If there is one thing Nintendo has been showing us for the last year or so it's that solid gameplay wins over flashy gimmicks and graphics any day. In Donkey Kong Country Returns they have once again proven that 3DS is a gaming platform not to be taken lightly.
This
port of the Wii game has been beautifully adapted for the 3DS and although it still plays out in a 2D plane, the 3D effect breathes new life into this side-scrolling platformer.
The Tiki Tak Tribe have hypnotised animals on the island into gathering all the bananas. Donkey Kong is immune to their hypnosis and is none too happy about losing his primary food source. So he, with the occasional help of Diddy and Cranky, sets out to jump, roll, smash, swing and bounce his way to exact his own brand of vengeance.
This is classic platforming action and the relative shortness of the level design makes it perfect for the portable console. That, and the myriad of collectables and hidden areas make for great replayability and therefore value for money.
The soundtrack is also a triumph, creating an infectious vibe that doesn't wear thin when you fall down a hole and have to repeat levels over and over again. The small screen (even on the 3DS XL) is a minor hindrance but not something that can't be gotten used to.
