Editing Donkey Kong Country (section)

===Retrospective assessments===
[[File:Shigeru Miyamoto at E3 2013 1 (cropped).JPG|thumb|upright=0.75|alt=Shigeru Miyamoto, a middle-aged Japanese man wearing a herringbone blazer and white shirt.|False rumours spread that ''Donkey Kong''{{'s}} creator, [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] (pictured in 2013), disliked ''Donkey Kong Country''.<ref name="USG: Bluff" />]]

Reviewing the Virtual Console rerelease, ''[[Nintendo Life]]'' felt the visuals were still among the SNES's best,<ref name="NLife: Review">{{Cite web|last=Olney|first=Alex|date=24 October 2014|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' review (Wii U eShop / SNES)|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu-eshop/donkey_kong_country_snes|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303022649/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu-eshop/donkey_kong_country_snes|archive-date=3 March 2021|access-date=10 June 2022|website=[[Nintendo Life]]}}</ref> and ''[[Jeuxvideo.com]]'' said they had offered a new depth of realism.<ref name="Jeux: SNESTest">{{cite news|last=Garnier|first=Michel|title=Test du jeu ''Donkey Kong Country'' sur SNES|url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00012136-donkey-kong-country-test.htm|access-date=4 June 2020|work=[[Jeuxvideo.com]]|date=22 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030083735/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00012136-donkey-kong-country-test.htm|archive-date=30 October 2019|language=fr}}</ref> ''IGN'' and ''[[AllGame]]'' said the visuals remained impressive for the SNES (though ''IGN'' thought they were no longer as significant a draw),<ref name="IGN: Review">{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|date=20 February 2007|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' review|work=[[IGN]]|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/20/donkey-kong-country-review|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823012726/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/20/donkey-kong-country|archive-date=23 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="AllGameRev">{{Cite web|last=Marriott|first=Scott Alan|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' review (SNES)|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2475&tab=review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114125055/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2475&tab=review|archive-date=14 November 2014|publisher=[[AllGame]]}}</ref> while ''GameSpot'' thought the graphics rivalled 32-bit consoles.<ref name="GSpotRev">{{Cite web|last=Provo|first=Frank|date=23 February 2007|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-kong-country-review/1900-6166362|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401224009/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-kong-country-review/1900-6166362/|archive-date=1 April 2019|access-date=4 June 2020|website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> Conversely, ''USGamer'' said that, though technically impressive, they did not age well, with "cringe-inducing", "paper-thin backgrounds".<ref name="USG: RetroReview">{{Cite web|last=Oxford|first=Nadia|date=23 January 2019|title=Super NES retro review: ''Donkey Kong Country''|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/super-nes-classic-reviews-game-by-game-15-donkey-kong-country|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120063355/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/super-nes-classic-reviews-game-by-game-15-donkey-kong-country|archive-date=20 November 2020|access-date=5 June 2020|website=[[US Gamer]]}}</ref> ''Hardcore Gaming 101'' agreed, writing that the visuals looked plastic-like, did not hold up well once the novelty of pre-rendering had worn off, and were clearly experimental, even if their detail was admirable.<ref name="HG101: DKC" /> Critics praised the GBC version for attempting to preserve the visuals in spite of hardware limitations,<ref name="GSpotGBC">{{Cite web|last=Provo|first=Frank|date=17 May 2006|title=''Donkey Kong Country'' review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-kong-country-review/1900-2657317|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126185554/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-kong-country-review/1900-2657317/|archive-date=26 January 2018|access-date=11 June 2022|website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Craig|title=''Donkey Kong Country''|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/23/donkey-kong-country-8|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=11 June 2022|date=22 November 2000|archive-date=28 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528162857/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/23/donkey-kong-country-8|url-status=live}}</ref> but criticised the GBA version's downgrades,<ref name="NWR: GBARev">{{cite web|last=Kosmina|first=Ben|title=''Donkey Kong Country''|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4124/donkey-kong-country-game-boy-advance|website=Nintendo World Report|access-date=11 June 2022|date=5 September 2003|archive-date=11 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911112852/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4124/donkey-kong-country-game-boy-advance|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mariott|first=Scott|title=''Donkey Kong Country''|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=42630&tab=review|publisher=[[AllGame]]|access-date=11 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114211741/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=42630&tab=review|archive-date=14 November 2014}}</ref> which ''IGN'' considered detrimental to the experience.<ref name="IGN: GBARev" />

