3. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Taking everything it had learned from its previous effort, Retro Studios came back out swinging in 2014, with this tour de force title for the Wii U. Adding Dixie and Cranky Kong into the mix, it featured the largest roster in a Country title, with each of them having their own unique strengths and quirks. The premise – that DK Island has been hit with an unseasonable chill that has covered much of the island in ice – may sound like a potential limitation on the level design, but this is not the case, and more often than not creates a beautiful aesthetic.
Again, boss battles deserve their own recognition: their distinctive viking look and prepossessing designs give them huge personality, and no two fights feel the same. The old formula is maintained: dodge attacks and wait for an opening, but it is repackaged in clever ways that are fresh and enjoyable.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze didn’t receive nearly the adulation as it should have upon its release (largely a byproduct of the apathy surrounding the Wii U and neck-tied gorillas at the time), but it will hopefully get its due now that it has arrived on the Switch. Throwing Funky Kong in as a playable character completely changes the complexity, alleviating much of the challenge with his extensive skillset, for better or worse. Frankly, if he’s so damned talented, why has he been hesitant to participate up until this point?
