Donkey Kong Country Returns

Donkey Kong Country Returns is a side-scrolling 2.5D platform game developed by Retro Studios for the Wii. It is the fourth game in the Donkey Kong Country series, the first since Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! The game stars Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, who travel across the island to retrieve the Banana Hoard, which has been stolen by the Tiki Tak Tribe. A successor named Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was released for the Wii U in February 2014 and for the Nintendo Switch in May 2018.

An enhanced remake was later made for the Nintendo 3DS under the name Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, released in 2013. In addition, the original Wii game was later released for digital download on the Nintendo eShop for Wii U on January 21-22, 2015 in all regions excluding North America. On March 31, 2016, the digital re-release was made available in North America exclusively for My Nintendo users. The game was later made publicly available on the North American Wii U eShop on September 22, 2016.

On July 4, 2019 at approximately 9 pm UTC+8, the game was silently released on the Chinese Nvidia Shield store without any prior notice from Nvidia's Chinese website or its social media accounts. Unlike the other Wii/GameCube ports, this game was never advertised by Nvidia and was only known to exist by approval information from government websites. Nvidia eventually posted about the game on July 12 at 3:13 pm UTC+8.

Story


On one peaceful day, the volcano of Donkey Kong Island erupts and reawakens the Tiki Tak Tribe from their slumber. For mysterious purposes, the Tikis hypnotize the local wildlife ranging from elephants, giraffes, zebras and squirrels by using their music to bring them every banana in sight. Under their control, Donkey Kong is robbed of his Banana Hoard. Inside DK's Tree House, Diddy Kong notices the Tikis with the bananas. He looks upon the cavern beneath the house and notices that there are no bananas, then angrily chases after them. Donkey Kong then emerges from the house and sees the animals stealing his bananas. However, a Tiki named Kalimba forces him back into the house and attempts to hypnotize him as well, but he is somehow immune to the hypnotic powers of the Tikis. He then punches Kalimba through the front door and out of the tree house and immediately sets off for adventure. Donkey Kong reunites himself with Diddy Kong and the two simians head off through the island to recover their precious bananas.

After traveling through various parts of Donkey Kong Island, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong soon encounter the leader of the Tiki Tak Tribe, Tiki Tong. After they defeat him, Tiki Tong's explosion launches them into space. While there, the Kong's knock the moon down to earth, which crushes the Tiki base inside the volcano. This releases the bananas, which sends them and the moon flying out of the volcano. With the statue destroyed, the effects of the hypnosis on the creatures of the island are undone. DK and Diddy are able to land before they crash onto the island, and cheer as their bananas continue to rain from the volcano.

After the credits, a Golden Temple appears on the island. If the Kongs get all the Rare Orbs from the eight Kong Temples, they'll have access to the Golden Temple and its secrets.

Gameplay
Donkey Kong Country Returns is a platformer game, playing much like the earlier Donkey Kong Country games. The player controls Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, using various moves such as Jumping and Rolling to defeat enemies and progress through levels. In multiplayer, player one controls Donkey Kong and player two controls Diddy Kong. Rambi the Rhino returns as an Animal Friend the Kongs can ride, who is capable of ramming into enemies and finding secrets by destroying objects.

If the Kongs get hit by an enemy or hit spikes, they will lose one heart. If they lose all their hearts, hit anything while riding the Rocket Barrel or Mine Cart, get hit by waves in the level Tidal Terror, or fall into a pit, water, or in lava, they will lose a life. If they lose all their lives, it is Game Over. Collecting a red Extra Life Balloon or by collecting 100 Bananas will give the Kongs another life. Collecting enough Banana Coins will allow the player to purchase items from Cranky Kong's Shop.

Time Attack
The Time Attack mode is accessible when any level has been completed at least once. In this mode, the player can earn one of four medals by finishing it in the fastest time possible. The level is always started with only Donkey Kong, even if players have Diddy Kong with them. When the Tutorial Pig finishes the countdown and waves the green flag, the timer and level will officially start. If the Kongs reach the end of the level and hit the Slot Machine Barrel with a checkered flag on it, then the Tutorial Pig will wave it to stop the timer. Then, the player's total time is recorded and a bronze, silver, gold, or shiny gold medal is awarded, depending on how fast the player did in the level. Shiny gold medals require an even faster time than normal gold medals, and their required time is not shown in the game.