''Donkey Kong Country'' became divisive in the years following its release.<ref name="USG: Bluff" /> ''Eurogamer'' wrote that it became popular to dislike it in the early 2000s,<ref name="Euro: GBARev">{{cite web|last=Bramwell|first=Tom|title=''Donkey Kong Country''|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_dkc_gba|website=[[Eurogamer]]|access-date=11 June 2022|date=3 June 2003|archive-date=1 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001035319/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_dkc_gba|url-status=live}}</ref> and it was often described as one of the most overrated video games.<ref name="GSpy: Overrated">{{Cite web|last=''GameSpy'' staff|date=19 September 2003|title=25 most overrated games of all time|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/september03/25overrated/index18.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060508010107/http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/september03/25overrated/index.shtml|archive-date=8 May 2006|access-date=11 June 2022|website=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=DiRienzo|first=David|title=''Donkey Kong Jungle Beat''|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-jungle-beat|website=[[Hardcore Gaming 101]]|access-date=12 July 2020|date=17 April 2015|archive-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813023826/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/donkey-kong-jungle-beat/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' staff|title=The 10 most overrated games|url=http://www.1up.com/features/10-overrated-games|website=[[1Up.com]]|access-date=11 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512073328/http://www.1up.com/features/10-overrated-games|archive-date=12 May 2012|date=4 April 2005}}</ref> For example, ''[[Vice Media|Vice]]'' wrote that it did not deserve to be considered a classic and, alongside ''[[GameSpy]]'', called its gameplay unremarkable and lacking depth.<ref name="GSpy: Overrated" /><ref name="Vice: Terrible">{{cite web|last=Dransfield|first=Ian|title=Twenty years on, 'Donkey Kong Country' is still as terrible as it ever was|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/donkey-kong-at-20-years-old-442/|website=[[Vice Media|Vice]]|access-date=31 May 2022|date=2 December 2014|archive-date=31 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531001349/https://www.vice.com/en/article/exm9bn/donkey-kong-at-20-years-old-442|url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''IGN'', critics accused ''Donkey Kong Country'' of "sacrificing gameplay for the sake of a short-run attention grab and quick impulse sales",<ref name="IGN: Review" /> which ''USGamer'' attributed to the "flimflammery of its visuals and the relative mundanity of its actual game design".<ref name="USG: Bluff" /> ''USGamer'' wrote the game was often criticised as an example of [[style over substance]], with gameplay that was arguably inferior to SNES [[launch game]]s such as ''Super Mario World'' and ''[[Super Castlevania IV]]'' (1991).<ref name="USG: Bluff" /> ''GameSpy'' complained that ''Donkey Kong Country'' overshadowed games such as ''Yoshi's Island'', which it considered superior.<ref name="GSpy: Overrated" />

''Donkey Kong Country'' has been described as one of the [[List of video games considered the best|greatest video games of all time]].{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite web|title=The 100 greatest games|url=http://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/default.asp?p=76|website=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|access-date=11 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706102359/http://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/default.asp?p=76|archive-date=6 July 2011|page=76|date=2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Moore|first1=Bo|last2=Schubak|first2=Adam|title=The 100 greatest video games of all time|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/gaming/g134/the-100-greatest-video-games-of-all-time/?slide=37|website=[[Popular Mechanics]]|access-date=11 June 2022|page=37|date=15 March 2022|archive-date=11 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611135725/https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/gaming/g134/the-100-greatest-video-games-of-all-time/?slide=37|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=''Polygon'' staff|title=The 500 best games of all time: 300-201|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/29/16693094/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-300-201|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|access-date=11 June 2022|date=29 November 2017|archive-date=30 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330211534/https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/29/16693094/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-300-201|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=''Slant'' staff|title=100 greatest video games of all time|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/100-greatest-video-games-of-all-time/P4|website=[[Slant (magazine)|Slant]]|access-date=11 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717084539/http://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/100-greatest-video-games-of-all-time/P4|archive-date=17 July 2015|page=4|date=9 June 2014}}</ref>}} ''USGamer'' wrote that the criticism was unfair because it "exudes craftsmanship ... Rare went to great pains to create a consistent, seamless world that managed to convey [[trompe-l'œil|trompe-l'oeil]] immersion", something few developers could replicate.<ref name="USG: Bluff" /> Though retrospective reviewers criticised the boss fights,<ref name="HG101: DKC" /><ref name="NLife: Review" /><ref name="USG: RetroReview" /> they praised the rhythm, variety, and replay value.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="GSpotRev" /><ref name="NLife: Review" /><ref name="IGN: Review" /><ref name="USG: RetroReview" /><ref name="AllGameRev" />}} ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' said that although some aspects had not aged well, ''Donkey Kong Country'' remained among the best ''Donkey Kong'' games and deserved praise for resurrecting the franchise.<ref>{{cite web|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|title=The definitive ranking of ''Donkey Kong'' games|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2018/5/10/17333228/donkey-kong-rankings|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|access-date=31 May 2022|date=10 May 2018|archive-date=3 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403080041/https://www.polygon.com/features/2018/5/10/17333228/donkey-kong-rankings|url-status=live}}</ref> Its soundtrack is considered one of the best in games,<ref name="Vice: Xanax">{{cite web|last=Pollack|first=Hilary|title=The {{'}}''Donkey Kong Country''{{'}} soundtrack is better than Xanax|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-donkey-kong-country-soundtrack-is-better-than-xanax/|website=[[Vice Media|Vice]]|access-date=11 June 2022|date=17 July 2020|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129173429/https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxqp5n/the-donkey-kong-country-soundtrack-is-better-than-xanax|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IGN: GBARev">{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Craig|title=''Donkey Kong Country''|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/06/donkey-kong-country-4|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=11 June 2022|date=6 June 2003|archive-date=29 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529232142/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/06/donkey-kong-country-4|url-status=live}}</ref> praised for its atmosphere and diversity.<ref name="HG101: DKC" /><ref name="Jeux: SNESTest" /><ref name="USG: RetroReview" /> ''Hardcore Gaming 101'' said it was the one element that had unquestionably aged well and contained some of the [[16-bit era]]'s most memorable music.<ref name="HG101: DKC" />

