Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Graphics Comparison - Switch vs. Wii & 3DS 

Yeah during the direct I was disappointed thinking they didn’t upgrade it all. I’m actually pretty impressed!

I think we also have Tropical Freeze in the back of our mind, so even though this is a pretty great upgrade visually, it's nowhere near Tropical Freeze fidelity.

Classic case of "you'll buy it anyway" so no point in really improving it

The switch version is basically how you saw the original as a kid

At 0:40 lighting looks better even better on wii

That is insane, and it's not the first time Nintendo has done that either. They also did it with the NES/Famicom Super Mario Bros games, Super Mario All-Stars, Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World, and the Super Mario All-Stars 25th Anniversary Edition. All together that's 4 different versions of the same games, and that's not even mentioning all the smaller ports on their other consols.

Someone went to business school

Still sad why they did not make a DK64, maybe because of Rareware, but this would be better.

Its literally one of the best 2D platformers of all time 🦍

@@astraldog3359 It is, but why did they make than the 3Ds remake if this remake has even HD and all 3ds levels?

Didnt they do that on the easy mode?

@@mikayel6175 I don't remember. I'll have to check.

@@mikayel6175 There is an easy mode to this game?

@@Alucard-lz2hb only in the 3ds version

on the 3ds version the vehicles are still 1hit kills on easy mode but you can equip the crash guard item to take extra hits

Kids born in the last few years wouldn't have those consoles but yeah, this is a weird release especially at full price. I remember when remasters used to cost at least half the price of a new release. In Canada this is $79.99 for a 14 year old game with updated visuals and added levels from an 11 year old rerelease of the same game 😂

I might get this game again Because I have the original.

Most probably, apart from Metroid, all the games we get to see in the direct where finished a while back. The are just spread across to fill the last of the switch lifetime. Most of the development teams have already move to the next console games. So, this is most surely the final version of the game

>loves kids

@kidgroomer200x Wouldn't surprise me, unfortunately.🤦🏻‍♂️

"This will go on and on if you let it"

Bodes well for Windwaker and Twilight 🤙🏻

​@@knuclear200xppl who have it already don't need to rebuy it, just the new people

​@@evermillcreek And what do the others get? Nothing, that's what

@@knuclear200x what others, the ones who played it and got rid of it?

The gameplay shown of the Switch version here is running at 60fps. It's the 3DS port that ran at 30 with dips...

I was more bothered by the controls tbh

I kinda liked the blurry look

You always had the HD version when playing in the emulator Dolphin, which perfectly works with the wii controllers

Bro shut up

turn of the deflicker filter and it will basicaly look like the switch port, especially on a crt.

no

New Funky Mode

Lanky Kong

funky would be neat as a casual mode, but cranky and dixie will feel out of place since the og wasn't designed with them in mind. cranky in particular would be useless sadly.

​@@Anthmags72That would be so dumb, but yes! Definitely a yes to Dixie and Cranky but I don't want to imagine what they'd look like played in this game after seeing the main 2's looks. They look good don't get me wrong, it just feels weird to see them still have a low poly face but with actual fur texture. At least that makes it easier to match the cutscenes I suppose. I've been wanting this for a long time now. So happy it's even real, still would've wanted a new game tho

I'm just happy for the people who now don't have to use the motion controls if they want to play the game on the TV because the only other way to play it with a traditional control scheme is to get the 3DS version which looks a bit worse.

That's this whole generation of games in a nutshell. Remasters everywhere. That's just good for fanatics or people who never played these games. RIP

This has to mean they are considering doing a brand-new one for the next console.

Right. Should’ve done something more honed to the snes. Sure David wise did music for these but they’re not nearly as good and the art just don’t look right in this and tropical freeze.

@@SillyBeans-m1l lol ain’t no way 😂

It's nowhere near the same level of fluff though, I was underwhelmed

Is tropical freeze also getting hd remaster?

