Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

 3DS
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 278 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 225 out of 278
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 278
  3. Negative: 26 out of 278
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  1. VidsRule
    Jun 11, 2013
    5
    A fun side scroller. But we been there, it was released before and it's still just a run-of-the-mill side scroller. I think we're in a time where there's almost nothing that can happen to make this genre great again.
  2. TheCatalyst
    Jan 29, 2018
    6
    -Three of the 8 worlds I really enjoyed. Cliff and Factory were my favorites.
    -Some fantastic music in the Cliffs levels
    -Happy to not see motion controls in this version. -Boss design lacking flair -Some interesting set pieces and having the world fall apart around you never gets old -Satisfying to overcoming a hard challenge, but many of the levels felt like throwaways which soured    -Three of the 8 worlds I really enjoyed. Cliff and Factory were my favorites.
    -Some fantastic music in the Cliffs levels
    -Happy to not see motion controls in this version.
    -Boss design lacking flair
    -Some interesting set pieces and having the world fall apart around you never gets old
    -Satisfying to overcoming a hard challenge, but many of the levels felt like throwaways which soured the experience for me.
    -Still hate mine-cart levels and they've only gotten worse.
    -And they added rocket flying levels...just as bad
    -A lackluster final boss, basically a tiki Andross
    -Missing the charm from what made the original and DK2 classics
    -DKs new goofy noises, not a fan

    6.5/10    … Expand
  3. sitebender
    Mar 26, 2019
    6
    Donkey Kong Country Returns was a chore to play on 3DS. The game looks great, but it was constant deaths, when there weren't that many on the Wii version. It wasn't enjoyable, but looking at all the 10s, maybe it was just me.
  4. lesiuML
    Feb 15, 2023
    5
    At the beginning I got to admit that this game looks really nice on 3ds and some of the levels like factory or jungle are seriously good. But most of the locations are just generic... But despite nice graphics this game gave me nothing except frustration. In my opinion movement is just bad... Donkey Kong is heavy and I feel like I barely have control over him. Sometimes when you gotta do aAt the beginning I got to admit that this game looks really nice on 3ds and some of the levels like factory or jungle are seriously good. But most of the locations are just generic... But despite nice graphics this game gave me nothing except frustration. In my opinion movement is just bad... Donkey Kong is heavy and I feel like I barely have control over him. Sometimes when you gotta do a tight jump or quick move it's just not precise enough. Also I hate randomized things in this game such as movement of the opponent, lot of obstacles are hard to predict because of randomness. In my opinion this isn't very good platform game it's nowhere near games like Mario, Rayman, super meat boy or celeste where you have a total control of your movements and when you fail it's always only because of you. Here in Donkey Kong Country Returns I was so frustrated because of clunky movement and overall randomness that it just wasn't a fun for me.… Expand
  5. Ba-Ouai-Logic
    Jun 29, 2020
    7
    The music, the gameplay, the graphics on 3DS... Everything about this game is great!
  6. DarkSoulAxel
    Jul 17, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I would give it a 7.0, since its a fairly good game. But playing it right after the 3 classics on SNES, I came to appreciate the truthfulness but also dislike certain aspects of it. Its close, but not close enough, something is off. And also, the game seems difficult for the sake of being difficult, so thats less of an engaging fun challenge like the originals but sometimes just a chore. Very small character sprites and often zoomed out situations made me put my New 3DS XL very close to my face just to be able to react (I dont need glasses, its just that small). This sometimes puts you in cheap situations. I was also flooded with extra lifes, so no issues there but still the games difficulty felt bad, because it was just unfair at times. And one of the worst things are the cart and barrel levels, that went way overboard in their quantity. I also missed the ability to switch between characters. Bosses were dragged out a tiny bit too much for my taste too. But I had my fun with the game, it has some nice leveldesign here and there, good music and just a fun gameplay overall. Its just frustrating to not know at first that puzzle pieces dont do much for you but are insanely hard to find. I didnt find once all of one level by just completing the level once, which for me is bad design because it makes you feel unsatisfied and bad. Instead, just pay for a parrot finding them for you (and you have way too much money too). Frustrating but fun sums up the game. Recommandable, especially because of its mobile accessability with the 3DS but dont expect a masterpiece like the originals.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best 3DS Game of 2013
12
#12 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2013
10
#10 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 62 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 62
  3. Negative: 0 out of 62
  1. Games.cz
    Nov 2, 2013
    80
    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.
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  2. GamingXP
    Sep 16, 2013
    81
    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.
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  3. Level7.nu
    Sep 10, 2013
    80
    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.
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