Donkey Kong Country Returns

[The_Human_Cyborg]

I never realized how unbeleivabley awesome a gorilla riding a rhino is. :D
As I watch this trailer, I'm seeing how Retro's putting their signature style into this game. Just notice the attention to detail! Everything crumbles so realisticly, and the graphics are great!
Pull this off Retro, and you will be my favorite studio. Ever. 

[hisak]

New trailer! New impressions! New screens!

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FccfWmAX_Ig" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FccfWmAX_Ig</a>

Impressions can be found here, here, here (video), here, and here. Lots of new screens scattered around those articles as well. Game looks and sounds fantastic.

EDIT: A longer gameplay vid. That ending. Wow.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_vjj4-CnTU" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_vjj4-CnTU</a>

[hisak]

GameTrailers has a fantastic new preview up highlighting and explaining many of the game's features.

The game looks incredible, as always. However, I don't like how much the world map looks like a Mario game. I get that the red/blue dots make things easy to understand, but I much preferred the style of the SNES maps.

[Big Tater]

Awesome new videos...it looks a little hard though. i especially love how they've revamped some of the old music

[hisak]

A trailer with footage from late in the game. It looks crazily fast-paced.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sexlrXo1z9c" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sexlrXo1z9c</a>

[hisak]

I haven't picked the game up yet, but it seems to be getting very good reviews.

IGN: 9.0
1Up: A
Eurogamer: 9
GameTrailers: 9.0

Really excited to play this. Has anyone gotten it yet?

[The_Human_Cyborg]

Oh, I got it alright. So far, really fun and really hard! This game is just plain awesome!
The first boss was really hard, and I've died about 60 times! That's just in the first world!
The background and foreground effects are awesome to look at, and the music is catchy!

[LLR]

I've put off looking at this thread.... lol.  I can't resist anymore.   Does this game feel like the old DKCs?  I gotta know!  Those reviews look promising.... Can't wait to pick this up sometime.

[The_Human_Cyborg]

It feels like DKC, but somehow, i'm enjoying it just a bit more.
Retro really knows how to make barrel cannon combos...holy crap.
I don't even really know how to describe what makes this game so great. It's just, fun.

[hisak]

THC, did you play NSMB Wii last year? How do you think this compares to that in terms of retaining old customs while coming up with fantastic level design?

[The_Human_Cyborg]

DKCR definitely trumps NSMBW in terms of bringing new ideas to the table. In terms of retaining classic gameplay, NSMBW didn't have to change too much in terms of control, it was already fine. But DKC was different, looking back now the controls feel dated, and hard to control. I think this is where DKCR succeeds the most, perfecting the controls. The feel is still very ape-like, which is the point. But they don't force uneccesary sloppiness on you.
Plus, DK has a lot more 'wow' moments than Mario.
Mario just added high-res hillsides and backgrounds. DK added a whole world. Things in the background to blow on, or smash. Hidden areas that you can just barely see if you look from the side, or floors that you can flip or smash. Traces of banannas for you to blindly launch yourself from a barrel to find a secret...
Retro really nailed it. And I honestly think they could be the next Rare.

[hisak]

I don't know if it's really possible for Retro to become "the new Rare," just because longer dev cycles and a smaller team means they can't do something like this:

'94: Donkey Kong Country
'95: Donkey Kong Country 2
'96: Donkey Kong Country 3
'97: GoldenEye 007, Diddy Kong Racing
'98: Banjo-Kazooie
'99: Donkey Kong 64
'00: Perfect Dark, Banjo-Tooie
'01: Conker's Bad Fur Day

But then again, maybe Retro won't burn out as quickly as Rare did.

Hoping that I can pick this up this weekend.

[The_Human_Cyborg]

Well, I meant in terms of developing versatility and quality.
I'm soo glad I didn't wait for Christmas to bring me this game. 

[LLR]

THC, did you play NSMB Wii last year? How do you think this compares to that in terms of retaining old customs while coming up with fantastic level design?

I was wondering the exact same thing.  Thanks for the quick summary!  Nice work.  Judging from what you said, this seems like something I'd be all over.  I can't wait!  I'm a bit strapped for cash at the moment but I plan to pick it up for my self for Christmas. heeh (early).

DKCR definitely trumps NSMBW in terms of bringing new ideas to the table. In terms of retaining classic gameplay, NSMBW didn't have to change too much in terms of control, it was already fine. But DKC was different, looking back now the controls feel dated, and hard to control. I think this is where DKCR succeeds the most, perfecting the controls. The feel is still very ape-like, which is the point. But they don't force uneccesary sloppiness on you.
Plus, DK has a lot more 'wow' moments than Mario.
Mario just added high-res hillsides and backgrounds. DK added a whole world. Things in the background to blow on, or smash. Hidden areas that you can just barely see if you look from the side, or floors that you can flip or smash. Traces of banannas for you to blindly launch yourself from a barrel to find a secret...
Retro really nailed it. And I honestly think they could be the next Rare.

As long as there is no moments of DKC3 in there, I'll be tickled pink. I didn't care much for DKC3.  But I LOOOOVE Retro Studios.  I loved the Prime games and I think they would probably do a great job at any retro game they remake. 

I gotta ask, is Cranky Kong in the game?  (Please let him be)

[hisak]

I gotta ask, is Cranky Kong in the game?  (Please let him be)

Yes. None of the other Kongs besides Diddy are, though.

To be honest I've never played either of the DKC sequels. I've heard fantastic things about DKC2, so I should probably play that sometime.

[LLR]

DKC2 probably my second or third favorite game on SNES.  It is the best in the three.  If the new DKCR reminds me of DKC2.... I'll.... go ape...
 
DKC3 was horrible..

[ToonLink100]

It looks like a pretty fun game!

[The_Human_Cyborg]

Yes, Cranky Kong is living it up in his hut, selling you upgrades for banana coins and giving you weird old-man-isms.
DKC2 was also one of my fav games (probably of all time) and DKCR has a similar feel.
I'm just loving all the fun little details, like the ruins with carvings of the original donkey kong arcade sprite, or the water flow alternating in the background to turn water wheels different directions.
The new rocket barrel levels are a fun diversion. They're basicly controlled like the helicopter game, except you're dodging cannonballs/critters/stalagtites and going for puzzle pieces and KONG letters.
The mine cart levels are as fun as ever, with plenty of great new twists.
The graphics continue to impress, everything looks sharp in its cartoony way. And when DK pounds the ground, EVERYTHING moves. Foreground and background.
It's been a great challenge so far, with the super kong option showing up in almost every level. I refuse to cheat though, I don't feel like I've beaten the game if I use the super guide. Nice option for struggling youth.
And about the Co-op... It's amazing. The Kongs can't directly touch each other, so there's no "what the heck man!" moments. Diddy does all that he should do, jetpack and peanut popguns. But it's a real help to have two people on top of things on boss battles. Definitely the best little brother game I've ever played.

Anyway, has ANYONE else picked it up yet?

[Scott Shelby]

I picked it up yesterday. My brother and I are playing co-op and are in the 3rd world right now. It's not the masterpiece that 1-3 were (some of my favorite games of all-time mind you), but it's an absolute blast in terms of fun. Moreover, my impressions will probably change when I get to the later levels in the game, so I'll hold off on scoring it until I complete it.

Coming from someone who owns and has beaten DKC 1-3 along with DK 64, I definitely recommend that people who are wary of the game should give it a try.

[hisak]

I know it was probably foolish of me to expect this, but I'm a little disappointed there aren't any sales on this tomorrow. I'll probably still get it tomorrow anyway.