​@worstusername22 it's already on switch

@@Madchimpz true.. Tropical Freeze's fur is impressive even in present days

It's not a remaster, it's an HD port

Actually, considering at one point on the 3DS, it cost 20 bucks as a select choice, I would say it should costs $30 at best

Tropical Freeze is incredible but I'd say this is on a par so could be priced similarly as there are players for whom it's brand new content.

it could be $40, this is retro studios and metroid prime remastered was $40

Activision sold 3 spyro games, completly remade for 40$. Activision! This is worth 5-10$ realistically

@@coolertuep they were pretty good games and looked stunning, but arguably nowhere near as repayable as modern Donkey Kong. They can price it how they like, it doesn't cheapen this masterpiece. It's new for millions of ppl.

30*

Nope, 60 ​@@Fonixfb

@@Fonixfb if tropical freeze can run at 60fps on switch this can, it was the 3ds version that was locked to 30fps.

​@@Fonixfbemulation if not 60 on Switch

The Switch cutscenes seemed to bee running at 30fps. Which is strange, since Tropical Freeze om Switch and the OG Wii game ran at 60fps

I think it makes sense since the Switch is near the end of its life and they have Tropical Freeze on here, so why not, right? Complete the duology. They’ve also been pretty good with making sure most/all games of a series are accessible on Switch. Nearly every Zelda game is available, Pikmin (which didn’t have to given its smaller), likely Metroid Prime (4 is still some time away so they’ll probably space out 2 & 3), Mario, most Paper Mario’s, and maybe others.

​​​@@mrshmuga9 On switch you can play All the classics super Mario 2D platformer Mario 64 Sunshine and Galaxy 3D World Odyssey and Wonder (duh) All the DKC games (1-TF) All the Xenoblade Chronicles games (- X) Every 2D Metroid All the mainline pikmin games All the No More Heroes games And a bunch of GC and Wii's greatest games' remake and remaster

@@PapaSmog83 Ya there's a lot. Also, Bayonetta.

Most of the visual oddities in the switch version are due to the fact that they are using the 3ds version for the port rather that the original wii version. This is most evident in the less detailed presentation in some parts, most evidently the details on the octopus. Another dead giveaway were some of the animations in Donkey Kong looking kinda jank, only seen in the 3ds version. The boss cutscene literally has Donkey Kongs hand clipping throught the ground. I hope the visuals end up looking better in the final release and find a way to import various textures and animations from the wii version, or at the very least, fix it themselves, like how they touched up DK's model.

@@diegonoy7445 Seems plausible, the code would likely also be easier to port since both 3DS and Switch share more similar CPU architectures compared to Wii. Along with it being potentially easier to port over the 3DS levels. Though most of the visual oddities I mentioned aren't really explained by it being a 3DS port. Outside of the Kong shadows in cutscenes, most of the other missing effects I noted were actually still in the 3DS version. Like the additional particle effects on destructible areas, the sun in the background of that treetops level, the light shafts in the vine swinging area (I also noticed that there's a layer of mist in the background on the vine swinging that was present in both Wii and 3DS but is currently missing on Switch). I did notice that at least some of the bubble and foam effects from the Octopus ARE still present on Switch (another thing that was retained on 3DS), but are obscured by the water waves. So that may be a layering issue rather than a cut effect. The 3DS version was missing lots of different kinds of effects by comparison to Switch. Mostly related to reflections. Even the flat Kong fur texture being on example. You're partially correct about the Octopus as he was another victim of the reflection cuts on 3DS. Wii had a shiny effect applied on top of the base textures to simulate a wet slimy surface. However 3DS scrapped this effect entirely. However, Switch actually now has a restored facsimile of this original effect. It's kind of subtle though, needs to be turned up somewhat. The giant bat was another example, his shiny effect is also now restored on Switch. The ocean surface is another similar example where there isn't really a like comparison between 3DS and Switch versions. The Wii had a texture of waves crawling slowly towards the shore, and an additional shiny texture effect applied on top of this to simulate light being reflected. The 3DS version still had the base wave texture from what I can tell (though the low resolution makes it difficult to see on the original system), but was missing the reflection effect entirely. Switch is the inverse however, it actually re-implements a modern facsimile of the reflection, but I can't see the crawling wave texture anymore. It's plausible that the new reflection is covering up the wave however. Many more examples of these shiny effects can be found in temples, especially on gold surfaces. Though even some of the basic rock surfaces have a subtle shine as well. All effects that were missing on 3DS. It appears that Switch will likely restore these as well, I've already spotted some of the subtle variations in the temple footage. I definitely hope they use the remaining time before release wisely to polish the game up as much as possible. It's plenty of time to do so, provided they aren't just sitting on a completed build that they already think is "good enough"...

