User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 767 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 49 out of 767
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  1. Aug 25, 2023
    10
    This game is the absolute master class among jump'n runs. Perfectly thought out level design. Always fitting and masterfully composed music. Visually stunning. The game is so full of ideas and creativity, there's always something happening in the background, models created just for this one situation, and so on. There is a thought behind every level. I'm a big fan of platformers and I canThis game is the absolute master class among jump'n runs. Perfectly thought out level design. Always fitting and masterfully composed music. Visually stunning. The game is so full of ideas and creativity, there's always something happening in the background, models created just for this one situation, and so on. There is a thought behind every level. I'm a big fan of platformers and I can say that few games can compete at this high level.
    Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze makes other Switch 2D platformers like New Super Mario Bros U look cheap and forgettable. A must have for any fan of this genre.
    Expand
  2. Jul 16, 2023
    8
    Good game, but it doesn't really innovate from previous DK games. When will they dare to make a full 3D Donkey Kong game?
  3. Jul 24, 2020
    10
    Best platformer game on the switch right now. This game is amazing but it sucks that it is underated
  4. May 15, 2023
    9
    it is a great game, and it was definitely time for another dk game and a blast from the past.
    And not to forget there is FUNKY KONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  5. Apr 30, 2023
    10
    This is the definition of a perfect 2d platform, it has great level design, it is creative in all aspects (mechanics, locations, enemies), it has great music and it offers a great challenge that will keep the most dedicated players for over 40 hours. The best 2d platformer of all time
  6. Apr 15, 2023
    10
    Best platformer ever created in the history of gaming on any console. Must play if you love games.
  7. Mar 11, 2023
    10
    For me it’s 10 in its type. Nintendo has no competition in platformer games. Textures and resolution isn’t great but animations are amazing. Level design is astonishing. Challenges, are difficult but not frustrating. Great, great game and pure fun. After being tired of playing movies-like games on ps5 I finally sold it, and went back to Swich. Nintendo understands what game is all about,For me it’s 10 in its type. Nintendo has no competition in platformer games. Textures and resolution isn’t great but animations are amazing. Level design is astonishing. Challenges, are difficult but not frustrating. Great, great game and pure fun. After being tired of playing movies-like games on ps5 I finally sold it, and went back to Swich. Nintendo understands what game is all about, pure gameplay and minimum bs Expand
  8. Mar 4, 2023
    10
    The best 2D platformer I have ever played. Beating this game makes me crave a Donkey Kong Returns rerelease.
  9. Jan 25, 2023
    9
    With tight platforming action, colorful visuals and an earned sense of challenging fun, the Donkey Kong Country series hardly has seen better entries than this.
  10. Jan 22, 2023
    10
    Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze is my favorite platformer of all-time. It's level design is outstanding, bringing back David Wise to compose the soundtrack was a smart move, it's not so hard like Donkey Kong Country Returns. Everything in Tropical Freeze is amazing and Retro Studios learned from their mistakes that they made in Country Returns. The only platformer that I think is can competeDonkey Kong Tropical Freeze is my favorite platformer of all-time. It's level design is outstanding, bringing back David Wise to compose the soundtrack was a smart move, it's not so hard like Donkey Kong Country Returns. Everything in Tropical Freeze is amazing and Retro Studios learned from their mistakes that they made in Country Returns. The only platformer that I think is can compete with Tropical Freeze is Diddy's Side Quest but even than, Tropical Freeze still does things better than Diddy's Side Quest. Expand
  11. Jan 17, 2023
    9
    The graphics are great and I love the addition of Dixie to the cast of characters!
  12. Jan 8, 2023
    9
    Absolutely amazing game. Fun and creative levels, banger soundtrack, stunning visuals, and awesome gameplay. Hopefully the DK games in the future will take notes from this one.