Players don't lose lives in Time Attack mode. However, the timer does not reset if players are taken out by enemies, obstacles, or an abyss.

Time Attack mode does not affect the game clear percentage, nor unlocks anything in Extras; as a result, this game mode is completely optional.

Mirror Mode
The treasure of the Golden Temple is a mirror, which unlocks Mirror Mode. In this mode, level layouts are completely mirrored, and players cannot use inventory items or Diddy Kong. As a result, no multiplayer feature is available during this mode. To add to the difficulty, Donkey Kong only gets one hit point, and as such, all recovery hearts are removed. Clearing all the levels in Mirror Mode will unlock some bonus images in the Image Gallery and is necessary for 200% completion.

K-O-N-G Letters are also mirrored, and if they are collected again in a level during Mirror Mode, the orange starred emblem corresponding to the level, meaning all Letters have been previously collected there, will become blue. However, recollecting the letters in Mirror Mode is not necessary to complete the game 200%.

Extras
Images, music, and dioramas can be unlocked if players perform certain tasks within the game, such as collecting all Puzzle Pieces in levels, defeating bosses and beating Key Temple stages.

Controls
This game utilizes two different control schemes, which are the by itself, and the  with the Nunchuk Attachment, which serves as the primary control scheme.

Solo & Co-op

 * and : Start Game (At title screen)
 * Jump, Ascend (while using the Barrel Jet)
 * or : Grab barrels, vines, cling onto grass patches, Dismount Rambi
 * or : Pause
 * Walk, Run, Crouch
 * Shake: Ground Pound, Blow (while crouching), Roll (while walking/running), Charge (while walking/running on Rambi)

Co-op only

 * or (Donkey Kong): Carry Diddy Kong
 * or (Diddy Kong): Ride Donkey Kong; Dismount Donkey Kong

Solo & Co-op

 * Grab barrels, vines, and cling onto grass patches
 * Jump; Ascend (while using the Barrel Jet), Start Game (At title screen)
 * Pause
 * Pause
 * Walk, Run (while holding )
 * Crouch, Dismount Rambi (while holding )
 * Shake: Ground Pound, Blow (while crouching), Roll (while walking/running), Charge (while walking/running on Rambi)

Co-op only

 * (Donkey Kong): Carry Diddy Kong (while holding )
 * (Diddy Kong): Ride Donkey Kong (while holding ), Dismount Donkey Kong (while holding )

Bosses
Each world of the game ends with a boss battle. Normally peaceful creatures, the first seven bosses will display hostility towards the Kongs once hypnotized by the higher-ranking members of the Tiki Tak Tribe, employed to guard portions of the Banana Hoard. The eighth and final boss is the leader of the tribe himself, Tiki Tong.

Boss battles may be sequential, meaning the boss will become more aggressive as it takes more hits. After receiving the final hit, the creature will faint, and the Tiki that possesses it will reveal itself in a dizzy state, allowing the Kongs a chance to knock it out with repeated punches. However, if ignored for some time, the Tiki will regain consciousness and leave the fight scene, abruptly ending the level, although this has no influence on the game's progress.

Enemies
The Tiki Tak Tribe has invaded a large portion of Donkey Kong Island, scattering its members throughout all 9 worlds and mixing them with the indigenous population of enemies. The lower-ranking members of the tribe typically resemble bongo drums, the rest being designed after other traditional instruments (kalimba, gong, xylophone etc.), particularly those that possess the boss enemies.

Most of the enemies from the island's natural fauna are specific to certain worlds, though they might briefly appear in other locations. For example, Rawks, which are common in the Jungle world, can be also encountered in Damp Dungeon, a level from the Ruins world, as well as the Golden Temple, the last area to be explored in the game.

Items and objects
The adventure is littered with noteworthy objects that can be used or manipulated in various ways or purposes. Below is a table that comprises all collectables, projectiles, vehicles, and miscellaneous objects found in the game.

Worlds and levels
The game is divided into eight main worlds and an extra level, the Golden Temple. With the exception of boss levels, all levels in the game contain a number of Puzzle Pieces that unlock concept artwork.

