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3DS

Donkey Kong Country Returns Coming to 3DS

by Danny Bivens - February 14, 2013, 6:38 am EST
Total comments: 59

The latest Donkey Kong side scroller is being upgraded to stereoscopic 3D for 3DS.

Donkey Kong Country Returns is set to come to the Nintendo 3DS this summer as Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. Playes can download a 3D video from the 3DS eShop to check it out.

The original Donkey Kong Country Returns was released for Wii in 2010.  Check out Andy's glowing review here.

Talkback

CaterkillerMatthew Osborne, Contributing WriterFebruary 14, 2013

I was slightly disappointed to see this was being made. Though 2 things, I realize it probably didn't take much to get the game ported over and for those of you that couldn't stand waggle this is for you.

Want to see that video and if anything has changed.

RazorkidFebruary 14, 2013

PERSONAL MEGATON!!! When I first played and beat this game on Wii, I always thought how fantastic this would be on the 3DS. My dream has come true and now I can finally go after all those secrets and 100% this game on the go. I'm so satisfied with this direct, what a time to be a 3DS owner.

Caterkiller, I just downloaded the video, and while I didn't play much of the Wii version, what I saw looks pretty much like what was there before. That's not a bad thing. Physical roll buttons ftw!

broodwarsFebruary 14, 2013

*shrugs* This had better not be what they're wasting Retro's time and talents on rather than a new Wii U game.  Altogether, this game doesn't interest me because I played the Wii game to death, but at least the 3DS version will probably have competent controls (unlike the Wii version) unless Miyamoto forces you to shake the 3DS to roll.

Pixelated PixiesFebruary 14, 2013

I'm a huge DKC fan (I think the first 2 DKC games are amongst the best on the SNES) but I thought this announcement was lame (as in 'ineffectual', not the whiney use of the term). A new DKC would have had me excited. A port of a Wii game that I played only a few short years ago is decidely less interesting (no matter how good that game is).

I guess people who didn't play it originally will appreciate this, but to those people I'd recommend picking up a cheap Wii copy. Plus, it's the type of game that I feel benefits from being viewed on a big screen.

TrueNerdFebruary 14, 2013

The fact that this won't have waggle to roll controls ALONE might make this the definitive version of the game. I just hope this isn't the game that Retro has been working on the last two years.

CaterkillerMatthew Osborne, Contributing WriterFebruary 14, 2013

Where is the video? Can't find it.

Pixelated PixiesFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: TrueNerd

I just hope this isn't the game that Retro has been working on the last two years.


I honestly wouldn't worry about it. There's no way in hell that Retro is not working on a Wii U project. If Retro did this port (which hasn't been confirmed yet) it would not have taken them 2 years and it would likely have been handled by a little splinter team within the studio.

Hell, I don't even believe that the whole of Retro was working on DKCR.

WHAT ARE THEY UP TO?!

TrueNerdFebruary 14, 2013

Right, I don't think it makes sense for Retro to have had much to do with this port. But if they did and this is all they were doing, that'd be SUPREMELY disappointing.

OblivionFebruary 14, 2013

I never played the Wii version, so this is perfect for me.

azekeFebruary 14, 2013

I'm gonna check the video on eShop and if it looks solid, will buy.

AdrockFebruary 14, 2013

If there are no extras, there's no reason for me to give this a 2nd thought. I didn't think the controls on Wii were that terrible. Maybe if you were trying the time trials, but if you were that devoted to the game, you were probably an expert at rolling by then anyway.

I don't really get the point of this since the Wii version is less than 3 years old, but I suppose there are a few 3DS owners out there who don't have a Wii.

