Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

Then I scanned the mental checklist of requirements for a 5 out of 5 score: high quality game without serious flaw? Check. One of the very best games available for the 3DS? Check. Does it use 3D to the game’s benefit? In general yes and at times, hell yes. Can a player turn off the 3D and still get a complete experience? Yup. Do I stay awake too late, miss busses, and burn food in the toaster oven because I’m so absorbed by it, and can’t put it down? Yes, yes and yes.

If you missed out on Donkey Kong Country Returns the first time around, or you disliked the motion-heavy controls of the original, pick up this version. With solid tactile feedback, the 3DS edition of the game has cemented itself as one of my favorite platformers of all time without question.

The visuals translate perfectly onto the 3DS, as if they were meant to be there in the first place. Everything fits tightly into the smaller screen, yet despite all the action and quick timing, you never feel as if there are too many distractions.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is a must have game for lovers of platformers that really takes this port to the definitive level.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is a near perfect remake of the Wii classic.

All in all, this is definitely something that all 3DS owners should consider picking up. Even if you played the heck out of Donkey Kong Country Returns on the Wii, I think you’ll find that this definitely warrants the double dip.

Still the best 2D platformer in years. [Aug 2013, p.77]

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is better than the original -- still a difficult game -- but the advantage of being able to close the lid of the 3DS and take a break rather than hurling a Wii Remote in frustration and the lengths the developers went to make the game more accessible without really changing anything about the game elevates the entire experience.

The 3DS version's new features aren't essential, but luckily the original game still is. It's not a perfect port, but Returns 3D is nevertheless an excellent and polished platformer. [June 2013]

If you loved the original series, or even the Wii reboot, this iteration is a must own.

On the whole, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D offers up one of the most challenging and rewarding platforming adventures in recent memory. Take note, developers, this is how a port should be done.

Not only one of the greatest games for the Nintendo 3DS, but also the perfect example that great game design is timeless.

Donkey Kong Country Returns was a great game on the Wii and it is a great game on the 3DS. Even if you have already played the Wii version, this 3D remake is amazing value for your money.

Where Rare fell into obscurity, Retro and Monster Games seem to have picked up the pieces and evolved the platforming formula to a new level, streamlining certain features and giving the 3DS yet another must-play game.

Monster Games' 3DS version further tweaks the formula, with better controls and a new difficulty mode that feels just right. This is the best version of a densely packed, fast-paced and beautifully designed platformer.

One of the best 2D platform games in the last years. Varied game, full of possibilities and long. Donkey Kong Country Returns has a polished gameplay and brilliant artistic designs in the return for the most famous virtual monkey, now in a great hand-held version.

The 3D effect has arguably never been better used in a platformer on the system — ironic as it wasn't originally designed for the hardware — and it's a technically sound iteration of one of the Wii's very best games.

One of the best 2D platformers with a tonne of replayability, now in a portable shell.

A great port of an amazing game. The extra world is a worthwhile addition, and the new easy mode should allow even more people to enjoy the ride.

With what could you call Donkey Souls one of the best and hardest Jump’n’runs in recent years has finally come to 3DS. It it not pitch perfect though. But who cares about occasional framerate issues against the pure joy you can experience with this gem.

Although its lack in innovation and some problems related to the screen scaling, this edition for Nintendo 3DS is still surprising, maintaining the excellent platforming experience that we experienced in Wii. If you missed it, this is the best time to play it.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is a good port of a great game; a minor graphical downgrade is the only price to pay for a overall better version, with more precise control a some nice new content.

It still is as good as we remember it. If you've already played it on Wii there are not too many reasons to play it again, but if you missed it, you've got in front of you one of the best platformers we've seen in the last few years.

A great platformer with broader appeal than before, but there isn't a lot new here. [July 2013, p.78]

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is an excellent port of an excellent game - though its difficulty may be a little off-putting for newcomers.

One of the finest Wii games make its "return" on the 3DS. Monster Games managed to squeeze the brilliant level design and the epic challenges of the original game in this 3DS port. Some minor visual problems keep it a step away from the original Retro Studios game, but it's absolutely still worth playing.

Retro Studios’ foray into 2D platformers is great, but this isn’t the definitive version and, honestly, you might be better off tracking down the Wii version.

While I enjoyed the extreme challenge of collecting all the letters and conquering the Golden Temple in the original game, I feel that these items make the game more enjoyable without taking away too much of the difficulty.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D doesn’t have enough to entice Wii owners back into the jungle, but if you haven’t yet made the trip to Kong Island, you’d be absolutely bananas to miss out.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D succeeds in being better than the original by smartly using the hardware capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS. The 3D-effect and adaptation of the controls will be very refreshing to those who played the Wii-version. The biggest improvement comes in the form of a new setting developed for the 3DS, which converts the console-experience fantastically to a handheld format.

