Which Donkey Kong Country Game Is the BEST?
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- With Donkey Kong Country Returns HD now on Switch, it’s time to settle the debate: What's the best Donkey Kong Country game ever released?
In this video, NintendoUp ranks all five mainline Donkey Kong Country console titles. We'll breakdown what makes each of these 5 games unique-and find out which one takes the top spot!
What Are the Top 5 Best Donkey Kong Country Games?
For such a long-running franchise, there’s not actually that many Donkey Kong Country games. Sure, the Super Nintendo was spoiled with 3 of them, but then there was a 14-year gap until Donkey Kong Country Returns for the Wii.
Luckily, Donkey Kong fans got the 3D collectathon Donkey Kong 64 and other spinoffs during the long wait, plus a bunch of ports and remakes of the SNES games. And, yes, even a Game Boy spinoff trilogy which featured new levels. Those games, called Donkey Kong Land 1, 2, and 3, are good, but none of them are better than the console Donkey Kong Country titles.
When all is said and done, there’s only 5 main Donkey Kong Country games released for home consoles.
With the new release of the rather disappointing DKCR port for Switch, I thought it would be time to finally figure out which Donkey Kong Country game is the best. So without further ado, let’s find out.
Donkey Kong Country 3
Donkey Kong Country 3 is a great game, and just because it’s last on my list doesn't mean it isn’t one of my favorite games. I have great memories playing this game as a child.
I can recall one of the best nostalgic moments of my life was playing this game after watching an episode of the old Pokemon anime, and then finding out that school would be cancelled due to a snow storm. There was something about the atmosphere of playing the waterfall level, combined with nothing but good feelings and good news, that contributed to such a memorable moment for me that has stayed with me for decades. So, yeah, I have special feelings for this game.
That being said, I really hoped after Donkey Kong Country 2, that Donkey Kong would finally be playable again. Instead, we got Kiddy Kong. Or, more appropriately, Dinky Kong as he’s known in Japan.
Look, Dinky Kong isn’t bad, but I don’t understand why he exists. As far as I know, he has barely shown up since this game, so he feels like one of the many characters from the TV show Dexter that appear for a few episodes, then just disappear forever.
Nothing about Dinky Kong is better than the OG, Donkey Kong, so I wish they just brought Donkey Kong back.
As far as the levels are concerned, Donkey Kong Country 3 has great atmosphere. Maybe even better atmosphere than the original game. I love the snow levels and the new penguin enemies. There’s just something fun about stomping on penguins. I don’t know, maybe I’m a simple man with simple needs.
But despite some great level themes, like the factory levels, there’s also the kind of boring mill levels. Don’t get me wrong, the first time I played a mill level, I liked it. But they got boring after a while, and the scenery just didn’t work for me. As mentioned, though, there’s lots of good stuff. Hell, maybe I’ll do a separate video just on Donkey Kong Country 3.
The music was composed by Evelene Fischer, or Novakovic now, and the tunes are pretty good. I’ve already done a Top 10 video for the best music from Donkey Kong Country 3, so here I’ll just say that David Wise actually composed the music for the GBA port of the game. There’s some debate on which is better, but I’ll just say this: Donkey Kong Country 3 for GBA is the only version which features a song by Alabama 3, the composers of the Sopranos theme song, called “Ain’t Goin to Goa.”
Okay, maybe that’s a joke, but maybe not.
Anyway, I need to move on from DKC 3 or this video will be an hour long, but let me know in the comments if you’d like a full video about each Donkey Kong Country game.
Donkey Kong Country
The original Donkey Kong Country is a classic, and without it we wouldn’t even have this video, and the world would be a darker place for that.
So many characters were introduced in this 1994 Rare re-imagining of Donkey Kong. We of course got Diddy Kong, but also Candy Kong, Cranky Kong, Funky Kong, and all the animal buddies like Rambi, Enguarde, Winky, Espresso, and Squawks. While not every animal buddy has had success after the Super Nintendo, they still hold a place in every Donkey Kong fan’s heart.
