Is 3DS to Blame for DKCR HD's Missing FX?

Are the missing effects Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on Switch because of it being secretly based on the 3DS version? We FINALLY compared the two versions directly to try and find out.
➤ Watch our full Switch vs Wii Effects Changes: • DK's Fur is BACK?! The...
➤ Watch our Previous Graphics Comparison: • Even More Missing FX i...
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CREDITS ►
Video by: André / andresegers
Thumbnail by: Tom / ragintombo

[@Pandarah]

The fact that they could do all that on the 3DS makes the case for this HD Switch version even worse. At this point just push back the release date and get working to fix it. Then release at 40,- as it should.

[@tippedjoshua6802]

I keep forgetting that it’s $60

[@mageius]

Nah, they just making it look bad, so they use it to push the new system by making it look better on it lol. All the most likely this will probably get patched, what I wouldn't put it past them for the first point

[@tippedjoshua6802]

@@mageius I don’t really expect them to make switch games look better on the next system except for maybe fps, well maybe a select few will get bigger upgrades, but this wouldn’t be one.

[@Tailslol]

Well yea. The Wii is a power PC console but both the 3ds and switch are based on arm. So they are probably running the same code.

[@MD-se8ft]

3ds version or not , its a lazy remaster sold for 60 dollars

[@LoveatFirstHike]

Full price is a joke for this honestly

[@spyroG3]

The case of this... "remaster" is just sad and the fact that they are charging full price for it is hilarious. I love Donkey Kong (Country) but I'll stick with my Wii version. Great video! I love these kinds of comparisons.

[@xKarenWalkerx]

Cannot believe they are porting a 15 year old game with downgraded graphics and selling it full price. SMH 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@zeno9103]

At least they had the decency of not calling it "Definitive/Complete Edition". But just "HD".

[@dissonanceparadiddle]

Fuller Price really

[@alokebadi_56]

Ok it might have some missing fx but the graphics aren't downgraded,just compare the graphics side by side and you'll be able to tell. It is kinda overpriced tho

[@noon_my_dude]

@@zeno9103 nintendo fan copium. They're marketing it as the "definitive" version, it's just not in the title.

[@raymaniqe1906]

@@noon_my_dude this is still gonna be the definitive version for a lot of people anyway

[@The_Sofa_King]

It’s obvious we lost a good studio as monster games did a great job with the 3ds version and forever entertainment needs to be bought by ea.

[@erasmotamayo1937]

0:18 to be honest, if he used the version where he said SHUT UP that wouldve been funny as hell

[@GameXplain]

Hahaha I had considered it

[@DKmonky]

It isn't a Wii port or a 3DS port... IT'S A COMBINATION OF BOTH

[@lt_caravaggio]

ThriiDS?

[@Tailslol]

Well yea. The Wii is a power PC console but both the 3ds and switch are based on arm. So they are probably running the same code.

[@ashtonmcentire8729]

This has turned into like a whole series

[@ZiggyPalffyLA]

And I’m here for it. More!!

[@rpizzaspaghetti2718]

Because this has to be the most lazy nintendo port with missing effects, and to top it off, they're charging $60. That's wild

[@Marsh388]

“You wouldn’t even notice it if it wasn’t pointed out.” When it is the same price of a new game then yes, I will notice small details. Just because you are willing to pay double when they cut corners doesn’t mean the rest of us are.

[@davidaamaya1]

Modders : give me 5 minutes

[@startthebengine]

Nintendo is both incredibly fastidious/generous and unbelievably lazy/greedy all at once. Full price for a careless, slapdash port just like the Mario collection shows a shocking disregard for their most cherished characters. Insane.

[@Part_Time_Fox]

Honestly I really like these nitpicky analysis videos they are Miles better than the speculation videos!

[@nowonmetube]

I agree. But also the fact that the Switch version missing effects of both the Wii and the 3DS but having the metal plate fix like the 3DS makes perfect sense. It ads up perfectly. Wii -> 3DS added fixes, missed some effects -> Switch uses 3DS version, higher res, and missing even more features than the 3DS version but keeps the bug fixes.

