Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a remaster of a game that was on the Wii and then on the Nintendo 3DS. I played both versions, and also this newest version. Donkey Kong's a great game, but Nintendo should reconsider how it prices classics like this in the future as we approach Year 9 of the Switch Family's lifecycle.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a fairly straightforward port that'll fill enough time on the road to the Switch 2.

It’s called Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, and it’s basically what it says right there in the title: the original game but with cleaned-up graphics. Fundamentally, there isn’t a lot of difference. The premise,

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a phenomenal platformer and a must-play Nintendo Switch title, but it could be skippable for the fans that own the 3DS port.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD for the Nintendo Switch takes aspects of each of these rereleases — motion controls, bonus levels, enhanced visuals — and packages them into the ultimate experience. It’s easily the best the game has ever looked and felt,

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD launches January 16, 2025 for Nintendo Switch.

With improved presentation and controls, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is the definitive version of a classic platformer. Though it lacks the variety and bold ideas of its sequel, and offers little new content, it's a worthwhile experience for those who missed it the first time around.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is the definitive version of a great platformer that finally brings the best of the Wii and 3DS versions into one. But the lack of new stuff makes it a hard sell as a full-priced Nintendo Switch game.

It's been nearly 15 years since the original Nintendo Wii release of Donkey Kong Country Returns. If you've always wanted to check out this superior platformer but never had the chance to own a Wii or Wii U (or 3DS),