Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze is as impressive now as it was back in 2014. Displaying gorgeous visuals, fantastic level design and a steep difficulty curve that seasoned players will appreciate, it's a game that fully deserves a spot in your Switch collection.

If you enjoy the thrill of Kongquest – er, conquest – over a worthy challenge, this game should satisfy. [Issue #34 – July/August 2018, p. 74]

Donkey Kong swings from tree to tree once again, straight from the Wii U to the Switch. An "ice-breaker" adventure that is welcomed from both new and old fans alike, it sets the rules for what a true platformer should be like. Old challenges return, but with a brand new, "Funky" addition, the game is set to offer tons of fun under a new perspective and should not be missed by Switch owners.

Aside from the minor revisions and additions, Tropical Freeze is the same great game as before. All of the extras, modes, and secrets return, providing plenty of replay value, and David Wise’s stellar soundtrack is arguably his best work. This is the perfect opportunity for veterans to dive back into this fantastic game, as well as for newcomers to finally experience one of the best platformers around.

This is one of the best platformers ever made. We loved it when it came out on Wii U and we love it now. There aren't any relevant additions, but a game this good does deserve a second chance.

Dongkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a solid platform game with creative level design, impressive background music and unique graphics performance. The NS version add a new character Funky Kong who can strongly reduce the difficulty, which makes this game more suitable for newcomers.

The Switch version reaffirms that Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a fantastic platformer. Having a new character control and a handheld version of the game is great for previous owners, but the real audience is those who missed the original release.

Neither is a regular platform game, nor is it a just one more game with the Nintendo’s gorilla. Tropical Freeze is at the top of the Donkey Kong Country saga, with a design of worlds and levels so exceptional that we can’t think of any other 2D platforms as good as this one.

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.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a top-notch example of what a 2D platformer should be so if you missed out on it last generation, now's a fantastic time to finally enjoy it in all its potassium-rich glory.

Retro’s creativity is infinite and I simply cannot imagine any platforming fan overlooking this gem. [07/2018, p.77]

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is an excellent 2D platform game that utilizes tight controls, amazing level design and great visuals to deliver an impressive experience to the player and a faithful port of the WiiU classic that you can play anywhere.

Considering the Switch game’s price point is higher than the Wii U version ever was, it may not even be a cost-effective first choice if you happen to have both systems on hand and don’t mind lack of portability. All things considered, Tropical Freeze is one of the best platformers on either system, and regardless of how funky you’re willing to go, it’s worth gobbling up, especially for old-school Nintendo fans.

Simply fantastic. Enhanced for Nintendo Switch, it's one of the best old-fashioned 2D platformers of recent years.

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze is back and with it, the best aspects of its previous incarnations, including the marvelous graphics, its memorable soundtrack and excellent level design. Its tuned difficulty level makes it accessible to all audiences and along with its charm and appeal, the Nintendo Switch has gained another gem for its ever growing catalog of games.

If you haven't played the Wii U version, this is an ideal time to get the game. The original is a very underappreciated platformer, and it does have a steep learning curve, but if you like a challenge this game will offer you fun for many, many hours.

Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze remains an excellent platformer and one of Retro Studio’s greatest works. While its additions may not be enough to justify a second time purchase, Tropical Freeze is a must play for all Switch owners that never had the chance to experience the Wii U version.

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.

Its now or never, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze for Nintendo Switch is probably one the best 2D platform experiences available for the console. While as a port it doesn't receive many extras, the overall experience is fun, challenging and now portable. If you didn't play it on the Wii U, we tell you its a must-have.

Donkey Kong and his pals still bring the coolest 2D platforming adventure around, even as a port. Tropical Freeze is fun and challenging; Funky Kong makes it better by adding accessibility for younger, less experienced or outright busier people. Even discounting Funky, this is another perfect example of portability making an already-great game even easier to enjoy.

A brutally challenging game made more accessible by both, being on a better console, and having the funkiest of Kongs as a playable character. Incredibly good fun and with an asburd amount of secrets to find, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a truly impressive platformer that is so hard you will be a more grizzled gamer for coming out of the other side of it.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a brilliantly inventive 2D platformer that deserves to be considered alongside Nintendo's best.

Tropical Freeze is so good as a perfect platformer with amazing level design and a perfect soundtrack. Funky Kong is a fun addition and it makes the game a bit more accessible.

