Actually plays really damn well. I'm enjoying the hell out of it. I am playing the japanese version, and plan to buy this game come an Aussie release. I'd highly recommend it, and can't wait for the version in English so i can understand what's going on. The tutorials are understandable without reading, thankfully.
The only thing that bothers me with this game is that Donkey Kong sounds like Scooby Doo. Seriously.