Warning: Use of undefined constant ‘widget_text’ - assumed '‘widget_text’' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home/gamert5/public_html/new/wp-content/themes/maxmag/functions.php on line 1533

Warning: Use of undefined constant ‘do_shortcode’ - assumed '‘do_shortcode’' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home/gamert5/public_html/new/wp-content/themes/maxmag/functions.php on line 1533
Review: Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D - Gamertag Radio - Gamertag Radio
Home   >   News   >   Reviews   >   Review: Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

Review: Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

By on May 30, 2013

The Donkey Kong Country franchise has always had a special place in my gaming history. I still remember being in awe watching a VHS tape that contained a trailer. It was unbelievable what kind of graphics they were pushing out of the SNES at the time. That first game has always been my favorite in the series while every other release has just fallen short of my expectations.

Now, DKC Returns actually came out 3 years ago for the Wii. Unfortunately I had already gotten rid of my Wii and was unable to play the game. Call it a coincidence that 2 weeks after I purchase a 3DS that a review code from Nintendo is sent our way.Donkey-Kong-Country-Returns-3D-Screenshot-04

Once again all of Donkey Kong’s bananas have been stolen. This time by the notorious Tiki Tak Tribe, which is a group of Tiki’s that hypnotize all the animals on Donkey Kong Island by playing music. Naturally this doesn’t actually affect apes, just ask the first Tiki that tries to put Donkey Kong into a trance (Spoiler: it doesn’t end well). The music and world instantly took me back to that time I pushed play on my VCR. Retro Studios did a phenomenal job recreating that experience I remember.

Although I usually play with the 3D setting turned all the way up, I found DKC Returns 3D doesn’t live up to its given name and promptly turned the 3D off. Some things, like dialog windows, just didn’t make the transition into a 3D plane as well as others. It is almost like you can tell when a movie is recorded in 3D, instead of having it as aftereffects. Thankfully even with the 3D slider all the way off, DKC Returns 3D is still a pretty game to look at. Each environment of the 8 worlds is alive and vibrant, often seeing branches and leaves move around in the foreground, and not to mention trips to the background via barrels.

Cranky Kong makes a reappearance as a shopkeeper. The only currency he will work with is banana coins that can be found through levels. Available to buy are extra lives, keys to locked paths, and other various items to help you along your way. I found that these banana coins were fairly easy to procure and often had a hoard of over 300 at any given time.

Other than Cranky, not many other characters made the transition into Returns. Rambi the Rhino makes an appearance in only a handful of levels. Diddy serves merely as an extra container for 3 hearts and his ever so useful jetpack that makes landing much easier.

The Wii version came out to much applause except a few tiny missteps that didn’t rub people the right way in regards to the controls. Thankfully those issues don’t exist on the 3D version, but it also comes with a few hindrances of its own.  At times DKC Returns isvery demanding of accuracy, which the 3DS controls aren’t exactly capable of doing the job. Often times I’d find myself dying by nearly missing a mine cart or jump.

There are options to use either the analog or d-pad, both came with their own versions of button layouts. I felt like the odd one out since I preferred the button layout of the analog stick, but would rather get the accuracy of the d-pad. Another added difficulty was the fact this is a port from a console game that was played on a television screen. Some scenes zoom so far out that it was extremely hard to see where I was. Be mindful that I was playing on a regular 3DS, as a 3DS XL may fix that problem.

The Good

Challenging platformer

Music will instantly take you back to the original Donkey Kong Country

Levels are beautifully done, even in 2D.

The Bad

Controls cause some issues due to inaccuracy/lack of options

Areas that are zoomed out don’t take in mind what device you are playing on(aka TINY)

The Final Word

DKC Returns 3D manages to hit just about every note that the original DKC set out to do. There may not be as many playable characters but Returns 3D manages to nail the gameplay and aesthetic, which is important in my book. If you are amazing at platformers Returns 3D may clock in around the 7 hour mark. For me, having died almost 50 times on one level (don’t judge me!), I still managed to finish in around 10 hours. In any case though, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D was a delightful challenge and another worthy game to add to your 3DS library.

4/5

David2SLY

About David2SLY

Community Manager and all around smart ass. Usually found in racing games or on a basketball court.