
Nintendo's first release of 2025 is almost upon us, with Donkey Kong Country Returns HD set to swing onto Switch on 16th January.
With mere days to go before we get to barrel into this primate platformer again (again), it's time to get an idea of what the critics make of ol' DK's latest adventure. Here at Nintendo Life, we had a perfectly good time with Returns HD and awarded it a 7/10, but we found it difficult to recommend double dipping if you already own the original on Wii or 3DS:
The broad feeling around the game is one of missed opportunity, this was a chance to create the definitive version of Donkey Kong’s fabulous 2010 return; instead, Forever Entertainment has delivered a product that is good enough rather than what Retro Studio’s classic revival deserves
But what about everyone else? At the time of writing, DKCRHD (as we're sure everyone is calling it) sits at a 'Generally Favourable' Metascore of 76 based on 38 critic reviews. To help you get an idea of the critical consensus at a glance, we have assembled the following round-up to provide a snapshot of Donkey Kong opinions from across the web. So, let's get into it...
Starting with a biggie, Vooks awarded the platforming port a 4.5/5, praising the "modern classic" base game, but arguing that the lack of additions makes it no Tropical Freeze:
Now Returns is available to play in the best way possible, so if you’ve never dipped in there’s no better time to, but if you’ve already played this before there’s nothing new here really for you
IGN went ever so slightly lower and gave Donkey Kong's latest an 8/10, calling it "almost as fresh and fun today as it was 15 years ago":
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is still a competent update and easily the best way to play one of the greatest 2D platformers Nintendo has released this century
Opting for an identical 8/10, GamingBible called the game "a sweet little upgrade", praising the HD visuals and quality of life improvements:
For those who’ve never played the game before it’s well-worth picking up, and for those who have I think it’s a good enough remaster to return to, especially if it’s been a while
While not offering a formal review score, Polygon described Returns HD as "the most accessible entry in the Donkey Kong Country lineup to date" and an all-around good time — just far from the series' best:
With so many quality Donkey Kong Country outings (literally all of them) available on Switch, Returns HD often has a hard time measuring up
Dropping the score slightly, TechRadar gave Returns HD a 3.5/5, describing it as the "definitive way to play Retro Studios first Donkey Kong adventure" but conceding that it's the worst DK platformer:
You’re still getting a good game here (albeit, a game that’s a reskin of probably the weakest Donkey Kong Country title), but it’s really hard to recommend this to anyone who has played the game before
The score's downward trend continued in the Eurogamer review, where the outlet awarded it a 3/5, praising what's there but calling it "a warm-up act" to Tropical Freeze:
But really, if you've yet to play either of Retro's DKC games at this stage in the Switch's lifecycle, you should probably just skip straight to Tropical Freeze
The same applies to VCG, where a 3/5 review notes that not enough new content has been added to make a replay feel essential:
While Returns is worth playing in 2025, it’s far from the standout in its genre on Switch – or even its series – especially at that full $60 price point
What do you make of the overall review picture? Will you still be picking up Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on Switch? Let us know in the comments.
Comments 61
I’d like to pick this up, but sadly, it’s just too expensive for what it is. Maybe I’ll wait for a £33 eShop sale. However long that takes.
I was already on the fence before I heard that there were frame rate drops. I’m not at all a graphics guy but I’ve got to take my stand that a worse-running version of a Wii game is not worth paying 60 bucks for in 2025.
@The_Pixel_King curry's is selling it for £36.79 with donkey20 code
£36 at Currys UK free delivery for release day and free DK micro fibre cloth.
No moaning about the £50 price please now.
The graphical downgrades turned me off, you can see Gamexplains videos to find out all the shortcuts they took. The Wii original is still the way to experience this gem.
“The worst DKC game”, my eye! I loved the original DKC on SNES back in the day, but Returns is just better, hands down. And all this about its difficulty! Did these reviewers ever play the SNES games, where one hit killed you? I recently started playing DKC2 for the first time and let me tell you, I didn’t have fun with it! It’s ridiculously difficult in a cheap way. The two Retro Studios entries may not be easy, but they’re so much more fair.
I feel sorry for VGC who have been credited asVCG in the article. Poor old Video Chronicle Games getting the shaft from their journalistic brethren 😔
It’s pennies above £36 from Curry’s, or was yesterday.
You’re better off buying Tropical Freeze over this I think.
I still like to know why Nintendo decided to remaster this game instead of bringing Wind Waker and/or Twilight Princess to the Switch. I would have happily paid 60 bones for a Zelda remake (yes, I know I am part of the problem and you are welcome), but HD returns is a game I will never get at this price point.
I’ve never subscribed to the idea that Tropical Freeze is a definitively better game than Returns. Both games are excellent for sure, but TF has much worse bosses, levels that linger on too long and the additional characters just didn’t feel 100% right.
Some reviews seem a bit on the harsh side and are throwing in some strange arguments. It’s a great game, highly recommended for everyone who hasn’t played it yet!
