Completely failing to be any good at Donkey Kong Country Returns will not necessarily result in defeat, thanks to Retro's gift to the less gifted...

First seen in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Nintendo's Super Guide suggests a change in the way developers can go about designing their games. By allowing players to essentially progress through a game even if they're not very skillful, level designers have room to go ahead crafting ultra-difficult sections of games to give the most hardcore a real challenge.

Or at least that's what we're hoping will be the case with Donkey Kong Country Returns, as IGN's latest preview confirms the game to include the Super Guide. Keeping with tradition, players who die eight times on the same level will get the option of activating the Super Guide. Once activated, a white version of Donkey Kong - 'Super Kong' - take control and play through the level for you. Players can choose to drop back into control at any time they wish.

Obviously there's a catch. Sections played as Super Kong will not grant the player any bananas, banana coins, puzzle pieces or KONG letters. Die-hard completionists will just have to bite down and fight on if they're to prevail.

Donkey Kong Country Returns hits Europe on December 3rd.