Is Donkey Kong Finally Back?
It’s been a long decade since the release of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. A mediocre 5/10 game, at least according to GameSpot’s original review (they later changed their score to 6/10). Whether you agree or not (I sure don’t), one thing is certain: Donkey Kong has been MIA for so long, you’d think he was canceled or something.
But no, apparently, Nintendo just decided to keep one of their best IPs dormant for a decade. And believe it or not, this isn’t out of character for the company.
Remember F-Zero? Really? Well, Nintendo sure didn’t, until they randomly dropped F-Zero 99 (which, let’s be honest, isn’t a proper sequel to F-Zero GX). What about Kid Icarus, Wave Race, Punch-Out!!, Wario Land, Golden Sun, or EarthBound? Heck, even Excitebike hasn’t seen the light of day in years. And don’t get me started on FlingSmash—a masterpiece (not really) lost to time.





Now, after 10 years of silence, surely Nintendo is ready to bring back Donkey Kong with a monumental, franchise-redefining game… right?
Donkey Kong Country Returns (Again)
Nope. It’s Donkey Kong Country Returns… for the third time.
Look, I get it. Game development is hard—I couldn’t do it. But you’d think a decade-long hiatus would mean something more than a basic port. To make matters worse, Nintendo isn’t even handling the port. Instead, they’ve handed development duties off to Forever Entertainment.
Who?
A quick glance at their catalog doesn’t inspire confidence. Titles like Teddy the Wanderer and Wax Museum don’t exactly scream “polished developer ready to handle a beloved IP.” Sure, the game was originally developed by Retro Studios, a studio known for excellence, but trusting Forever Entertainment to bring this 14-year-old Wii game to the Switch with “barely upgraded” visuals feels risky.
Is this really all Nintendo has planned for Donkey Kong?
But Wait… There’s a Theme Park!
While the gaming side of things may be bleak, Donkey Kong fans have something else to celebrate: the Donkey Kong Country area in Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan. Opening December 11, 2024, this section features Mine Cart Madness, a roller coaster ride that nails the iconic feel of the series.
Unlike the Mario Kart attraction, which is heavily screen-based (and underwhelming in my opinion), Mine Cart Madness is a physical, screen-less ride—a growing rarity at Universal Studios. It’s simple in concept but executed in a way that perfectly captures the essence of Donkey Kong Country.






There’s even an animatronic Cranky Kong and Squawks to set the stage with a fully voiced introduction to the ride. The theming is impeccable, and it’s exactly what I’d imagine a Donkey Kong ride should look like. If my younger self could see this, he’d lose his mind.
Sure, the food options in this new section may not be “a-peel-ing” (get it?), but overall, the Donkey Kong Country area feels like a proper celebration of the banana-guzzling gorilla.


What’s Next for DK?
The port of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD hits the Switch on January 16, 2025. I’ll be covering it when it releases because, despite my criticisms, Returns is still one of my top 25 games of all time.
But is this port worth full price, especially when it costs more than the original Wii version? I’m skeptical. Still, I have to hold onto hope that this isn’t all Nintendo has planned for Donkey Kong.






Fans deserve more than ports and theme parks. We need a proper sequel or even a fresh take on the franchise. Maybe Golden Sun developer Camelot could surprise us with a 3D Donkey Kong adventure someday (something that was rumored over a decade ago).
An Ode to Kong
I love Donkey Kong Country. It was one of the few games I played with my sister on the Super Nintendo, and it holds a special place in my heart. From the atmospheric music to the timeless graphics, the series is a masterpiece.
Nintendo’s handling of Donkey Kong in recent years has been baffling, but with the opening of this amusement park section, I hope it signals a shift. Maybe the tides are turning, and a brand-new Donkey Kong game is closer than we think.
Stranger things have happened.

What do you think about the state of the Donkey Kong franchise? Are you excited for Returns HD or the new theme park area? Let me know in the comments below!
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