Summary
- Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is coming to Nintendo Switch in 2025, developed by Forever Entertainment SA, not Retro Studios.
- Fans are hopeful for the HD version, despite mixed reviews of Forever Entertainment SA's past remakes.
- Retro Studios may not be working on the remake due to focus on Metroid 4 development.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is coming to the Nintendo Switch, but it's being worked on by Forever Entertainment SA, not Retro Studios. The Donkey Kong Country Returns developer shift comes following an announced partnership between Nintendo and Forever Entertainment back in 2021.
Nintendo surprised fans of the series with the reveal of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD coming to the Nintendo Switch during the recent Nintendo Direct. The HD version of the game will launch in 2025 and will carry over bonus levels from the Nintendo 3DS version of the game, as well.
Now, it's been discovered from official documents that the studio that's bringing the game over from the Wii and Nintendo 3DS is Forever Entertainment SA, not original developer Retro Studios. Forever Entertainment SA is a Polish company that has produced and developed quite a number of games in its time. The company is behind titles like Panzer Dragoon: Remake, The House of the Dead: Remake, and a wide variety of other games, including numerous simulator games. The company has been around since 2010, the same year the original Donkey Kong Country Returns was released.
Any time a game is handed off to a different developer to be ported, remastered, or remade, fans respond with a bit of apprehension. Both Panzer Dragoon: Remake and The House of the Dead: Remake received mixed reviews from critics and players, which also adds to the concern. However, as a highly celebrated entry in the Donkey Kong franchise, some fans seem hopeful that the game will be up to Nintendo's standards, and thus not disappoint players.
Why isn't Retro Studios Returning for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD?
As for why Retro Studios isn't returning to retouch its classic, it likely has to do with the upcoming Metroid 4. The game has had an extremely rocky development cycle, allegedly getting its start under Bandai Namco, only to have its development completely restarted with a move to Retro Studios two years later. It's been five years since then, and considering how badly fans have been awaiting the game, it's likely that Nintendo wanted Retro to focus on the project and not split its team to also work on a port.
With both Metroid 4: Beyond and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD launching in 2025, it remains to be seen if not having Retro Studios work on its own game will pay off. With any luck, fans of both franchises will be pleased with the results when they launch for the Switch.
Donkey Kong Country Returns
- Released
- November 21, 2010
- ESRB
- e
Take off with a barrel-blasting adventure!
Help DK and Diddy Kong recover their precious banana hoard from the villainous Tiki Tak Tribe in this visually enhanced version of the Wii™ game. Stomp enemies, blast through barrels, and ride rockets, minecarts, and even Rambi the Rhino in 80 levels across nine worlds, including the additional levels from the Nintendo 3DS™ version. You can even join up with a buddy for two-player local co-op!
Stomp, blast, and roll across Donkey Kong Island
Platform your way across DK Island’s vibrant and obstacle-filled levels. You’ll be stomping and rolling through environments ranging from jungle to volcano.
Swing into action as Donkey Kong
Some levels will have you swinging on vines, blasting through barrels,
or riding things like mine carts, rockets, and Rambi the Rhino.
Deal with obstacles and enemies the DK way
Execute moves like Ground Pound, Roll, Blow, and Grab and Cling.
Work together to find those bananas!
Team up with a friend and take on the Tiki Tak Tribe together as DK and Diddy in two-player local co-op. Pelt foes with Diddy’s Peanut Popgun and hover using his Barrel Jet. If you’re playing solo, break open a DK barrel to find Diddy Kong—he’ll take damage instead of DK!
Two ways to play
Play the game as it was first designed for the Wii system or reduce the difficulty for extra hearts and other goodies to make your journey a little easier.
- Developer(s)
- Retro Studios, Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Franchise
- Donkey Kong Country
- Platform(s)
- Wii
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
- Metascore
- 87