[@lolzwutify]

Forever Ent. needs to put back the missing sun, fix the lava and mud. This beautiful game doesn’t deserve to be robbed like this. Thanks for this new analysis and all the work regarding DKC Returns.

[@kenrulei09]

the big thing is this was them at retail not lead up to launch...

[@BrianRodriguez-yt5fi]

This just shows how impressive the work that went into bringing DKCR to 3DS. To be fair a lot of people who would play this on Switch likely wouldn’t even notice anything, but it’s more about the principle of Nintendo selling full $60 for a remaster that somehow looks lazier a over a decade later. I can get another copy of the 3DS version of half that

[@M64bros]

I remember getting Donkey Kong Country returns for 3DS and I was absolutely mind-blown it was able to run the game! I'm really excited to get the switch version as well

[@SailBros_204]

Right with you.

[@shiftfire4511]

...Hm, I'm wondering if all these little effects are just being put off for later detailing. As for 3DS or Wii as a base...almost certainly 3DS. It's simply much easier to update and polish a later-but-uglier version than it is to backport the new content, and is a lot less likely to cause issues in gameplay. What this means for the effects...I think it being based on 3DS does explain the effect discrepancies for a different reason. Namely a lot of the effects that are removed probably had issues being updated to HD from the 3DS version. Keep in mind, to HD *from* 3DS, which had much lower resolutions amongst other limitations and differences. My hope is that all these little effects and details weren't working right and are being cleaned up or possibly even redone and will be added back in before the release. After all, an effect that is *broken* generally looks substantially worse than an effect that is missing or changed in a trailer, and they have until the day the game releases to address that. My main concern is definitely the fur effect, though. That's a more major thing that i'm worried about because it's still not added in.

[@GameXplain]

Let's hope!

[@Franklinstein18]

THIS EXACTLY!! The fact that they may have to manually upscale textures and effects from the low res 3DS to HD makes sense as to why a lot Of effects aren’t displayed in the trailers so far. Hopefully they fix them….

[@NCozy]

I don't have a lot of hope considering this game comes out in a month and they have a build of the game that's being printed on cartridges. They could release a day 1 patch but even then there's so many issues here that it doesn't seem likely that they will all be addressed by then.

[@Miguel92398]

Once the game gets leaked and datamined, the files might determine this theory. But for now, I don't think they are using the 3DS version as a base for the HD remastered. One thing might be the engine its using. Like really, if they're using the 3DS as base instead of Wii, then what happened to the original source files for the Wii version? Like this is the same Nintendo who kept a ton of assets, prototypes, beta versions, and cut contents within the vault. Unless the rest of the assets are in Retro Studios, then I doubt they ever get rid of the source files as they've ported Tropical Freeze and added new contents. MonolithSoft remade Xenoblade titles and still use the original assets from Wii (and possibly Wii U with Xenoblade X DE).

[@SALTYTOAD00]

If it weren't for the graphical issues, this would be a fantastic port. It adds all the improvements from the 3DS version, but on a screen with a resolution above 240p.

[@AWMonopolyMan]

I’m personally past the point of calling them “graphical issues” as nothing is glitching out or has incorrect texturing & am more inclined to call them as they are, “graphical nitpicks”

[@woshee_real]

​@@AWMonopolyManwtf monopoly man?!

[@woshee_real]

funny seeing you here.

[@tombot5000]

GameXplain seems to have an axe to grind with this one game in particular, lol.

[@JoSephGD]

The sticking point is that Nintendo already made a more accurate HD version of DKCR that they could easily port over to the Switch and then fine-tune from there. The Nvidia Shield, ever heard of it? That version is more accurate than this version on Switch.

[@ryukishi8492]

No it's the lazy team. DK literally has brown fur around his eyes, it was always dark or even black

[@JonnyDenny1816]

0:27 😒 old school Tv 📺 it’s like the 1960’s

[@aionios1796]

I will say it again. The missing sun hurts my soul! :(

[@GameXplain]

Or Sol... 😅

[@crobinson2624]

I still think like 99% of players aren’t going to notice these changes when playing the Switch version.

