Donkey Kong Country Returns for Portable Play

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, launching today (May 24) for the Nintendo 3DS system, offers players a host of new features that were not available in the original Wii game. It comes with a new 3D makeover.

“Even if you played the original, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is optimized for portable play with new options and new levels,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing.

“The new 3D graphics pop off the screen and add an even greater sense of depth to the layered environments.”

To optimize it for portable play, “New Mode” has been added to the game. In New Mode, players have access to new items and game-play features.

These items include portable “DK Barrels,” which players can use at any time to have access to Diddy Kong; “Green Balloons,” used to protect Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong from falling off a cliff or ledge; and “Crash Guards,” which make players temporarily invincible in rocket barrel or mine cart areas.

Fans can also play in “Original Mode” to experience the game as it was originally designed.

Exclusive to Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D are eight new, challenging levels located on a cloud that can only be reached by going through the Golden Temple after players complete the main game.

Two players that both own a copy of the game can also connect via local wireless to team up as Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong for some barrel-blasting, rail-riding, ground-pounding multiplayer action.

To celebrate the release of the game, Nintendo is partnering with the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens on Memorial Day weekend to host a fun event on the zoo grounds.

Attendees will get to take part in an interactive gorilla experience and play Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. The event will be held May 24-27 at the Los Angeles Zoo.