Donkey Returns, a legend returns!

2010 passed a historic moment for old Nintendo fans: Donkey Kong returned with his "Returns" -Adventure back on a home console and finally gave us a ... dare I say it ... fourth installment of the "Country" series. A reason to cheer all, even if the Developer Studio "Rare" was no longer involved. For this took "Retro Studios" the mammoth task and not only provides a more than worthy successor, but a separate, new and sophisticated "Donkey Kong" -Jump N 'Run, which puts all predecessor almost in the shadow ... Yes "Returns" is really that good!

The story is now finally back of Donkey Kong himself, after he had really only playable in the first part and in part 2 and part 3 was kidnapped as a dependent Depp repeatedly by Kremlings. This no longer exists, instead, want a troop nastier Tikis steal the entire banana inventories and abuse them for their own purposes. This can, of course, our favorite gorilla not to let and so he sets out to conquer with the help of his old pal Diddy, to the evil Tikis and its mesmerizing power ...

With no dialogue, the funny story is illustrated with reference to cutscenes. But of course it is in a "DK Country" game never really gone to the story ...
"Returns" should new, large and sophisticated and are all that have the "Retro Studios" also packed! Similar to the "New Super Mario Bros." - Series, Donkey Kong should also re-radiate.
Here, the developer-oriented on the first part of the series, so it is not surprising that there are many parallels with the original again. Nevertheless, "Returns" something new, fresh and still retains some of the charm of its predecessor.
But one by one:

The gameplay has been changed in many places: Donkey can indeed still jumping and rolling, but this is significantly different from its predecessors. Explanations would take too long, it was just said that supporters of the old parts have to get used a bit, but the new control system is very fast to the finger.
The biggest improvements are Donkey's drum attack, with which he will find treasures and may trigger mechanisms. In addition Diddy, who unfortunately is no longer playable as a separate character, but can support Donkey, where he can him with his rocket backpack holding a short time in the air.

Moreover Donkey now has two hearts, he is losing a life, the second hit. With Diddy has a total of four. And they are also more than necessary, but added later ...

In research terms, the game is perfect! There are eight completely different worlds, they all played by one has the possibility of all levels in the brutal mirror mode (the level are mirrored and you only Donkey with a heart) to gamble and make record times on. So with you developed the game very clear on, because if you with the SNES parts was formerly through, they tried as soon as possible to race through the level or tried to own challenges (for example, no second monkey gamble), anyway, was it me as if I knew the game already by heart. Here you can work out to your heart's content, but be careful: "Returns" is a merciless pig when it comes to reach the full 200%. In each level there is again the "K - O - N - G" collect letters, just like puzzle pieces, with which you can unlock pictures, music and videos. And these things are all really well hidden or hard to reach and in old "DK" style you have to watch out carefully for all hiding.
But the game also has otherwise an exponentially increasing degree of difficulty that a few frustrating moments elicits a more than a few times, especially when one imagines the great task of 200%! But that's what makes the game so, the claim and the difficulty, as one was accustomed to and also wanted. Be it the new rocket level, the known and devilish mine carts or simply thousand moving platforms, here everything is the seasoned Platform Games gamers demanded!
Since you are always very glad if you go charging in Cranky Kong's and a few helpful items can be bought. The money consists of the banana coins, which can be found in each level. So you can buy all sorts of stuff, about an extra heart, a Unverwundbar Potion or Squawk as trackers for puzzle pieces. But you can use only one item per level, that makes things again slightly hairy.

It create the developers anyway to surprise a repeatedly and to keep them happy, because each level has almost something unique and new.

From design and optics, is "Returns" one of the finest games in the world of Nintendo. The worlds look wonderful from the jungle, the forest, the beach and the red, glowing lava world, everything has been created with great attention to detail and creates the perfect atmosphere, as did the three predecessors. It's amazing that you can be impressed with a dazzling graphics even today.

And the music is again a dream of video game composition. Although many pieces from the first part were re-recorded, but the remixes are great and the new subjects such as the missile-Level or especially the volcano music, are top and lined up in the glorious world of sound "DK Country" a!
Unfortunately, David Wise, the composer of the old three parts, not with this, the music of several different composers was instead written.

Let us despite all the praise to criticism: There are more little things, but I think it's a little weak, that the bonus level are always the same! In the old parts of the bonus spaces were even more difficult, here you change only the design in the background. Furthermore, it is a pity that only Rambi again with this is as animal friend. Squawkes does not count because it acts only as an item. Where is Enguarde? Well, its absence makes sense because it also is no water level. Yes, apparently they were in the development phase, not so good, so it was decided to cancel the water level at the last moment. But in the new offshoot of the Wii U, "Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze" (published in November 2013) reverse this finally back, as well as the Eislevel who are also missing.
My last complaint is a matter of opinion: As the game is obtained, as well as in the new "Mario" games, a myriad of life, what does it matter that you can collect hundreds of banana coins. The limit is indeed at 99, but you never have fear of complete Game Over have, on the other hand that's a good thing, because at some levels you lose life, as brain cells when drinking!

For 3DS version: The 3DS port offers the complete original game two fundamental innovations: Firstly, the "new mode", which ensures that three instead of two hearts owns. In addition, you can get a lot more items in Cranky's shop and also use more in a level. Even the balls heavy K level you can buy, for me a bit too extreme, but I think it's good that the players are given the opportunity to play this game in a loose version, which is especially for beginners a great gimmick is.
Secondly you here an additional world, although thematically offers nothing Independent, but is a very great and innovative union of all previous worlds receives. Many say the new level would be modest, such a nonsense! Nevertheless Each level offers something new and just the Stages are not intended! The 3DS version thus worthwhile in any case for those who have "DKC Returns" not gambled on the Wii.
Otherwise would have to eräwhnen that you can hop as Donkey and Diddy through the adventure with two games again. Diddy is imme rnoch not only playable (only if the second player chooses him) and a second game module for the 3DS is somehow unnecessary, but above can be overlooked, I think.
Of course, the game has on the Nintendo 3DS graphically something stuck back, look worse does "Returns" is why, especially the 3D effect is very nice and also the criticism that is happening sometimes is a bit too small, I can not confirm!

Conclusion: Despite the small flaws that will hopefully improve the successor, is "Returns" one of the best Jump N 'runs that I've ever played! And again put Donkey Kong our red plumber in his pocket, after a few unsuccessful appearances in the Game Cube, the iconic monkey returns to its success of the past. An absolute must for both fans and newcomers, "DK Country Returns" is an absolute blast and perhaps the best comeback in the history of Nintendo.