Donkey Kong Country Returns is a side-scrolling platformer that follows Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as they attempt to reclaim their banana hoard from the clutches of King K. Rool and his Kremlings. The gameplay involves exploring 8 worlds, each with 20 levels, to collect bananas and banana medals. The game features beautiful, detailed environments, and a variety of challenging platforming sections, including conveyor belts, swinging vines, and treacherous terrain.