Pixelated PixiesFebruary 14, 2013

I have a funny story about playing DKCR. I managed to 100% that game (at least, everything up to mirror mode) before I realised that in Cranky Kong's shop you can press down to get Squawks, Heart Boost and Banana Juice. For some bizarre reason I thought the Bird, the Heart and the Bottle were just icons for the balloons floating above them, lol.

http://i46.tinypic.com/2lleplg.png


I went into the shop a few times and thought, 'I don't need any extra lives' and then never went back. Do you have any idea how difficult some of those temple levels are? Had I known that I could have one extra hit or that I could briefly turn invincible I would have jumped at the opportunity!

I was too stubborn and idiotic though, so I just ploughed on oblivious to the fact that I was making it ten times more difficult for myself. I don't regret it though, because I really loved that game and thought that the challenge was part of what made it so much fun.

My point is. By the end of that game I truely was an expert at rolling, lol.

CaterkillerMatthew Osborne, Contributing WriterFebruary 14, 2013

Hahaha nice! I nearly pulled my hair out with the extra health, good job.

So where do I download the video on eshop? I just don't know how to find it.


Edit: finally found it, wasn't coming up through the search earlier.

ejamerFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: Pixelated

... Plus, it's the type of game that I feel benefits from being viewed on a big screen.

I just picked up DKCR yesterday (d'oh!) but this is an interesting point. The 3D effects will surely look gorgeous, but I'm not sure how I feel about moving from a big screen to a rather tiny one. Even a 3DSXL, which I don't own, would seem like a huge step down.


Hmm.


If I didn't already own the game, then portability and the lack of waggle control would probably push me to the 3DS version anyway. But I do own the game, so...

azekeFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: Caterkiller

So where do I download the video on eshop? I just don't know how to find it.

Shibata said it will be available later this day. So, in a few hours.

Usual thursday eShop update was supposed to hit at midnight, but i guess they postponed it a bit for this video.

It all hangs on this video, if it looks even remotely as good as wii game, i will buy it no question.

CaterkillerMatthew Osborne, Contributing WriterFebruary 14, 2013

It looks good, not as sharp as the Wii version, but beyond that and buttons for rolling, it looks to be the exact same game. I played the first until my fingers bled so I'll pass on this one.

If you never played it then good god get this game!

alegoicoeFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: Razorkid

PERSONAL MEGATON!!! When I first played and beat this game on Wii, I always thought how fantastic this would be on the 3DS. My dream has come true and now I can finally go after all those secrets and 100% this game on the go. I'm so satisfied with this direct, what a time to be a 3DS owner.

Same here, having this game on the go sounds very fun indeed.

azekeFebruary 14, 2013

Watched the video. Looks fantastic.

With all the layers going on in this game you can't help but wonder if original was supposed to be on 3ds at one point, like when waves coming right at you or you switch from background to foreground.

alegoicoeFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: azeke

Watched the video. Looks fantastic.

With all the layers going on in this game you can't help but wonder if original was supposed to be on 3ds at one point, like when waves coming right at you or you switch from background to foreground.

Just finished watching the video and the 3d effect is dramatic!!!

Killer_Man_JaroTom Malina, Associate Editor (Europe)February 14, 2013

Sounds like a good fit for the platform. Cynically, you might think of it as just another re-release, but being a 2D platformer, and one with a lot of multi-tiered level design, this new versions makes plenty of sense.

Pixelated PixiesFebruary 14, 2013

While we're talking remakes, where's my Majora's Mask remake? I want to see what the moon looks like when it's tumbling from the sky in 3D.

RazorkidFebruary 14, 2013

For those looking for the video, it's under the Nintendo Direct section.  I just watched the video and it's everything I imagined it would be in 3D and included a lot of sections when I played it originally thought would really pop in 3D (tidal wave stage, corkscrew train, the intro fly through). This is a fantastic game to port, one that lends itself really well to 3D and none of the forced motion control.  I hope it finds a wider and more appreciative audience on the 3DS.

Ian SaneFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: broodwars

*shrugs* This had better not be what they're wasting Retro's time and talents on rather than a new Wii U game.  Altogether, this game doesn't interest me because I played the Wii game to death, but at least the 3DS version will probably have competent controls (unlike the Wii version) unless Miyamoto forces you to shake the 3DS to roll.

