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[Bloodporne]

So my wife's cousin dumped a few Wii games into her lap recently and much to my surprise Donkey Kong Country Returns was in there, a game we've both been meaning to properly play for ages. To give some background, both myself and my lovely wife loved DKC1 and 2 back in the day and have replayed both several times in the past few years. Somehow, we never picked up DKC3 but I guess that's a bit irrelevant.

We're currently about 60% to 70% through I suppose so I figured that's enough to get the conversation started and throw out my impressions thus far:

The Good:
-Holy shit is the level design generally fun and creative.
-Truckloads of well-hidden secrets and challenge rooms.
-Cool art design and I'm a fan of the graphics and look in general.
-Challenging and fun boss battles.
-Smooth and precise BASIC controls (*keep reading).
-Feels quite charming and inspired overall.
-Challenging default difficulty (*keep reading here as well).
-EDIT: Soundtrack, and sound design in general, is great.

The Bad:
-Mine cart and rocket barrel level difficulty. I've come to physically dread seeing a goddamn mine cart and/or rocket barrel upon entering a level at this point and almost quit the game during the Cave map. The difficulty spikes for these are off-the-charts for me as I seem to have no real issue with the regular platforming maps.
-Why is Diddy not playable and essentially just a jetpack with extra lives? Odd.
-EDIT: The atmosphere found in the SNES titles isn't nearly as present. I used to love the weather effects and moodiness of those.
-Where the fudge is Dixie?

The Ugly:
-I'm playing with the horizontal controller setup, as in NES style without a nunchuk, and the motion-actived moves are pissing me off massively. The game gets so hectic and difficult in parts with many actions having to be performed quickly in succession that the whole 'oh shit I meant to blow not roll into the abyss' if I don't come to a complete stop is getting tiresome. I feel like nothing was added to the fun factor by relegating important moves to this gimmicky implementation and rolling especially suffers and feels imprecise.
-I can't stress enough how much I utterly loathe mine cart and rocket barrel levels due to their hair-ripping difficulty. Yes, it must be mentioned twice for good measure.

Overall, the game still manages to be really likable despite me wanting to throw the f'ing TV out of the window on occasion. Yay video games!!!

 

[Hasney]

Yup, great game, horrible motion controls. Have you got a modded Wii? There's a patch you can apply to get rid of the motion.

I didn't finish it until the 3DS version because of that motion.

 

[TheGreatMightyPoo]

It doesn't have David Wise nor the varied environments of Tropical Freeze but it's the better designed game.

 

[B00TE]

One of the few games I've ever completed 100%, absolutely loved it and Tropical Freeze even more.

 

[_Rob_]

Yup, great game, horrible motion controls. Have you got a modded Wii? There's a patch you can apply to get rid of the motion.

I didn't finish it until the 3DS version because of that motion.

Woah, really!? That's fantastic I love the 3DS port but miss the big screen.

 

[Celine]

I actually liked the motion control precisely because it was used as a third button which seems weird but that let you just have the thumb over 1 and 2 buttons without the need to change position to reach a third button.

 

[de_reddy]

I love the mine cart and rocket barrel levels .

 

[Jazzem]

I actually liked the motion control precisely because it was used as a third button which seems weird but that let you just have the thumb over 1 and 2 buttons without the need to change position to reach a third button.

This is where the homebrew 'patch' and the 3DS version come into play, as putting it on a shoulder button essentially allows for the same benefit

 

[Sub_Level]

Great game, was happy to 100% it.

But man, the shaking the Wiimote to roll was awful.

 

[TylersProphecy]

Yup, game is great, motion controls, specifically for rolling, were uncalled for. I'm so tired of Nintendo control gimmicks that add nothing.

 

[Bloodporne]

Yup, great game, horrible motion controls. Have you got a modded Wii? There's a patch you can apply to get rid of the motion.

I didn't finish it until the 3DS version because of that motion.

I actually don't and I honestly don't even like the Wii. It was kind of the last straw for me and I haven't bought a Nintendo system since. I really can't stand the controller gimmicks. First time I've even broken the Wii out in 2 years or so.