[@DuranmanX]

Then why not just port the Wii version for $20

[@crobinson2624]

@ why sell it for $20 when you can sell it for $60 and make $40 more?

[@HenrikoMagnifico]

@@DuranmanXBecause they want to sell it for $60

[@DuranmanX]

@crobinson2624 Well, as a consumer, I'd expect higher quality if I am going to be paying more. Nintendo released Super Mario 3D All-Stars for $60 and the 3 games in it all seemed to be better versions than Donkey Kong Country Returns, and Super Mario Galaxy was a Wii game too

[@DuranmanX]

@@HenrikoMagnifico well then Im not buying it for that

[@resean2727]

Were people seriously defending this lazy port by saying its just a 3ds port??

[@Lakitu1134]

Nintendo allowing Monster Games (studio behind the 3DS version) get bought out was a mistake.

[@alejandrovaldez9848]

In all honesty, I’m glad Donkey Kong is getting discussed at all. 😂

[@megazerox7587]

It’s most likely that Retro Studios used the exact same engine, used the modified framework into that engine for HD graphical reasons, as the Switch was able to have HD graphics, even when it can get hard porting to it. Hopefully, Retro will have the time to try to have the FX realistic for the fur when Donkey Kong or Diddy Kong moves around with the fur that is attached to them.

[@AWMonopolyMan]

Different studio worked on this game, that being Forever Entertainment

[@jarerarebear1765]

Retro didn't develop the 3DS version, Monster Games did. And they're not developing the Switch version either, that's Forever Entertainment SA that's developing it.

[@megazerox7587]

@ Oh, right. Must have mistaken it, but Retro did developed the Wii version but I think they shared the engine to Forever Entertainment SA, as to remaster it, but upgrade it with advances of technology.

[@piercemat331]

Granted, Tantalus did this with Luigi's Mansion 2 Switch when they could have buff secret mine and make other changes that were not in the original. If that was Next Level Games, they would have make changes for that game. Paper Mario TTYD Switch at least done better than Luigi's Mansion 2 HD, due to adding new content, despite being less significant.

[@AWMonopolyMan]

@Your running off of assumptions that 0 things were changed, there were certainly changes, but they are more on the Twilight Princess HD scale of changes (same devs) subtle changes rather than overt ones. As for Paper Mario, 2 optional superbosses, the old OST, an art gallery and even a new recipe along with some script revisions, changes to how Power Bounce/Multibonk work are less significant?

[@NinSonyFan]

The 3DS version still is my favorite

[@kaieigenhuis2831]

SonicxShadow Generations released at $50 on ps5. Friendly reminder.

[@woshee_real]

Yeah but that gave you an entire new game with a already great game.

[@nuclearbeeberman]

I think it only makes sense to compare it to the best looking version. it doesn't matte if it is a port from the wii or the 3ds version. If you buy it for the far superior switch, you want it to be the best version

[@geminijinxies7258]

They're supposed to make you want to buy the game, but.. Did all these DK trailers instead have a negative effect on the marketing of the game?

[@eduardoaguero1220]

I don't regret buying the 3ds version before this remake came out

[@wasistdustin]

My only guess is that the gameplay we see is from a build that removed some more minute details like particle effects, light rays and such to improve the performance in the trailer. Maybe they just forgot to put it back in, or they didn't have enough time to do so and needed to get the trailer out. It's a mystery to me how this would be necessary for assets that are over 10 years old, but what do I know.

[@Cal_03]

Why do I feel like we're entering the era of "low effort 3ds ports" first luigis mansion 2, now this, the apparently leaked kirby planet robobot will be next

[@PalaeoJoe]

Man am I happy I bought the 3DS version

[@aleKaKi_]

yeah tell them gamexplain!

[@LilFoleyAIMusic]

That funky Kong joke 😂 also you forgot to compare the Sega Genesis hack of DKC returns to the jungle for some fungle

[@maddestmike5791]

Honestly it would have made so much more sense to port the Wii version with improved graphics, extra levels and option to use button controls instead of motion controls.

