Anyone pick up Donkey Kong Country Returns yet?  I'm already up to World 4, and aside from a few niggling quirks, it's been a barrel blast full of fun.  (What's that you said?  "She would use that pun"?)

Control-wise, Donkey Kong does feel a little heavier and floatier than his SNES counterpart.  It's sort of like going from Super Mario World to the recent New Super Mario Bros. titles.  Now, before you NSMB downers cry foul, know that the transition is a lot less jarring.  It only took me about two levels to get used to the new physics.

I'm still iffy on the new 'shake the Wiimote to roll' scheme.  It works well enough when you're anticipating a direct run-roll into a group of enemies, but less so when you're trying to pull it off in a pinch, like say, when an enemy is walking right next to you or is about to fall on you from the ledge above.  The shake simply doesn't register fast enough in cases like those.  (For the record, I've only tried the horizontal 'mote setup so far; maybe it'll work better with the nunchuck combo?)  All the same, this is yet another one of those instances where it feels like motion controls were an unnecessary tack-on.  Ground-pound?  Fine.  Blowing?  Somewhat irksome, but I'll take it.  But I see absolutely no reason why they couldn't have just designated rolling to the run button as usual.

But the biggest problem I have is with the new jet pack.  Like most action-platformers that use the temporary float-in-midair mechanic (like Yoshi's Island and Peach in SMB2), the jet pack works by holding down the jump button.  On its own, it works well enough -- but recall that DKC had always allowed for an extra jump boost by leaping on top of an enemy.  In the SNES games, this was accomplished by simply HOLDING DOWN the jump button as you made contact.  Now, it's like the Mario games, where you need to hit the jump button RIGHT AT THE POINT of contact.  "The change couldn't be that bad," you'd think.  But it is when you consider how the floating can seriously mess up your timing.  It's just plain awkward holding down the jump to hover over an enemy, and then suddenly free fall so quickly, only to have to precariously time the jump button again to get that extra boost.  It was the cause of a few unhappy deaths, and it's actually made me think twice about even getting Diddy to avoid the jet pack altogether.  At least DKC2 had the sense to map Dixie's hair spin to run instead of jump.

Aside from that, the game so far is a great return to form.  The level designs are terrific, with the Klonoa-esque foreground/background planes allowing for some nice set pieces.  Barrel blasting segments are, of course, back in full force, and the bosses are a throwback to the old pattern-based fights of yesteryear.  The game's overall challenge lies somewhere between DKC1 and DKC2.  The length of the stages feel more akin to DKC1's; nowhere near as long (or as difficult) as DKC2's were.

The music's a mixed bag.  While the many DKC1 arrangements on display are excellent, the newly composed stuff is tepid, forgettable, and entirely throwaway.  It's a horrifying contrast.  I saw World 2, which is pirate-themed, to be a missed opportunity.  Would have been awesome to see a couple of pieces pop up from DKC2.

Speaking of the old DKC's, 2 was my favorite. I want to pick up 3 to finish my set but can't being myself to pay $22 for it since it's my least favorite. Not a Kiddie/Kiddy Kong fan. Like the Diddy/Dixie combo. Dixie all the way, whoot!

I'm looking forward to picking this up once it comes out in Japan, but I'll have to wait until Dec. 9th

DKC, for me, has always been about the secrets and hidden bonus stages etc.
Did they do a good job of hiding stuff this time, Angie?
Few companies seem as good at that as Rare...

The game's filled to the hilt with hidden goodies and collectables.  The K-O-N-G letters in particular appear to be much more relevant beyond just gaining extra lives; they're essential to opening up brand new hidden stages.

It's not an overly huge spoiler, but I've been hearing rumblings of an unlockable..... Mirror Mode as well.  The entire game, played in reverse, and only as DK.  You could consider it a Super Hard mode, too, since you can't use the new Inventory System and you're only allowed one hit.  Like the old days, essentially.

I'm disappointed that the music isn't up to snuff but not entirely surprised.

It's interesting that you mentioned New Super Mario Brothers when it comes to music. That game was solid, but the music was also mostly forgettable.

Did I make a mention on NSMB's music?  Unless I so cleverly worded it that even *I* can't see it.....

But since we're making the comparison, the stuff newly composed for NSMB is far more memorable than what we've gotten for DKC Returns.

I'll be picking it up on Wednesday. Really looking forward to it!

I'm not feeling it. Way too heavy. Combined with the whole jumping issue Angela mentioned.

Just finished World 1 and my thoughts mostly mirror Angela's. It's a lot of fun, if not up to the quality of DKC2. I especially miss hunting for those elusive secret barrels. There's some in this game but they're throw-aways, there to give away puzzle pieces (which I'd be more interested in if the rewards were better). This time around, collecting the KONG letters unlocks the secret levels but they're too easy to find (at least at this point in the game).