This probably surprises no one but I agree with broodwars.  Retro is the Nintendo dev that I just have the most faith to deliver something I'll find interesting, but they're not very proliferic.  I keep waiting and waiting for some sort of original IP from them and yet the last two projects they've been involved in are this re-release and Mario Kart tracks.  What do I get out of that?

DKC Returns' controls were so horrid that I gave up on the game incredibly quickly (and I don't really blame Retro for it either; I just assume someone like Miyamoto or Iwata insisted on waggle).  I don't own a 3DS and I don't really like playing a handheld.  So what I really want is DKC Returns with normal controls that I can play on a TV and neither of these will offer that.  Hacking my Wii or using an emulator (which isn't really bad since I own a copy of the game) is probably what I should look into at some point.  The idea of paying for what I effectively consider a bug fix would suck anyway.

I do not want Nintendo to get in a "hey we can port Wii games to this thing" frenzy with this.

azekeFebruary 14, 2013

From what i understand porting DKC games to handhelds is a tradition.

DKC1 was even ported twice i think? To GBC and later to GBA? I own first two games on GBA (beat 1st one last month).

And that's not counting Donkey Kong Land series which was its own thing isn't it?

TrueNerdFebruary 14, 2013

The Wii had quite a few 2D platformers that would be pretty easy to port over. If DKCR3D sells well, I'd expect to see more of them.

broodwarsFebruary 14, 2013

If I remember correctly, weren't all those DKC handheld ports awful, too?

But yeah, please let this not be a sign of things to come from Nintendo. Neither the Wii U nor the 3DS need ports of Wii games. Do a sequel to them like Yarn Yoshi if you absolutely must do something w/ those games.

RazorkidFebruary 14, 2013

Bring on the Wii ports!
-DKCR check
- Murumasa: The Demon Blade
-A Boy and His Blob
-Sin and Punishment 2: Star Successor
All begging for 3DS ports (at least I'm begging)

TrueNerdFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: Razorkid

Bring on the Wii ports!
-DKCR check
- Murumasa: The Demon Blade
-A Boy and His Blob
-Sin and Punishment 2: Star Successor
All begging for 3DS ports (at least I'm begging)

I'd actually be okay if we saw those specific games ported over as those are rather low profile. But heaven help us all if New Super Mario Bros Wii got ported over. That would be the laziest shit.

AdrockFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: Razorkid

Bring on the Wii ports!
-DKCR check
- Murumasa: The Demon Blade
-A Boy and His Blob
-Sin and Punishment 2: Star Successor
All begging for 3DS ports (at least I'm begging)

Muramasa: The Demon Blade is getting ported to Vita with bonus content. Why Vita? Your guess is as good as mine.

Bman87301February 14, 2013

Quote from: TrueNerd

The fact that this won't have waggle to roll controls ALONE might make this the definitive version of the game.

Um... did they actually say it wouldn't? The 3DS does have gyro-tilt sensors, so it's hardly safe to make that assumption. Just sayin'...

Pixelated PixiesFebruary 14, 2013

Can you imagine if this game actually required you to shake the 3DS to roll? Hahahaha. Part of me actually wants them to do this merely because it would be dumbest thing ever. The 'shake to roll' in the Wii version was already plenty dumb, but it would be even worse on 3DS given that it would totally mess up the 3D. That would be amazing, lol.

broodwarsFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: Adrock

Quote from: Razorkid

Bring on the Wii ports!
-DKCR check
- Murumasa: The Demon Blade
-A Boy and His Blob
-Sin and Punishment 2: Star Successor
All begging for 3DS ports (at least I'm begging)

Muramasa: The Demon Blade is getting ported to Vita with bonus content. Why Vita? Your guess is as good as mine.