It being "the most accessible entry in the Donkey Kong Country lineup to date" according to Polygon is a great plus for me considering this is going to be the first game in the series I'm going to properly play - played some DKC1 on emulator and watched others playing it and yeah, that doesn't pull any punches (will eventually fully play the SNES games myself, but I'll gladly start with the Retro Studios ones)!
I don't really take any one person's review as gospel, ever. Jeff Gerstmann is probably the industry type (or, ex industry type) that I trust the most...but I rarely agree with his takes on games.
That said, I'm sure I will agree with his take on this $60 XBLA game!
I'll wait when it's 30 bucks. I already have the Wii and abd the 3DS versions.
@SwagaliciousJohnson because of the opening of DK land in the Universal Studios in Japan.
It nicely lines up.
Leaving in the original team in Zelda remakes credits while removing the original team in DK and Metroid Prime is borderline xenophobia. It feels very SEGA in the 90s.
Well you can either go bananas if you've never played it or go ape over the price. I went ahead and blew the 60 dollars but somehow i feel like i got robbed. Oh well I've wasted more money on stupider things. 🤷♂️
This game was put out by Nintendo purely as a filler and tie-in to promote the DK park expansion. There's probably a new DK game in the works but it wasn't ready or Nintendo wanted to save it for Switch 2. Speaking of, another sign this game was put out to die was because Nintendo is possibly revealing their new console on the same release date.
This and its sequel are some of the best games of all time. So of course they’re excellent.
I personally think it is the best DKC by a huge margin. The levels may be smaller than TF's but they were more tightly designed and imaginative in my opinion. I personally think it is easily in the top 5 platformed of all time and I am not just talking 2D here.
I don't get why people hate that Nintendo ported this game to Switch. This is like the second time Nintendo ported this game which makes this the best version of the game. To compare the original Donkey Kong Country for Super NES was also ported two times (once for Game Boy Color and a second time for Game Boy Advance) and instead of it getting better it got worst which means the Super NES version of that game was still the only best one. In DKC Returns case it didn't got worst, it got better. Not sure why people hate when a game gets a better version.
€60 for a remaster where nothing changed except a bit of a graphics brushup, yeah... no, thanks.
I completed the Wii version and didn’t get the 3DS version for the same reasons some are skipping this release.
I used one of the NSO game vouchers for the digital Switch version. It’s been 15 years, so I’m looking forward to play through it for a second time.
@SwagaliciousJohnson Cause the Switch already had like seven Zelda games already both old and new, Donkey Kong hardly had any game on Switch so it make sense that they port this. Also cause it's Donkey Kong Country's 30th anniversary so they kinda had to do this anyways just so they could say that they did celebrate something for DKC's anniversary. That is why they quickly throw all those Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Land games onto the Super NES and Game Boy NSO last year.
What’s with the hate this game is getting all of a sudden? Worst in the series?
@LastFootnote Same, don't understand the sudden hate for this one.
Clearly developed on the cheap, and overpriced.
I'd understand this more if Nintendo were struggling like the Wii U days.
I remember people complaining when it came out on Wii. Oh it's just a 2-D sidescroller. It's so primitive and platformers are dead etc etc. It's not the latest big budget masterpiece like call of duty or whatever so I'm not paying 50 bucks and so forth.
Seems like 2-D platformers have been getting scoffed at since the N64 days. As if they are lame relics of yesteryear.
I’m not going to let the moaning, especially over something as trivial as the credits, ruin what is one of my most anticipated games of the last twelve months - really looking forward to it.
@Serpenterror I also find it hypocritical that Nintendo fans also want Wind Waker (a game also remade for another console) on the Switch but dislike this. What would they even call it? Wind Waker HD HD?
Not getting it. Already played it on Wii and 3DS and this port has downgrades from the Wii version. Tropical Freeze was a lot more polished.
If you don´t have any Donkey Kong game, buy TROPICAL FREEZE, not this. The price is the same and Tropical Freeze is better.
I think the price and removing Retro Studios from the credits has created a sudden hate for the game. It's really a fantastic game for what you get. 8 full worlds plus a 9th bonus world from the 3DS version.
I would be willing to buy a Switch port of the 3DS port of a Wii game for no more than $25. Certainly not $60
@LikelySatan "$60 XBLA Game"
good grief. the price I'll agree on but acting like it's a smaller and therefore lesser game is uncalled for.
$60 for a 15 year old 2D platformer. Nintendo can stick it. I’m a Nintendo fanboy but I hope this doesn’t sell well, don’t support this practice by buying this game
Maybe I'll buy this sometime in the future. Saving money for the next Nintendo system and Xenoblade X
Yea not buying it. Like others have mentioned, its not worth the asking price. If it was $30 then maybe but definitely not $60
A simple question would you buy a 15 years old car with a fresh coat of paint if the car seller is asking you to pay the same price as a new car? Nintendo are fraudulous game sellers. Don't buy this game you are encouraging fraud.
I'm sorry but "It's on the 3DS" already is not a valid excuse to deduct points from this release.
Are people actually arguing a much smaller much weaker screen is a better way to play it? Pull the other one.
