Is Donkey Kong Country Returns Actually Good?
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- Опубліковано 25 гру 2024
- The Donkey Kong Country series is one of the most beloved in video game history. With the original trilogy on the SNES being still praised to this day. However, after 13 long years of no games, the Donkey Kong Country series returned in 2010, and with the recent announcement of this game's Switch port, I wanted to finally go back and take a look at it. This is my Donkey Kong Country Returns retrospective, enjoy!
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Good? It is amazing! Is incredible how well they could keep up with the Rare trilogy, and its sequel is even better.
The Retro Studios games are so good, it makes me want a third Country game made by them so much
It's*
@@frouvoxes Thanks
For real
@@JoseViktor4099 you're welcome ^^
I'm one of the few who thinks that this is better than Tropical Freeze.
Can you explain why?
Tropical Freeze is better but feel free to be wrong (I'm teasing you)
@@michaelhockaday7426 I guess the game's worlds didn't really stand out to me as Country Returns did. When I played it just felt like I was playing constant Donkey Kong in a beach or jungle, but then again I guess I'm just nostalgia biased towards Country Returns. That and the fact that I liked the concept of tikis over penguins. And maybe how Country Returns kind of reminded me of New Super Mario Bros Wii.
@LordIceberg Not trying to be a jerk but almost all the worlds win Returns are just rehashes of worlds from the first DKC
@@GoldRust332 Returns at least builds upon them
It's better than every NSMB game by a long shot
The fact the most recent DK game was released a full decade ago will never not be painful.
donkey kong tropical freeze was made in 2014
@@slay-kippie yeah, that’s 10 years ago, in other words, a decade
Donkey Kong Country is one of those series that doesn't have a bad game, and even the worst one (DKC3) is still pretty good. .
I'm one of those people that believe that DKC 3 is one of the best in the series.
Another is the Mario & Luigi series. No bad game in it
Dkc 1 is the worst one. Still great. But DKC 3 is just better.
@@coacobro1690what are you talking about
@@coacobro1690 i kiinda agree dk1 is the game ive played the least. Beat it maybe like 4 times while dkc2 i beat it probably like 45 times
This game rules. I’m not much of a gamer but I still have a Wii U and I have played this game over and over and over and have become unbelievably cracked at it. There’s something about the art design and score that’s just so endlessly immersive and replayable. Definitely my favorite platformer I’ve played
It’s incredible and I will be buying the HD rerelease to show my support for the series.
If I had a Switch, I would too! Maybe one of these days Nintendo will announce another DKC to complete the modern trilogy.
The one thing I don't like as much about DKC returns is that the original games, specially DKC 2, had some very "high energy" levels like the first few ones in Gangkplank Galleon but also had these very poignant and eerie ambience levels like Squawks's Shaft and Bramble Blast. I feel like DKC returns leans more heavily on the high energy vibe, which is awesome and makes it a great game, but I kinda miss those more chilled and weird vibes that were so unique in the original trilogy and I haven't quite seem captured in any other game ever since.
a small detail i really liked about this game is how the first level of each world would make you start in the previous world (for example the first level of the forest has you start in the cave or the first level of the volcano has you come out of the factory) it's such a small thing but it adds so much for me (amazing video btw i love this game to death)
It still hurts that nintendo still hasn’t released a new DK game instead of remastering old ones.
21:37 when I was little I was so bad I couldn't tell this level was easy
The enemies in DKCR are creepier than in tropical freeze, and I love that
DK Country Returns and Tropical Freeze. Two of the best platformers of all time!!!
Nobody gonna talk about how DK punched the moon out of the sky?
dkcr is my favorite game of all time. its not just good, its magnificent.
Tropical freeze next pleaseee
It's honestly AMAZING! The ONLY downside I see in it are the very forced motion controls. Which is why I'm excited to play the switch reboot since we can FINALLY play this game without motion controls! Plus, it's what made tropical freeze as well!
Same I tried to play the Wii version just yesterday and was reminded how unplayable it is. I love the 3ds game though. But I do prefer rares dkc games. They flow better.
