Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Retrospective | Platforming At Its Finest

Retro Studios is back with another entry in the Donkey Kong Country series. To this day, it is the latest installment in the franchise and arguably the best one yet. But what do I think about it? Let's find out as we wrap up the DKC retrospective by looking at Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze!

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
5:04 - Things Are Getting... Funky
6:55 - Plot Summary
8:01 - The Gameplay
12:08 - The Presentation
15:16 - Levels Stronger Than a Golden Banana
19:03 - Animal Buddies, Bosses, Secrets, Oh My!
21:44 - The Postgame
23:04 - Closing Thoughts

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[xdouche]

I wholeheartedly agree, when you truly sit down and analyze this game then you can see that Tropical Freeze is truly one of the best experiences the genre can offer

[NintendoHero]

And that's the end of another amazing series of retrospectives! This game is absolutey incredible. One of the greatest 2d platformers of all time, and one of Nintendo's best creations. It's gorgeous, plays amazingly, has fantastic level design, and oozes charm. I was similar to you that I wasn't blown away with this game at first, but over the years I've come to realize how good this game really is. Great job with this series of reviews man, your stuff gets better and better with each vid!

[obslam]

DK:TF is the best 2D platformer of all time. Everything from the visuals, level designs and controls, is top tier. Oh and let's not forget the stunning music.

[cameronwallace]

You know, I just finished Xenoblade 2 and was unsure of what to play next, but hearing you go on about this game has made me want to replay it so badly. It's really one of my favorites.

[k-leb]

14:51
Hey, the Brawl arrangement of Stickerbush Symphony is great!

[lordroy]

Tropical freeze is such an excellent example of variety. Some levels are bombastic like mountain mania or mangrove cove, others more reflective like amiss abyss or seashore war. The game reflects this beautifully. And the way you travel from the exciting posts mangroves, but then an isolated, despairing DK island covered in snow. This game even if overlooked now is excellent and near flawless.

[wills-way]

Amazing video, the entire series was outstanding! I love your passion for these games and it makes me want to play more donkey Kong.

[bluebaron]

I just got this game for my graduation, and *oh my gosh I have never felt such satisfaction playing a game before.*
Here's everything that stands out to me:

-The enemies are so well-designed. And unlike Mario where you run into something and just... get hurt, the enemies actually attack you. They all have so much expression put into them.

-The levels are designed perfectly. Instead of feeling hard just because "the game is hard", any death feels like it's your own fault, and that you'll succeed if you keep trying.

-Okay, the elephant in the room is obviously the music. The first level in the savanna; that music just seems like it builds up infinitely.
Sawmill Thrill's theme expresses the journey you're on throughout the level. And even when they reuse Jungle Hijinx or the barrel ride theme, David Wise makes each remix sound like a completely different song.

-I never see anyone talk about this, but the sound effects are superb. There is nothing more satisfying than jumping on an enemy and hearing that "*pa-CLOK!*" noise.

-And finally, I feel second-hand nostalgic attachment to the game.
I used to rent DKC Returns at the library every other week when I was little. I played it with my little brother, and it was one of the few times in my life where I felt like we were both having fun. Of course, being an 8yo, he wasn't exactly "the best" at video games, but he could piggyback if it was getting too hard for him (piggyback pun intended). He felt so happy when we beat the game.
Seeing all the subtle hints from Returns in this game legitimately made me cry.
The dinosaur fossils in the cliff level, Mama Bat, that giant octopus that everyone collectively hates, even Professor Chops;
it all came back to me. It was at those moments that I realized those days playing with my brother were some of the best days I ever had, and I didn't even know it until then.

Thank you for making this review. It's only been a week since I got this game, but I already know that it has a special place in my heart.

[maxwuertt]

Dude, just finished watching your whole DKC retrospective. Just awesome work! Was shocked seeing how little subs you have compared to the quality you are delivering. I hope the YouTube algorithm will hit you like a hurricane ASAP!
Keep up the good work!

[hsblw_]

Dude, what an amazing review! I'm almost buying a switch just to play this game. I'm playing returns for the first time in my phone on an emulator and I'm loving it!

[Luigicat]

Awesome video about an awesome game. But theres some stuff I noticed:

21:16 This secret exit is actually possible with Dixie as well, you have to use the owl to get up to the portal with your helicopter jump.

22:40 The blue KONG letters are actually not required for 200% completion, all they do is make the star icon on the map blue.

Even that I only recently played this game it quickly became one of my favorite games of all time. Truly a masterpiece.

[HaydenA]

Just finished watching your entire Donkey Kong Country retrospective. I’m the biggest DKC fan I know, and I not only agree with basically all of your thoughts on every game, but the way you explained yourself, and the humour you used… what an entertaining watch. Absolutely earned a sub from me. Great job!

[Rivalseeker]

I should mention, I like your sense of humor peppered throughout your videos. Keep it up!

My "Least Favorite to Most Favorite DKC Game" list is similar to yours... although I put DKC3 higher than DKC1, personally. I'll never deny the impact DKC1 had; it was the first DKC game I played and I can play it again any day. That said, I believe DKC3 just simply has more interesting levels than the first game does.

Looking forward to your review on Kirby & The Forgotten Land!

[manuelt]

DKCTF and it’s prequel are games that have aged like fine wine and just get better somehow with time. Truly the greatest revival possibly of all time.

[Bloody_FOXY]

Juicy jungle is my favorite world for many reasons. The music, especially harvest hazards is amazing, all the enimes each have a proper use and way to make obstacles, a PVZ chomper style enemy, Jelly Jamboree is my FAVORITE level in the game, the levels get colder at the end, Bashmaster is my favorite boss, and I really love fruit as well! Bright Savannah is a VERY close 2nd, though.

[alphamoose]

I'm always happy to get another DKC game but I'm even happier to get another DKC soundtrack done by David Wise.

[christianstenger]

100% agree with your overall ranking - and thank you for these detailed & thorough series of DKC retrospectives. One sub more you earned.

[wolfman-updh]

I was super excited for this game when it originally came out. It was my first year of college, and I remember starting the download that morning before going to classes for the day. I treasure this game. It's the best modern 2d platformer. Period. The addition of the best Nintendo character, Funky Kong, just makes the best game better.

[KingNidoYT]

These reviews are such top quality!

And that "look at this" moment
Golden!

[PassionOfThePupp]

I’m glad I found you. Keep up the good work