History YMMV / DonkeyKongcountryReturns

** Blowing is generally seen as an unnecessary additional action, as besides it getting annoying to perform due to needing press down to crouch and [[{{Waggle}} shake]]/press a button on the controller every single time (instead of it being performed with only one button), like in the original Rare trilogy, anything that could be done by blowing could also be done with just the Hand Slap. Tellingly, is completely removed in ''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze''.

** The {{Waggle}} in the abilities have this reputation. The Hand Slap/Peanut Popgun and the Blow aren't so bad. Having to waggle to do a roll (and thus perform a super jump, a key ability in the platforming) can really suck, especially if you're in a very chaotic and fast paced level. This is completely mitigated in the 3DS UpdatedRerelease, as waggle functions have been mapped to normal button presses.

** Many players tend to dislike both minecart and rocket barrel levels control schemes.

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: When ''Returns'' came out, difficult 2D platformers had largely fallen out of fashion. ''Returns'' was partially responsible (alongside other games, most notably ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBrosWii'') for bringing the genre back into public favor , and being a decidedly NintendoHard game at a time when most of Nintendo's efforts were decidedly more casual-oriented. Since then, not only have 2D platformers become much more common (to the point that [[UsefulNotes/WiiU Nintendo's following console]] was criticized for having ''too many'' of them), but ''Returns''' [[VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryTropicalFreeze sequel]] addressed almost every single criticism anyone had of it (most notably the {{Waggle}}), making it much harder to appreciate today. Nowadays the game is considered "too safe" compared to the experimentality of its successor, despite providing the framework for it to build off of. While it is now overshadowed by its successor, it is still a fun and passionate game in its own right.

* PolishedPort: The 3DS release has better controls and optional easy modes with more items to make levels less frustrating (e.g. green balloons to save your Kongs from falling to their deaths, Crash Guards which let you take several hits in mine cart and rocket barrel sections), as well as more levels in the new Cloud world. The only drawbacks are a slight graphical downgrade and that it runs at 30 FPS (as opposed to the Wii version running at 60 frames).

** The {{waggle}} abilities are already getting a reputation. The Hand Slap/Peanut Popgun and the Blow aren't so bad. Having to waggle to do a roll (and thus perform a super jump, a key ability in the platforming) can really suck, especially if you're in a very chaotic and fast paced level. This is largely mitigated in the 3DS remake, as waggle functions have been mapped to normal button presses.
** Many players tend to dislike both minecart and rocket barrel levels, particularly the latter due to its control scheme.

* {{Waggle}}: The most common complaint with the game is the clunky motion controls, especially in regards to rolling, which is performed by shaking the Wii Remote.