I'm really looking forward to DKCR. It looks like it handles as well as a DKC should. It appears to have both the responsive controls I demand and the speed and beauty that I feel has always put Donkey Kong Country above its competition. But then I'd like just a little more. Something about the game doesn't sit right with me. Maybe it's the dopey name, maybe it's the odd changes to the HUD that appear to be the exact opposite changes they made to Metroid, maybe it's the utter lack of Kremlings, but something about that game needs a bit more magic. I'd like to run through a few things that would propel this game to be one of my favorite games of all time.

Squitter

Animal Buddies are probably a given looking at how much they're banking on familiarity, so I'm looking for Squitter in particular. He was really the best animal buddy, whose web generation made him somewhat of a half step between flying and running. As I said in a prior blog that no one read, Squitter doesn't fly, he falls with style, and that is why he is completely awesome.

Kremlings

I understand why they decided to use new enemies. Actually, no wait, I lied, I have no idea why they decided to use new enemies. Especially ones that seem so similar to Jungle Beat's enemies. Maybe Nintendo told them they had to because Kremlings weren't fresh? Doesn't matter, point is I want Kremlings in at some capacity. Maybe there are camps of allied Kremlings on the map at which you, I dunno, play a dumb minigame? Get hints for secrets? Maybe turn in collectibles for Concept Art? Retro does love it some Concept Art come to think of it, not exactly unlikely that. Point is, I want the fact that Kremlings are not the enemy to be something that is given serious attention, not glossed over like the Kremlings never existed ala Jungle Beat.

Edit: According to IGN's interview, there are no crocodiles in the game.

K. Rool and some Ridiculous Vehicle

K. Rool seems a bit unlikely now considering that there are no Kremlings in the game, but really I think that makes it all the more likely. Think about it. K. Rool has been did up as a mystery before. Go and dig up your DKC2 manual, it tried to drum up some false mystery of who the final boss was the same way the first did. DKC3 did the same thing except integrated it into the story, suggesting that KAOS was the new boss of the Kremlings. K. Rool could very well be behind the Tiki men's attack while acting as a Shaman. Fits his MO, stealing Bananas for no reason. Plus explains the lack of Kremlings. This is the result of Kremlings finally saying "We're done waging pointless war on the Kongs. Later" ala DKC3.

Second thing I want from him is a ridiculous vehicle. Not like him riding the hovercraft ala DKC3 or in the Flying Eggman Chair ala KoS, that's not really what I mean by ridiculous vehicles. What I mean is the flagship vehicle. The one fit for a King. The Gangplank Galleon, the Flying Krock, the Knautilus. Where ever he is, he better have a big ass ship. And it's gotta be a lot bigger than all the other ships we've already seen.

One more thing, should K. Rool show up here he might have enough weight to show up in Fisticuffs in a few years time, which would be fantastic.

Edit: According to this, K. Rool is not making an appearance. Well, there goes that.

David Wise

I always thought the prerendered graphics were only half of the DKC series' beauty. Since he's free from Rare and apparently not doing anything, I hope they managed to get him in to do the music.

Edit: apparently David Wise is not in on it. Don't ask me where I saw this, probably the IGN interview.

Hero Diddy Mode

Diddy Kong is awesome. Always has been really. He had the best game in the series, the best development over the course of the franchise, and a really nice hat. That's why Hero Diddy mode was awesome, aside from the challenge of a perfect run. Also, yellow hat is a plus. I forget if that was always part of Hero Diddy Mode or only in the GBA version. While I'm at it, competitive multiplayer please! If only for different color ties and hats.

(Edit 1) Options for Motion Controls

Shaking has been used successfully in other platformers for critical moves, however I hate that they're using it for rolling in this. It's terrible not because a shake is useless, as it worked in the SMG series, but because of the way a roll is supposed to work in a DKC game. You see, the shaking is a jarring experience, and one you don't have complete control over timing. It can disrupt accurate and timely use of the A button or even the Numchuck. This is okay in SMG because the spin it triggers kills your momentum, leaving you free not to worry about hitting the jump button or fiddling with the stick while you're shaking like a madman.

However, Donkey Kong Country is different. A roll adds to your momentum, and gives you the opportunity to get through a level a lot faster by rolling right through obstacles, even off cliffs, while being in complete control. Being distracted while making this move could mean missing your chance to midair jump, rolling right into a toothy enemy, or missing the actions of a very jumpy boss that's coming for you. That may cause players to be reserved with their rolls, which is the worst possible thing that can happen as, really, you should always be rolling.

Edit: I have been told that it has Wiimote on its side support. Fantastic, I've already got one of my wishes confirmed.

(Edit 2) New HUD

Let me tell you how the HUD was in the original DKC series. Your bananas were in your upper left. Your lives were in your upper right. Your K O N G letters were right up top. And, if you were transformed, your health was in the lower left hand corner. Now let me tell you how DKC Returns has it. Everything's in the upper left hand corner in an ugly box. It's just fucking terrible. They need to put everything back where it belongs before the game is released. Seriously.

(Edit 3) Kick Ass Manual

The Donkey Kong Country games has always had fantastic manuals, and this game should be no exception. It has to feature Cranky bitching about modern gaming and denying the quality of the game. It has to show pretty pictures of the places you will go as well as the animal buddies you will ride and barrels you will use. Odds are slim with the status of the modern manual, but it could happen.