Your guess is as good as mine as well, because I'm a Vita owner & I don't want that awful game.  :P:

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: Bman87301

Quote from: TrueNerd

The fact that this won't have waggle to roll controls ALONE might make this the definitive version of the game.

Um... did they actually say it wouldn't? The 3DS does have gyro-tilt sensors, so it's hardly safe to make that assumption. Just sayin'...

given the 3ds hinge i HOPE they arent that stupid

alegoicoeFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: Razorkid

Bring on the Wii ports!
-DKCR check
- Murumasa: The Demon Blade
-A Boy and His Blob
-Sin and Punishment 2: Star Successor
All begging for 3DS ports (at least I'm begging)

While they are it, count metroid prime, playing that  game on 3ds xl would be awesome,3d effect would be nice but not nessesary.

TJ SpykeFebruary 14, 2013

God no. That game looks so good and I don't want to see it downgraded to 3DS. Besides, I don't think it would control well.

Quote from: TJ

God no. That game looks so good and I don't want to see it downgraded to 3DS. Besides, I don't think it would control well.

Why don't you think it would control well? The fact that it will almost certainly use buttons for every move means it will control infinitely better than the Wii version.

alegoicoeFebruary 14, 2013

I think it would control good, given the first two were made using single stick movement. On the graphics side why would you say it would look worse on 3ds? DKCR 3ds is a remake from  Wii game and looks pretty good on the 3ds.

In terms of visuals, Wii to 3DS is a lateral move. The system can pull off Wii-caliber visuals when you factor in the advantage of a smaller screen, and it seems like a great candidate for stereoscopic 3D.

TJ SpykeFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

Quote from: TJ

God no. That game looks so good and I don't want to see it downgraded to 3DS. Besides, I don't think it would control well.

Why don't you think it would control well? The fact that it will almost certainly use buttons for every move means it will control infinitely better than the Wii version.

The game controlled even better on Wii than it did on GameCube. On the 3DS, you will constantly have to move you hand from the touchscreen to the face buttons, the same problem all twin stick games have on 3DS (since even if Nintendo had it support the Control Pad Pro, it would not be mandatory).

Quote from: TJ

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

Quote from: TJ

God no. That game looks so good and I don't want to see it downgraded to 3DS. Besides, I don't think it would control well.

Why don't you think it would control well? The fact that it will almost certainly use buttons for every move means it will control infinitely better than the Wii version.

The game controlled even better on Wii than it did on GameCube. On the 3DS, you will constantly have to move you hand from the touchscreen to the face buttons, the same problem all twin stick games have on 3DS (since even if Nintendo had it support the Control Pad Pro, it would not be mandatory).

Nevermind, I thought you were talking about DKCR. Yeah, Sin & Punishment is not a good fit for the 3DS.

SarailFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: broodwars

Quote from: Adrock

Quote from: Razorkid

Bring on the Wii ports!
-DKCR check
- Murumasa: The Demon Blade
-A Boy and His Blob
-Sin and Punishment 2: Star Successor
All begging for 3DS ports (at least I'm begging)

Muramasa: The Demon Blade is getting ported to Vita with bonus content. Why Vita? Your guess is as good as mine.

Your guess is as good as mine as well, because I'm a Vita owner & I don't want that awful game.  :P: :

Opinions. Opinions. Opinions!

Brood, don't spout negative nonsense as if it's factual. I thoroughly enjoyed my 30+ hours with Muramasa - obtaining every single ending, and grabbing every sword possible. Was a complete, total blast. And in my honest opinion, Muramasa is a fantastic, little, beat-'em up whomp that any fan of the genre shouldn't miss out on. I'd love to see a HD remake of the game... as long as it's value priced at $20 or $30. Totally worth digging into again at that price.

"Awful"... psh. Brood...

alegoicoeFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

Quote from: TJ

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

Quote from: TJ

God no. That game looks so good and I don't want to see it downgraded to 3DS. Besides, I don't think it would control well.