An excellent platformer that is still as fun as it was four years ago. It's a shame that this Switch version includes just a few new features to justify a new purchase.

Nintendo was and still is the gold standard when it comes to platform action. Mechanics are strictly conservative and actually this is nothing more than an HD update. But having said that, the Wii U version was one of the best experiences of its kind. An excellent port of an excellent platformer.

While DKCTF’s levels are quite long, have frequent checkpoints, as well as the simplicity and fun of its gameplay, and an overall fast pace make it perfect for gaming on the go.

DK’s latest adventure is one of the most clever, joyful platforming experiences I’ve had in a while, and it adds just enough newness to the series to keep the formula engaging without going overboard.

You’ll not likely find a fun and as challenging game that only wants to entertain for some time to come.

No doubt, DKC Tropical Freeze is one of the best platform games ever made.

With beautiful visuals and sound, some of the most imaginative stage concepts you'll ever find in a platforming game and a heap of secrets that are rewarding to find and even more so to conquer, Tropical Freeze is one of the all-time greats. It's disappointing that Funky Mode, the only Switch-specific feature besides technical upgrades, doesn't feel as polished as the rest of the experience, but this is an unassailably brilliant game no matter how you play it.

The Switch version of Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze is basically the same as the one released on Wii U four years ago, and that's a good thing. It was an excellent game then, and it still is today: fun, challenging, full of ideas and tough, like the best games of the past.

Tropical Freeze caters to players who derive fun from overcoming adversity, which the game offers in near endless supply. If you can fall down a pit 16 times and still eagerly drift down on your 17th balloon, this is the Donkey Kong you're looking for.

The levels inspire me to push harder to master them. Now combine that with a fun cast of characters and a terrific presentation, and you have the funkiest of the bunch. If you are playing it for the game, please do yourself a favor and play it in original mode first. The challenge may be harsh, but you get a real idea of what this game oh so special.

The gorgeous art design, bright graphics, and smooth animations are all still intact and improved by the higher resolution in docked mode. Controls are still sharp and make the tough platforming achievable.

It looks and sounds brilliant and plays just as well, constantly surprising you with new and creative ideas throughout its six-island quest.

Tropical Freeze isn't a heavy-hitter from Nintendo in the same way Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey are, but it's a fantastic platformer that's bursting with creativity and expertly designed challenges. It's tuned just right--always tough but rarely frustrating--to ensure that even the most common moments feel great.

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.

There's no doubt about it, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is one of the most refined and enjoyable platformers money can buy. The levels are all beautiful - not only because of their delightful new 1080p resolution, but also their structure; the characters move with fluidity and brilliant responsiveness, and the inclusion of Funky Kong brings balance for those who have less experience with brutally tough platformers.

Tropical Freeze is a pinnacle of modern 2D platform games, offering an immense challenge while improving on the original, much revered original trilogy. Funky Kong’s inclusion is clearly well-intentioned. If you know you’ll need it, Funky is a fantastic way to open the game to new audiences who might have bounced off the game’s difficulty.

Beautifully designed and wickedly challenging, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze remains a top-tier platformer, even after four years of being marooned on the Wii U.

If you consider old-school platformers like Donkey Kong Country to be pinnacles of a nearly forgotten art form, Tropical Freeze is a game you need to experience. Having played many subpar platform games over the years (including certain uninspired 2D Mario titles), it’s a joy to experience a game where the developers obviously had so much love for their levels and characters. Their passion shines through from beginning to end.

Tropical Freeze was a hit at the time and now shines again in docked Full HD of portable 720p resolution: a fantastic game with tons of collectibles, secrets and an astounding soundtrack. If you haven't played it on Wii U, don't you dare miss this chance again.

Tropical Freeze is an old school platform game, so refined in every aspect (difficulty, variety and visuals) that even released four years ago, it is still one of the best in its genre. The Switch version includes a new (easy) Funky mode and slightly better visuals, but it is still the same Wii U game

While this is a terrific game, it doesn’t do enough to distinguish itself from the Wii U release. I’m the target audience, however. I never played the original, so all of this is fresh and incredible to me.

On Wii U Tropical Freeze was an enthusiast-only game, but thanks to the addition of Funky Kong, now it can be enjoyed by anyone. And portability of Switch doesn’t hurt either. [Issue#230, p.54]

I’m thrilled to see that Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze has transitioned almost flawlessly over to the Switch.

