The art style in Donkey Kong Country Returns is pitch-perfect, showing respect to the gorilla's history and containing countless tiny references to his previous outings as well as other Retro Studios titles.
The concept art that went into producing this unique art style is every bit as impressive as you'd expect, particularly the radically different design for DK himself; without his red tie he'd be unrecognisable from his final form, but the art itself completely captures the spirit of the game that will be familiar to players.
These pieces are just a few picked from the gallery available over at ConceptArt.org, so be sure to check out some of the other pictures available there and be impressed by the game's arty origins.
[source conceptart.org]
Comments 39
Wow... So beautiful! I especially like the one with DK holding up the Wii remote
They are rather fetching
The gallery and many other concept art is available in the game itself if people are wondering.
Also, many of the drawings looked really good, and I was dissapointed that much of it never made it into the final game.
Oh well, maybe in the sequel they will have much more.
These are really nice. Are these some of the pics you get if you beat everything in the game?
^Yep.
Already drooled over these in-game, but yes, they are very nice indeed.
Why couldn't that one on the side of the article been in the game?
So cool. I think Retro knows Nintendo almost better than Nintendo knows itself. Please Nintendo, give them another franchise to rescue, something else that you've left to die!
Amazing. I'm going to have to really work hard if I ever want to be part of Retro Studios' team. Man, can't wait to start Game Art. This along with the concept art I've seen for Metroid Prime have really inspired me
And when can we expect and artbook with all of the concept art?
That's your cue, Otaku.
But really, they look really nice.
Saw that this morning, man I do wish the waterfall level would have made the cut, that looks jaw dropping awesome!
There isn't a single moment in DKCR where the aesthetics can be ignored.
Oh my god... that Retro DK statue looks epic.
:EEEEEEE hay the caption said so
Represent
That statue is in the game alot.
If there was a kind of sillhouette level with those waterfalls in the background, that would have been awesome.
"Lovely stuff."
Not my words, Michael. Those are the words of Shakin' Stevens.
Breath takingly beautiful
Personally, I'm quite fond of this one.
My goodness shinesprite that's *****ng beautiful. I want a poster of that.
@22, 23: Spot the hidden Jumpman
I can't see it...
@Wooton. Look at the bigger picture.
I see it.
Do a barrel throw!
stunning
retro ftw
This brings me a new respect for the game. I'm getting Brother Bear vibes from the art style. Dopeness.
JumpMan traced for your pleasure.
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/5698/derph.png
Damn wouldn't mind seeing a DKC on the next Nintendo console with those kind of graphics. Really great concept art.
Breathtaking. I love Retro!
Retro has some of the best artists in the industry, along with Bungie (Halo) and Sony Santa Monica (God of War).
Check out the Halo Encyclopedia, it has some amazing artwork.
I want the DK statue on top of that mountain!!!
I really hope Retro is at work on the sequel. DKCR was amazing!
Hmm... what would a Retro version of Kid Icarus or Star Fox be like on the next-gen Nintendo console? That would be interesting.
@shinesprite et al.: You beat me to the punch. Was gonna highlight the awesomeness of that pic, what with all the console parts and controller ports making up the structure. "Barrel &/or Barrel" - funny. Though that hidden Jumpman is straight ridiculous. Never would've found that. Kudos, Retro.
It's cool
Absolutely beautiful.
@LittleIrves very nice with the controller and console parts
Woah. Completely beautiful. I know there's places like this in the real world. But you rarely see them. I guess that makes them even more great. sigh Why doesn't life just be like this?
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