Nintendo have dragged out another platforming classic from the Wii era for a refresh on the Switch console and the result is a newly polished classic well worth your cashTech14:00, 14 Jan 2025Donkey Kong Country Returns HDOur old friend Donkey Kong is back on the Switch and this classic feels as good as it ever did revamped for the modern handheld console.This brutally difficult side-scrolling title was originally built for the Wii motion control console in 2010.But 15 years later we get a lovingly remade version of the game, mixing both the Wii and Nintendo 3DS versions, which looks great, tends to be more button controlled than before and has a new modern mode thats more forgiving.The story is pretty simple but does enough set-up for the gamer.The villainous Tiki Tak Tribe have hypnotised the residents of Donkey Kong Island and made off with Donkey Kongs precious banana hoard.So its up to you as Donkey, alongside your trusty sidekick Diddy Kong, to go find the missing yellow grub and track down those bandits for some revenge.Queue a hectic side-scrolling adventure which sees you, and if you want a coach co-op partner, trying to traverse difficult levels across beaches, jungle backdrops and caves to snaffle up bananas and progress to the next, harder level.Donkey Kong loves to smash thingsREAD MORE: Daily Star's newsletter brings you the biggest and best stories sign up todayIf youve played any Nintendo platformer before youll know exactly what youre getting.But theres a real artistry in the button combinations and timings youll need to conquer the later levels in this game.Itll take a lot of trial and error at points, particularly in the original game mode. Thankfully the modern mode allows for more power ups and life hearts in-game so you can progress slightly more easily.Its a vividly cartoony world on Donkey Kong Island and the graphics look particularly great in handheld mode, they feel fresh with the revamp despite the core games 14-year age.You'll be flying, riding, jumping and rolling your way through levelsREAD MORE: Nintendo breaks silence on Switch 2 leaks after CES 'reveal' of new consoleThe game plays beautifully. For me, thumbsticks and buttons are always the best way to enjoy platform games and, while you can use motion control a bit still here, its a much nicer play with the old-school button bashing.Theres a simplicity to running, jumping and ground pounding being all you need to enjoy a cracking title.Its a big game too, featuring 80 levels across nine different worlds. So plenty of bang for your buck.And its not just about getting from the left hand side of a level to the right without dying, theres loads to go back for to perfect each level, with K O N G pieces to collect to unlock special hidden levels, secret areas to discover and puzzle pieces to find too to unlock dioramas and images in the galleries.The different parts of the island have varied backdropsIts lovely to return to classic platform gaming with Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.And while leaks suggest the Nintendo Switch 2 is imminently on the horizon, its brilliant to know at such a late stage in this consoles life that the firm can still deliver nice little surprises like this for gamers.Fun, playable, challenging and packed full of replay value.VERDICT 4.5/5Article continues belowReviewed on Nintendo Switch. Review code provided by the publisher.RECOMMENDED