 

[kromeo]

Good game but having to shake the wiimote to pound the ground was really annoying

Don't think i'll go back to it ever now i've played Tropical Freeze

 

[Bloodporne]

I'm not sure why they couldn't have just added a 'Classic' setting for the classic controller and just mirror the SNES controls. Is Nintendo just adamant about every game having to use their lame gimmick?

 

[Mr-Joker]

-Why is Diddy not playable and essentially just a jetpack with extra lives? Odd.

Diddy is playable in two player mode.

-Where the fudge is Dixie?

In Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze.

The Ugly:
-I'm playing with the horizontal controller setup, as in NES style without a nunchuk, and the motion-actived moves are pissing me off massively. The game gets so hectic and difficult in parts with many actions having to be performed quickly in succession that the whole 'oh shit I meant to blow not roll into the abyss' if I don't come to a complete stop is getting tiresome. I feel like nothing was added to the fun factor by relegating important moves to this gimmicky implementation and rolling especially suffers and feels imprecise.

Personally I prefer using the Wiimote and Nunchuk as I love using motion control to make Donkey Kong roll, it also makes it easier for me to make him roll and jump.

But yeah I won't lie that it can be frustrating when you meant to make him blow but he rolls instead because he was moving, they got rid of the blowing mechanic in Tropical Freeze.

Personally I love the Donkey Kong Country series and I was very excited when Returns got announced and it quickly became my fave Wii game.

I'm not sure why they couldn't have just added a 'Classic' setting for the classic controller and just mirror the SNES controls. Is Nintendo just adamant about every game having to use their lame gimmick?

They fixed that in Tropical Freeze as you play it with either a traditional controller or use the Wiimote and Nunchuk set up, personally I use the Wiimote and Nunchuk set up.

 

[DieNgamers]

One of the games that REALLY benefit from a classic control scheme on Dolphin for the Xbox360 controller! I came up with one that's quite intuitive, I think. Ground pound: Alternate L & R! If anyone wants it just write a pm.

Also: the minekart levels are the best! I love love love them!

 

[TheMagician]

Tropical Freeze fixes most of your complaints.

Brilliant game.

 

[Gai Murakumo]

It is a fantastic game. Until its sequel Tropical Freeze, Returns was up there as one of the great platformers. Being able to play it with a classic controller feels more comfortable to me. Plus best minecart levels in any game.

 

[NeptunePirate]

I had the same gripes as you with the motion controls. Overall it was a fantastic platformer and I'm glad people are still enjoying it.

 

[Bloodporne]

Tropical Freeze fixes most of your complaints.

Brilliant game.

Sadly I don't have a Wii U and don't plan on picking one up unless I get a deal/miracle somewhere down the line.

 

[Greatest Ever]

The level design is really solid from the middle point and there are never too many cart levels. Mainly because, not only are they fantastic, but they also mitigate my issue of Donkey Kong controlling terribly. I played the 3DS version and thought it might have been 30 FPS, but even in the excellent Tropical Freeze, he feels awful to control with. I've never played a platformer where the main character feels so sluggish and not fun to use but the level design is constantly top notch.

 

[manueldelalas]

Play it with the Nunchuk, MUCH better.

 

[swarley64]

Best 2D platformer of its generation. Depending on the day I might even rank it higher than the Galaxy games.

 

[sanstesy]

If you liked this you'll NEED to play GOATical freeze!

 

[Mr-Joker]

Sadly I don't have a Wii U and don't plan on picking one up unless I get a deal/miracle somewhere down the line.

Smart choice as I have a sneaky feeling that Tropical Freeze will end up getting ported to the Switch.

 

[Bloodporne]

I find the secrets and related level gimmicks really creative and cool, lots of clever shit here and therefore a ton of fun to discover.

Smart choice as I have a sneaky feeling that Tropical Freeze will end up getting ported to the Switch.

