I self-declare this the official reviews thread for the game! Let the reviews come!

AVERAGE: 89

Game Informer:  9.5

"I've been looking forward to this game for months, but the final product blew me away. It's gorgeous visuals, awesome boss battles, varied stages, and cleverly hidden secrets guarantee gamers will have a great time revisiting this classic franchise... One of the best platformers I've ever played."

Nintendo Power: 8.5

-"...the only bad thing about the game is that it took 14 years to get here."
-"...DKCR moves at a slower, more plodding pace than NSMBWii, and DK's hulking frame makes his movements less sharp and precise than Mario's."
-"DKCR is also a lot harder, which is saying something since NSMBWii can be pretty darn challenging at times."
-"a well-timed second press of the jump button can bounce DK off an enemy and high into the air. But when Diddy is on the ape's back, that same button press triggers the Barrel Jet and screws with the timing of the high jump."
-bosses, while good, "aren't quite up there with the genre's best."
-co-op doesn't have as big an impact because already in NSMBWii
-co-op makes the game more difficult than it already is

Eurogamer: 9.0

 You could argue that it doesn't move the series forwards much. There are a few new twists in here, but nothing which fundamentally changes the game or represents a significant departure from the tried and true formula.But who cares? DKC fans who just want to remember the good old times won't, and nor will newcomers to the series. This game has the potential to win over a whole new generation, and to do so without eliciting any whinges from those of us old enough to remember the taste of a McRib washed down with Tab Clear.If you fit into either of those categories, and you're looking for a bit of fun, old school escapism this Christmas, pick up a copy of DKC Returns. It's great to be back in the old Country.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-11-19-donkey-kong-country-returns-review

 Computers and Video Games: 8.8 

An impressive, worthy successor to the Super NES series - but only the brave will finish.

  A worthy successor to Donkey Kong Country
  Impressive, imaginative worlds
  Inventive, challenging boss fights

  Co-op doesn't offer much

Joystiq: 9.0

"Donkey Kong Country Returns proves that Retro Studios doesn't just have a talent for first-person sci-fi adventures. This is a game that succeeds not because of incredible innovations, but simply because it was designed really well. Retro took a series I didn't even want to care about, and made something great with it. This game easily makes up for the DK Rap."

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/donkey-kong-country-returns-review/

Destructoroid: 10.0

"With a ton of incredible levels to conquer; gorgeous, perfectly designed graphics (wait until you see the first sunset level!); retro-inspired music; and smooth, flawless gameplay, videogames don’t get much better than Donkey Kong Country Returns.I can’t recommend this game enough.If you have a Wii, BUY THIS GAME. You will not be disappointed.And please hurry. There are so many memorable parts I want to talk to you about.Donkey Kong Country Returns is a perfect videogame experience, from start to finish."

http://www.destructoid.com/review-donkey-kong-country-returns-187964.phtml

1up: A

Donkey Kong Country Returns hits all the right spots; it's filled with childhood nostalgia, stunning visuals, and mentally taxing challenges. The game offers a wealth of inventive, wild fun and works even for those with no inherent emotional attachment to the cartoon gorilla on the cover. By all means, it's a pretty tough game, but it's not always about collecting every single item or beating a boss with lives to spare. Sometimes it's about sitting next to your sibling, frantically shouting at the television and laughing uncontrollably all for the sake of a banana.

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?pager.offset=1&cId=3182479&p=

Gamespy: 7.0

Pros: It's like someone traveled back in time to 1996 and brought back a new Super NES platformer that we all forgot about.

Cons: It gets away too hard when Diddy Kong's not with you (and this presents an effective handical when you fire up multiplayer)."

http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/donkey-kong-country-returns/1135968p1.html

Giant Bomb: 8.0

"Nintendo's got an uncanny knack for knowing when it might be a good time to bring one of its hallowed franchises back to the fore, and sure enough, now seems like as good a time as any for more Donkey Kong Country. And Retro has done a fine job with this new installment, which has Nintendo's trademark fit and finish all over it. If you're yearning for solid, demanding 2D platforming and can look past some slightly misplaced motion controls, you could do far worse than Donkey Kong Country Returns."

http://www.giantbomb.com/donkey-kong-country-returns/61-31732/reviews/

NintendoLife: 10.0

Donkey Kong Country Returns is almost the perfect continuation of the series in many ways. It manages to offer the perfect balance of old and new elements to form what has to be one of the Wii console's finest platforming experiences and a game that should challenge even seasoned fans of the genre. The main game itself is easily enough to make the package worth your time and money, but figuring in the massive amount of replay value the game offers up makes it an even more appealing package. It might have been a long wait for a new Donkey Kong Country title, but after a few minutes of playing Retro's new rumble in the jungle, you'll realise it was more than worth it.

http://wii.nintendolife.com/reviews/2010/11/donkey_kong_country_returns_wii

Gametrailers: 9.0

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-donkey-kong/707720

I will post more once the reviews appear.

Now we`re talking ;)

I hope it does well review wise

edit: not looking bad btw

Also edge 7

CVG - 8.8/10

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=276866

Nowgamer - 8.5/10

http://wii.nowgamer.com/reviews/wii/9537/donkey-kong-country-returns

so are we looking at a 85/87 metascore? what do you guys think?

I ask because nsmbwii got a 87 metascore

Grrrrrr @ Darth.......

And anyway, you are aware people will still post IGN, Gamespot and GT Reviews?

not if we can stop them :P

Anyways I still like to have one place to discuss them

They're mayor publications (and come with a shiny video review), not to mention it's Craig Harris last review, so it'll have impact. ***Runs to IGN***

9.0 from IGN!

good score from ign

edit: gamexplain gave it a 5/5

I'm glad the game is hard, I'm tired of games being too easy nowadays. Good IGN review, but I was expecting a better score. The only thing that worries me is Craig saying the first 2 hours were not too fun. We'll see I guess.