I'm personally used to the motion controls. I guess shaking the controller like a crazy person is just ingrained in my head lol!
You can play without them if you don’t use the nunchucks I believe
I personally really like the motion controls. I also play Tropical Freeze with the motion controls.
@@crinklyonion1410 same bro
I think the reason the Returns soundtrack isn’t celebrated much is because David Wise returned for Tropical Freeze right after it and absolutely blew every other DKC OST out of the water. The Tropical Freeze soundtrack is legendary. I’ve yet to hear an OST that tops it.
Also what’s the deal with Mole Miner Max? Imo, Thugly, Colonel Pluck and Tiki Tong are wayyyyy harder. I find Max to be one of the easiest bosses in the game.
This is a good channel. If you improved your audio quality on your voice recording it would improve your videos a lot.
Donkey Kong Country Returns is a beautiful game. The only problem I really had is that the music was kinda forgettable. I personally enjoy tropical Freeze way more, but Returns is still an amazing game. But no matter what game you like more, I think you have to admit that Tropical Freeze has way better music.
This game gets too much hate in my opinion. I think a reason for that is the newest game, Tropical Freeze, fixed the main issues from Returns. Returns is still a top 3 favorite game of all time for me.
I’ve never seen anyone hate on it
People who failed at it and people who freak out if they ever die in a game disliked it. It was a masterclass in 2d platformer design.
Retro is untouchable. They outdid Nintendo at 2d platformers and took Metroid and not only made it 3d, but did it better. They perfected genres in one attempt. Castlevania tried to do 3d and utterly failed. I don't think anyone has done a 3d Metroidvania.
There is a reason Nintendo fired Bandai and got Retro to remake Metroid 4. Because noone does it better.
I don't even know if the company is capable of failing.
Am I the only one who can never punch the bosses more than once? You are supposed to hit them like 8 times but for some reason they always get knocked out after one punch when I do it.
you have to wait until dk gets close to the boss. Id you try to shake before he just sticks his fist out and you get one hit
The thing is Donkey Kong not only took a backseat to Mario but they creators feel they can just reboot the tv consoles by making handheld versions of the original or on a different tv console. Tropical Freeze was the last game they made of DK which was a decade ago. Meanwhile Mario had Super Mario Wonder (I wouldn’t be surprised if that gets a reboot as Nintendo’s lazy nowadays). They could’ve made a Mario vs. Donkey Kong game where you could play as either one with the story varying depending on who you choose (with the gameplay similar to Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr.) but they wouldn’t do that. As far as Donkey Kong Country Returns goes,it was a breath of fresh air as Donkey was playable for the first time since the original and the tikis were unique in their own way. Wasn’t crazy about the pig being a checkpoint instead of the barrel but the plot was still a nice throwback with something new added.
To be fair, it had been 11 years since the last 2d Mario game when Wonder came out.
Really excited to play this game when it comes to Switch next year!
I love Mario, I'm 40 and have been playing his games since like 1990. But I think the Retro Donkey Kong games are the best 2D games of the industry in the last 15 years. Much better than the New Super Mario games and even Super Mario Wonder. The 2d Mario games of his millenium probably come third after the Retro Donkey Kong games and the Rayman Origins/Legends games among triple AAA 2d platformers. In fact you can see the influence of the Retro Donkey Kong games and Rayman in Super Mario Wonder (shadow levels and musical-rythm jumping levels, for example)
Dang I was 2 when this game came out
Great video, Mariomikester. In my opinion, the Donkey Kong Country series just blows the 2D Mario games out of the water in every way possible. It's not even a close comparison.
Donkey Kong Country has creative worlds that have a life of their own and even have little stories to tell (such as Juicy Jungle in Tropical Freeze showing the progression of turning fruits into popsicles). Mario games just recycle the same basic themes (grass, desert, snow, etc.) over and over again.
The levels in Donkey Kong Country feel so alive and creative. The graphics are gorgeous and often include cool things going on in the background, the platforms actually feel like moving parts part of the level, and the mechanics are so creative and unique. In Mario games, the graphics are just repetitive backdrops, platforms are often just random floating objects with no real connection to the level, and the mechanics are far less diverse.