In each world, the Kongs can come across Cranky Kong's Shop, where Cranky sells various items that can be used in the course of the game.

Below is a table listing all levels in the game, along with the number of Puzzle Pieces each one has (five, seven, or nine), as well as the music theme playing there. The soundtrack of the game features various rearrangements of past Donkey Kong melodies, with the other tunes being new. Tunes followed by an asterisk (*) have been given a title in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Marketing and release
To promote the game, Nintendo partnered Chiquita to cross-promote the game for a limited time by having Donkey Kong promotion stickers on their bananas. In addition, an online contest was set up asking people to upload three photos of themselves doing the "Donkey Kong dance" for a chance to win one of thirty-one prizes. Nintendo also partnered with Johnny Rockets to rebrand their Chocolate Banana Shake as the "Donkey Kong Chocolate Banana Shake" for a limited time. In addition, the promotion ties in with a sweepstakes for a chance to win a copy of the game.

In the United Kingdom, select Game and Gamestation stores were chosen to promote the game at launch by trading a handful of bananas in exchange for the copy of the game. The first twenty customers that arrive at the store are guaranteed to get the game.

Nintendo of Australia promoted the game before launch by having game demo in two locations: The Nintendo Connection at Myer department store, Sydney City in November 27, and The Nintendo Experience at EB Games, Swanston Street, Melbourne in November 28. The first two-hundred people who sampled the game received a special Donkey Kong Poster. They celebrated the launch of the game by holding an event in Circular Quay, located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia in the afternoon. It featured a tower of bananas with a sign next to it saying "Kong's Banana Hoard", along with a variety of banana-based foods. The staff kept the public entertained with trivia questions; answering them correctly will be rewarded with a free Donkey Kong shirt. At night time, the main event began with the showing of the video game from the projector; giving people a chance to play the game.

Development
Donkey Kong Country Returns development started after several core developers of the Metroid Prime series left Retro Studios, which made several executives skeptical of whether the developer could keep making high-quality games. At the same time, Shigeru Miyamoto wanted to make a new Donkey Kong Country game and suggested Retro Studios as its developer. Since many Retro Studios employees were fans of the series, the suggestion was welcomed enthusiastically by them.

Development started out slow, with the developers creating only two of the eight bosses during 2009. The pace fastened around 2010, as the team increased in size and after E3, as Retro Studios and Nintendo eventually agreed on how the levels should be designed.

Kensuke Tanabe, who had worked on the localization of the original Donkey Kong Country, and his assistant Risa Tabata supervised Retro Studios during development, giving their opinions on the level designs and requesting enemies to be changed. Tanabe also asked for the creation of a multiplayer mode to distinguish the game from Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. Shigeru Miyamoto also gave input, such as requesting that the music not be changed.

Diddy and Damaged Donkey Kong
The player must go to an area in a level with a DK Barrel and at least one enemy without Diddy Kong. The player must grab the DK Barrel and wait the enemy to approach Donkey Kong. When the enemy is almost touching him, throw the barrel so that it breaks before Donkey Kong gets damaged. If done correctly, Diddy gets on Donkey Kong's back and two extra hearts appear in the health HUD, but one of the main hearts is empty, while it naturally would refill when the barrel breaks.

Cranky Kong's Shop Glitch
When visiting Cranky Kong's Shop, the game may freeze during transitions, such as when buying items or even entering the shop. This can sometimes be fixed by entering and exiting the Home Menu.

Official soundtrack
An original soundtrack that is based on the game is released only in Japan for Club Nintendo members. It has twenty-five songs from the game.