Why don't you think it would control well? The fact that it will almost certainly use buttons for every move means it will control infinitely better than the Wii version.

The game controlled even better on Wii than it did on GameCube. On the 3DS, you will constantly have to move you hand from the touchscreen to the face buttons, the same problem all twin stick games have on 3DS (since even if Nintendo had it support the Control Pad Pro, it would not be mandatory).

Nevermind, I thought you were talking about DKCR. Yeah, Sin & Punishment is not a good fit for the 3DS.

Metroid Prime lol

If that's what he was saying, then I think he's wrong again. I preferred the Wii controls, but the game would work fine with just one stick, and touch controls to select visors and whatnot.

Mop it upFebruary 14, 2013

I find this to be an odd move, this game came out a little over two years ago. Oh well, since there's plenty of new stuff coming out this year then it's no real problem. I just hope that it doesn't become a trend.

Ian SaneFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: Pixelated

Can you imagine if this game actually required you to shake the 3DS to roll? Hahahaha. Part of me actually wants them to do this merely because it would be dumbest thing ever. The 'shake to roll' in the Wii version was already plenty dumb, but it would be even worse on 3DS given that it would totally mess up the 3D. That would be amazing, lol.

Didn't the Star Fox 64 3DS port have the option for motion controls which, naturally, forced you to fuck up the 3D effect to control the game?  If Nintendo took "this is stupid" into account when designing controls DKC Returns would not have any motion controls to begin with.

What really bothered me about DKC Returns' controls is that in the old DKC games rolling, running and throwing barrels were all done with the same button.  Even if they had a seperate roll button instead of waggle it would have been a downgrade in control design.  The controls were clearly designed with "hey rubes like motion controls, right?" in mind instead of what made sense for the damn game.  Compromising the important stuff for marketing gimmicks that attract newcomers and casuals that don't know better?  Am I talking about just DKC Returns or the Wii in general?

alegoicoeFebruary 14, 2013

I had the same problem with the game, the Z button on the nunchuck is slippery.

EasyCureFebruary 14, 2013

Wimps. Waggle rolling was a breeze and didn't affect my game-play skills at all.

Apologies if I missed this, but I think the 3D effect would preclude any sort of waggle. (And there was much rejoicing.)

I was tempted to replay DKCR, but the portability will seal a rebuy. Happy birthday to me.

alegoicoeFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: EasyCure

Wimps. Waggle rolling was a breeze and didn't affect my game-play skills at all.

Wimp, hell no lol, i do not mind the waggle at all, its just that damn Z button :(

EasyCureFebruary 14, 2013

Quote from: alegoicoe

Quote from: EasyCure

Wimps. Waggle rolling was a breeze and didn't affect my game-play skills at all.

Wimp, hell no lol, i do not mind the waggle at all, its just that damn Z button :(

Z? Do you mean B? Unless you can play the game with the nunchuck, which I didn't do and didn't know you could do..

I watched the Nintendo Direct and when Reggie was describing the game he reminded me how layered the games visuals are. I think this game was meant for 3DS. If I had one, I might just double dip..

You played through that whole game with the horizontal Wii remote controls? Holy shit. That is honestly one of the most impressive gaming feats I've seen posted on these forums.

EasyCureFebruary 15, 2013

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

You played through that whole game with the horizontal Wii remote controls? Holy shit. That is honestly one of the most impressive gaming feats I've seen posted on these forums.

wait you're serious, you can use the nunchuck??? I wouldn't dare, D-pad for platformers bro, old school!

edit: I played through the main game but not the bonus the reversed levels, well I played a couple but not to completion but yes, just wiimote style.

azekeFebruary 15, 2013

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

You played through that whole game with the horizontal Wii remote controls? Holy shit. That is honestly one of the most impressive gaming feats I've seen posted on these forums.

...
That's how majority of people play 2d platformers on Wii.

