Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D Gets New Developer

Donkey Kong Country Returns, the interesting semi-retro throwback platformer for the Wii, was developed by Retro Studios, the same developers that brought us Metroid Prime and Mario Kart 7.

Recently, it was revealed that Donkey Kong Country Returns would be coming to the 3DS in the aptly titled Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, however according to an Australian Classification Board listing (via Joystiq), Retro Studios has nothing to do with the game.

Instead, the game will be developed by Monster Games, the same studio that brought us Pilotwings Resort. Nintendo and COO of Nitnendo of America, Reggie “My Body is Ready” Fils-Aime said that the 3DS version would be a completely rebuilt experience. Originally, many gamers assumed that he meant the graphics would be updated for the 3DS’s stereoscopic capabilities, and that the 3DS touch screen may be integrated in some way. Now it seems as if the game may also integrate new level designs as well. It’s unclear how much of the game will be an adaptation of Retro’s 2010 title, and how much will be original work by Monster Games.

So what has Retro been up to? Not a lot of info has come out of the studio in recent days. When Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D was announced, most of us assumed that Retro was hard at work on the port. Now that Retro is detached, a whole world of possibilities opens up. Miyamoto himself said that the studio was incredibly busy with something, but didn’t say what. We can only hope it’s a next generation Metroid Prime title for the Wii U. That would be awesome.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is slated for release sometime this summer for the 3DS. An official release date has not yet been given.