Among the many Nintendo icons celebrating anniversaries in 2021, Donkey Kong's milestone is most impressive. The great ape is turning 40 this year, and Nintendo needs to celebrate that. While many want a robust collection of Donkey Kong's past adventures, the best route forward would be a new Donkey Kong Country title on Nintendo Switch. Not only would a new Country game honor Donkey Kong's legacy, it would fill a space left behind by 2D Mario.
Once Super Mario Maker 2 received its Super World update, the need for a new 2D Mario on Switch dissipated. Considering Nintendo's ability to push the creative envelope, there is certainly a chance for 2D Mario to be reinvented. However, the depth of Super Mario Maker 2's toolset and the brilliance of its top-tier level designers makes even a rethought 2D Mario game seem less exciting. Nintendo needs a new mascot to carry the 2D platformer torch.
While Kirby and Yoshi are great in their own respects, neither are straight-up 2D platformers like Mario. Kirby and Yoshi both rely on gimmicks -- copy abilities and eggs respectively -- alongside a focus on collectables to be compelling. By contrast, 2D Mario games are all about fair challenge, tight design and simple mechanics. This is a timeless formula that has been iterated upon while remaining largely unchanged since the NES era. The only other Nintendo series that hits the same level of quality with the same core design principles is Donkey Kong Country.
The series deserves to take center stage now that Mario is bowing out of it. Donkey Kong Country is equally straightforward in its design philosophy, but it operates on a grander, more interesting scale. In fact, there's an argument to be made that Donkey Kong Country always should've taken the spotlight, as these games are superior to Mario's outings in many respects.
There is a real sense of place in Donkey Kong Country that isn't felt in Mario titles. So many Mario courses are just that: obstacle courses. From Super Mario Bros. to New Super Mario Bros. U, these games are comprised of levels that don't feel organic. The levels are clearly and artificially designed to be great platforming challenges, but not believable worlds. Donkey Kong Country has both. The overworlds segue directly into level motifs that are tightly designed and evocative. Donkey Kong's world seems lived-in and real, which makes platforming all the more immersive and engaging.
Plus, Donkey Kong Country has such excellent variety in terms of gameplay. From the animal buddies to the individual level gimmicks to the character attributes, Donkey Kong Country always feels fresh. Mario's 2D exploits feel limited by comparison. Every Donkey Kong Country level presents the player with a new challenge that prevents them from simply going on autopilot. The design, from the classic Rare titles to Retro's reboots, is thoughtful and continually surprising. Of course, all of these merits are further elevated by Donkey Kong Country's excellent art direction and ear-catching soundtracks.
Luckily, more fans are coming to recognize the quality of the series thanks to Nintendo Switch. The original three titles are all available through the Super Nintendo Online app. The Wii U masterpiece, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, is available on the system too, with added content that makes the game more accessible. Now more than ever, new and lapsed Nintendo fans are discovering how great these titles are.
With this renewed support, it's time to capitalize and release a new Donkey Kong Country title. There is space for a new 2D mascot platformer to take Mario's place; Donkey Kong can and should transition into that role. The character's fortieth anniversary is the perfect opportunity to put him back in the limelight.
Of course, there is the question of who would develop the title. Rare is out of the question, being under the Xbox Game Studios umbrella. Retro Studios is also out of the question, as the team toils away on Metroid Prime 4. Perhaps Nintendo could develop a new Country title internally, which has the potential to give the series a new new identity. Regardless of who takes the project on, it's time for Donkey Kong Country to finally return.