I honestly tried wiimote+nunchuck options in NSMB and Rayman and i just couldn't do it. Like at all.

alegoicoeFebruary 15, 2013

Quote from: EasyCure

Quote from: alegoicoe

Quote from: EasyCure

Wimps. Waggle rolling was a breeze and didn't affect my game-play skills at all.

Wimp, hell no lol, i do not mind the waggle at all, its just that damn Z button :(

Z? Do you mean B? Unless you can play the game with the nunchuck, which I didn't do and didn't know you could do..

I watched the Nintendo Direct and when Reggie was describing the game he reminded me how layered the games visuals are. I think this game was meant for 3DS. If I had one, I might just double dip..

I play with the wiimote/nunchuck combo, its quite easy to get around it once you get a grip of the control style, i actually did not like the wiimote only option,

Luigi DudeFebruary 15, 2013

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

You played through that whole game with the horizontal Wii remote controls? Holy shit. That is honestly one of the most impressive gaming feats I've seen posted on these forums.

I played the whole game like that as well and had no problems.  Seriously, the waggle for rolling isn't that big a deal since you're barely required to even use it.  Every jump and nearly every enemy can be made and defeated by simple Mario style running and jumping.  Outside of that pirate crab boss and a few puzzle pieces, I hardly ever had to roll, so playing horizontal NES style worked just fine.

This is why I always found the roll complaints so silly because it just isn't a major feature that constantly needs to be used, so the occasional waggle to use wasn't anywhere close to the game breaking flaw some people made it out to be.

alegoicoeFebruary 15, 2013

Quote from: alegoicoe

Quote from: EasyCure

Quote from: alegoicoe

Quote from: EasyCure

Wimps. Waggle rolling was a breeze and didn't affect my game-play skills at all.

Wimp, hell no lol, i do not mind the waggle at all, its just that damn Z button :(

Z? Do you mean B? Unless you can play the game with the nunchuck, which I didn't do and didn't know you could do..

I watched the Nintendo Direct and when Reggie was describing the game he reminded me how layered the games visuals are. I think this game was meant for 3DS. If I had one, I might just double dip..

I play with the wiimote/nunchuck combo, its quite easy to get around it once you get a grip of the control style, i actually did not like the wiimote only option, still i give you props for doing ot oldschool.

Pixelated PixiesFebruary 15, 2013

I wasn't aware that there was a nunchuck option for DKCR either. That makes the lack of a classic controller option even more bizarre.

Had I known about that option I would not have used it though. Given the choice between a D pad (a Nintendo one, mind you) and an analogue stick for a 2D platformer, I don't understand why anyone would choose the latter. Using an analogue input to control something which is in fact digital (i.e. left or right) just seems wrong to me. Dragging the stick from one side to the other just isn't as immediate as using a button press.

Ian SaneFebruary 15, 2013

Quote from: Luigi

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

You played through that whole game with the horizontal Wii remote controls? Holy ****. That is honestly one of the most impressive gaming feats I've seen posted on these forums.

I played the whole game like that as well and had no problems.  Seriously, the waggle for rolling isn't that big a deal since you're barely required to even use it.  Every jump and nearly every enemy can be made and defeated by simple Mario style running and jumping.  Outside of that pirate crab boss and a few puzzle pieces, I hardly ever had to roll, so playing horizontal NES style worked just fine.

This is why I always found the roll complaints so silly because it just isn't a major feature that constantly needs to be used, so the occasional waggle to use wasn't anywhere close to the game breaking flaw some people made it out to be.

For me waggle in games isn't just an issue of when to use it but when NOT to.  Because of its imprecise nature waggle functions can go off when you're just moving the controller with no intention of triggering the motion control.  So my problem isn't just not rolling when I want to but rolling when I don't.  Waggle is like having a malfunctioning button that sometimes just triggers seemingly on its own and sometimes does nothing when you push it.

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