Building comparison
head to head
Donkey Kong Country ReturnsvsSuper Mario Odyssey
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Execution · Pure Mechanics
Retro Studios' notoriously tough revival of Donkey Kong Country with relentless set-piece levels.
Super Mario Odyssey
Execution · Pure Mechanics
A 3D platformer whose joy lives in tight movement and capture-driven traversal.
Donkey Kong Country Returns leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Super Mario Odyssey leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
Donkey Kong Country ReturnsSuper Mario Odyssey
Axis by axis
Execution8 vs 8
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Demanding rocket-barrel and mine-cart sections, strict timing
Super Mario Odyssey
Precise platforming and capture-move tech ceiling.
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Scripted hazards, no adaptation
Super Mario Odyssey
No adaptive opponents whatsoever.
Variance1 vs 1
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Hidden puzzle pieces, fixed once found
Super Mario Odyssey
Almost no randomness in level design.
Optimization5 vs 5
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Donkey Kong Country Returns
KONG letters and time attack routes are learnable
Super Mario Odyssey
Moon routes and movement tech learnable.
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.