[@N-MCMXCIX]

Could be wrong, but I suspect that it probably _is_ the code from the 3DS version under the hood, running in a newer engine, with newly redone textures, the motion controls and most of the 3D models from the Wii version, plus maybe some character models from Tropical Freeze. Not perfect, but looks good despite the missing embellishments. Though I do have to wonder how this and the Wii version compare to the Nvidia Shield version.

[@ob1slam]

This is incredibly embarrassing for the people who made the Switch version. So unbelievably lazy from them.

[@NateRD90]

The 3DS version is still superior due to one of the best uses of 3D on the system, on top of the bonus world (and removing the waggle of the Wii version).

[@PikaPhantomVG]

Does Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D use the same models for stages as the Wii version?

[@Vvonter]

Thanks for the video, I was lazy to check out when I commented that. The hurdles of videogame development are still a mystery to most of us.

[@ignatiousmary8413]

If I get Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, I'm still going to miss playing the 3DS version. I feel like the HD version won't have the same vibes like the 3DS and Wii Versions.

[@Twag7]

Even if it does look better in some cases, that's not good enough. It should look better in ALL cases. This is a 15 year old game 2 console generations later and costs more than the original did with absolutely bare minimum new content, the least they could do is make it look the best in all areas. I absolutely love this game but there's no way I'm buying it in this sorry state.

[@aaronkay101kinetic]

So Watcha saying is... I should just break out my Nintendo Wii and play that version because it's the best?

[@Tailslol]

Well yea. The Wii is a power PC console but both the 3ds and switch are based on arm. So they are probably running the same code.

[@greenrobot5]

You should rename this channel to DK Country Explained

[@NotHeresrsly]

Well now this just makes me want to play the 3DS version again

[@franciscotapia9682]

Ain't no way they're making the screen in the loading screens not scroll in a console with better rendering than the wii

[@Umwhatthesigm]

Really hope it's not because if so then we may be screwed

[@Mskart109]

That's really sad that a inferior console has every retained that a higher consoles

[@crobinson2624]

Is it plausible that the porting team just intentionally omitted these effects and changed the color of DK’s fur to make him darker?

[@SoyAntonioGaming]

u should compare it to original Donkey Kong arcade game. no kill screen = no buy

[@sunfire3]

can you comparison between nvidia shield donkey kong country return and switch one

[@bro-dude99]

3:27 this is the main thing that clued me in. However, watching this video in its entirety, while at first I thought for sure this was totally just 3DS… now I’m not so sure Also I love the old cartoon references

[@thesis-and-nieces6722]

This might be due to switch hardware vs wii hardware or 3DS hardware. Much like metroid prime remaster, the switch chipset is not capable of rendering certain effects. Like how samus power shot illuminates the walls as it travels on the wii, but doesn’t on the switch. Retro developers mentioned that the switch was not able to do those effects because it was mobile phone technology

[@ZackSNetwork]

That is a load of hogwash. The Tegra X1 is a 2015 mobile chipset. No way you’re telling me that the ancient Wii power PC can do things the Switch can’t.

[@SergioPL]

So, probably the Wii version will continue be the best version.

[@get_stached]

The banjo and kazooie guy should be happy now

[@Akrenix]

I've been enjoying this saga so far

[@knuclear200x]

Nintendo still knows you're willing to buy the same game 3 times for better or worse. Then when they inevitably patch it, you'll convince yourself they made an effort. What scummy companies they are because you still pay them to be anyway.

[@SALTYTOAD00]

Nintendo has literally nothing to do with the Donkey Kong Country series besides the character of Donkey Kong.

[@knuclear200x]

@@SALTYTOAD00 You have no argument and instead said the most randomly defensively wrong thing ever. Cringe.

[@SALTYTOAD00]

​@knuclear200x I'm not wrong. Donkey Kong Country Returns was developed by Retro Studios, and this port is being developed by Forever Entertainment. You would know that if you actually did basic research, but I guess that's too much effort for you, and you'd rather sit on your computer all day and complain about how the Switch has no games despite only really playing Pokémon.

