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.