Poll of the Day > rank the dkc games

(+) Yeah! (+)

tropical freeze > dkc 3 > dkc 2 > returns > dkc

I only played 1 and 3... and 64

So, 64 > 1 > 3

5) Donkey Kong Country
A good game on its own. With probably the second-best soundtrack to brag about. But unfortunately, being the first out of the gate, its age has caught up with it. The game is still perfectly playable nowadays. But the gameplay is simplistic. The save system is punishing. The secrets aren't nearly as rewarding as what would come after. So unless you can create your own sort of challenges (speed running, avoiding bananas, etc), it's hard to find much to come back to, these days outside of that sweet, sweet nostalgia.

4) Donkey Kong Country Returns
Being built as a direct homage to the original predecessor, it will naturally carry with it a lot of the same pros and cons. Wonderful soundtrack, and all of that. But having a dev new studio, and the "power" of the wii behind it, we have a much more impressive game on our hands. The visuals are more spectacular, and feature a great amount of set pieces. There is simultaneous co-op. The gameplay is tighter, with a greater focus on secrets and replayability. Also have to mention the slight focus on built-in speederunning, for those who are looking for it! However, the controls take a slight hit on the wii version, with rolling and blowing using motions.

3) Donkey Kong Country 3
Sometimes nostalgia compels me to put this higher. But not today. The SNES version of DKC3 has a lot going for it. Not enough people give the soundtrack the full credit it deserves, with its atmospheric tone, and driving pressure. The gameplay had almost as finesse as DKC2. Unfortunately, it was beginning to suffer from the bloat of Rare's need to help create/popularize the collect-a-thon genre, which hurt the game, slightly. But you have many exciting secrets to discover, memorable bosses, and everything a proper DKC game needs to close out the OG trilogy.

2) Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Retro Studios took everything they learned from their first outing with the DK crew and cranked everything up to 11! They turned out a truly phenomenal sequel that puts almost all other sequels to shame. Awe-inspiring platforming that is practically perfect on every way. Even better visuals and set pieces. Visual story telling that gets so much information across in just a small amount of time! More characters. I could go on! But I have to talk about the winner.

1) Donkey Kong Country 2
This game has been in this top place for decades. It will always be here. I know that. You knew that. Do I really need to emphasize why? The otherworldly soundtrack? The magnificent level design? The beloved soundtrack? The perfect set of balance the game has with collectibles and platforming? THE GOSH DANG BEAUTIFUL SOUNDTRACK?!

So, why not Freeze over DKC2? Because. At the end of the day, Freeze still feels like a set of levels. DKC2 was a cohesive world, and a lost world, on top of that! It was a real adventure, filled with unpredictability, danger and wonder. Also nostalgia. Most definitely!

2 > TF > 3 = Returns > 1

I feel like Im an odd duck here haha

3 > 2 > 1 > Tropical Freeze > Returns > 64

2 > DKC Returns > 64 > 1?

something like that. maybe 1 > 64, but whenever I play 1 I'm struck by how not impressive it is.

haven't played TF or 3

2 is the best.

all the other ones are awesome, and maybe 1 is a bit ahead of the rest simply for memorability

64>3>TF>2>1

2>3>1

I can't really click with the new ones because their art doesn't wow me like the sprite stuff in the old ones

DKC2>DKC3>DKC>DK64>Returns

Haven't played TF

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4m-8IZiYGs