While this game offers the same magnificent platform experience than the original Wii version, it suffers from issues associated with the smaller screen. The new controls are precise, specially now that you don't have to shake the controller. Even though the art direction and the levels where designed with a TV screen in mind, the 3D effect really enhances the backgrounds and environments. Challenging, fun and solid, the game design of this title shines even through its flaws and the patches that where made while adapting it for the 3DS.

Still one of the best platformers of the last years – even though there is not a lot of new stuff to be found in the 3DS-version.

In the end this 3DS port is a solid game and both fans of the original and those new to the game will enjoy all that this portable version has to offer.

At a glance a cute and charming little platformer that will eventually become with your insight one of the most challenging and deepest contemporary platform games. A great remake that's annoying only because of its occasional troubles with controls and because of its complicated multiplayer game.

Donkey Kong Country Returns for the 3DS is basically the same game that launched on the Nintendo Wii for nearly three years ago. The smaller format has made some of the levels harder to navigate but it shouldn’t discourage anyone from checking out this portable version of one of the best platform games of all time.

A safe bet for those who missed it the first time around. [Issue#136, p.116]

It’s polished and fun – easily one of the top side-scrolling platformers yet released for Nintendo’s handheld – but there’s just not much significant new material here.

Until then, it’s hard to recommend buying this if you’ve beaten the original, but if you loved it, couldn’t beat it, and want to give New mode a shot, it’s easily worth either buying it at a lower price point or simply renting it.

For those who played the Wii version, this version is worth it because it can be played anywhere. Those who have not played before, have here a new opportunity.

The portable edition of Donkey Kong Country Returns is not perfect; it will not convince those who have already completed the home edition but it is very interesting for everyone else.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is a great port of the popular Wii game that manages to capture what made the game excellent in the first place. Level design is spot on and the game contains loads of content and a high challenge level.

Although it's undoubtedly a tough game, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D will keep you engaged with its blend of fluid movement and thoughtful platforming play.

One of the strongest Nintendo ports in recent memory. More than just a handy, cash-in replication of its precursor, an abundance of updated polish has been amply applied to render the game a must-have, perhaps even for those who've played the original to death.

Quotation forthcoming.

As with any rehash of a great, it's the problems that stand out, but the uninitiated will find a huge amount to love. DK's still playing his second fiddle very nicely.

As we mentioned, cramming the Wii title onto the portable didn't happen without consequences. The game looks noticeably muddier on the 3DS screen, and occasional slowdown often appears at the worst moments. To be fair, though, neither of these complaints ruin the experience, and Nintendo fans would be wise to pick up Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D even if they own the console edition, as it's equally fun to play on the go.

It's the sheer shine Retro has applied here that makes it so appealing. Be it the level where the Kongs are silhouetted as they run towards their goal or the duo trying to carefully make their way between an oncoming tidal wave, it's all so appealing to look at.

It's a port of an excellent game that matches its source material beat for beat. Whether you're a franchise fan or simply a gamer looking for something fun to play on your 3DS, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is one of the best options of the platform.

While the addition of eight new stages might not be enough to lure back fans of the original, but with its accessible new game mode, gorgeous visuals and plethora of challenging and diverse levels, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is almost guaranteed to attract an army of new followers.

Donkey Kong Country Returns has been translated well for the Nintendo 3DS, bringing more traditional control and nifty 3D effects to the well-received Wii release.

With its visual splendor and gratifying, old-school gameplay, this is a fantastic platformer that makes the most of the 3DS. It may test your patience from time to time, but the satisfaction of conquering every last bonus barrel and KONG letter is ultimately worth it.

Donkey Kong Country Returns is a game about falling off things, goring yourself on things, squashing yourself under things and occasionally being eaten by things. So it was in 2010, and so it is now. There are worse ways to spend a weekend.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D does a lot of things well - it's a challenging platformer that understands what made the original Donkey Kong games tick and updates it for a new generation. The problem is that it doesn't go far beyond the boundaries set by the originals, and some of the fresh additions don't fare well in this port.

If you’ve played the original version on the Wii there isn’t much here to allure you back to the jungle, so only diehard DK fans need apply.

If you are fine with crazy difficulty in your platformers then it’s a really rewarding game to play and so beautiful it puts the NSMB series to shame.

A great platforming game for the 3DS. The levels look amazing, and there are plenty of surprises and exciting concepts to experience. It requires some skill, and the game sometimes feels a bit unfair. Still, it offers plenty of fun.

An uneven update. The core elements that made the original so thrilling are still here, but visual problems turn the satisfying challenge into something that often feels unfair.

The meager number of additions here—including the useless 3D gimmick—aren’t enough to make this worth picking up if you played Donkey Kong Country Returns the first time around on the Wii in 2010. If it’s your first time, though, and you’re still curious about checking out Donkey Kong’s latest adventure, this is a solid port.

Good rather than great, this is a retro platformer that does exactly what its peers did 20 years ago while barely changing a thing. If that’s what you’re after, you’ll love it. Otherwise, it’s easily outclassed.

Some fundamental port issues stand in the way of making this really great.