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New screens honor the legacy of Donkey Kong Country - but WHY?

Daisy fresh shots of DKC Returns with some visual nods to the ape's past

Words: on October 14, 2010
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We got a strange little screenshot bundle today featuring a tidal wave of celebratory DK deliciousness, some of which was… surprising, to say the least. Half of the folder’s contents we expected, but the other half were completely out of the blue and should warm the hearts of damn near anyone who owned a SNES. They also sent our imaginations reeling (You’ll have to click to the next page to see what I mean)...


 
This isn’t to say we’re not giddy to see spankin’ new pics of the Donkey and Diddy’s colorful reunion. It’s gorgeous. Truly, a glorious return to DK form after years of little more than bongo-bangin’ and party game appearances. Let there be no doubt: Donkey Kong Country Returns easily sits atop GR’s must own list of 2010, and the classically inspired gameplay even managed to win over the notoriously coldhearted Brett Elston during a recent preview of the first five levels, which these screenshots elaborate on beautifully.


Above: Diddy, quite carelessly, firing off his jetpack right on Donkey Kong’s head


Above: Wii Carty!


Above: A barrel-blastin’ stage is also a Country requirement


Above: The daring ape escape Mr. Elston spoke about in our latest preview


Above: Neither Limbo nor Sin City. But these Suset Shores silhouettes do contain a couple of "perspective" puzzles 


Above: That’s one way to elude Tidal Terror

You want to see all of today's shots bigger than life? Head here. After that? Click on over to the next page to see the unexpected shots we received today. Old School DKC fans are in for a real treat…

Related

Platforms:

Wii

Topics:

Nintendo, Old-school

36 comments

  • yetanotherCid304 - October 18, 2010 2:42 a.m.

    @kidkatana: Thanks, i almost forgot about that damn arrmadillo! That poor guy never quit!

  • yetanotherCid304 - October 18, 2010 2:39 a.m.

    Too many collectables, too many characteers, the donkey rap...DK64 had everything going agaist it. Yet, i couldnt stop playing it. As for Returns, i am glad that nintendo is going back to DKC's roots it its next instalment. I just hope that they do this for other classic nintendo franchises (mainly metroid and zelda)

  • FanofSaiyan - October 15, 2010 8:50 p.m.

    My first console was a SNES, and some of the first games I played were the DKC series. DKC1 was great, DKC2 (and it's secret ending) were a blast to play with plenty of difficult platforming challenges. DKC3 was also a great game (with another secret ending ;) ). Here's to hoping that DKCR reboots the franchise (and hopefully have a secret endng).

  • Cleanser247 - October 15, 2010 5:57 p.m.

    Damn, good times!

  • philipshaw - October 15, 2010 3:51 p.m.

    Great article Chris,I will get this game but I may wait to Christmas to save me some money

  • deathrea - October 15, 2010 2:14 p.m.

    Aside from a few sections, DK64 was alright. That said I'm really looking forward to this.

  • Tenfey - October 15, 2010 2:13 p.m.

    Banana Slamma.

  • KidKatana - October 15, 2010 10:44 a.m.

    @ NeelEvil True, but I think the main problem was that it ignored the DKC legacy - you know, the little things that games do to keep people loving them, like the noise in Zelda when you solve a puzzle or the MGS exclamation mark. It just didn't have the charm of DKC. Well, that, and the fact that its levels were inferior copies of Banjo Kazooie's, it introduced incongruous special moves like guns and musical instruments, its collectibles could only be picked up if you were playing as the right character (and were required to advance the story), and it recycled bosses A LOT. But hey, if that's your cup of tea...

  • NeelEvil - October 15, 2010 10:15 a.m.

    I think the hate for DK64 stems from the fact it was released long after Rare did Banjo-Kazooie & aside from multiple characters it essentially played like a re-skinned version of BK.

  • TheElephantManchurianCandidate - October 15, 2010 8:22 a.m.

    Haha that Dixie Kong caption was hilarious. Funny thing is you can pretty much dress Diddy Kong up in Dixie's clothes in Smash Bros Brawl if you're yearning for some cross dressing monkey action Chris.

  • elpurplemonkey - October 15, 2010 6:39 a.m.

    Holy Fuck I want to play this already. And I loved DK64 at the time- but I don't doubt that I'd probably be bored by it if I went back to play it. Good for its time. Don't worry about your personal betrayal Chris- you did it for the luls, I can respect that.

  • slimjim441 - October 15, 2010 4:45 a.m.

    I love Retro Studios. They've never made a bad game. Yes, they've only made 4 games including DKCR, but still.

  • BlindMarksman - October 15, 2010 4:36 a.m.

    Don´t let Peer Pressure get the best of you Chris! Say what YOU think about the game. If you love it, don´t be afraid to say so.

  • Hotdiddykong - October 15, 2010 4:31 a.m.

    As for the screenshots. as you said, we'll never know the real reason but if i had to guess, its to show that DK really is returning considering all the dissapointing shit he's been through since rare left. DKC series,Dk64,and MAYBE Jungle beat were the only games DK was a real star in (I like King of swing and jungle climber though) Its great to see DK back, him and Diddy together again really puts a tear in a 17 year olds body like mine. Considering DKC was my first video game i ever remembered playing first as a kid.

  • Hotdiddykong - October 15, 2010 4:28 a.m.

    Dk64 was pretty much one of the best games on N64 next to Goldeneye and Ocarina of time! Change your statement if you think DK64 was great too chris! That game really packed a punch, what with the expansion pack and come on, the Final boss was pretty much the most epic thing ever to happen in video game history! a BOXING RING!

  • superrey19 - October 15, 2010 2:51 a.m.

    DK64 was awesome. Never found the last Golden banana i needed in order to fight K.Rool :(

  • ihopethisisnotantistasblood - October 15, 2010 2:44 a.m.

    you should write what you think, your name is the one on the article.. and i didn't like dk64.. too many ugly characters

  • WillisTron - October 15, 2010 2:33 a.m.

    * General statement questioning the hate for DK64

  • Imgema - October 15, 2010 2:24 a.m.

    Donkey Kong 64 was great. Sure, it was a bit tiresome with all these collectibles, but a "bad taste in the mouth"? Not at all. As for DKCR, the one thing that i want to know about is the music. I really hope we don't get generic "jazzy" tunes with a few remixes that also sound like jazz. DKC series is known for its atmospheric tunes and this new game has to continue the trend.

  • PatrickRockz - October 15, 2010 2:09 a.m.

    Remove the bad taste from Donkey Kong 64? what are you talking about? I loved that game.

Showing 1-20 of 36 comments

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