And who could forget about the Kremlings? Oh… Nintendo, that’s who.
King K. Rool remains the ultimate villain of the Donkey Kong series, and I loved his final boss fight in this game. It was such a fourth-wall breaking tease.
This game was also the first to feature the beautiful David Wise music we’ve all come to love, and basically every other staple of the franchise for many decades.
Read the full article on NintendoUp.com
Credits:
DKC 2 Symphony
@BenZimmermannMusic
DKC 3 GBA HD Arrangements
@drawnquartered1284
#donkeykongcountry #nintendoswitch #retrogaming
![TOP 10 Hardest Levels As Donkey Kong in Donkey Kong Country | Super Nintendo [Original SNES Capture]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qcs5PugELBg/mqdefault.jpg)
The HD release of Dkcr is the first one I’ve played and I’m loving it. I’ll definitely play Tropical freeze next and later the original trilogy.
W
Also you need alot of patience for DKC2
@@tyresr original trilogy holds up well but get ready to lose your mind😭
@@tyresr glad to hear. Not a bad one to start off with. There's a lot of debate these days over which of the 5 country games is best. Most prefer DKC 2. There are a few that favour each and every one of them. Be sure to play the GBA versions of the original trilogy too. They are practically remakes. Especially DKC 3 GBA which is quite different from its SNES version in many ways.
Man I can't wait to see your reaction to tropickle cheese, GOAT.
I'm always going to prefer Fischer's OST for DKC3 over Wise's. Wise's version feels, for the most part, shockingly disconnected from the levels, his tracks for the forest and snow levels are the more obvious examples, like, wth? There's a giant saw cutting trees from the bottom, and you have to escape from it, why is the song so happy go lucky in a scenario like this?? Fischer's music, on the other hand, is a lot more fitting. It feels like Wise didn't care when making its music with the exception of Stilt Village.
For me that still is and probably will always be DKC2 ..
I love the entire franchise, but DKC2 was such an improvement compared to the already legendary original that it immediately became my favourite DK game (and even 2d platformer) of all time.
My favorite was, is, and always shall be the original *Donkey Kong Country* for the SNES. All the others have their pluses and minuses, just as you stated. But the original game made such an impact on me when I was a teenager, I couldn’t believe it. THIS was a SNES game?!
Yes, it was. I had no idea the SNES could perform such graphical feats. The music, to my ears, is the absolute best in the series. I loved the differences between Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. The size and power differences made it a better duo than *Donkey Kong Country 2* . *Donkey Kong Country 3* could have equaled this point had they used Donkey Kong over Kiddy Kong. I’m with you, I just don’t see the necessity for this little Dipty Do Kong, when they just as easily could have said Diddy was captured, and Dixie teamed with Donkey Kong to rescue him. That might have been the perfect *DKC* game.
I LOVE this series and don’t dislike a single one. I think *DKC3* is the weakest, but it’s still quite good.
The two newer titles are outstanding and are a great return to form. It’s just, when you get down to it, the first game is almost a perfect title and, while they have come close to equaling it, the original *Donkey Kong Country* has never been topped.
Interesting take, thanks for sharing.
@@NintendoUpDotComthank you. Your video is great and you make really good points. Thanks for making it.
Timestamps:
1:09 #5: Donkey Kong Country 3 (Dixie Kongs Double Trouble)
4:18 #4: Donkey Kong Country
5:49 #3: Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze
7:50 #2: Donkey Kong Country Returns
8:42 #1: Donkey Kong Country 2 (Diddy Kongs Quest)
I can’t think of another game series that has this much consistency in quality.
@@TheBeird To be fair there's only 5 games. If they made a million of them like Mario, well...
There aren't that many Mario platformers really. There are only 6 3D games (64, Sunshine, 64DS, SMG1 & 2, and Odissey) and 14 2D games (SMB1 to 3 & SMB2JP, SMW, Land 1 & 2, NSMB 1 2, Wii and U, SM3D Land & World, and SMBWonder). Not counting remakes (64DS is an exception, cause it's more of a re-imagining).
