Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

 Switch
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Image
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 75 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 592 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Help Donkey Kong and his friends get back their home from Vikings in the Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze game from Retro Studios. All the challenging ground-pounding, barrel-blasting and mine cart action from the Donkey Kong Country series is back, along with a bushel of new game-playHelp Donkey Kong and his friends get back their home from Vikings in the Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze game from Retro Studios. All the challenging ground-pounding, barrel-blasting and mine cart action from the Donkey Kong Country series is back, along with a bushel of new game-play elements and features.… Expand
Buy On

Trailer

Play Sound
Please enter your birth date to watch this video:
You are not allowed to view this material at this time.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - Nintendo Switch Gameplay Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 75
  3. Negative: 0 out of 75
  1. Nintendojo
    May 29, 2018
    100
    All due respect to Kirby Star Allies, but with Tropical Freeze now on Switch, it has easily taken the crown of best 2D platformer on the console. It was a thrill to be able to play the game once more with a spot of extra polish and the addition of Funky Mode and Funky Kong. Funky’s inclusion is a solid way of making a hard game more approachable to a wider audience of players. The fact that he’s also a blast to experiment with for veteran players, too, speaks volumes about the competence of Retro Studios as a developer.
  2. Meristation
    May 1, 2018
    92
    Funky mode aside, Tropical Freeze remains largely unchanged. Which means there aren't many reasons for Wii U owners to buy it. But it also means that Switch now has one of the best platformers ever made in its library.
  3. IGN
    May 1, 2018
    90
    Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze's addition of Funky Mode makes it more accessible without reducing the formidable platforming difficulty to a walk in the park. There's still a lot of challenge, even with the extra help Donkey’s Funky uncle affords. But the Switch version manages to take just enough of an edge off a punishing game to let the fun platforming outshine its difficulty.
  4. Twinfinite
    May 9, 2018
    90
    Those that may have been turned off by the difficulty before can now feel free to jump in with Funky Mode, and the improvement to loading screens really does make a difference. It’s yet another strong checkmark on the list of growing titles Switch owner need to have.
  5. DualShockers
    May 14, 2018
    85
    I’m thrilled to see that Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze has transitioned almost flawlessly over to the Switch.
  6. GamePro Germany
    May 1, 2018
    83
    Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is full of charm, attention to detail and variety. The level design is still the best that the genre has had in recent years. Compared to the absolutely ingenious and enormously beautiful Super Mario Odyssey or a Rayman Legends, the monkey band clearly loses out.
  7. Trusted Reviews
    May 1, 2018
    50
    Considering all the amazing Wii U games still yet to come to the Nintendo Switch, I could have happily seen Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze moved much further back in the queue. It’s simply an average 2D platformer that doesn’t deliver the level of fun or excitement you’d expect from a Nintendo-exclusive title – particularly one featuring some of the company’s most iconic mascots.

See all 79 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 117 out of 139
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 139
  3. Negative: 7 out of 139
  1. VideoGameLover
    May 4, 2018
    10
    A truly magical, wonder, amazing 2D platformer. Rewarding, challenging, amazing. And for the love of christ TURN off the Funky Kong mode andA truly magical, wonder, amazing 2D platformer. Rewarding, challenging, amazing. And for the love of christ TURN off the Funky Kong mode and play it the way it's meant to be played. Dont underestimate your 7 year old. They are better than you think and will get great playing the real deal, not a mode with training wheels.
    … Expand
  2. Onioncreature
    Oct 12, 2020
    10
    A defining entry in the series and genre as a whole, one of the most refined 2D platformers ever made. The visuals are similarly excellent,A defining entry in the series and genre as a whole, one of the most refined 2D platformers ever made. The visuals are similarly excellent, as is David Wise's masterful score.… Expand
  4. Skitzofreniq
    Jul 15, 2018
    10
    I grew up playing the first Donkey Kong Country on the SNES, so I might be a bit biased because of all the nostalgia attacks. I also lovedI grew up playing the first Donkey Kong Country on the SNES, so I might be a bit biased because of all the nostalgia attacks. I also loved Donkey Kong Country Returns for the original Wii, but I love Tropical Freeze maybe a bit more than that one. If you're a completionist and want to find every secret like I do than this game will challenge you. I've only played up until world 3 and both bossfights I had were really challenging (but not frustrating at all) If I have to nitpick I would say that I would've loved a sprint button since the originals on SNES had them if I'm not mistaken. Sometimes I try to make a jump but because DK feels so heavy to control if you don't roll before a jump or walk a little bit before your jump, you'll fall straight to your death.
    All in all a beautiful game that captures the classic games to a T    … Expand
  5. bad_sid
    May 6, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. An excellent platformer. Completely worth your money. I missed nintendo on the previous console, I'm playing now. And who else will remember what high-budget platformers are or have been for the last 2 3 years… Expand
  6. MatthewAce70
    Oct 24, 2020
    9
    Tropical Freeze is a fantastic sequel to a fantastic predecessor. Retro Studios have outdone themselves with this entry by making it lookTropical Freeze is a fantastic sequel to a fantastic predecessor. Retro Studios have outdone themselves with this entry by making it look bigger, more varied, so gorgeous, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Calling this game good would be an understatement, because not only is this game beautiful to look at, it also plays super amazingly! Starring Donkey, Diddy, Dixie, Cranky, and Funky, you’ll explore all kinds of islands on your way back to DK Island.
    For those who enjoy mascot platformers and just great fun in general, then this game should belong in your library.    … Expand
  7. doughnutsfan
    Sep 8, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great game with, for the most part, fair challenge, though controls are a tad too floaty which can lead to dumb deaths sometimes, also, the reward for finding all the mysterious relics is underwhelming, but otherwise - quality product… Expand
  8. xortim
    Feb 20, 2019
    0
    I'm at a loss of words for how terrible this game is. Perhaps it's the irritating and repetitive sounds, the terrible soundtrack, clumsyI'm at a loss of words for how terrible this game is. Perhaps it's the irritating and repetitive sounds, the terrible soundtrack, clumsy controls, floaty physics, or the insulting price tag. Dust off your Super Nintendo and original Donkey Kong Country cartridges of you want a *good* game. If you want to get rid of hard earned money and play an imitation of what was once a good series then this is for you.… Expand

See all 139 User Reviews

Trailers

Related Articles

  1. Games

    The 40 Best Console-Exclusive Games of This Generation (PS4, Xbox One, and Switch)

    The 40 Best Console-Exclusive Games of This Generation (PS4, Xbox One, and Switch) Image
    Published: June 15, 2020
    We rank the 40 best console-exclusive games available on current generation hardware (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch).
    More »
  2. 2018 Preview, Games

    2018 Videogame Preview: Nintendo Switch

    2018 Videogame Preview: Nintendo Switch Image
    Published: January 16, 2018
    Get details on 20 of the most-anticipated games headed to the Nintendo Switch console in 2018.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best Switch Game of 2018
11
#11 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2018
10
#10 Most Shared Switch Game of 2018

Current Switch Games

Full List »
93 Ori and the Will of the Wisps
93 Hades
89 Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
88 A Short Hike
87 Filament
87 Super Mega Baseball 3
86 Huntdown
86 MO:Astray
86 If Found...
85 Pikmin 3 Deluxe
85 Heroes of Hammerwatch - Ultimate Edition
85 Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
84 Horace
84 Hypnospace Outlaw
70 Banner of the Maid
69 9 Monkeys of Shaolin
68 Ninjala
65 RPG Maker MV
61 Giraffe and Annika
55 Seven Knights -Time Wanderer-
All Current Games »