By Sagar V. Mankar 
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has made an impressive debut in Japan, selling over 100,000 copies in just 4 days, according to Famitsu’s latest sales report for the week of January 13–19.
Released on January 16, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, the game surpassed the launch numbers of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze by 20,000 units for the same platform.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has received generally favorable reviews from critics. Currently, it holds a Metascore of 77 on Metacritic, based on 75 critic reviews. IGN rated the game 8/10, calling it a competent update and the best way to play one of the greatest 2D platformers Nintendo has released this century. Meanwhile, Eurogamer gave it a 3/5, praising its challenging and satisfying platforming but noting it struggles to outshine the Switch port of Tropical Freeze.
Here’s the full Famitsu software sales chart for Jan. 13 – 19:
- Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (Switch): 107,093 [new]
- Dynasty Warriors: Origins (PS5): 63,805 [new]
- Tales of Graces f Remastered (Switch): 25,701 [new]
- Super Mario Party Jamboree (Switch): 23,154 [1,121,410 total]
- Tales of Graces f Remastered (PS5): 15,669 [new]
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch): 8,426 [6,215,983 total]
- Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake (Switch): 7,467 [979,980 total]
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch): 6,967 [8,051,842 total]
- Minecraft (Switch): 6,274 [3,792,302 total]
- SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada – Deluxe Edition (PS5): 5,197 [new]
Overall, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has proved to be a solid remaster that brings the classic platformer to a new generation of players on the Nintendo Switch. What do you think about it, let me know.