Geekscape Reviews Donkey Kong Country Returns

So which gaming icon gets to run around wearing nothing but a tie, causes mass destruction in his wake and has been known as both a thief and kidnapper and still be considered a hero? That’s right, Donkey Kong. It’s been over a decade since the last Donkey Kong Country game was released. Sure, he’s dabbled in the realm of rhythm, racing, puzzle and “other” platforming games, but after so long, we’re finally able to head back to the country courtesy of Retro Studios. They used their magic to reinvent the Metroid series, and it seems like they saved a little bit for everyone’s favorite family of apes.

Returning to this familiar land starts off similarly enough. A group of apparently evil Tikis hypnotize most of the animals on DK Island. After forcing them to steal the Kong banana stash, (again…) Donkey Kong and his BFF Diddy travel the island in order to recover the stash and defeat the Tiki threat. With help from familiar animal buddies like Rambi and the 4th wall breaking grump, Cranky Kong, the two Kongs have plenty of support… and they’ll need all the help they can get.

Traveling across eight worlds with multiple stages in each, the game starts off very familiar. Many of the music tracks are remixes from the classic SNES tunes on top of some catchy new arrangements, the lush jungles and hop and bop platforming will feel right at home for gamers longing for a new DK fix and collectable items like floating KONG letters litter the stages. But c’mon, knowing Retro, the game wasn’t going to be a straight rehash. After the first world, each one has many new themes that haven’t been visited in the series. Rather than tag team game play between Donkey and Diddy, Diddy is treated more like a power up in single player, where he rides on Donkey’s back and gives him the ability to float courtesy of his jet pack as well as an extra two hit points. Co-Op play steals the show where both players can control the two Kongs individually as well as combine into one. Oddly enough, Donkey sucks bad compared to Diddy, who has the jetpack AND a peanut gun. It’s good to see that he’s willing to give up the spotlight to his sidekick every once in awhile… unlike some other Nintendo platforming icons I know.

Oh yeah, about the health…. it takes two hits to die now instead of one. But wait, put down your pitchfork and torch, the game isn’t any easier than before. In fact, it will make good use of the extra health… Later stages will really challenge your platforming skills, so you’ll be prepared to die a lot. Co-Op costs two lives for every death or a dead player can pay one life to float back onto screen, but be careful. If your partner doesn’t catch the barrel that life is lost. Replacing most of the animal buddies are rocket barrel stages which will really try your patience. The returning mine cart stages are just as brutal as you remember, some even more so. Part of the challenge lies in the fact that the stages are all so unique, and I’m honestly amazed at how much creativity was infused in the game. From transforming stages to the stylized silhouette areas, 2.5D set ups that blast characters into the background and a few surprises like a spider stampede and menacing bats, that’s just a taste of some of the unique aspects that have been brought by the new game. Completing all of the time trials, finding all of the hidden puzzle pieces and KONG letters can prove to be it’s own challenge, but brings sweet rewards. You’ll have to search high and low because bonus stages and hidden areas return, with new ways to hide those items like blowing out flowers and flames. And if you really suck, don’t worry. Nintendo brought back the super guide to play the game for you… if your pride has already been sucked away by then. Sadly, the ONLY excuse you can have for failing at the game is the controls. There’s no classic control option and even with a few free buttons with the Wiimote/Nunchuk combo, you have to shake to roll, ground pound and blow flowers. It’s not hard to get used to, but a few too many lives were lost by rolling when I was trying to pound away. So I guess I’ll forgive you if you blame the controls this time.

Rarely has a game done so well at staying fresh and imaginative for so long. That honor is usually held by Nintendo’s main mascot, but the Kongs give him a run for his money in Donkey Kong Country returns. Even late in the game, Retro introduces new ways to play that keep it fast, frantic and fun. Save for the minor control issues, there’s no better 2D platformer this year, and a great way to spend a weekend with a friend thanks to the stellar Co-Op mode. Yes, that’s right everyone, Donkey Kong is back, and back in a big way. And I hate to say it… but it’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys…. especially when the monkeys are throwing barrels at your face.