Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Review | Is the Switch Version Worth It?

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD: Performance, Features & Should You Buy It?

The Return of a Classic, but Is It Worth It?

Nintendo has decided to bring Donkey Kong Country Returns back again—this time in HD for the Nintendo Switch. Arriving at the tail end of the Switch’s lifecycle, this remake was developed by Forever Entertainment instead of Retro Studios, the original developer of the game. That decision alone raised some eyebrows, considering Forever Entertainment’s mixed track record with remakes like Panzer Dragoon and The House of the Dead.

So, does this HD version deliver a worthy upgrade to one of the Wii’s best platformers? Or does it fall short compared to Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, which already exists on the Switch? Let’s dive in.

A Visual Upgrade – But Not Without Issues

Visually, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD does a solid job of updating the Wii original. The new textures and improved character models help bring the game up to modern standards, all while maintaining the original’s colorful, layered 3D aesthetic. The opening FMV (Full Motion Video) cutscene has been completely overhauled, showing a level of care that many remasters overlook.

The game runs at native 1080p in docked mode and 720p in handheld mode, providing a sharper and cleaner experience compared to the Wii and 3DS versions. The improved sky textures and water effects stand out as particularly well-done enhancements.

However, the game isn’t free from weird visual quirks. Some special effects are missing or altered, including:

• The sunset effect in certain levels is completely gone.
• Shadows in cutscenes look less detailed compared to the Wii version.
• The KONG letters no longer have the same glowing effect.
• Certain animation details, like barrel explosions, feel off.

These small changes don’t ruin the game but chip away at the level of polish expected from a Nintendo-backed remaster.

Performance: Smooth but Not Perfect

On the technical side, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD mostly runs at 60 FPS, making it feel much smoother than the 30 FPS 3DS version. However, boss fights and certain levels experience frame rate dips, which is disappointing given that the Wii original never had these issues.

Load times have also increased, despite the Switch being a much more powerful console than the Wii. The load times are nearly twice as long as the original, which is frustrating when you're restarting levels frequently.

Gameplay: Does It Still Hold Up?

While Donkey Kong Country Returns was groundbreaking in 2010, its gameplay doesn’t feel as fresh in 2025. The motion controls from the Wii version are thankfully gone, making the platforming more precise, but the level design still feels a bit repetitive compared to its successor, Tropical Freeze.

The game is challenging, which is great for players who love tough platformers. However, it lacks some of the momentum-based flow that made the original Donkey Kong Country trilogy on SNES so iconic.

The biggest disappointment? The music.

The soundtrack feels uninspired, with boring original tracks and flat-sounding remixes of classic Donkey Kong music. In comparison, Tropical Freeze had one of the best soundtracks in any platformer.

Final Verdict: A Mixed Bag

✅ Pros:

✔️ Improved textures and models make the game look great.
✔️ Runs at 60 FPS most of the time (except for some dips).
✔️ No motion controls, making platforming more precise.
✔️ A fun, challenging platformer with classic Donkey Kong gameplay.

❌ Cons:

❌ Frame rate drops during boss fights and some levels.
❌ Longer load times compared to the Wii original.
❌ Missing or altered effects, making the remaster feel incomplete.
❌ The soundtrack is forgettable compared to Tropical Freeze.
❌ $60 feels overpriced for a game that is almost 15 years old.

Should You Buy It?

If you haven’t played Donkey Kong Country Returns before, this is probably the best way to experience it (unless you still own the Wii version). It’s a solid platformer, but one that feels outdated compared to Tropical Freeze, which is already available on Switch.

However, if you’re a longtime fan, expect some minor disappointments—especially with missing effects, occasional frame rate dips, and a soundtrack that doesn’t hit like it should. At $60, it feels a bit overpriced compared to newer platformers that offer more innovation and polish.

Final Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 – Good, but flawed)

Would you rather replay Tropical Freeze or give Donkey Kong Country Returns HD another go? Let us know!

Stay tuned for more Nintendo Switch reviews and gaming insights at Land of Geek Magazine!

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