The Donkey Kong Country games have unique and interesting bosses for every world, with fun and diverse mechanics for fighting each one of them, and you actually feel like you are fighting to inflict damage on them and take them down. The bosses are actually challenging. Mario games just reuse the same boring bosses (such as the Koopalings) over and over, who not only have NO connection or correlation to the world they inhabit, but are also repetitive and pathetically easy to beat. The final bosses are usually unbeatable by Mario on his own and the game just puts a lame kill switch just to make it possible for Mario to win (e.g., the button that collapses the bridge under Bowser). It never feels like you actually beat the final boss; it just feels like you got lucky enough to dodge a few shots and jump on a button that defeats the boss for you.
Donkey Kong Country games actually make you work to win. You can purchase some helpful items along the way to slightly enhance your abilities, and you can get help from buddies that add new abilities to navigate the level, but they are mostly optional and serve only to diversify DK's move set. Mario games, on the other hand, include either 1) a bunch of gimmicky and situational powerups that are either required to get through certain sections that exist for the sole purpose of giving that power up a usage (such as the mini-mushroom that's used for mini-pipes), or 2) overpowered items that just allow the player to cheese their way through the levels (such as the propeller suit from NSMB Wii).
I used to love playing through the 2D Mario games, but after I got my hands on Donkey Kong Country Returns and Tropical Freeze, I've barely even looked back. I honestly cannot understand how anyone could think 2D Mario is even remotely on par with, let alone better than, Donkey Kong Country. DKC is superior in literally every single way to 2D Mario.
Mario Wonder is pretty similar in quality to DKCTF imo. I'd recommend it if you haven't played it
I absolutely love DKCR! It was my first DKC, and I have a lot of good childhood memories with it. Tropical Freeze improved upon the formular and is superior in my opinion, but it is still such an amazing journey through Donkey Kong Island. Only real knock I have on it would be excluding K. Rool and the kremlings, and the inclusion of the blowing mechanic, especially compared to the pulling mechanic in TF. I can't wait for the remaster, I haven't been able to play Returns in many, many years!
I love the games you choose to make videos about!!!
🍊
DKCR A.K.A donkey having the brute force to move the ENTIRE MOON
Don’t forget World 9! (The golden banana)
There was never a consensus - neither critics or consumer based - on this game not being at least good, so why frame the title like it was?
you clicked
@@DoozyDak not the got'em moment you think it is
@@magnus1130you still did
To go back in time and re-analyse DKC Returns in retrospective. And for no one's surprise, Returns still holds well to this day!
@@magnus1130 Except it is. That’s why he named it that.
Awesome Video Bro!
Yes, I actually got this game on the 3Ds first and so I actually played (Spoilers Below!)
the levels in Secret World 9 after getting all Orbs, Man it was a struggle as kid but it was god damn worth it
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS IS MY FAVORITE VIDEO GAME BRO
Its crazy how popular donkey kong actually is
Game is amazing, it feels just as good if not better than the original trilogy imo
Ay I'm early! I love this game it was one of the first games I beat!
Donkey Kong was the star of the recent Mario movie, he is definitely getting a new game soon
I'm actually playing this right now and it's so good. I used to play it on my Wii when I was younger until I accidentally used the buttoned side of my shirt to clean the disk.
Well, this is literally my favorite game
It is better than Tropical Freeze. The best DK game ever, but only with 3DS controls
Biased
Both are good but I can see why Returns might be better. It has the tighter level design of the two.
@@miragevarietyproductions3361 Switcheroo was just an epic level in Country Returns, so was 2-K Bopopolis in Tropical Freeze
Both were very good, but playing through Returns it does feel more fun in ways. TF had better music and boss design, but Returns has better level design. In both games you can feel the excitement of the devs. Retro is just the best development team I've ever seen. Every game is a perfect work of art.
