Game Review: 'Donkey Kong Country Returns' (Wii)

This holiday season has already been a great one.  We celebrated Thanksgiving a few weeks ago and now we're coming up on Christmas.  I love this time of year, we get a lot of good food, and time with friends and family.  Also, we get some good games from developers trying to hit the Christmas shopping season.  And lucky us, this year is a good one.

Up for a quick review today is 'Donkey Kong Country Returns' for the Wii.  I'm going to have to be completely honest, this game had high expectations from me going into this.  I was an avid fan of all things Donkey Kong back when the original 'Donkey Kong Country' franchise rolled to us years ago.  With time, and the development of the Donkey Kong 64 catastrophe, I'll admit had seemed forgotten to me.  So when I intially saw this title's trailer on G4 a few months ago, I was very excited.

First thing is first, let me go on the record and say that if you are looking for a truly awesome game for the Wii...DK doesn't fall short.  Simply put, this game is nothing less than awesome.  And what a treat for those of us who grew up rolling around in mine carts with Diddy Kong in tow.  And for the generation of gamers who had never had to chance to play the original DK  Country games, do yourself a favor and find them on the Wii Virtual Console.  You will not be sorry!

Graphics:
I'll start with the graphics; it is easily one of the best looking games on the Wii.  That's it.  Hands down.  Don't even try to argue it.  It's gorgeous.  The devs gave us a retro gaming experience by keeping the game in a '2D platform' style.  But it has full 3D graphics.  The renders are beautiful, the backgrounds are amazing.  Unlike the original titles where the backgrounds were pretty static, these backgrounds are very much the polar opposite.

Objects are constantly moving between the back and foregrounds.  And numerous times through the game you'll be required to navigate between the two as well.  Barrels will launch you into the background to pickup a hidden puzzle piece or kill a bad guy.  The graphics are very immersive; all the while keeping true to what we have come to love from the Donkey Kong Country visual style.  In the screen to the left you will see DK and Diddy flying on a rocket barrel while the train is actually coming out of the background using the spirals.  It's awesome.

Controls:
There are two control schemes that can be utilized while playing through DKC Returns.  The newest involves using the Wiimote and the Nunchuck to play and the other scheme utilizes only the Wiimote.  Personally, the nostalgia factor was purely enough for me to go with the Wiimote only control scheme.  So I haven't actually tried the newer setup.  However, the controls are very tight and responsive.  It keeps the game as simple as possible by designating the '1' button to grab for swinging from vines and grabbing onto grassy surfaces, and the '2' button is set up to jump.  While movement is done via the 'D-Pad'.  You hold the Wiimote sideways like a classic Nintendo controller.

To execute moves like rolls and ground pounds simply shake the Wiimote while moving to roll.  Likewise, shake the Wiimote will stationary to ground pound.  With the addition to hold down on the d-pad while shaking the remote allows DK or Diddy to blow objects on the ground to unveal hidden items.

Sounds:
If you have ever played any of the previous DKC titles, the sounds are pretty much the same.  There have been additions that involve boss fight music, etc.  But it's all pretty much standard DKC fanfare.

Co-Op/Multiplayer:
This game has crazy multiplayer for those who are co-op minded.  You both play on the same screen at the same time.  The upside, it's nothing like in 'New Super Mario Bros.' where you'll accidentally bounce off of other player's heads and die.  Instead, DK can pick up Diddy (aka Player 2) and let them ride on his back to get through troubled spots.  Also, it feels more like teamwork.  2-Player mode has enabled my wife to pick up a Wiimote and take the helm of Diddy.  Sometimes the inclusion of another player does muddy the waters a little bit.

I'm easily distracted and catch myself looking at the wrong character on screen from time to time.  But that's a 'me' problem, not a game problem.  The hardest part about co-op play are the riding components to the game.  Like minecarts and rocket barrels.  During a 2-Player game, both players can control the ride at any time.  This leads to the other person hitting jump prematurely sending you both to an early death.  Depending on your level of patience, this can be fun or really annoying.  Personally, it's all fun and games for me.  So when it happens, it's almost funny.

Other:
Outside of regular gameplay there are loads of hidden stuff throughout the game; banana coins, bananas, KONG letters, and hidden puzzle pieces.  As you find KONG letters and puzzle pieces you are working toward unlocking stuff in the Extras Menu (which consists of songs from the game and concept art).  So replayability factor is extremely high in this game.

Returning members of the cast include Donkey and Diddy Kong (rocking his red Nintendo hat and peanut shooter) and Cranky Kong.  For the Kong's that is it.  For the animals, we get to control Rambi the Rhino again.  Also Squaks the bird comes back as a puzzle piece finder.  The Kremlins and King K. Rool have all been traded for the evil Tiki's.  Which is nice that they were able to bring a fresh concept to the table.

The game is rather story driven with cut scenes that are short, sweet, and to the point.  But fun to watch.

Downfalls:
The only downfall to this game is it's difficulty level.  I never remember DKC being as brutal as some of the levels in DKC Returns can be.  Of course, that was years ago.  It just seems like some of the level designs want to break your spirit.  But, this is quickly forgotten when you throw a second player into the mix and just have fun with it.

Rating:
This is a great game, no matter how you look at it.  If you own a Wii, you must own this title.  So, go buy it.
This game gets a 5 out of 5 from TechieSmarts!

Donkey Kong Country Returns is rated 'E' for Everyone by the ESRB.

Note: Donkey Kong Country Returns and all characters, images and assets therein are owned by Nintendo.