Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Reviews

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is ranked in the 93rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Forbes
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2014

This sort of game could have convinced some of the faithful to get on board towards the beginning of the console's lifespan, but it will have a tougher time today. This game will win few new converts, and for all its brightness, does not feel particularly fresh.

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Feb 21, 2014

Although the Wii U GamePad doesn't receive its due of customary prods and blows akin to SM3DW, there's more than enough ingenuity, and thoughtful nods to gaming trailblazers of old, in Tropical Freeze to forgive its lack of novelties.

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9.5 / 10.0
Feb 24, 2014

If you own a Wii U, you have no reason not to pick up Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Its challenges are numerous and demanding, but not without leeway, its secrets are nigh-infinite and most importantly, it brings with it that classic Nintendo sense of fun. DKC: TF is meant to be a challenge, but it's a challenge that excites you with the joy of triumph, not one that frustrates you with failure.

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Digitally Downloaded
Matt S
Top Critic
Feb 25, 2014

I'm happy to forgive the game for being safe, because it is safely fun.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 26, 2014

This game made me feel like a 12 year old endlessly pushing back my bed time to play one more level again.

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AusGamers
Jickle
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
Feb 26, 2014

We just wish it felt more like a proper sequel and less like an expansion.

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8.5 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2014

The fifth entry in the Donkey Kong Country franchise, Tropical Freeze may not contain many surprises, but its an expertly-crafted game with an excess of personality.

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Impulsegamer
Top Critic
4.8 / 5.0
Mar 1, 2014

Given the lack of quality new titles for the Nintendo Wii U, it's great that Nintendo has come to the rescue with this truly fantastic arcade game that not only plays well (with a few 21st century tweaks) but looks amazing on this next-gen console. It's definitely platforming at its best and if you have a hankering for some truly fun gaming, than Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze is the solution. Just be warned though that there could be some controller rage because getting through a level unscathed can sometimes be quite the feat and forget about that assisted help!

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Cubed3
Top Critic
10 / 10
Mar 1, 2014

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is oozing with quality and polish in every aspect, and easily surpasses the already outstanding previous instalment on the Nintendo Wii. Underwater segments and the partners Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong are very welcome additions, while the level design is as inventive and challenging as ever. The absolutely marvellous soundtrack and lush visuals only further support the tight and extremely satisfying gameplay, resulting in an overall package that is one of the best 2D platformers of all time - one that fans of classic platforming should truly go bananas over.

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9 / 10.0
Mar 1, 2014

I pull out my SNES every year to enjoy the good ol\' days of gaming and last summer, a series I decided to tackle was no other than Donkey Kong Country. While playing, I would keep muttering under my breath, "Why can't gaming be like this today?" Imagine my excitement when I found at E3 that Retro would be blessing us with another Donkey Kong platformer!

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8.5 / 10.0
Mar 6, 2014

It really is more fun with two.

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Ken McKown
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Mar 7, 2014

Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze might be a disappointment in theory, but once I started playing it, I couldn't help but fall in love. The level designs are some of the best I have seen in the genre, the soundtrack is stellar, and the difficulty is tough but never unfair. For the audience that owns a Wii U and desires platformers crafted to perfection, this is a must-own. Nintendo continues to pump out stellar releases for its console; I just wish the audience was there to purchase them.

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Unscored
Mar 8, 2014

Tropical Freeze is a trip to a time when games didn't hold your hand or treat you like some sort of imbecile. It revels in its challenge and while there will be many moments of screaming and frustration, it never feels unfair, and that's what makes this game great.

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7.4 / 10.0
Mar 9, 2014

Although a solidly good game, the pedigree of those behind its creation and the precedent set by previous games makes Tropical Freeze more than a little disappointing.

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84 / 100
Mar 10, 2014

An adventurous romp of the chest-thumping variety. Perfect for perfectionists / masochists or those wanting a hearty dose of nostalgia, but lacking in that extra something that makes it feel completely fresh.

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Mar 28, 2014

More or less a collection of lengthy obstacle courses with a tendency to break apart and tumble around you and with you, 'Tropical Freeze' accomplishes much in the way of satisfaction and difficulty. Though more an expansion of old ideas than anything blatantly new, what small additions there are, from new sidekicks to subtle level twists, are undeniably positive ones. Accompanied by excellent visual and audio design, it's a successful sequel, bolstered especially by the Wii U's extra bit of power (think about it from Retro's perspective). The studio isn't making waves with this reboot series as they did with 'Metroid Prime,' but they have again delivered an ideal and genuinely exciting Donkey Kong experience.

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7.9 / 10.0
Mar 23, 2015

DKCTF is a quality game that was released to both capitalize on the sleeper-success that was DKCR on the Wii and fill a gap in the Wii U's release schedule. While I cannot cite any glaring flaws in the game, the parts of the game that excite me most are more cosmetic than substantiative. Nevertheless, I do recommend this latest entry in the Donkey Kong franchise for fans of DK and platform games in general—just know that this isn't the next Mario Galaxy.

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Jan 28, 2017

"King of the jungle."

Review in Finnish | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Apr 25, 2018

Pending quote

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.3 / 10.0
Apr 30, 2018

The Switch version is better simply by being portable. It's the same great game with a few added extras and the benefit of portability. If you own a Switch, you should grab Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze. Even if you've played it on Wii U.

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