MikeYawney
on - last edited on by
JS
It's time to welcome back an old friend. While Donkey Kong has made cameos in a number of games over the past 5 years, it's been a long time since he has starred in his very own video game. Well he's back, and he's brought with him a wave of nostalgia only Nintendo can deliver.
The Volcano on DK's island paradise has erupted, unleashing evil Tikis who hypnotize the island animals to steal Donkey Kong's bananas. Now it's up to DK and Diddy to get them back. But be warned...it won't be easy.
Fans of the original Donkey Kong Country series will feel right at home as much of the gameplay is borrowed from previous franchise titles.You scamper through level after level pouncing on enemies, collecting all the bananas goodies along the way. However this time around you can interact with your environment. The duo can blow on Dandelions, snuff out lanterns pound the ground to find extra items and open up secret paths into the background. This adds depth to the levels and introduces a fun new play mechanic making levels "deeper" then they first appear.
While the single player game is a blast, two players can team up and play together. One controls DK, the other Diddy. Diddy can hover for short periods of time thanks to a jet pack and can shoot his peanut gun to stun enemies. When the going gets tough he can jump onto DK's back for a free ride. Fortunately you can purchase items to help you through levels. Extra lives, and extra health can be bought at Kranky Kong's store to aid you in your quest. And if you get really stuck you can activate the Super Guide and watch Super Kong complete the level for you. Super Kong will not pick up any bonus items but he will certainly clear the path and open up the next level.
A warning to parents, the game is TOUGH! You can easily blow through 20 - 30 lives in a single level and that's not exaggerating. While the game provides you with plenty of extra lives, younger gamers may go into a controller tossing fit. The Super Guide and bonus items certainly help younger gamers get through the game but parents can expect to hear some yelling at the TV at some point.
The game is visually impressive as is the music. It's probably one of the slickest looking games on the Wii to date. Controls are precise for the most part with the exception of the barrel roll move. It shares almost the same button combo as the blow command. Once in a while you will stop to blow a dandelion and find yourself roll right off the edge of the platform. This leads to some cheap deaths.
Overall Donkey Kong Country Returns is an impressive package with high replayability. The two player mode means it's fun for families and the Super Guide makes the challenging game accessible even for the youngest gamers. Yes there are a few control issues but it certainly doesn't take away from the fun you'll have playing the nostalgia soaked game. Donkey Kong Country Returns comes highly recommended.
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