  13. Jan 6, 2023
    10
    Masterpiece in every meaning of the word. It balances difficulty with beauty and music at every point, imploring you to focus and engage all your senses at once, in a way I have never seen in a 2D platformer. The moment to moment gameplay within a level is fantastic, with multiple rewarding secrets hidden throughout, shooting off into different areas constantly, and the precision andMasterpiece in every meaning of the word. It balances difficulty with beauty and music at every point, imploring you to focus and engage all your senses at once, in a way I have never seen in a 2D platformer. The moment to moment gameplay within a level is fantastic, with multiple rewarding secrets hidden throughout, shooting off into different areas constantly, and the precision and timing in your movement that is home to every platformer. Outside of individual levels, it never gets boring, introducing new concepts, keeping the game fresh till the very last level. Every stage has been crafted with love, and I find myself just stopping at so many points and admiring the artwork. The game has that about it you see, the thrill of speeding through a level but also instills a guilt when you don't appreciate every detail. You really have to step back and appreciate these diamonds. A perfect game. Expand
  14. Jan 5, 2023
    10
    In my opinion this is the greatest 2d platformer of all time. With games like Celeste, Sonic Mania, and Super Mario Bros 3 it's totally debatable, but to put this game into that conversation even is saying something. The controls may feel a little loose at first, but once you get the hang of things the Kongs feel buttery smooth to control. Level design is immaculate in this game andIn my opinion this is the greatest 2d platformer of all time. With games like Celeste, Sonic Mania, and Super Mario Bros 3 it's totally debatable, but to put this game into that conversation even is saying something. The controls may feel a little loose at first, but once you get the hang of things the Kongs feel buttery smooth to control. Level design is immaculate in this game and enemies are perfectly placed where you can get an amazing flow when going through levels. Because of that, replaying the game will only show off more of the strengths than before. This game is also a great speedrunning game so if you are into that community, it's one of the best out there. The music by David Wise is so good that I would say it's worth the $60 price tag (Hey, you also get a whole bonus game attached with the soundtrack). I’m happy that this game was ported to switch where more people can experience this amazing game. If you like platformers, you will adore this game. Expand
  15. Dec 11, 2022
    10
    This is a fun game especially if you like side scroller that are linear but challenging.
  16. Nov 27, 2022
    10
    One word: MASTERPICE.fun,sometimes hard and have a Lot of repleyability.DK is Peak gaming.
  17. Oct 14, 2022
    10
    deze game heeft alles dat Donkey Kong Country Returns heeft en dan nog veel meer
  18. Aug 26, 2022
    9
    The attention to detail in each level is spectacular. This game is hard and I'm glad they introduced a new Funky mode for people who want to take it easy playing this game. The colour palette was great and went well with the level design. The variation in the level design from tropical forests to oceans to African Savannah was very creative.
  19. Aug 26, 2022
    10
    this game is a instant classic for switch owners, its so good on so many ways
  20. Aug 2, 2022
    9
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  21. Jun 30, 2022
    10
    this game has not many stages but is very fun and good i love it til the end
  22. Jun 28, 2022
    10
    I slept on this game for way too long. Best 2D platformer I've ever played.
  23. May 21, 2022
    9
    One of the best 2D platformers I have ever played. Smooth controls, perfect level design, incredibly good soundtrack and stunning visuals with dynamic background in each level . I highly recommend it but beware, it's challenging.
  24. May 12, 2022
    8
    Beautiful game, quiet hard but still fun.. good for handheld platform such as Switch
  25. Apr 30, 2022
    10
    One of the best 2D platformers in the history of video games, nothing more nothing less. Each level has a quality level-design and a unique theme, the gameplay is excellent, the music is excellent (thanks, Favid Wise), and the difficulty is present and well balanced. Even the water levels aren't annoying. Admittedly, some buddies are still missing, but the game stands on its own.
  26. Apr 13, 2022
    9
    A great 2D platformer. It has that perfect difficulty where it not to hard and to easy. The levels in the game are also incredibly detailed and it also has a great soundtrack.
  27. Feb 8, 2022
    9
    PALI_CRITIC: 93/100

    List of my favourite games: #4

    best 2d platform of aöö time
  28. Jan 29, 2022
    9
    Fantastic 2D platformer with enough depth, charm, and challenge to last a long time.
  29. Dec 26, 2021
    10
    One of the best games I have ever played. The level design is insane, the backgrounds are amazing, and the music is one of the best ever. If you like 2D jump and runs, this game is perfect for you
  30. Sep 8, 2021
    9
    The final boss in this game is not climatic at all. It kind of sucks, and there’s 6 worlds instead of 8, which makes it shorter than Country Returns. Anyways, these are the two thing holding this amazing game back from a 10. Everything else is done better than so many of Nintendo’s modern 2D platformers.
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 76 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 76
  2. Negative: 0 out of 76
  1. Jan 27, 2025
    70
    Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze continues the tough-as-nails platforming with new power-ups to help navigate the nastiest obstacles, as we’re treated to the best soundtrack in the series. However, the inconsistent difficulty makes for a less refined game and the bosses are dragged out to the point where fighting them becomes a chore.
  2. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Sep 5, 2018
    95
    If you enjoy the thrill of Kongquest – er, conquest – over a worthy challenge, this game should satisfy. [Issue #34 – July/August 2018, p. 74]
  3. CD-Action
    Aug 2, 2018
    90
    Retro’s creativity is infinite and I simply cannot imagine any platforming fan overlooking this gem. [07/2018, p.77]