I'm extra-not getting a Switch actually haha. The Wii was it for me sadly. I love Nintendo's games but I don't have the money, time or energy for their gimmick-laden bullshit at this point honestly. I'm happy with buying a Playstation, the thing plugs in with whatever's in the box and plays the damn game with one controller, end of story. I was really hoping for the Switch to be straight-forward but they somehow upped the ante in terms of convoluted nonsense I personally don't want. No offense to fans of the Switch/Wii U or whatever of course and like I said, I love their franchises being a Nintendo kid back in the day, but they just lost me with the Wii.

 

[Vampirolol]

Great game. It feels different from Tropical Freeze, wich is a good thing since I can enjoy both from time to time.
Retro Studios never disappoints.

 

[heringer]

One of the best 2D platforms ever made. So good.

 

[grandwizard]

Do yourself a favor and get the homebrew patch that removes the waggle to roll. It's an excellent game brought down by that stupid decision.

 

[atbigelow]

I want to replay this game, but I remember just how annoying the waggle roll was.

I really want a DKC HD collection for Switch where I could play this without it. :/

 

[Bloodporne]

Do yourself a favor and get the homebrew patch that removes the waggle to roll. It's an excellent game brought down by that stupid decision.

How easy/hard is that to get onto my Wii. I do not have it modded if that's required.

 

[Nocturnowl]

You're playing a dangerous game going with the Wii Remote on its side, worst waggle and movement in my opinion, do you not have a nunchuck available?

Well anyway I never got why they went with the one shot mine carts and rocket barrels, I really like World 4 (and just about every world really) but it gets a lot of flak and I think the whole punishing inta-death angle is more the cause than the actual level designs. They clearly saw this was an issue seeing that its 3DS port added a new crash guard item and Tropical Freeze just went and did the logical two hits with health recovery possible route.

The combo and Cliffs and Factory is plaforming nirvana, game still packs a hell of a punch even after Tropical Freeze one upped it.

 

[entremet]

The 3DS version, while not 60FPS, is very good too. And removes the waggle BS. New levels as well.

 

[Jazzem]

I want to replay this game, but I remember just how annoying the waggle roll was.

I really want a DKC HD collection for Switch where I could play this without it. :/

Man that'd be fantastic, would be a shame for Tropical Freeze to fade to obscurity due to its platform. More people need to experience its tremendous level design + soundtrack!

 

[topplehat]

Would love to see both this and Tropical Freeze on the Switch, really really enjoyed both of them.

 

[Bloodporne]

You're playing a dangerous game going with the Wii Remote on its side, worst waggle and movement in my opinion, do you not have a nunchuck available?

Well anyway I never got why they went with the one shot mine carts and rocket barrels, I really like World 4 (and just about every world really) but it gets a lot of flak and I think the whole punishing inta-death angle is more the cause than the actual level designs. They clearly saw this was an issue seeing that its 3DS port added a new crash guard item and Tropical Freeze just went and did the logical two hits with health recovery possible route.

The combo and Cliffs and Factory is plaforming nirvana, game still packs a hell of a punch even after Tropical Freeze one upped it.

I have a nunchuk, yeah, but found that even more awkward. I really just wanted to play it like the SNES titles and this was as close as I got I suppose. I need to try again with the nunchuk possibly.

To clarify, I don't dislike the actual level design in the barrel and cart stages, I think it's great. It's just that they're extremely difficult to me and additionally punishing with how the checkpoints are dolled out in them. I don't think hitting the ceiling or one of pickaxe moles for example should be an insta-death, but should use the newly introduced two-heart system, it makes no sense to me.

Falling off the rails, sure, insta-death, I get that. The rest, not so much, but as you said, I guess they realized it and fixed it in that port. I really like difficult games actually but I nearly quite during the Cave map after blowing something like 14 lives on one level. It got to the point where I felt like you essentially HAD to die the first time at some obstacles to even get what the hell was going on and that's just frustrating.

 

[VDenter]

Fantastic game all around. Even if i did not mind the motion controls i have to admit not adding classic controller support was idiotic. Nintendo also made the same mistake with NSMBW. Despite Tropical Freeze fixing some issues and having better music i always felt that Returns beats it in terms of Level Design. The levels feel much more tight in Returns overall.

