Relying on whom you speak to and the platform they performed them on, you’ll hear that Donkey Kong Nation Returns is the higher recreation in comparison with Donkey Kong Nation: Tropical Freeze, and vice versa. Nevertheless, one factor is for sure: Tropical Freeze has had two clear benefits over Returns in each of its releases — it was in excessive definition, and didn’t pressure movement controls on you.
Returns initially launched on the Wii, which, regardless of being a wonderful recreation for its time, was restricted to straightforward definition and included annoying movement controls. We’re 15 years faraway from the unique launch, and no degree of rose-tinted glasses goes let me say that utilizing waggle for key mechanics in that recreation was in any method enjoyable. The 3DS model fastened the movement management difficulty however nonetheless suffered from low decision, regardless of being fairly the showcase for the stereoscopic 3D impact. The 3DS model additionally added new content material and, maybe most significantly, some problem aid within the type of “trendy mode.” In its unique kind and problem, Returns is a difficult recreation. Whereas it would seem like a easy Nintendo platformer, don’t be mistaken — it’s something however.
In Donkey Kong County Returns, DK’s banana hoard has been stolen but once more and all of his animal buddies have been hypnotised. By way of the 9 worlds the sport provides you’ve received to get DK and Diddy by way of the degrees to get the hoard again, and take down the Tiki Tak Tribe.
For those who play Returns within the unique mode you’ll get the entire recreation’s difficultly intact. Platforming on this recreation requires precision, with Donkey Kong understandably heavier and slower to show round than Mario is. When you’ve constructed some momentum issues transfer higher, however you’ll be punished shortly for doing the fallacious factor after which it’s again to the checkpoint or begin of the stage for you. The sport’s trendy mode softens that blow including extra well being, purchasable gadgets so as to add extra hearts, extra lives, and even provides up a second likelihood do you have to fall off a stage. The sport additionally has the Tremendous Information which might play a degree by way of for you, keep in mind when Nintendo had that in each recreation?
The opposite factor the sport has numerous is the acquainted platforming tropes like having all of the platforms beneath you fall, projectiles capturing at you and you should soar on them for collectables, and regardless of there being no underwater ranges on this one, there’s a good quantity of water based mostly concepts borrowed from different video games. Basic Donkey Kong Nation issues just like the mine carts, and capturing between barrels are right here and simply as irritating as they at all times have- which is a part of the enjoyable.
You possibly can play the sport solo, however should you’re prepared to place a relationship in jeopardy you possibly can play the sport with local- co-op, however actually the sport doesn’t really feel prefer it was designed for it with numerous set items, on-rails cart sections and something in barrel which means the second participant can’t do issues, however they’re simply going to get in the best way. Not solely that if you each die, you lose two lives, which is smart but in addition – it’s not likely a assist. Time Assault returns as nicely, when you beat a stage you possibly can undergo as quick as you possibly can to set a file.
Making the soar to HD has made Returns quite a bit nicer, to have a look at – however it was by no means ugly within the first place. For those who evaluate the video games facet by facet, body by body, you’ll discover many variations, quite a bit for the higher. However there are additionally a number of lacking issues or issues that some may think about worse. For each wave impact in a single degree that appears rather less practical, there’s reflections in caves, or modifications made to make issues extra seen in darkish areas or the jungle simply pops out a bit extra. All the pieces is sharper and vibrant, it’s nonetheless a HD model of a Wii recreation, or a 3DS one, or a little bit of each. It actually is under that of Tropical Freeze.
Returns’ soundtrack is a well-known riff on the Donkey Kong Nation themes you understand and love. Tropical Freeze might be the very best soundtrack in a Donkey Kong recreation outdoors of the SNES titles, and Returns isn’t unhealthy both, all of the acquainted themes and jingles are there however it doesn’t do an excessive amount of to raise itself over the originals, which everyone knows have been glorious.
Returns is nice, however I’m so prepared for a brand new Donkey Kong, whether or not it’s a Nation recreation or one thing else. We’ve had this recreation for 15 years and sure it stands up, Tropical Freeze we’ve been handled to twice as nicely. Now Returns is obtainable to play in one of the best ways potential, so should you’ve by no means dipped in there’s no higher time to, however should you’ve already performed this earlier than there’s nothing new right here actually for you. Nonetheless a contemporary traditional.
Score: 4.5/5
