
Generally, this is not an issue, but there were a few instances - those mine cart segments, especially - that would have benefitted from the 60 FPS that was present in the original. Because of this, some of the parts that require truly expert timing can be made more trying than necessary merely because input commands don’t respond as fast as they should. The one problem that the game does face, that the original didn’t, is that it runs at only 30 frames per second, and not 60.

#DONKEYKONG COUNTRY 3DS MANUAL#
Just having pure control in one’s hands with a traditional set of buttons and d-pad (or analog stick) makes Returns 3D feel like the definitive version of the game, just from a manual dexterity standpoint. It’s further refreshing to be able to experience Donkey Kong Country Returns without the contrived wagglefest that were the Wii motion controls. Fortunately, the responsive controls make this whole process all the more fluid and enjoyable a platformer that does not have an obedient, intuitive control setup is doomed for failure. This is because puzzles and enemy encounters are fairly designed, imploring folks to use quick wit to best even the most dangerous fiend. Meaning to say, if players die at some point in their travels, it’s because they simply aren’t good enough, and they really only have themselves to blame. The important part about DKCR’s inherently challenging gameplay, though, is that it’s almost always fair. It’s a nice little addition that will certainly provide a warm welcome to some of the younger or newer gamers, however, hardcore fans will likely blow past it, adopting the philosophy of “no pain, no gain.” Knowing the level of difficulty that is present at all points in the game, DKCR 3D implements the newbie-friendly “New Mode”, which grants the monkey tag team more health, life-saving balloons that rescue players from pitfalls and a few other tools designed to make the experience generally a bit less crushing. Thus, make no mistake, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is still just as good and hard as the original title. The likable duo plow through stages that are both original and familiar, drawing inspiration from previous installments in the series, while also integrating newfangled goodness in the form of clever boss battles, dastardly expanses to leap across and challenging enemies around every corner. At its most basic level, DKCR 3D is a 2.5D side-scrolling platformer that stars the illustrious Donkey Kong and his esteemed sidekick, Diddy. So in essence, the title plays just as it did before, which in this case is a wonderful thing.

This port isn’t one without a flaw or two, but in truth, those few issues mean nothing when pitted against everything else the game does well, and with humbling precision.ĭonkey Kong Country Returns 3D is practically the same game as the Wii title from a few years back. Thus, it’s easy to assume - and one would be right in doing so - that DKCR 3D merely extrapolates upon the greatness that was the original, by somehow managing to actually enhance the overall experience further. Since then, it has gone down in the annals of gaming history as a textbook example of refined, almost perfect game design, and is still used as something of a measuring stick by which all other games of its kind are judged. Donkey Kong Country Returns was one of the best games of the year when it was released back in 2010.
