Donkey Kong Country

Get Donkey Kong Country Returns For Christmas

I spent many hours playing Donkey Kong Country in my youth. I had completely memorized that Mine Cart Madness level. They took everything I loved about the first Donkey Kong Country; barrel craziness, lots of enemies, easy and accurate controls, and beautiful scenery; made them even better. This is just the kind of sequel I've been waiting for.

Want to know what the new Donkey Kong Country Returns is all about? In this new game the kremlins have been replaced by this masked thing a-la Crash Bandicoot. It steals your bananas, and Donkey Kong has to get them back. The usual humor is still there, which is part of what makes this game so much fun to play.

You will find it familiar at places (levels, etc) but instead of the pre-rendered backgrounds, everything is rendered in full 3D.

I was expecting the humanoid crocodillian Kritters, but found them all to be missing. There is a new set of villains, which does take the game in a new direction. I don't want to spoil anything (though don't think I actually am), but K. Roll is absent from the game as well. It explains why the baddies are different, and leave room for brand new content.

You now have to get hit twice before you die (or 4 times if you have Diddy). And even with this new "life system" the game will manage to make you lose.

The controls are perfect for a platformer. If you are used to Donkey Kong it will feel like putting on an old glove, tight and responsive. It's easy to learn the motion controls because they just make sense. For example, Donkey Kong is known for pounding the ground. To do this you just shake the Wii remote and nanchuck up and down like you are slapping the ground. The controls are really smooth and although you are only limited to the "wii remote" and "with nunchuck" controls, the game plays flawlessly, specially with the nunchuck.

The graphics are beautiful to say the least. Bright colorful backgrounds with the original enemies. Donkey Kong and Diddy look great. All of the characters animations are wonderfully rendered by the Wii's technology. Everything is crisp and sharp, making you really get swept up in the game.

Jungle beats abound, remixed for your continued enjoyment. I personally loved the deep roar and chest beating sounds of Donkey Kong and Diddy's little squeaks. And the enemy deaths are super clear.

The play starts out in the jungle like previous games, but like hyped up on steroids. The barrels and cools secrets are still present. You look for the traditional K-O-N-G and puzzle pieces to unlock stuff. There are coins you can purchase various paths with and lots of bananas for hungry Donkey Kong.