Donkey Kong Country Returns vs New Super Mario Bros.
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Donkey Kong Country Returns brings back the beloved 2D platforming experience with vibrant worlds, tight controls, and inventive level design. Players guide Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong through jungle, beach, and factory stages, collecting bananas and battling quirky enemies. The game adds a cooperative mode, allowing two players to team up locally, and introduces new mechanics like rolling barrels and timed puzzles, delivering both nostalgic charm and modern twists for newcomers and veterans alike.
New Super Mario Bros. brings the beloved side‑scrolling Mario experience to a modern handheld, combining tight controls with vibrant 2D graphics. Players dash, jump, and collect coins across dozens of inventive worlds filled with secrets and challenges. The game supports both solo play and cooperative multiplayer, letting friends team up to tackle levels together while discovering hidden paths and power‑up combos. Its timeless design appeals to newcomers and longtime fans alike.
- Tight, responsive controls
- Rich, colorful level design
- Engaging two‑player co‑op
- High replay value with collectibles
- Tight, responsive controls that feel classic yet fresh.
- Rich variety of power‑ups and level designs.
- Engaging multiplayer modes for up to four players.
- High replay value with secret exits and collectibles.
- Limited to local co‑op only
- Some levels can feel overly difficult
- No online multiplayer support
- Limited online features; focus is on local play.
- Graphics, while charming, may feel dated compared to modern 3D titles.
- No built‑in level editor for user‑generated content.
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A classic side‑scrolling adventure starring Diddy and Dixie Kong
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataNew Super Mario Bros. is the safer, higher-rated default for broad family fun, while Donkey Kong Country Returns trades some breadth and critical acclaim for a built-in level editor (in later ports) and unique character abilities. The main trade-off is choosing between Mario's 4-player co-op and higher critic score (95/100) versus Donkey Kong's 2-player character-switching mechanics and level editor.
Key differences
- •Player count: New Super Mario Bros. supports up to 4 players in local cooperative or competitive challenges, whereas Donkey Kong Country Returns is strictly limited to 2-player local co-op.
- •Content volume: New Super Mario Bros. features over 80 levels across 8 worlds, compared to Donkey Kong Country Returns' 48 levels across 5 worlds.
- •Level creation: Donkey Kong Country Returns includes a level editor in later ports, whereas New Super Mario Bros. has no built-in level editor for user-generated content.
- •Critical reception: New Super Mario Bros. holds a higher critic score of 95/100, while Donkey Kong Country Returns sits at an 86/100.
Gameplay & fun factor
New Super Mario Bros. achieves a higher critic score of 95/100 compared to Donkey Kong Country Returns' 86/100.
Platform availability
Not specified in the provided data.
Price & value
Both games have an MSRP of $59.99 and a one-time paid pricing model.
Multiplayer / co-op
New Super Mario Bros. supports up to 4 players locally, whereas Donkey Kong Country Returns is limited to 2 players.
Content & replayability
New Super Mario Bros. offers over 80 levels across eight worlds, surpassing Donkey Kong Country Returns' 48 levels.
Difficulty & accessibility
Donkey Kong Country Returns features character-switching and time trials, though it notes some levels can feel overly difficult.
Graphics & performance
Both feature responsive controls, but specific performance metrics are not specified beyond PEGI ratings (3 vs 12).
Choose Donkey Kong Country Returns if…
Players who want unique character-switching mechanics, time trials, and a level editor in later ports.
Choose New Super Mario Bros. if…
Players seeking a higher-rated, 4-player multiplayer experience with over 80 levels across eight worlds.
Common questions
How much do both games cost?
Both Donkey Kong Country Returns and New Super Mario Bros. have an MSRP of $59.99 as a one-time paid purchase.
What are the multiplayer options for each game?
Donkey Kong Country Returns features a 2-player local co-op mode, while New Super Mario Bros. supports up to 4 players in local cooperative or competitive challenges.
Which game has more levels?
New Super Mario Bros. has over 80 levels across eight worlds, while Donkey Kong Country Returns features 48 levels across five themed worlds.