Update June 15, 2010: Donkey Kong Country 4: Returns has been announced by Nintendo during E3 2010. The 2D platformer will be coming to Wii and is in development by Metroid Prime creator Retro Studios.
Here’s the first trailer for Donkey Kong Country Returns:
Original article: Developer Rare answers fan questions on their Rareware site once a month. This time they bring good news for Nintendo fans who like Donkey Kong Country (DKC).
The first question asks if we’ll see non-Donkey Kong Rare games, like Banjo-Kazooie and Perfect Dark, on the Wii’s Virtual Console (VC)? Rare’s answer: “As for VC, it’s ultimately Nintendo’s decision what gets released. Beyond the [three] DKC games we don’t have anything in the pipeline at the moment, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen in future.”
Good to know Rare or Microsoft don’t have any issues with their games appearing on Nintendo’s Virtual Console. But putting aside the fact that Microsoft has a similar online download service for old and new games (Xbox Live Arcade), will Nintendo ask for these Virtual Console games?
The second question asks Rare about the possibility of a new “real” Donkey Kong game developed by them (referencing a 2D sequel). Rare’s answer: “Apart from make a new Banjo game and a REAL Donkey Kong game, whatever that is – and as we’ve already said, the former we’re already doing [Banjo-Kazooie on Xbox 360], while the latter [Donkey Kong Country 4] is not so likely unless Nintendo specifically request it.”
We referenced a 2D Donkey Kong Country 4 (SNES/Virtual Console) sequel, because the 3D Donkey Kong 64 (N64) was not received well by fans of the Donkey Kong series.