've heard it before! This 2025 video game is a remastered edition of the original game released in 2010 on the Nintendo WII and re-released in 2013 for Nintendo 3DS. Now, over 10 years after its previous game, the remastered Nintendo Switch edition is here. We've been very keen to give our opinions on this game because on social media lots of fans have been left feeling disappointed after playing due to the lack of major changes the modern version brings. So is it true? Let's give our thoughts.
Join us as we delve into the new Donkey Kong Country Returns and see if it's really worth it.
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What is the plot of Donkey Kong Country Returns?
The gameplay of Donkey Kong HD 2025 stays true to it's original game. Donkey and Diddy Kong are back, on a mission to get their stolen bananas back from the Tiki Tak Tribe. All the animals on the island have been put under a spell by the tribe, and it's up to Donkey Kong to travel across the island, visiting dangerous woods and factories to put things right again.
Now, if you want the game to stay exactly as it did before, this is great news. But we noticed there weren't any scene changes or additional locations added in. The characters follow the same map layout as previously, it would have been nice for the characters to visit a couple of new locations, as well as the original and iconic destinations, just so there was a slight difference and change-up in the game. We suggest an additional game option, where players can take a new route, to ensure the normal gameplay storyline isn't interfered with.
Is Donkey Kong Country Returns a remake?
No, the game isn't remade! It's simply improved. Whilst the characters, gameplay and locations stayed the same, you're probably wondering what's different in this completely new video game?! Well the names in the title, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD 2025, it's got improved high definition!
There are sharpened textures, effects and character models that make the game appear clearer and modern. Instead of the previous pixelated edition of the game, we receive a visibly improved game with impressive image quality. When the game is docked, we get 1080p image quality, and when the game is in the portable mode we see a 720p image quality.
Which version of Donkey Kong is best?
However, besides these graphic improvements, the main issue we have with this game is that there are no changes! The only things that changed were standard graphics and performance improvements which are standard when a new video game is released.
Instead of completely remastering the game, it would've been nice to maybe include another character like Dixie Kong or Funky Kong, add in a couple more side quests, mix in some new locations or even boost up the difficulty to make it an enjoyable experience for new and old gamers. The fact it's the same game just on a new console is disappointing, we'd have loved some clearer changes which is what a lot of other gamers have mentioned also. We still love the original 2010 version; we think that one stays on top.
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Conclusion:
Overall, we are slightly disappointed with this 'new game'. We still recommend that you give it a try, for those fans who want the exact same 2010 and 2013 video game, this game is for you. Just with much-improved quality.
But if you were hoping for minor changes and additions to the game, we don't think Donkey Kong HD 2025 has what you're looking for.
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