Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Publisher Announced

The upcoming remaster of Donkey Kong Country Returns will be handled by Polish studio Forever Entertainment SA, according to a statement made to the Polish Financial Supervision Authority. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD was announced during yesterday’s Nintendo Direct presentation.

Forever Entertainment SA is best known for publishing the Panzer Dragoon Remake in 2020, Front Mission 1st Remake and The House of the Dead Remake in 2022, and Front Mission 2 Remake earlier this year. The company is also working on remakes of Panzer Dragoon Zwei, Front Mission 3, and The House of the Dead 2.

The statement confirms that “the game is produced by the issuer [Forever Entertainment] on behalf of Nintendo Co Ltd and will be released by Nintendo.”

Donkey Kong Country Returns was first released for the Nintendo Wii in 2010. Despite largely positive reviews, many players found the title’s controls to be lacking. The game sold over six million copies, and a 3DS port, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, was released in 2013.

“The villainous Tiki Tak Tribe has stolen Donkey Kong’s precious banana hoard and the Kongs are barreling after them in pursuit! Play solo, or with a buddy in local two-player co-op in an adventure brimming with hijinks where you can stomp obstacles, send mine carts careening, fly high on rocket barrels and even hitch a ride on Rambi the Rhino,” the game’s description reads.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD will be released for the Nintendo Switch on January 16, 2025. The game will include 80 levels, including newer levels added to the 3DS version.