1301 - Donkey Kong Country Returns HD First Impressions

The Kongversation takes listener calls about Donkey Kong Bananza! From excitement to concern, Hyle and Cameron dig deep to address some of the hottest-button Bananza issues in DK fandom!

Trying to peel away from Donkey Kong Bananza, the Kongversation finally discusses Mario Kart World in length! But we are the Kongversation, so we're addressing all of the Donkey Kong stuff in the game. Namely, how World seems to finally be hitting the gas to actually be competitive with Diddy Kong Racing, our thoughts on new and returning DK-related tracks, and how we think the other Kongs will eventually show up!

A couple of days after Donkey Kong Bananza's reveal, Hyle and Josh sit down to discuss their in-depth thoughts on the first new, standalone Donkey Kong in 11 years, the first new 3D Donkey Kong in 25 years, and the beginning of Donkey Kong's new era under Nintendo EPD!

Broadcast live earlier in the day on https://www.twitch.tv/dkvine, Hyle and Malik discuss their initial thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World... and the reveal of Nintendo EPD's long-in-development Donkey Kong game!

Sea of Thieves: Season 14 was all about MAKING MISCHIEF! From waddling around as barrels (like Klobbers in the Donkey Kong) to sneaking around (like the Sneak King in the Burger King), Hyle and Jeff recap the tumultuous, sometimes messy, often confusing, but otherwise delightful capper to Rare's 2024!

The Donkey Kong Country version of Donkey Kong, along with Diddy Kong, crossed over with Tetris for the very first in either franchise's history back in February with Tetris 99's 45th MAXIMUS CUP event. Was a complete Kongo Jungle reimagining of the classic puzzle game enough to finally convert Hyle... or at least convince him that it's nearly as good as It's Mr Pants?

Based on his appearance in the upcoming Mario Kart game for the Switch 2, as well as a new range of merchandise, it appears that Donkey Kong's design is being updated in the games. Specifically, to the design first seen in 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie. But put your mass hysteria about the death of Donkey Kong Country aside! DK Vine breaks down why DK's supporting cast is safe, why this is still our same guy, and why this can only mean good things for the future of the franchise!

The Kongversation is returning with the return RETURN to Returns! Donkey Kong Country Returns HD arrived in mid-January 2025 on the Nintendo Switch while riding a wave of unprecedented momentum for the Donkey Kong series. Still, the port is not without its controversies. Is Returns HD the definitive version of the thrice-released adventure?

Broadcast live on https://twitch.tv/dkvine, the Kongversation's season ends with our annual New Year's Forecast! Hyle and Dustin look ahead to what 2025 has in store for the DKU across Playtonic, Rare, and Nintendo! Hyle also finally goes too far and turns the entire F-Zero fandom against him, so that's fun.

In Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, you could obtain a hood ornament called "The Spirit of Pants". But on this episode of the Kongversation, we argue that Mr. Pants is the true spirit of Rare. Honoring 20 years of the greatest puzzle game of all time, Hyle and Freezer examine the in-universe history of Rare's underwear mogul and television presenter who's appeared and been alluded to across their shared universe!