You know, actually, it's been revealed that the Kremmlings, or at least King K. Rool, were gonna make some sort of return or cameo in the Switch port of Tropical Freeze, but Nintendo knowing that K. Rool would return in Smash while keeping it a secret even amongst Nintendo employees themselves to avoid leaks, prohibited that from happening so Smash could have all the glory
In my opinion while that's a pretty cool way of returning the Kremmlings, it screwed us over from having them return in the proper Donkey Kong saga, they could have at least let them make their idea into some sort of DLC expansion to cross promote with Smash Bros, as they were only around a year apart from each other
I started out playing Tropical freeze. And loving it. Then bought Donkey Kong Contry in HD. I can definitely see where some of the controls came from.
DK2 for the controls. They are so responsive and smooth. It makes it fun to play
I would like a full review for Donkey Kong Country 3.
Donkey Kong Country Returns doesn’t get a pass for its high difficulty, and only having one playable Animal Buddy (Rambi)
@@miguelgarces8946 I'll eventually do a review for it.
I'll be blunt and just say there's no "best" DKC games, they all have different vibes or "essence" I don't think I could compare them.
the fact theres only 5 games that are apart of a on going series almost 30 years later is the saddest fucking thing i've ever heard
DKC1 was the first game and thus a pretty unpolished one but without it we wouldn't have the other Country games. I liked the sountrack but it was less exciting, a bit more calmer and thrifty.
DKC2 takes the crown for me. The soundtrack in combination with the weird aesthetics, that were mixed together work so well and make this game very dreamy and gloomy in a certain way. This game is fanatsy yet realism, Nintendo yet Rare. It's a nice mix of everything!
DKC3 deserves more love too. It might be the easiest, the enemies are ugly and the bosses are weird (I mean... a snowman as a boss? Or a barrel? Wtf...) but the sountrack isn't that bad and it follows it's own aesthetic as well, which makes it charming.
DKCR is a pretty good game. The difficulty feels right but the aesthetics and colors are off to me. I am so used to the charm of the old games that I'm missing here a lot. It seems too "Nintendofied" if that makes any sense... so childish and polished but I still somewhat like the visuals and the soundtrack. It's just not the same anymore.
DKCR3DS the same as DKCR but the graphics are horrible (of course, it's the 3DS...)
DKCTF is basically like DKCR but with a boss that copied King K. Rools behavior in most ways. The story and concept is pretty good with this nordic touch but it's not very exciting to me nonetheless! It feels like a low effort try to make more money but just copying the previous game and changing things and levels here and there and boom, "new" game.
And the switch port is worse than DKCR. I rather play the Wii version than the Switch remake. It's time for Nintendo to publish a new Donkey Kong but instead we get this with worse effects, some weird texture decisions and animations.
Bro, maybe you should replay Tropical Freeze. It's awesome and the music is at the level of the original trilogy. Also the design and graphics is slightly more in line with the original one
For me is:
1) Donkey Kong Country 1
2) Donkey Kong Country 2
3) Donkey Kong Country tropical Freeze
4) Donkey Kong Country 3
5) Donkey Kong Country Return
For me it's
DKCTF
DKC1
DKC2
DKCR
DKC3
I put 2 under 1 because DKC2 isn't really a game I can play casually, I gotta lock in for that game. While DKC1 I can dick around and still beat it. It's just more fun then 2 for me.
Tropical Freeze is just downright amazing, even though I have nostalgia for the original Trilogy, Tropical Freeze knocked it out of the park.
Tropical freeze because of that Big, Handsome, Hunky Polar Bear! 😍
Didnt expect a sudden Dexter reference in a DKC video lol
playing as a baby ape with baby style chalenges and not even seemingly on the same DK island, i saw enough of this to know it will never be worth the money. DKC1, DKC2, DKCR and DKCTR. DKCTR being the best.
Never understood the dislike of Kiddy Kong,
I’ve never understood why so many people just say Chunky is dead (meme aside). If the fans keep saying he’s dead, what chance is there of Nintendo bringing him back?
