One day, I was playing Donkey Kong Country Returns at a friend's house. I liked it, so when I saw a new DKC for the Wii U, I asked it for my birthday. Well, I got it. And I'm so happy because of that.
When Donkey Kong thought his bananas being stolen was the worst thing that could ever happen to him, he was wrong. For this time, his island has been frozen and he has been blown away.
The gameplay is well-known to platformer veterans. There are six worlds, you go to a couple of levels and face the boss of each world. But the way this concept is worked out this time is rare. With the exception of the first two, all levels are completely unique. The setting varies from a burning savannah to jungle full with mechanics and juicy fruits, and these settings always add to the gameplay. Plus, the levels are really long, which is great. There are some special levels too in which you have to ride a rocket barrel or mine cart. These are really hard, as you'll have to quickly react to perfectly timed events. For example, in level 4-2, you're in a minecart. Before you is a straight track. So you guess you can safely roll on. But then, a huge fish destroys part of the track, so that you have to jump to the track next to you. You're not likely to pass those levels at the first time, so you'll have to remember everything. Unlike in Returns, DK can swim in this game. There are plenty of underwater levels, and they offer a great, (though somewhat frustrating) challenge.
The game features 4 playable characters. You always play as DK (except in Hard Mode) and can use Kong barrels to get one of the three partners: Diddy, Dixie and Cranky. Each of those have some special abilities which will prove useful in certain areas. The game also includes a two-player mode in which the second player can control the partner. Furthermore, you can ride Rambi the rhinocerros on some stages, who can run very fast and is nearly invincible.
DK himself has many abilities, including the jump (whoa, unexpected) and the pound attack, which can be used to stun enemies or activate some things. He can also perform a roll attack. A new move is plucking some plug-thingies to make things happen. Finally, he can climb vines, swing vines and go down a zip line.
The game is very challenging, which I could really appreciate after all those super easy Mario-games. You have two hearts, you lose one when you are hit by an enemy, and when you lose them both... the obvious thing happens. Don't worry, though, there are enough checkpoints.
The boss battles are challenging and original too. There's a baboon trio, who you'll have to defeat one by one. It sure took me a while to beat those guys.
There's also lots to do after you completed the game. There are hidden puzzle pieces everywhere and they unlock bonus content, such as concept-art. Also, each level has the letters K-O-N-G hidden somewhere. Collecting all of them in a world completes a super tricky Temple-level, and completing all of those will eventually unlock a secret world. Finally, each world has two secret levels. To access these, you have to find secret portals in other stages. Also, it might be fun to spend your Banana Coins at Funky's Fly 'N Buy, a shop found in every world, to collect all figurines of the characters in the game.
The visuals are gorgeous and colourful. The environments are beatiful and you could count all of DK's hairs. (I don't recommend to do that though, as it takes much time) And the soundtrack's great. For DKC veterans, I'll just say: David Wise is back! As for the others, I'll add that almost every level has its own music and each tracks fits the level perfectly.
The controls are a only a little customizable, but believe me, they'll work fine. The Gamepad doesn't have a special function in this one, so if you play on the TV, its screen shuts down. Save the planet. (And your electricity costs)
I can say few negative things about this game, but if I have to, I'll say: The Final Boss hasn't really got a Final Boss feeling, the difficulty can sometimes be a little frustrating, and some music tracks are underused.
I'd rate this game 10/10. In less than six months, it became my favourite game of all time. Watch out, though, for that means I may be a little too positive about this game. So read some other reviews as well before you decide whether to buy this or not. As long as you know that I think you'll love it.