While the new features are a nice bonus, the core game is still here and still fantastic. Tropical Freeze was overlooked when it launched for many reasons. Now with Switch being as huge as it is, it is great to see this masterpiece get a second chance. I strongly recommend not passing this up a second time. Switch continues to make the Wii U feel obsolete daily, but it is great to see some of its best games getting a second chance.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is as good on the Switch as it was on the Wii U four years ago, with a very easy difficulty setting added. If you have yet to discover the game, go for it; otherwise, don't bother.

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze is a must-buy on Switch even more-so than its Wii U predecessor, thanks to smoother gameplay, flashier graphics and a fun new mode that will allow everybody to enjoy this gem of a platformer. Let's hope Nintendo brings some more Wii U masterpieces to its new console.

One of the best platformers you can play today.

The new funky Mode dials down the challenge, but Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze remains one of the most inventive and exciting 2D platformers. It may not be surprising, or as fresh as it once was, but it's varied and challenging gameplay cement it as one of modern gaming's best platformers.

The stages are generous in size and some of them are true level design gems, accompanied by a decidedly inspired soundtrack.

A shining example of classic platforming with just the right amount of frustrating challenge.

Tropical Freeze is better than it has ever been on Switch. It still packs plenty of fun and good old platforming challenges, but it fails to surprise the player with new ideas or interesting twists.

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.

If you missed out on the Wii U version, fetch your wallet. But if you’ve played the original, re-investing is simply optional and you won’t miss out on anything new.

Tropical Freeze is a triumph for Nintendo and the Nintendo Switch, which is gradually finding its place on the console landscape. Yes, there are quite a few classic ports on the Nintendo Switch.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze stands as a huge reference for all platformers. True to the series’s roots, DKCTF is finely tuned and always very inspired, tailored to please all Donkey Kong fans.

At 60 dollars, Tropical Freeze seems to be massively overpriced for a ported title that has nothing new to offer other than the Funky Mode. But nevertheless, it’s one the best, most completed platformers you’ve ever experienced.

It is almost guaranteed that you will have a great time with Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze especially if you didn't play it before, it is a fantastic 2.5D platformer. However, it is annoying that the game is full price even without adding any new content (other than Funky).

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze for Switch remains a stellar platformer, both in its presentation and more importantly, its finely-tuned challenge. Grueling in its difficulty, yet cunning in its delivery more so, the necessity on getting every split-second move or decision right may put off some, but those keen to stick with it — even replay a level a few more times thereafter — will quickly discover Tropical Freeze’s loop isn’t so easy to put down.

The game still looks great, sounds brilliant and plays fantastically. If you missed it the first time around on the Wii-U, you’re in for a treat. If you’re a Switch owner that enjoyed Tropical Freeze on the Wii-U, I’d say it’s worth replaying as the portable nature of the Switch lends itself well to the collect-athon platforming gameplay.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a real delight to play, holding its appeal even several years after its original Wii U release. Switch owners have already been treated to a fantastic rendition of the Kirby series, and now the more veteran of gamers out there can get some platforming goodness with the higher difficulty and variety offered in Retro Studios' effort.

There is nothing better than a beautiful trip into the wilderness to rekindle primal platforming instincts, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze gets even cooler through this Funky, yet still challenge heavy "Switchmake".

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is an exceptional platformer that feels right on the Nintendo Switch. It's one that both experienced gamers and newcomers alike will both enjoy (thanks to the new Funky Kong mode), but probably not worth it at full price for those who picked it up on Wii U.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is delightful and easy to recommend. As I mentioned in my original review of the game, as flawed as I find them to be, I enjoy the personality and tone of the Donkey Kong games more than any other platformers out there. That still holds mostly true to this day. Though I now do turn to Shantae as my primary source of bouncy fun, I’ll always jump at the chance to get some more Donkey Kong on. I’ve greatly enjoyed the chance to play through Tropical Freeze again, though as one of the few that does own a Wii U, and a copy of that game I’ve got to also accept that I’m not really the target audience for such a vanilla porting effort.

This porting of Retro Studio’s platform masterpiece has everything we could ask for: enhanced graphics, a new easy mode and a newfound portability. It also comes at full price, which could keep away some of the returning players, but they’re not the target of this second edition, are they?

Tropical Freeze has been given a new life on the Switch. The huge improvements to load times and resolution bump ensure newcomers will get the definitive experience of one of the best platformers out there but I still think there isn't enough to warrant a day one purchase for people who already experienced this game.