Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D on 3DS, port of Retro Studios' Wii classic with exclusive content. DK and Diddy in inventive and demanding jungle levels. The definitive portable version of an excellent modern platformer.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer1 player3+
Description
Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong reclaim their bananas stolen by the Tikis across spectacular stages full of creative traps. Published by Nintendo, released in Europe in May 2013. Original stages enriched with a new 3DS-exclusive world, simultaneous local co-operation, Normal and New modes for all skill levels. Multilingual version.
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Lush jungles, striking backlighting and backgrounds in perpetual motion: Retro Studios composes a visual spectacle of wild energy. Silhouettes cut against blazing skies offer memorable tableaux. This dynamic staging, carried in 3D depth, keeps an intact graphic punch.
Vibrant re-orchestrations of mythic jungle themes, the music brings the series' cult melodies back to life with a rousing percussive energy. Tribal rhythms and retro refrains match the frenzy of the levels and charge every jump. This sonic festival, nostalgic and powerful, remains a treat for fans.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Long"
Technical info
💾1,6 GB📅24/05/2013
Published by Nintendo
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (3DS) price, value & rarity
Is Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D still worth playing in 2026?
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D adapts Retro Studios' excellent platformer by adding a new world and a more forgiving New mode. The demanding level design, rich in creative traps and staging ideas, remains a model of the genre, elevated by a dazzling art direction. The port, however, suffers a slight dip in fluidity compared with the Wii version. For fans of tough platformers and polished challenge, it is one of the genre's best adventures on the handheld, to savor controller in hand.
