Despite being one of Nintendo’s most iconic characters, Donkey Kong hasn’t starred in a new game since 2005’s Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (later re-released as a Wii title in 2009). This is about to end thanks to the impending release of Donkey Kong Country Returns, developed by Retro Studios, best known for their work on the Metroid Prime series.

Donkey Kong Country Returns, as the title implies, brings Donkey Kong back to his Super Nintendo platforming roots, retaining the gameplay and look that made the series one of the most popular of the 90s. The story goes that a group of evil tikis have taken control of the animals in the jungle and have stolen the bananas in Donkey Kong’s banana hoard, paying tribute to the original game’s story. No mention of series villain King K. Rool is made.

Diddy Kong, first introduced in Donkey Kong Country, returns as Donkey Kong’s sidekick. He brings with him the abilities seen in Donkey Kong 64. His backpack includes a Jet Pack as well as Peanut Pop Guns. New to Donkey Kong Country Returns is the opportunity to control Diddy Kong via a special two-player mode. This allows for co-op play in which one player, as Donkey Kong, can help the other as Diddy Kong.

The levels themselves are designed to resemble the classic stages seen in the original titles. Players can use rocket barrels to travel around the stages, swing on vines while collecting special coins and bananas, and even ride on mine carts. As seen in the E3 trailer, Donkey Kong can jump to the foreground and interact with the elements there, reminiscent of games like Super Paper Mario. The classic KONG puzzle pieces return as well; when all four pieces are collected, players are awarded with an extra life.

Donkey Kong Country Returns uses the Wii Remote and Nunchuck. You move the characters with the Nunchuck, while performing Donkey Kong’s trademark ground slap requires a quick shake of the Wii Remote.

The graphics in the original Donkey Kong Country were revolutionary in that they used pre-rendered sprites to give the game a 3D look. Donkey Kong Country Returns retains the high level of detail seen in the classic titles, while using the Wii’s graphic capabilities to further enhance the effects. One level takes place during a sunset, making the characters and several other elements appear in shadows while hues of orange and yellow adorn the rest of the scenery. Both Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong animate fluidly, while enemies stun in their size and design. Retro Studios is known for creating stunning game worlds in the Metroid Prime series, and Donkey Kong Country Returns appears to keep that tradition alive.

Donkey Kong Country Returns invades the Wii this holiday season.