In the years following its release, rumours spread that Miyamoto disliked ''Donkey Kong Country'' and found it amateurish,<ref name="USG: Bluff" /> and had created the hand-drawn art style of ''Yoshi's Island'' in retaliation for its pre-rendered visuals.<ref name="USG: Bluff" /><ref name="Shack: 21Facts" /> Miyamoto spoke highly of ''Donkey Kong Country'' in a 2000 interview; he said that Rare "breathed new life into" Donkey Kong, had demonstrated excellent research into what made a Nintendo game work, and proved they could be trusted with the ''Donkey Kong'' franchise.<ref name="MiyamotoNOM">{{cite web |title="ドンキーコングの生みの親" 宮本茂独占インタビュー |trans-title=Exclusive Interview with Donkey Kong Creator Shigeru Miyamoto |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0002/01/miyamoto.html |website=Nintendo Online Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040212000129/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0002/01/miyamoto.html |archive-date=February 12, 2004 |access-date=January 22, 2025 |language=Japanese |date=February 2000}} ([https://themushroomkingdom.net/interview_miyamoto_nom18_feb2000.shtml Translation])</ref> However, the author [[Steven L. Kent]] claimed Miyamoto said that "''Donkey Kong Country'' proves gamers will put up with mediocre gameplay if the art is good" in a 1995 ''[[Electronic Games]]'' interview.<ref name="Shack: 21Facts" /> Kent said that Nintendo's marketing department had rejected ''Yoshi's Island'' as it lacked ''Donkey Kong Country''{{'s}} pre-rendered graphics, and that this had possibly motivated Miyamoto's remark.<ref name="Shack: 21Facts">{{cite web|last=Craddock|first=David|title=21 facts you might not know about all the games on the SNES Classic|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/100456/21-facts-you-might-not-know-about-all-the-games-on-the-snes-classic|website=[[Shacknews]]|access-date=16 June 2022|date=27 June 2017|archive-date=16 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616235458/https://www.shacknews.com/article/100456/21-facts-you-might-not-know-about-all-the-games-on-the-snes-classic|url-status=live}}</ref> Miyamoto denied this in 2010, noting he "was very involved" in ''Donkey Kong Country'' and had corresponded with Stamper throughout development.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Craig|title=E3 2010: Shigeru Miyamoto likes ''Donkey Kong Country'' after all|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/17/e3-2010-shigeru-miyamoto-likes-donkey-kong-country-after-all|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=11 June 2022|date=17 June 2010|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627062028/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/17/e3-2010-shigeru-miyamoto-likes-donkey-kong-country-after-all|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, ''USGamer'' described Kent's claims as "seemingly apocryphal",<ref name="USG: Bluff" /> and in 2019, the video game historian [[Frank Cifaldi]] found that the ''Electronic Games'' interview did not contain the alleged quote from Miyamoto.<ref>{{cite tweet|last=Cifaldi|first=Frank|title=Sorry, they do talk about tech but there's nothing remotely like that in here.|user=frankcifaldi|number=1144373230364266496|date=27 June 2019|access-date=13 June 2020}}</ref>