KRtDLDX is a remake. That's why it looks aeons better.

SUPER TENNIS 2 pls. 23 YEARS

and we still dont have wind waker on switch.

Eh, getting the 3DS levels and controls at 60fps will be really nice. But I do really hope we see the likes of GX, Punch-Out, and other games like Chibi-Robo! and Kid Icarus Uprising get the remaster treatment soon

@@PikaPhantomVG YES! I would love for a remaster of Kid Icarus Uprising that fixes the control headaches of the 3DS version.

There was a rumour about 1.5 years ago that the Pikmin games, Metroid Prime, and some others would get remasters/remakes, and most of those came to fruition. F-Zero GX was also on that list. I think it’s quite possible it’s happening, especially given how some of their other releases lately (or across the last few years) they’ve been listening to fans desires.

Yeah, they're reselling an old game a 3rd time because it's their IP to sit around and *do nothing* with

Definitely, and this is one of my favorite Donkey Kong games as well

​​@@knuclear200x Or maybe it's because they want to see if people are interested in a new game? This is the exact same thing they did with the Mario RPGs by remaking TTYD and Super Mario RPG, and guess what? We got a new one.

now that Prime 4 development is finally finishing, we will get a new DK, since it's Retrostudios the ones who make both games

@SaltyToad00 so you notice that they're too lazy to make a new DK because they need to believe emulation doesn't exist. Yeah exactly.

The snes games were cutting edge when they came out. I didn't care for the cartoony look of the wii games or their motion controls.

The new ones have one flaw, that being no Kremlings or King K. Rool. It's one thing to make a game that can stand on its own in gameplay, it's a whole other thing to disconnect it from previous worldbuilding/lore. Otherwise, I'd consider them both amazing innovative entries with arguably better music (only in DKCTF). I will say though, the Wii motion controls sucked for DKCR. If they copy the controls from the Switch port of Tropical Freeze, it should play much smoother

@@SillyBeans-m1l Respectively, I can understand why you might think they're not fun but there's arguably no SNES game with graphics more realistic and as smooth in movement than Donkey Kong Country. The graphics aren't crazy seeing it nowadays but it's impressive for the snes, so good it could compare to visuals from Sega games. Also, they have some of the best Nintendo music ever made, even for games just in general. I respect your take but you might be alone there, pal.

​@@brendenkong625As someone who grew up with both the SNES and Wii games, they all nailed the atmosphere. I am a huge fan of the pre rendered look of the original trilogy, and Retro did an excellent job of translating the series to real time. And honestly, I wasn't really bothered by the lack of Kremlings. It felt good to get new villains, and the Tiki's fit the jungle theme better than the Kremlings did IMO. I wouldn't mind seeing the Kremlings return now, but it seemed smart to give them a break. I really hope a new game comes sooner than later.

The SNES one looks crazy for the SNES, but impressive or not, it still looks dated. DKCR on the Wii is just as impressive, not pre-rendered and looks modern thanks to the good graphics

then it would've sold more cause of christmas and everything

DONKEY KONG DECEMBER!

They fixed the water and DK looks fluffy now 🦍

​@@astraldog3359Fixing the water is useless lol it instantely kills you in this game

Obviously yes!!! I guess... hehe

This is just a overpriced 3DS game wity a higher resolution. The 3DS version is perfectly fime at it is

​@@maverickhuntermeta4954How does it get hate? All I've seen is the game get constant praise

Same. All the levels feel organic and natural in a way albeit in a more cartoony fashion compared to the original. Also the soundtrack is too good to pass on. Country returns is definitely one of the best games.

Exactly, People need to calm down

Its literally one of the greatest 2D platformers ever made 🦍

@@astraldog3359 true

Same.

There's one TINY part that is labeled 3DS at the end...otherwise just Wii compared to Switch.

3DS looks way worse obviously

@@Ray_2112 it's going to have levels based on it though

@@Ray_2112 It does have features that the original Wii version lacked though. The HD version gets not only the 3DS exclusive levels, but also the New Mode.

@@timothypitcher7996 wait what new mode?