Graphically, the game is gorgeous and the level designs are top-notch. Musically? ... well, the remixes are okay, although it's disappointing how many of them are from DKC1. I always thought 2 had the best music. I haven't heard many original pieces but they don't linger long in the memory.

Made it through the first world so far and loving it.  I wasn't even going to bother with it until I started seeing all the 9 and 10 reviews coming in, but damn this game is fun.  I love the way there are hidden things practically everywhere.  Retro, you still got it.

I spent maybe thirty lives trying to beat the secret level in World 1. Haven't been this pissed at a game in ages.

I'm asking for this one for Christmas to relive some Christmas charm of past. I mean, I'm in my mid-20s, I could just go buy this one myself, but hey...

Just had one long play session with a friend last night. Preliminary conclusion:

The bad:
- Feel of controls. I just don't like them coming off the original series. They are too loose, too heavy, and the choices of putting the jetpack thingy to jump button and roll to waggle are making speedier runs and attacks way more difficult to get used to than necessary. Makes single player mode completely unenjoyable to me personally.
- Respawning enemies. The original series were somewhat more about exploration for me, clean up an area and you're no longer in danger. Returns completely throws that and even goes the incredible cheap route of having enemies appear without any cause (i.e. instead having a beatable enemy shooting something the shot object appearing endlessly without ever seeing a source).
- Unability to play as Diddy in single player. Diddy doesn't throw stuff in front of him anymore like in the original series, instead it gets thrown ahead his head similar to how Donkey does it.
- Hit detection. In the original series if one enemy (not dying instantly) is hit there is a short period where that enemy doesn't hurt the player. Not so in Returns, making several of the bosses highly annoying.

The inoffensive:
- Music. So far it works well in-game, but has no chance of rivaling any soundtrack of the original series.
- Enemy designs. The rather silly animal based enemies of Rare fare get replaced by more childish enemies by Retro. Not a big deal, but at several points I thought the resulting enemies didn't exactly support the atmosphere which is unfortunate (what are those blue/red/yellow blob enemies in the temple anyway?).
- Level/gameplay variety. I personally consider DKC2 my favorite platforming game of all times, due to good usage of level themes for different gameplay approaches, riding or turning into animals, getting in and out of rising/heatening/freezing water, winds from below or the sides, diverse bonus levels, hidden levels and so on and so fort. Returns does quite well, but there are many areas which could have been done better. Bonus levels often are little more than life collection areas (similar to but not even as varied as in DKC1). Interaction with the environment is excellent and the strong point of Returns, but variety in different gameplay controls is more that of DKC1 & 3. A rather annoying aspect to me are the background levels that stay zoomed out, messing further with the judgment of jump height/width and speed.

The good:
- Graphics. Really good. There are people making highres screen of it in the emulator Dolphin, and the visuals are great even (or rather especially) there.
- Multiplayer. The controls and respawning enemies lose somewhat of their offensive character when playing together with a friend. Coop is very nicely realized there thanks to the split/combined abilities and health. The one single saving grace to me.

Looking forward to continue playing it when my friend comes over once again.

Ah, DKC; I remember, back in the day, how its graphics were considered absolutely ground-breaking.

...

Is DKCR compatible with the Classic Controller? If so, I'd just use that; the whole concept of having to shake the Wiimote to do a roll, though? OUCH. I will probably die. In-game.

This's gonna be one of those games I'm only going to spring on after I've finished (or quit) on everything else I'm playing.

Why couldn't they just have called it "Donkey Kong Country 4?" Are they trying to PREVENT themselves from making another game? Or they just going to call the next one "Donkey Kong Country Returns 2?" Or, maybe the next game they'll just call DKC4? Not really banking on them making ANOTHER sequel, but that's kind of what everyone depends on these days...

Ah well.

The original Donkey Kong Country, I got for Christmas when it first came out, so despite the jungle flavor that the game had, it was a Winter game for me; DKC2, Summer when it first came out, and DKC3, besides coming out in the Winter, the game was also set in, like, Canada, or something.

As far as I was always concerned, the series only got better as it progressed. I wasn't too concerned with finding the bonus rooms in the first DKC; maybe I got an extra life, or skipped past difficult parts of a level, but that was it.

DKC2 KIND OF rewarded you for discovering its bonus rooms, but you didn't need to discover ALL of them, in order to get the special second ending.

DKC3? It MADE you discover all the secret stuff if you wanted the special ending. The special endings weren't anything...special...but the secret stages themselves were awesome. I actually ended up getting the Player's Guide for DKC3 when it came out...ahh, Player's Guides...remember those? They're kind of a novelty these days, more novel in nature than they used to be, eh? Now you can just get that info for free online...