MIKSETR IS BACK
Loved the video and development facts
Yes it is, its just a real good game in a series of amazing games
Dude, I LOVED it. I still play both DKC1 and 2 to this day, it's one of my favourite games of all time (along with Ocarina of Time - still play through every other year or so; Perfect Dark - Also to this day) and I love watching retrospectives. I'm 33. But I remember when DKCR came out and my friend had a Wii U, and being a DKC veteran who was super disappointed with DK64 (wasn't my type of game at all, and just wasn't overall interested in it), I absolutely LOVED the feel of DKCR, the level design, the multiplayer gameplay, abilities etc. It was a rock solid tribute to platform games in general, in true DKC fashion.
I haven't seen the video yet, as a typed the above paragraph. I'mma watch it now, just wanted to give my two cents based entirely on the title :P
I really thought you were gonna mention the secret golden temple level at the end of the game.
I'm replying without watching the video yet, because today I've finally obtained all gold medals (not all glittering though). As a 24 year-old who beat the game 200% plus all gold medals after about 13 ½ years, yes, it is a good game. They could've just hidden some puzzle pieces better in some levels, but nevertheless I've loved this game.
Now I'll watch your video.
It’s one of my favourite games I played it so much as a kid that it’s literally apart of my soul I can’t believe your asking this question it’s perfect
I'm still playing 14 years later
This is one of my favorite games.
Stream today?
13:00 I'm starting to realize how unfamiliar you are with at least DKC2, because almost everything you've mentioned so far that was surprising to you (like the extra abilities, the special world key collectibles), even the fact that every world has a different theme, with new enemies... this was also prevalent in all DKC on the SNES, but you sound surprised when you say it lmao. EDIT: Oh, and about meeting the final boss but having to play a special level before that... yeah! Best part about Donkey Kong 2!! That level is so good it feels like a huge ass thank you from the developers for playing the game!
I am going to buy donkey Kong returns HD pre-order soon
as someone who originally played donkey kong country return i love how it finally got talked about its music its art style it made me fall in love whit the DK genre
edit: also donkey kong tropical freeze is the newest verision being made in 2014 4 years after DK country returns and it also has alot of good music my favriote being the themes for the windmill parts
edit2: ok i know that if you look up newest game it says the new HD remake but can you really count that as a game ?
yes. no point in watching the video
I'm not even gonna watch this video because this topic is not even debated.
I fell in love with this game as a kid, & it’s just soooooooo gud :)
For a long time I didn’t actually finish the game. I played it with my brother and we reached world 7. But a few years ago, I finished most of the game with a friend. Super fun. Super hard. A lot of game overs. We still have to come back for the K levels, though…
Having played Mario Bros Wii a lot more, I do feel like DKCR just has this kind of edge when it comes to level design that makes all the levels stand out more. The world themes feel more unique. And I feel like a lot of levels have really memorable gimmicks. Silhouettes. Obstacles being timed with the music. Tidal waves. Indiana Jones style boulders. An arachnophobe’s worst nightmare. Not to mention the mine carts and rocket barrels. I feel like Mario mixes things up more with the power ups, whereas DK mixes it up with more level variety. Plus, I also feel like the DK levels feel much bigger, being shot with barrels and switching from the foreground to the background.
It is really good, but the thing that personally always bothered me was the controls. Having to shake the Wii remote to roll was incredibly annoying, so I’m hoping that the Switch port will allow you to just press the y button like in tropical freeze
I don't even have to watch any of the video to k ow the answer. The answer is yes
starts talking about the music, and starts playing music from a different game....
I’m a big fan of the worlds
What's your favourite world?
@@bonobo2000 The Factory
YAY NEW MARIOMIKESTER REVIEW
man you missed out not playing this as a kid
love the worlds, my ranking would be
1. cave
2. cliff
3. beach
4. factory
5. ruins
6. forest
7. volcano
8. jungle
Tropical Freeze is the best 2D platformer ever. Though this assessment has really eclipsed Returns, it's truly on par with its sequel, just held back by a few odd design choices tied to it being on the Wii (shake control, and super guide mainly, lives too suck but TF hasn't get rid of those either).
you dont need a 20 minute video to tell you that DK Country Returns is one of the best 2d platformers
We need some videos about Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, Donkey Kong 1994, and Mario Vs. Donkey Kong!!! Those are some underrated games that are awesome, and if you ever do another non-Mario video, Braid is an awesome game to check out if you liked Mario Vs. Donkey Kong!!!