[@knuclear200x]

​@@SALTYTOAD00 It's still 100% property of Nintendo. *Your* so desperate for an argument that you need to point out the most pedantic things. All the reason I said "companies" too. Thanks for proving my point on what shills Nintendo fans are.

[@SALTYTOAD00]

​@knuclear200x Usually, shills eat up whatever is given to them, and don't criticize it whatsoever. Literally, all I've heard about this port is how the graphics need work and the price is insane, which completely disproves the whole "all Nintendo fans are shills" narrative you're trying to push.

[@kclink1579]

Well as long as it's 60FPS literally nothing else matters.

[@Chris_A.5]

It's the Luigi's Mansion 2 HD situation all over again..

[@benmalsky9834]

But just like with that game, the game itself is still amazing and holds up well.

[@tippedjoshua6802]

How? As much as I hated on that game, it was definitely an improvement, just not worth the price.

[@benmalsky9834]

@ Yes it was for most people.

[@benmalsky9834]

@ Most people love that game you know.

[@SALTYTOAD00]

​@@benmalsky9834 Not really. A lot of people dislike it because of its level-based structure instead of being able to explore the mansion freely like you could in the first game.

[@nil7444]

they will force us a graphic update on day 1 to fix this issues....

[@mariotapawan5521]

Now I was wondering is there going to be a video of people going to beat the switch and 3DS version of Donkey Kong Country returns at the exact same time?

[@kavenewell72]

And has people have asked if the Switch and Nvidia Shield versions are similar? Not sure how different is since was made for Android. Maybe not different to the Wii version but hey, we gotta find the offender

[@spyroG3]

The Nvidia Shield version is the Wii version upscaled to 1080p and with the motion controls removed. I would have preferred a port of that version, honestly.

[@kakashishinoda]

Idk what Nintendo is doing…

[@Kyouka-Jirou1]

I'm a true Nintendo consumer so regardless of all the controversy I'm still getting it I have tropical freeze so why not have this one either 😃 all I need is Galaxy 2 on switch and I'll be a true happy consumer 😆

[@zanok7796]

I preferred wake up with a NSO new title (I'm from Italy and the announcements arrive around at 2-3 A.M. meanwhile I'm sleeping, I check KZbin's previews so I can sleep again, like counting sheeps)

[@dereckgamer7860]

Obviously it's from the Nintendo 3DS port obviously, For some reason Nintendo couldn't port the NVIDIA Shield version If it had been ported, the same Wii textures would have been retained as was the case with the Super Mario Galaxy port, Oh, and the 3DS levels and other features would be removed and it would only be the Wii ones, so, yes, obviously it's the 3DS port with improves like an update.

[@Leopez02]

Donkey Kong Country Returns was my childhood's first Donkey Kong game on Nintendo Wii and I've thinking getting it on 3DS becauae I wan't to play it on a handheld mode, but now when it's coming to Switch as a HD, but problems are big changes of tge og version and big 60€ price only HD dosen't make sense to make the game too expensive, but only beceause of nostalgia I might get it on Switch too in next month already yay! 😊❤

[@hoppie4263]

What if the graphic are slightly different depending the mode it’s played in maybe the effects are tone down when in portable mode compared to dock mode

[@manupkmntrainer8391]

I think they lost the final version they built for Wii and used a previous version with less polished effects for the Switch port

[@valmid5069]

[@sparky3801]

Why are people defending Nintendo? We're getting a terrible port for 60 dollars.

[@guywhoateallthepizza1031]

No It's a game at the end of the Switch's lifespan

[@SailBros_204]

I like the Donkey Kong Country series, and even the franchise, but I am thinking about this port of Returns. Definitely remember the first time playing this game, but got it as rental from a rental store called Family Video. This coming to Switch seems like a fun game ported from both the Wii, and 3DS, the price point isn't as great. I am buying this port, even if nobody in the industry likes it.