References to other games

 * Game & Watch series: Mr. Game & Watch can be seen in one part in the background of Foggy Fumes.
 * Donkey Kong: The original 25m level can be seen in one part in the background of Foggy Fumes. Some temple levels also feature cave paintings based on the level. Also, in the level Wonky Waterway, a statue of Donkey Kong with his appearance in this game holding a Wii Remote can be seen. Moreover, in some secret temple levels, some pillars and platforms have paintings that resemble the stages of the arcade game, and at the end of each temple level, sprites of Donkey Kong's head from this game can be seen in the background during the "Level Clear!" screen.
 * Donkey Kong Jr.: The music of the sky area of the Golden Temple is a remix of the title and stage themes.
 * Super Mario Bros. 2: A piece of concept art based on the overworld levels in this game can be unlocked in Donkey Kong Country Returns.
 * Donkey Kong Country: The main theme of Donkey Kong Country Returns, as well as other pieces, are remixed versions of this game's themes. Also Cranky Kong is seen sitting in a rocking chair as he does in this game plus some of his quotes were of those that originated here. Just like in the original, Returns features bonus stages in levels in certain areas instead of Bonus Barrels and players have a one shot chance at beating them also like in the original.
 * Donkey Kong Jungle Beat: Some sound effects are borrowed from this game. Also, DK's finishing beating of the world's Tiki after a boss fight is reminiscent of some battles from this game.
 * New Super Mario Bros. Wii: The level pads look identical to those from this game, even using the same colors. Also, both games have Super Guide. Worlds 5, 6, 8, and 9 of these two games are respectively similar and have the same theme.
 * Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest: Ship levels and volcano levels in the series were first seen in this game. Banana coins make a return. Returns' End of level barrel has a similar function to this games' End of Level Target in that they both release prizes depending on what a player chooses.
 * Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!: Diddy getting on Donkey Kong for the continuous roll attack might have been inspired from Dixie getting on Kiddy Kong and riding him around. Also the concept of Rocket Barrels originated from this game although they were used a little differently.
 * Donkey Kong 64: Diddy's jetpack ability and Peanut Popgun originated here.

References in later games

 * StreetPass Mii Plaza: Donkey Kong Country Returns is featured on one of the Puzzle Swap panels in this game.
 * Mario Kart 7: The DK Jungle course is based on Donkey Kong Country Returns.
 * Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon: In Treacherous Mansion, Strong Greenies have spears decorated with masks resembling Kalimba.
 * Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: This game features many elements from Donkey Kong Country Returns, due to it being a sequel.
 * Mario Golf: World Tour: The DK Jungle golf course is heavily based on this game. Donkey Kong's Albatross, Hole-in-One and Eagle celebrations feature him in a silhouetted jungle setting referencing the silhouette levels that appeared in this game.
 * Mario Kart 8/Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: DK Jungle returns as a retro course and some enemies are seen there.
 * Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS: Tiki Buzzes appears as enemies in Smash Run. The music theme "Gear Getaway" is remixed from this game. Several trophies are also taken from this game.
 * Super Smash Bros. for Wii U: Jungle Hijinxs appears as a new stage. The stage features "dual-plane battling", with fighters being able to travel between the foreground and background with Barrel Cannons that appear on the stage. Screaming Pillars also appear as obstacles. Several pieces of music are either directly taken or remixed from this game.

Pre-release and unused content
In the concept art gallery for the game robotic creatures called Ferndozers are shown, in which they are the only dumped concept characters whose official names are shown. Ferndozers look like monstrous tanks with a Barrel holding a giant chainsaw and a robotic arm. In a second concept art from the gallery it is shown that Ferndozers would appear in the Factory, many of them deforesting the Factory's surroundings. The concept art also showed Donkey Kong in the corner, controlling it with a remote control.

Trivia

 * The save data description is "Get bananas back from the Tikis!"
 * At the game's release, those who pre-ordered Donkey Kong Country Returns at GameStop in the United States or Canada received a special banana-shaped Wii Remote pouch with the game's logo printed on it.
 * If Donkey Kong does nothing for a long time while standing, he will look around, and sit to play what appears to be a Nintendo DS Lite. While he is playing, button sounds and a sound effect from the first Donkey Kong arcade game can be heard. Moments later, he throws the DS behind him, and it quickly fades away.
 * Shortly before the game's release in North America, Nintendo tried to trademark the pop culture phrase "It's on like Donkey Kong!"
 * Unlike the first two Donkey Kong Country games and Donkey Kong 64, Diddy cannot be controlled in single player. His purpose is allowing Donkey Kong to hover for a while, as well as providing two extra hit points.
 * The wind-up punching move used by Donkey Kong at the end of Donkey Kong Country Returns is very similar to his standard special move from the Super Smash Bros. games, the Giant Punch.