Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 120 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Game Cover
A truly fantastic arcade game that not only plays well (with a few 21st century tweaks) but looks amazing on this next-gen console.
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"Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze" is a platformer game featuring stunning visuals and a stellar soundtrack. Playable in single-player or with up to two players in multi-player co-op mode, players can choose from four characters, each with unique abilities, as they journey through five islands to reclaim Donkey Kong Island. The game offers a variety of stages, including underwater and frozen environments, with challenging ground-pounding and barrel-blasting action.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • Wii
  • Wii U
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 120 reviews
music18 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • Incredible level design with a variety of unique and challenging stages that keep gameplay fresh and engaging.
  • Stunning visuals and a fantastic soundtrack by David Wise that enhances the overall experience.
  • Funky Mode provides a more accessible gameplay option for newcomers while still offering a rewarding challenge for veterans.
  • Some players may find the difficulty level frustrating, especially in the standard mode, which can lead to repeated failures.
  • The game feels very similar to the Wii U version, lacking significant new content to justify the full price for returning players.
  • Certain controls can feel imprecise or sluggish, which may detract from the overall platforming experience.
  • music38 mentions

    The music in "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze," composed by David Wise, is widely praised as one of the game's standout features, blending catchy melodies with atmospheric sounds that enhance the immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to evoke nostalgia while incorporating modern elements, making it a favorite among fans of the franchise. Overall, the music is described as brilliant, epic, and a perfect complement to the game's vibrant visuals and challenging gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack to this game may be one of my all-time favorite video game soundtracks.”
    • “Wise has also managed to craft music that is both extremely catchy, yet very atmospheric.”
    • “The music that plays in the safari levels is truly awe-inspiring, and the underwater music is ambient, beautiful, and something I find myself listening to on my phone on a regular basis.”
    • “The only issue I have with the Switch version of this game sound-wise is that they slightly changed the end-credit music, removing the 'Stickerbrush Symphony' portion, and it doesn’t sound nearly as good without it.”
    • “This is a really fun 2D platformer, but it feels like any other DK Country game with controls, music, etc. If you have it for the Wii U, then don't get it because it basically is a carbon copy.”
    • “The music near the end of the game sounds truly epic, like something that Hans Zimmer would have composed for a Batman film, or like something from 'Game of Thrones,' even.”
  • graphics22 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning art style, vibrant colors, and high-definition clarity, significantly surpassing the visuals of previous titles like the 1990s Donkey Kong games. Players appreciate the intricate details and the ability to handle multiple elements on screen without compromising performance, creating an immersive experience that enhances both gameplay and nostalgia. Overall, the combination of beautiful visuals and engaging design contributes to a highly enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “The game is a true work of art with its ingenious game design, gorgeous visuals and style, and, of course, its killer music!”
    • “Textures pop out more and are brighter and more detailed than they've ever been, and the cartoon-like art style helps sell the insanity that some levels might bring to light.”
    • “Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze utilizes the Wii U’s graphical capabilities beautifully, with levels both stunning in design and looks, and impressive set-pieces that never skip a frame and can test any gamer’s skills.”
    • “It made the graphics more glossy.”
    • “Graphics look a lot better on the Switch too.”
    • “The graphics are similar, but better.”
  • gameplay18 mentions

    Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is praised for its exceptional gameplay, blending classic 2D platforming with modern design elements, offering challenging levels and engaging boss fights that utilize core mechanics effectively. While many players appreciate the nostalgic feel and tight controls, some criticize the trial-and-error nature and occasional control issues that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is recognized for its impressive level design, vibrant graphics, and a fantastic soundtrack, making it a standout in the platforming genre.

    • “Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze has some of the finest gameplay that you will ever encounter in a 2D platformer.”
    • “The boss fights force you to use all of your skills and culminate the core mechanics of every island that you fought them on.”
    • “Retro Studios has used the new technology to offer challenges, level design, and gameplay that truly feel like an evolution of the genre.”
    • “This kind of trial and error gameplay can be a little off-putting for some gamers, but the game compensates for this by being fairly liberal with extra lives.”
    • “Quite a shame since the ideas, maps, and mechanics are all solid - but it's not fun feeling like you're fighting against the controls instead of working with them.”
    • “[Mechanics offer no sense of flow, limits the controls at the expense of the experience, unfairly difficult, nowhere near as fun to play as it should be]”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, the game offers exceptional replayability due to its incredible level design, numerous secrets, and varied challenges that encourage players to revisit stages. While some aspects, like repetitive bonus stages, may detract slightly, the engaging gameplay and flawless controls make it a title worth completing multiple times. Players consistently highlight the game's ability to provide a rewarding experience with each playthrough.

    • “The music is amazing (special thanks to composer David Wise), the character controls are great, and there are plenty of secrets per level that encourage replayability.”
    • “Replay value: this is honestly a game that is worth playing to completion in my honest opinion.”
    • “Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a magnificent return to the series that provides replay value a million times over.”
    • “[Looks great in 1080p 60fps, challenging and rewarding, loads of secrets promote replayability].”
  • story3 mentions

    The story in Tropical Freeze is minimal, typical of platformers, serving primarily as a setup for gameplay rather than a central focus. However, players appreciate the charming graphics and entertaining mini-narratives associated with the bosses, which add a delightful touch to the overall experience.

    • “Way better than Mario Odyssey! This game is actually challenging, and the graphics along with the little storylines with the bosses are really cute and entertaining.”
    • “As this is a platformer, the story is about as simple as it gets.”
    • “Tropical Freeze, like most platformers, doesn't really have a story so much as it has a setup.”
    • “The graphics and little storylines with the bosses are really cute and entertaining, but the overall narrative is lacking.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its stellar presentation, immersive environments, and charismatic villains, creating a gripping and epic feel, especially in the later stages. David Wise's music enhances the experience with catchy yet atmospheric compositions, contributing to a blend of vibrant, kid-friendly visuals and challenging gameplay for adults.

    • “With that to say, with the absolutely stellar presentation and cut-scenes, the immersive atmosphere, the charismatic and genuinely threatening viking-inspired villains, and the truly beautiful music by David Wise, the game does have a genuinely gripping and even epic feel at times, particularly in the end stages of the game.”
    • “Wise has also managed to craft music that is both extremely catchy, yet very atmospheric.”
    • “This game is amazing; it's a great blend of kid-like atmosphere and colors, with levels that will challenge an experienced adult.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

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