Is Donkey Kong Country Returns HD a standalone title?

The first major game release of 2025, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, is set to release soon. Even though this is not a new title, many gamers who missed it or have a strong love for the Donkey Kong franchise are looking forward to playing it when it releases worldwide on January 16, 2025. But if you have not played any previous Donkey Kong titles and are a newcomer to the franchise, can you still play it?

Despite being a sequel to Donkey Kong Country Returns 3, Country Returns HD is still playable if you're a newcomer to the franchise. The plot of the game is simple and does not necessarily require you to play the previous titles. However, if you are aiming for the best experience and immersion possible, it will be in your best interest to play the previous titles or have a look at the franchise's plot.

The original Donkey Kong Country Returns title was released back in 2010 by Nintendo on Wii. Donkey Kong Country Returns received a lot of praise from gamers back in the day. So much so that the game has been released multiple times on various Nintendo consoles, proving that the game has a lot of potential.

---

Previously released versions of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

With the game first released on Wii in 2010, Country Returns was re-released on Nintendo 3DS in 2013 with a new 3D update. In 2015, the game got another version for Nintendo Wii U, followed by an emulated version on Nvidia Shield TV in 2019.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is available for purchase on Nintendo eShop (Image via Nintendo)

Six years later, Nintendo is releasing Donkey Kong Country Returns yet again, this time for the Nintendo Switch, and since the successor for the Switch will feature backward compatibility, it is safe to assume that the game will be available on the next Nintendo handheld as well.

---

All characters from Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

You will play as Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong to reclaim your banana hoard, which was stolen by the Tiki Tak Tribe. Tiki Tong is the main antagonist of the game. The complete list of characters available in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is mentioned below:

• Donkey Kong
• Diddy Kong
• Cranky Kong
• Rambi
• Tiki Tak Tribe
• Squawks
• Professor Chops

---

For more such news and guides on Donkey Kong Country Returns, stay tuned.