@joshslater2426 I guess. I didn't mind Chunky, but Rare had an opportunity to make their ultimate DK game, but instead of bringing back Kiddy and Dixie, they created two characters very similar to them, alongside the worthwhile addition of Lanky Kong. Hey ho.
Here is my list of best to worst. Even though i like them all.
1.) DKC 2
2.) DKC 3
3.) DKC Tropical Freeze
4.) DKC Returns
5.) DKC 1
P.S. - I prefer the GBA version of DKC 3. So I could put that one above DKC 2.
finally someone besides me who prefers returns over tropical freeze
that's a weird choice
My list is:
A tier: DKC2, Tropical Freeze,
B tier: DKC1, Returns (+ Jungle Beat)
C tier: DKC3.
D tier: DK64
It's not so easy to compare Retro ones to older ones because the gameplay mechanics has changed more than it seems. Returns is well balanced but wihouth motion controls is far less creative than the others, has awful bosses and barely no original soundtracks. Tropical Freeze deserves more love: it is my one of my favorite OST of all time.
My ranking from worst to best is:
Dkc3
Dkc1
Dkc Retuns
Dkc2 or topical freeze
I really don’t know which to put in first
Agree with you. But my personal preference goes to DKC1 rather than Returns. I love Returns but it's aged a bit and has unoriginal music
@ that is actually a really good point. One of my biggest problems either returns was how forgettable some of the music was
We all knew from the start it would be DKC2.
Top 5 Donkey Kong Country games - all 5 of them
Donkey kong country returns wii version is my favourite 2d platformer of all time
Tropical Freeze might be my favorite due to the level design being creative and unique!
don't forget the incredible OST
DKC2 All day everyday
I heard not many good Things about the DKCR Remaster.
They didn´t even credit Retro Studios.
The best Game Game in the Series is definitely Diddy Kongs Quest.
The only Mainline Game that remained unplayed for me was Tropical Freeze which has a better Switch Port.
Honestly, I kinda liked Tiki Tong and Lord Frederik. K Rool is superior but at least they were fresh new villains unlike bowser or dr wily who just keep coming back
That's convenient but the Mario franchise has had more villians other than Bowser, Cackletta, Smithy, Fawful, Queen Shroob, Shadow Queen, among many others. Sure, these are from RPGs, but still better than Dr. Wily or Sigma.
Here's my ranking, from best to worst:
DKC2
DKC1
DKC Trop Freeze
DKC Returns
DKC3
@@jakeviolet2195 very good list.
.... DKC 3 was a huge disappointment especially the water levels .... the grafx are a downgrade .... they really kiddified it so much .... dkc 1 and 2 are the best ....
Tropical freeze is the best. And it's one of the greatest platformers ever made
agree (and I am a very old DKC fan)
DKC 3 SNES was really bad…😅 I do find the DKC Returns the best ❤
0:41 Careful…
No love for GameCube Jungle Beat?? Im kidding sort of, tough as nails that one.
I have nostalgia for SNES original and KongQuest as they were fast paced, tough but fair gameplay.
Few people hooked up stereos to tvs back in the day, but SNES library was reason enough to do so.
I wish Nintendo would remaster the DKC trilogy like Spyro and Crash Bandicoot were remastered.
I talked briefly about Jungle Beat in my review of DKCR HD. However, it isn't a DKC game. It's not bad and maybe I'll go back and replay it someday soon.
You should I do a video on Donkey Kong Country 3
You're all wrong, its jungle beat.
It has proper graphics, wall jumping, animal buddies, good bosses and relatively good level design.
With all those kingdoms, jungle peak puts the country in the name
Not a Country game. Moving on..
Tropical freeze is a top ten game to me
agree (and I am a very old DKC fan)
Kiddy feels lighter than DK gameplay wise so there's that going for him I guess
hii
Opinions on the movie redesign?
@r3t5amlatn3m3l3 Maybe that's a different video. For now, I'll just say I'm not a fan of Seth Rogen.