Topic: No Underwater Stages in Donkey Kong Country Returns

[NWR_MattB]

Nintendo and Retro Studios clarify why they omitted underwater stages and the status of the other Kongs.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23543

 Retro Studios' new entry into the Donkey Kong Country series won't feature the series staple underwater levels, according to Kensuke Tanabe, the Nintendo manager who has worked with Retro for quite some time.    

Tanabe also commented on the possibility of appearances from other Kongs. "There was a direction from Mr. Miyamoto as to what to up point in the series' legacy to draw from," Tanabe said. "But I think it will be the most fun for people to play it themselves and see who pops up along the way."    

Tanabe also commented that they are considering as to whether or not to add in any animal buddies into the game, such  as Rambi the Rhino. He also revealed that water stages are nowhere to be found in Donkey Kong's new adventure, stating that they felt too slow, and it wasn't the gameplay they were looking for.    

Donkey Kong Country Returns is due out this holiday season.

[Armak88]

This is truly disappointing. I can understand why it happened, because the water levels are slow and in most cases frustrating as hell, but they were a great change of pace as long as there weren't a bunch of them in a row. Also this means that this will be the first game without the swordfish as one of your animal friends.

[GoldenPhoenix]

THANK YOU NINTENDO AND RETRO! Banish water stages and their horrifying creatures to the depths of hell, never letting them out again.

[Dirk Temporo]

He also revealed that water stages are nowhere to be found in Donkey Kong's new adventure, stating that they felt too slow

That's the point! They're there to break up the fast-paced flow of the ENTIRE REST OF THE GAME. Still probably gonna buy, but HATE.

[Peachylala]

There should be no hate for this kind of news. I also found the underwater stages in every (Read: EVERY) DKC game to be boring. Glimmer's Galleon? HATE THAT STAGE. HATE IT SO MUCH.

[Mop it up]

I don't mind this. I've never really been a fan of water stages for several reasons, including that swimming controls are often loose, the aesthetic is generally boring, and there's usually some stupid creature that can eat you.

[Nemo]

I won't miss the water stages... I thought they were average stages in a game filled with excellent stages.

I do hope there are at least cameos from other Kongs. And it'd be cool if there was some animal riding action.

[KDR_11k]

THANK YOU NINTENDO AND RETRO! Banish water stages and their horrifying creatures to the depths of hell, never letting them out again.

The Dopefish will always be able to find you.

[King of Twitch]

I agree with Dirk Temporo, the water gave the game a little bit more depth

ha, ha

[Caterkiller]

If there are no ridable animal buddies now there wont be later. The were just working on the last stage by E3, theres no way they are going to add any animals that will actually affect the gameplay. Either that or they can NSMBW it with barely-in-any-stages-yoshi-like animals.

When we get Returns part 2 that's when we can look forward to the animal buddies. Expresso and Winky need another shot! Eli the Elephants or Parry the Parallel birds, yuck! And I love Elephants too, but not Eli! I think those were the names.

[Arbok]

Maybe unlockable animals? Beat the game, get to use one in the stages or something, or play the game again with them. Would add a lot of replay value and at the same time the game can be unbalanced since its something that the player unlocks to play around with.

[ThePerm]

i would like some outer space levels

[Stratos]

I want animal buddies. I'll miss the water stages.

i would like some outer space levels :

One of the best levels in Mario Land 2 was the space level. All platforming games need a space level.

[PabloY]

I like it, I usually hate underwater levels.

[GK]

Thank you. Though I must admit, water stages weren't as bad when you rode that swordfish.

[MaryJane]

I dread the water stage in every action and platforming game I play and have since the troublesome waterfalls in SMB 2

[ThePerm]

they need to put mario land games on virtual console...iv never played any of them

[Adrock]

As games, Super Mario Land 1 and 2 were neat-o for their time, but they're pretty forgettable. They'll always be remembered for introducing Daisy and Wario.

And 1 million win points for no water levels in DKCR.

[Yankee]

Thank you retro! Although the water levels weren't bad, all of the levels in the three DKC games that are memorable to me are on land. Now if only Retro would make a bramble blast inspired level with remixed music from the original level. That would be amazing.

[MaryJane]

Thank you retro! Although the water levels weren't bad, all of the levels in the three DKC games that are memorable to me are on land. Now if only Retro would make a bramble blast inspired level with remixed music from the original level. That would be amazing.

For me the most memorable were under the land... mine carts FTW!

[Stratos]

Thank you retro! Although the water levels weren't bad, all of the levels in the three DKC games that are memorable to me are on land. Now if only Retro would make a bramble blast inspired level with remixed music from the original level. That would be amazing.

I want a Screech's Sprint level. That one always felt epic to me back in the day.

[Sundoulos]

The DKC series had some nice music for the underwater stages.  I'll miss them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdUNrVzT97s&feature=PlayList&p=863EA0C3CC7CD5B3&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=3

[Caterkiller]

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat did water stages right! Remember that Killer Whale that swam you deep down and jumped high into the sky? I saw what appeared to be an animal buddy in one of my play throughs, it was a sperm whale in the back ground apparently affecting the waves needed to advance. I wouldn't mind Enguard playing a similiar role in the back ground as you run along some swampy or lake like area.

[RABicle]

they need to put mario land games on virtual console...iv never played any of them

To reiterate adrock, they were good at the time, essentially proving the GameBoy could handle scrolling and larger sprites but they are truly dreadful compared to every other two dimensional Mario game.

[Stratos]

I enjoyed then. They are just as fun as the other Mario games.