@shiftbarackyeaugh Exactly, Wind Waker already got an HD remastered, if they really want Wind Waker they may as well just buy a GameCube, Wii, or Wii U and play it there. Wind Waker was also the game that when it first got revealed was heavily hated and that was before the game even had any hands-on play test for it.
@DiamondJim So if they don't port it then what's the next complain, that Nintendo doesn't preserve their games? Y'all complain when they release their old games and still complain when they don't. Don't be surprise if this is the last ever time you see this game got a re-release, there's no guaranteed that backwards compatibility will stick around after the Switch 2. Who knows, perhaps the next time this game gets a re-release will be a part of something like NSO so you can't even buy or own it anymore. Heck just look at Majora's Mask and Ocarina of Time, you can't even buy those now either, the last time you could was for 3DS and before that was the Wii, GameCube, and N64. Hopefully you don't regret your choice.
It's a brilliant game. Easily 9/10. The problem is justifying the high price for a basic HD port of an old game. In that sense, 7/10.
@Serpenterror As per what’s widely reported it’s the price that’s the issue. I paid $20 new which was the recommended retail price for this via the Nintendo Selects 3DS budget range and now we lose the stereoscopic 3D visuals and get charged $60. That right there is the issue and why Nintendo can stick it. Should get substantial new content over the 3DS version when they’re charging 3 times the price
@N00BiSH I've never liked the style of these. Didn't say anything about the scope of the game. The best thing DKC ever had going for it was the 90s cg aesthetic. This looks (as in, the aesthetic...the way it LOOKS) like a mobile or XBLA game to me. And other opinions.
These games could be so awesome if Nintendo wasn't a bunch of thieves. These remakes/re-skins/re-releases should be capped at $40
I don't understand the obsession with Tropical Freeze. I found it very boring and too easy to profess, with so many bonuses and save points. I think Donkey returns is a much better game personally. Tropical freeze didn't do much to build in the formula other than make the levels more dynamic and add co-op (which is great), but Returns is actually creative in their level design
@DiamondJim honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if the 3ds version had more post processing going on than this thing. They removed effects from this, lol.
I see what they did there: a "warm up" act to Tropical Freeze.
@LikelySatan the OG trilogy graphics weren't an "aesthetic," that's just how pre-rendered character sprites looked at the time as a result of the versatile but still incredibly limited tech they had. Also, saying something looks like a mobile game is just a lazy way to criticize art direction without actually having any substantial thoughts to provide. Just say you don't like the visuals and leave it at that.
@N00BiSH
Holy monocle Monday, found me a redittor!
An aesthetic that resulted from limited technology. Like how a musician will learn on a budget guitar with tons of quirks and limitations, thus influencing their sound and style. It's also an aesthetic now in that you could say "90s cgi aesthetic" and everyone knows what you mean.
But also, I don't care about your feelings about MY feelings about DKC.
Oh, ALSO also the only interesting thing about Star Fox was the aesthetic. And the cool voices. Which were probably choices made due to technology limitations at the time.
@LikelySatan your dismissive thoughts on art direction are more Redditor-esque than anything I've said but whatever go off you do you
@N00BiSH no problem here!
This feels like a Sega remaster... Not Fully Baked. But I want to get this and tropical freeze on my switch some day. Preferably physical, but why the high price tag?!? I suppose because Nintendo can.
@coolioam I think it has to do with the price tag. If it was $30. It would be called a great game and a easy purchase. At $60 all the negative comments are going to come out.
$9.99 and I'm in. More than that and I'll pass. It's hard to pay full price, or even half price for a game that offers nothing new other than "pretty"
There's no way I'm paying full price for this. I already own the game twice. While it would be nice to play on Switch, I feel that this version isn't what they tried to hype it up to be. Such a big shame...
@LastFootnote DKC2 is anything but cheap, and neither are the newer entries. Barely ever do I come across a game in which every death feels completely traceable to its source; DKC2 is one of them.
I'll have to pass on this one, too expensive even for £30, let alone any more, damn game cost 29.99 on the 3DS, no way am I paying more for a game I already own and played. Also has absolutely no changes at all. No thanks 😂.
Too much money for a Wii to 3DS remake to HD. The Game’s true value is at least $30-$40. Its a remake that can be completed in 3-4 days of normal gameplay. Not including time trials it’s not like smash where you have a lot of in game content to play, then online to look forward too. Is Nintendo doing that bad financially that their pricing system is this ridiculous? This price is only recommended for those who never played the game before but for everyone else it’s just not worth it. And I’m pretty sure all Nintendo/Donkey Kong fans have already played it. Really think Nintendo, did you remake Super Mario Galaxy (which is a slightly better game than this) and charged $60 for it? No, you sold Super Mario 3D Allstar for that amount which was much more worth the price. So maybe if you included a remake to slightly better graphics of Donkey Kong 64, Donkey Kong Jungle beat or Konga, then this country returns in one cartridge for $60 you’re most likely looking to sell out just like Super Mario 3D Allstars.
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