Preview of Donkey Kong Country Returns confirms the game's difficulty won't take a hit and will be very similar and at times harder than the original SNES series of games. While people complained Kirby's Epic Yarn was too easy, DKC Returns won't follow the same route in terms of no dying.
Also confirmed is Retro Studios recreated the entire "Rare" experience for the game and didn't put their own style or "Metroid Prime" style into the game.
The game is still on schedule for a November 21 release date at a $50 price.
http://kotaku.com/5675560/50-deaths-...in-one-sitting