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  • The 3DS and I have come a long way, in our relationship. At first, I was kind of tough

  • on it. I mean...for a while, its best games were just a couple Nintendo 64 remakes. Hardly

  • a spectacular launch, but listen, we've gotten past that. The system's on a roll, things

  • are really picking up for it...so...

  • Wait, why are we getting another remake?

  • Look, I love Donkey Kong Country Returns. Alright? It's one of the best games ever done

  • for the Wii, it completely revitalized the Donkey Kong franchise...this game is a huge

  • deal, and it might actually be better than its given credit for. But I'm just a little

  • confused. I mean, unlike Ocarina of Time and Star Fox 64...this game isn't old.

  • In fact, it's barely older than the 3DS.

  • So to me, the question is...what's the purpose? Why port such a recent game to the 3DS? I

  • mean, it sold really well on Wii, so...it's not like you're trying to recover losses.

  • And there's a ton of good games coming to the system, so it's not like you need this

  • release. The only thing I could see that would make this worthwhile is if the game were...really

  • improved, in some way. But it's not.

  • In fact, if anything...it's not as good.

  • Now, just so you don't get me wrong...this game's incredible. The problem isn't the game

  • itself. It's this new package. I mean, there's an easier difficulty mode and eight new remixed

  • levels, but aside from that...it's basically the same game. And again, it's actually a

  • lesser product. The graphics are less sharp, and the framerate's been dropped from 60 to

  • 30...so the game isn't as smooth on the 3DS, either.

  • But of course, the catch with being just the same game in 3D...is that 3D part. This game

  • feels almost like it was designed for 3D. One of the great things about Donkey Kong

  • Country Returns is how it used depth, and that makes it a great fit for the 3DS. Maybe

  • that's why they ported it. There's certainly a coolness factor to blasting from barrel

  • to barrel in 3D. And having this masterpiece on the go is nice, too.

  • I don't mean to brush this game off. I just...that 3D coolness factor only goes so far, you know?

  • But the silky smooth gameplay and those gorgeous graphics of the Wii version?

  • That goes a lot further.

  • For more on the game itself, check out our nine freaking minute review of the original.

  • And look, if you didn't have a Wii and never played this game, don't even hesitate. This

  • is an amazing platformer, and it's a real testament to the people at Retro Studios...who

  • have proven themselves as some of the best developers in the industry. But if you've

  • never played this game and you do have a Wii...get that one, instead.

  • Bananas are better without sugar. So is Donkey Kong Country Returns.

The 3DS and I have come a long way, in our relationship. At first, I was kind of tough

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