The levels are far more animated and interactive, often crumbling around DK as he races to the finish line. Oh no, they added their own additions to the mix. Of course, Retro Studios weren’t content simply to trot out past DK Country glories. Sigh, just like the good ol’ 16-bit days. You’ll jump through jungles and ancient ruins, ride high speed mine carts, and blast around through barrels. The whole thing is an excuse to send DK and his little hetero life partner Diddy Kong out on another adventure just like their time on the SNES. Rool (that’s good!), but by a weird tribe of floating heads known as Tikis (that’s bad!) who hypnotize all of the animals on DK’s island paradise and turns them evil (insert frogurt joke here). Just when DK thought it was safe to eat up his tasty collection of bananas they get stolen (that’s bad!) only this time not by a King K. There’s a plot to Donkey Kong Country Returns…well, kind of.

Any extra DK is fine by me and even without the new additions, this is still one of the most addictive and painfully difficult games that Nintendo has cranked out in years and being able to play it on the go without anything lost is pure 3DS bliss.

That certainly wasn’t necessary Nintendo, but you won’t hear me complaining. Nintendo has tossed in a few new modes, bells, and whistles to ensure anyone who played through this sucker already still has surprises in store. There aren’t many changes to the core game beyond a 3D facelift, but that actually works shockingly well and adds a little extra eye-popping pizzaz to an already fantastic experience. Now the game has been ported over to the good ol’ 3DS and you know what? It’s just as much fun playing through a second time. Back in 2010, it felt like Nintendo offered me a personal gift by reviving Donkey Kong Country for the Wii in all of its old timey, 2D platformer glory.

Donkey kong country returns 3d review