I really enjoyed the SNES games, and I actually enjoyed Donkey Kong 64, and wish they'd put it up on Wii VC, along with the Banjo-Kazooie games; they have the SNES DKC games on there, so why not the others? I mean, Nintendo & Rare kind of get along now again, don't they? Oh, yeah, it was also Christmas around the time Donkey Kong 64 came out, too...

Speaking of that, haven't been seeing much else appearing on Wii VC lately...

Remember that VHS Nintendo Power sent out back then, advertising Donkey Kong 64, Jet Force Gemini, and maybe some other releases? Heck, I think they did something similar with Star Fox 64...NP did some crazy marketing back then!

Damn, I really wants to play myself some DKC now...

You know, I really should bust out the SNES games; playing the first again two may convince me to get the third.

So, I popped in the first game and... well... time hasn't been as kind to the game as I thought it would. Sure, the game still looks and sounds great, but something just seems to be missing, and I just have this offhand feeling that I wouldn't be saying this if I started with DKC2 or even DKC3. Maybe because there isn't as many things (like DK coins) to collect? Don't know. Maybe I'll figure it out by the time I get to the end. The last battle still has to be great however, right?

Not to be nit-picky here, but DKC2 was also released in the fourth quarter of its respective year (1995).  Maybe you got it the following summer?

You know, the more I think about it, the less I like the title. For some reason, "Returns" has an odd, somewhat negative connotation to it. It sounds kind of lazy. They might as well have named it "Donkey Kong Country Returns... Finally!"

"Returns" kind of sets up the player up for more dissapointment than a normal sub-title like "Attack of the Jujubes" would.

I'm sure you did. But it wasn't made as blatantly apparent as in DKC3.

I think you needed all bonus coins to "buy" access to the True Final Boss.
The DK coins were just for show, I think.

I can't remember myself, but I know you needed all the bonus coins (Kremcoins) and Banana Birds to do that in DKC3. Then there was playing through the game without the continue barrels to get the last 2% and get the 105%.

Up to the World 4 boss.  Seriously, what the freaken hell?  Why does this train ride have to last FOREVER?

It's still better than "New Super Mario Bros." and the even worse "New Super Mario Bros. Wii," especially the way both of those have the "New" written with a freakin starburst callout.

I don't get why people put the word "New" in any title.
It's obviously not going to apply for long.

???

I remember Nintendo Power reporting on it as if it was still new, in May 1996, or so...I know I GOT the game Summer 1996, around June, or so...huh...

The original DKC was 1994...okay, yeah, DKC2 = 1995, and DKC3 = 1996. I got DKC2 Summer '96, and DKC3 February 1997. Man, why'd I lag on purchasing those...? I know I got 'em brand new...

When I think back, it's amazing for how long you could still pick up a game brand new; stores were great at keeping inventory; these days, if you don't get a game when it first comes out, good luck trying to get it in stores after that!

Finally d-loaded DKC and DKC3, since they were (and still are) favorites to play during the Winter. Good times! Memories are all just flooding back!

Eh, I'm going to have to disagree to some extent here. I'll admit when I was a kid the toy store in the local mall had an awesome selection ("ToyTown") but they where the exception. Everything in there was priced sky high as well. The game I always wanted but never got was Mega Man X3 (Wal Mart always had the placard up for it but never "had" it) because of the limitations of retail without the internet and when you're young. I got the game 15 years later after the realization that the game wasn't all that had set in. Standard sequel. I was only able to get X2 because a rental score opened in town around my birthday, which was gone a mere six months later.

Additionally, while I'm not trying to play the "woe is me" card, late era SNES carts where so psychotically priced that selection really didn't matter. The prices acted as such a restriction you where going to buy the best games you could muster. Out of every SNES game I got back then, I hardly bought any blind because of that. I was much more willing to gamble in the PS1 era when games could be had for $20~$50 - although when your friends buy everything in sight (despite their parents being up to their ears in debt) you have a slight advantage in trying everything out first.

X2 and X3, I bought both of those used...after all, Mega Man games are usually pretty quick, if not short; no need to spend too much money on them...

How much WERE they priced back then? I really don't remember...

On average, I'd say, during the NES and SNES days, I must've got an average of 2 new games a year, one for my birthday (in Summer), and one for Christmas. There were exceptions, for example, when I could either get them cheap as new (Clayfighter for $25, anyone?) or cheap as used.

Back when we first got the NES, I'd swear my older brother was bringing home a new game a day, for awhile...

And when we got the SNES for Christmas, I'd say the parents also splurged on about 6 games to go with it...and that included Super Mario World, which already came with the system.