Yes, next question
Yes, it is
For me. I'm not as skilled a DK. I already have this game on the Wii. If they included Funky Kong I might consider buying it.
So good it carried the brand for 14+ years!
ofc hes the funny monke man
As someone who has played dkcr a little under fifty times, I can't tolerate any unwarranted criticism for this game
YES
I wouldnt say that it feels like the old games. I mean its good. But I prefer the old games. It doesn't quite have the same spirit.
6:04 Casoh
Gus
@@DoozyDak🍊
Yes it's good, now move on to the next new Dkc series 😀
22 minutes for answering 1 questions 😅
Who's even arguing against that dude
Dankey Kang
Is dkcr on the wiiu? Because i dont think so so i think it has not been on every console since the wii
Backwards compatibility
you can just put the wii disk in the wiiu, so yeah kinda
When Mario vs dk retrospective 🐵🐵🐵🐵
Gus
AHHHHHHHHHH 🗿
That game is hard
Some things in this game kinda disappoint me, like the lack of a truly secret world like in 2 or 3 (3ds has one though) and while the remixes are good, DKC wasn't really prone to recycling old music, so I'd rather if they sticked with an almost fully original sound track. As for tiki tong, great ambience, great music, but the most boring boss of the entire game. So far, I think it's better than the first the dkc, but far below the 2nd and 3rd iterations which are close to pure platforming perfection
bosses in dkc were pathetically easy. They made them harder in the sequels since the weak boss fights were some of the biggest complaints with the game
Yes
I had the ds game it was fun.
But i played the ogs on the switch
Quick answer: yes
Stream today
Mario Wonder turned out to be a big disappointment because of how damn lacking in challenge it was ...could've been amazing ...compared to the DKC Retro games and its not comparable, they designed Wonder and geared the challenge for 10 year olds
I only beat DKCR twice 2010 and 2016 and then i stopped because I hate the Wii remotes so I'm glad it's coming to the Nintendo switch so that I can get right back into it cuz it's been a long time and yes DKCR is a good game but the final boss was lame DKCTF was a better game and the final boss felt like a actual boss it was it's own DKC2 💯💯💯
Yes, I think so. However, I don’t think it feels like DKC, really.
Cannot be hating on these games. Just trying to get views. No matter what, this is hands down the best DK game
He is not hating on it at all, "Is ... a good game" is just the name of his series. He's highly praising the game.
The annoying part I think is the original Donkey Kong Country trilogy with its lush color palettes and uniquely bold visual style still looks a lot better than these new games.
I am NOT the first comment, I'm the 5th or something.
also is the Wii U amazing? I wanna get it for my birthday
No use getting it in 2024. The switch ls like proper evolution of the wii u
Don't listen to the other guy. Wii U can play plenty of games not on Switch. There's Game and Wario, Xenoblade X, Star Fox Zero+ Guard, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, Yoshi's Wooly World, Nintendo Land, Nes Remix, Dr. Luigi, and plenty more. Plus it can play Wii games, and even GameCube games if you're willing to hack it. Tons of games trapped on it because of the two screens. It's the ultimate way to play Nintendo's home console games.
@@whyrwehereThanks for telling me! I already got the console and I thought it was gonna be a disappointment seeing the reviews, but seeing your comment makes me feel really great buying the Wii U instead!
Only problem i have with the 3ds version is that you can't use the d pad, only the circle pad
Yes you can, you gotta go to the Options menu and select the second control scheme
@@paulgilbert5278 I'm undusting my 3ds then
22 minutes wasted to explain this😂
Obv this game is good
20:45 Kirby 🙁
Gus
Kirby games are action-platformers bruh. Not "just a" platformers.
😦😧🍊
Yea?