[@crobinson2624]

Andre, with all these videos, pointing out the many differences between all three versions are you saying that the developer who is doing the porting of the switch version did something wrong by not including these whether it was intentional or not? Perhaps this game was ported using AI and the AI program simply failed to include them, or do you think maybe these changes were intentional and the developer meant to make these changes for various reasons unknown? Perhaps you could reach out to the developer or Nintendo and simply ask, was this just a lazy port or were these changes intentional?

[@LoganNorfleet]

Let’s be real here it’s a new donkey Kong country game IT MAY BE A REMAKE OF A REMAKE BUT! Dkctf release a decade ago the switch version came out 6-7 years ago we’re probably still gonna buy this if you never played it lol

[@MidySeaCloud]

Its genuinly insane to me that you all are just okay with dismissing a fully functioning none glitchy game because its got graphical nitpicks :/ i'm genuinly concerned as to what you're all willing to even buy because it seems like yall don't buy games if they so much as twitch

[@rpizzaspaghetti2718]

I'm probably gonna pass on this game. Especially for $60 for missing/downgraded effects.

[@56jsking]

Buy this game for the Wii or the 3DS if possible. Way cheaper and probably better.

[@6SamChat9]

So the switch is it's unique entity? cool! That's all I need to know.

[@nietzscheente1271]

So many videos about this topic. It's start getting a meme. :-D

[@benmalsky9834]

I guess that’s what happens when a port doesn’t get a lot of substantial new content, like how Tropical Freeze added Funky Mode, so there was no need for so many videos nitpicking about tiny, insignificant details.

[@mixeryOW]

They should change the name to Donkey Kong colours ultimate

[@Tartubeman]

Seriously, who ported this? Game Freak?

[@ventriloquistmagician4735]

wii bros keep winning

[@BigGamingBossMan]

Yeah probably. Nintendo needs to chill out with the old ports, stop being lazy and actually make something new

[@darwinvillar8478]

mugly de donkey kong country returns HD de wii de 3ds

[@MoonSarito]

I think the only explanation is that it's probably a remaster done in a hurry for some reason or by an inexperienced team at Nintendo.

[@SALTYTOAD00]

It wasn't made by Nintendo. It was outsourced to a 3rd party company. Forever Entertainment to be specific.

[@AWMonopolyMan]

This isn’t even a Nintendo team, it is a 3rd party named Forever Entertainment

[@BammsSippRoppHutzLeppSippLoi]

I encourage people to play this game on dolphin instead. Nintendo really needs to learn how to work properly again.

[@Rebelnightwolfe]

i took off my rose tinted nintendo polish glasses over a decade ago.

[@benmalsky9834]

What does that mean?

[@kaieigenhuis2831]

Short answer: Yes

[@MrSuperleobros]

Nintendo switch must have something against sunsets. I mean there's sunset wilds and then there is this 😂.

[@Keanine]

DKCRXplain is my favourite channel

[@CCM02-vp7nu]

Está muy bien el juego, lo único que Nintendo siempre se pasa con el precio, tipo que ha cobrado 179,97 € por cabeza al quien se haya comprado los 3 juegos, es como Luigi's Mansion 2 o Super Mario 3d All Stars o 3d World, que el 3d World de la Switch es un Sonic Generation X Shadow 2.0 aunque tendría que decirlo al revés, pero que van en la misma linea es lo que quiero decir. El único remaster que a sido distinto y vale la pena es Epic Mickey Rebrushed y Super Mario RPG, que ahí rehicieron las texturas y todo desde cero y con nuevos niveles...., ahí si que vale la pena comprarlo y pagar 59,99 €, lo otro es pura emulación de Dolphin a Yuzu y además que el 3d All Stars en el código fuente está demostrado como se hizo. Espero que esto sea de los últimos juegos remasters de la Switch y estén pensando en un Donkey Country nuevo y un Super Mario 3d nuevo porque de Donkey Kong va hacer 11 años que no sacan juego nuevo y Mario en 3d va hacer 7 años cosa que antes con la saga del Mario Galaxy o Sunshine hubieron solo 4 años aprox de intervalo entre cada uno

[@ragingstorm_]

this game means a lot to be so i’ll probably buy it but it’s still a shame