I'm glad I didn't buy DKC Returns for one reason and one reason alone:

http://www.ripten.com/2010/11/28/donkey … rs-mauler/

You will always be a huge douchenozzle, Billy Mitchell.

To be fair, earlier carts (games) were a little less expensive ($50) because they were only using up 8 to 16 megs of memory. Near the end of the SNES' life cycle when the games had grown to 24 and 32 megs and enhancement chips (like Capcom's Cx4 and Street Fighter Alpha 2 and Star Ocean's S-DD1 decompressor chip) started making their debut, $70 was the going rate for a top of the line title. I can remember shelling that out for Mega Man X2 (ouch!) and DKC3.

Additionally, I believe the use of the Cx4 in X2 and X3 resulted in smaller production runs for those games; fewer copies roaming around meant having to charge more per copy, which was just plain ironic considering Mega Man X only cost me $20 brand new in 1993/1994. Capcom supposedly sub-contracted the license to another company after the initial run making it insanely easy to find. The result of this still lives on today, a X cart will run you $10 while X2~X3 can still run you $30+. In all honesty, I don't think the technology the Cx4 afforded was worth the trade-off; the fact that the original is the probably the best (and most affordable) of the three games speaks volumes.

I don't know which I find more annoying, such a lame-ass tribute or the fact Rare plastered the Nintendo logo throughout the original games. I may have found that endearing years ago, but now it seems like a bad case of "logo feces."

Well, there were a lot less games being released back then and cart orders had to be done in large batches.  Mega Man games always seemed to be tough to get.  I went through hell trying to find Mega Man V for the GB when that first came out; ended up having to order from some obscure mail order company.  MM7 was also pretty tough to get IIRC, though a friend eventually found it at a store for me.

As for SNES cart prices, I happen to have a records of what we paid for all of those games back in the day, so let's take a peek:

-Street Fight II Turbo (1993) - $73.99
-Secret of Mana (1993) - $69.99
-Mega Man X (1994) - $59.99
-Final Fantasy III (1994) - $74.99
-Demon's Crest (1994) - $69.99
-DKC (1994) - $59.99
-Mega Man X2 (1995) - $64.99

According to my records, many of my late era SNES games were bought using a friend's employee discount, so I don't know for sure what the original retail prices were but if I had to guess based on the discount prices, I'd say:

-Chrono Trigger (1995) - $69.99
-Mega Man 7 (1995) - $49.99
-Dracula X (1995) - $49.99
-Yoshi's Island (1995) - $59.99
-Secret of Evermore (1995) - $59.99
-DKC2 (1995) - $59.99
-Mega Man X3 (1996) - $49.99
-SMRPG (1996) - really unsure about this since I remember using a coupon and the price I have recorded is unusual
-Tetris Attack (1996) - $29.99
-Kirby Super Star (1996) - $49.99
-DKC3 (1996) - $59.99
-Kirby's Dream Land 3 (1997) - $39.99

I owned the SNES basically from launch and by the time the PS1 was in full swing and prices plummeted, I only owned about 10 games or so for it. I rented a lot and played a lot of gems (and crap), but when I bought one (or had one bought for me), it damn sure counted. $50-$60 for Bart's Nightmare or Plok or Darius Twin (all decent games) wasn't going to happen...the money was going towards the high profile "gotta have" stuff. The big thing for my friends was when TMNT IV and Street Fighter 2 came out at a similar time, both killer apps that blew pretty much anything the SNES was offering at the time. We were always talking about which one or the other we ended up getting, until we were lucky enough to afford both.

Like Ashley said, this is one reason the PS1 library was so appealing...The lower prices (as well as stuff like ebay to sell off junk) removed that fear of the 1-2 games you're going to get per year turning out to be bad.

Wow whee, that's amazing.

We usually got our SNES games brand new, especially with regards to the PREMIUM titles, but Chono Trigger, I got brand new for $50, and Kirby's Dreamland 3, $30.

I even called up my old man and asked him how much we paid for SNES games back in the day, and said $50 was the standard.

Me, I've lived in Michigan these past few decades; maybe y'all just live somewhere expensive?

N64 games were also $50 back in the day, but I remember people telling me they saw Clayfighter 63 1/3 going for $80 brand new someplace, and Wave Race 64 for $100.

Wasn't Conker, like, $120 or something?

I remember Breath of Fire II going for 79.99$ when it came out because it was so small of a printing due to the fact that it was at the very end of the SNES's lifecycle and they didn't think there would be that much interest...

Either $50 or $60.  Where I lived, first party games tended to be $60 and third party more like $50.  I tend to remember about $50 or $60 for every console earlier than the N64, too.  I NEVER remember seeing $80 games as people always say some RPGs used to be and whatnot.