 

[AntiFacebook]

It was the best platformer I have ever played

Spoiler

until I played its sequel

 

[Intel_89]

Tropical Freeze is better in pretty much every single way, be sure to play that sometime in the future.

 

[MrSaturn99]

Never understood the rolling complaints when handslapping existed. Rolling felt great to pull off and always worked, whereas handslapping didn't always register when you shook the remote (this was especially troublesome on time trials).

Brilliant game, otherwise.

 

[TylersProphecy]

Play it with the Nunchuk, MUCH better.

I personally hate playing 2d platforming games with anything other than a dpad. Shit, I even play smash with a dpad because it feels like I have more control on a 2d plane that way.

 

[modsbox]

Came here to recommend the fix to remove waggle controls. It is the definition of a game changer. Once we had that sorted my son and I absolutely loved this game.

The way we did it (if memory serves) was to use WiiFlow. It has 'Ocarina' aka cheat code support built in, and can download codes for a given game once you enable Ocarina in the settings menu. The codes that it downloads for DKCR include the set of them you need to enable in order for classic controller to work.

It may seem like a pain to mod your Wii, but if you like this game it is well well worth it.

One warning though, if you do this and then play through the game you will likely ending up wanting and buying a Wii U so you can play Tropical Freeze.

 

[Kamek Koopa]

Tropical Freeze is better in everything (atmosphere, music, enemy design, boss battles) except in level design (I prefer the more focused, shorter levels of Returns... but not by much, since both are top notch) and bonus stages (which are pretty awful in both games). Anyway, these are the two best 2D platformers in the history, if you ask me.

The level design is really solid from the middle point and there are never too many cart levels. Mainly because, not only are they fantastic, but they also mitigate my issue of Donkey Kong controlling terribly. I played the 3DS version and thought it might have been 30 FPS, but even in the excellent Tropical Freeze, he feels awful to control with. I've never played a platformer where the main character feels so sluggish and not fun to use but the level design is constantly top notch.

I think DK's control in Returns and Tropical Freeze is probably one of the best in any platformer I've ever played, though. They nailed the weight, the speed, the gravity and, specially, the inertia. It just felt perfect.

 

[zeexlash]

I loved it when I played it a few years back, waggle controls, rocket boosts and all.

Only behind DKC2 and DKC3 in the series for me.

 

[correojon]

Agree with everything OP, I couldn´t get into the game in Wii due to the motion controls, but had a blast when I played the 3DS version. It´s really hard for me to choose if I like more Returns or Tropical Freeze, let´s hope someday Retro gives us a third game so good that it ends the discussion once and for all

 

[rottendevice]

I think it's a good game but it got too difficult by the end. Also, the music wasn't as good as the originals.

 

[Griss]

Fantastic game not without a couple of issues (that OP noted), but one that has been totally and completely overshadowed by Tropical Freeze, which is everything the first game is and so much more.

 

[Bloodporne]

Played more last night and realized I can essentially 'cheat' my way through the most recent mine cart level I loathe by getting one of those invincibility items. I had never touched any items before and hadn't really spent all that many coins, only on some lives here and there.

 

[Barry Burton]

It's the best 2D platformer I've ever played (I prefer it slightly to Tropical Freeze, which is also amazing). Worlds 5-through-7 are GOAT-tier.

 

[BlitzKeeg]

It's the best 2D platformer I've ever played (I prefer it slightly to Tropical Freeze, which is also amazing). Worlds 5-through-7 are GOAT-tier.

Same here. I owned a Wii basically since it came out, but had only played this about 3 years ago. I wish I hadn't waited because it's absolutely magical and is now in my top 5 games of all time.

Although I prefer Returns (probably because I played it first), Tropical Freeze solves a lot of the problems you seem to have with the game. Off the top of my head I can tell you that it:

- Introduces Dixie
- Makes the minecart and rocketbarrel levels easier by allowing you to purchase armor (no more one hit deaths)
- Removes the "shake to roll" mechanic and allows you to use the triggers instead

Both games are fantastic though. Best platformers I've played in a long time

 

[Jacknapes]

An absolutely brilliant game. Only played the 3DS version, but it was good none the less.