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. Nov 13, 2019
    10
    Fuera de fanatismos, la saga Donkey Kong siempre ha sido una forma plataformera buenísima, especialmente en su trilogía origina, los Country de Rareware; sin embargo, esta entrega superó todo lo conocido de la saga, un juegazo muy divertidísimo, con mucha variedad, las mas grande dificultad y recupera la música legendaria de otras entregas. Recomendado al 1000x1000.
  2. Jul 17, 2021
    8
    This is a tough and annoying platformer, that happens to be highly enjoyable. The levels are expertly designed, allowing you to zip through them or sometimes play at a methodical pace. A nice touch is all of the levels can be completed without the aid of another Kong.

    Donkey Kong’s move set is minimal and the challenge mostly comes from the platforming itself. As tough as the game is,
    This is a tough and annoying platformer, that happens to be highly enjoyable. The levels are expertly designed, allowing you to zip through them or sometimes play at a methodical pace. A nice touch is all of the levels can be completed without the aid of another Kong.

    Donkey Kong’s move set is minimal and the challenge mostly comes from the platforming itself. As tough as the game is, it is fair. The classic vehicle levels adds variety, but the highlights are the “relic” levels. These are unlockable, extended levels with numerous obstacles that will test your skills, patience, and reflexes to the limit. They must be finished in one go or you restart from the beginning, but are immensely satisfying once completed.

    This game was slightly too long and will often drive you crazy. But, it is rewarding, has a lot of charm, a nice soundtrack, and challenging platforming that shouldn’t be missed.
    Expand
  3. Sep 4, 2019
    10
    Al nivel de la saga COUNTRY... lo mejor de lo mejor. Plataformeo puro y duro!!! Que tiempos, gracias a Nintendo por dar la oportunidad a quienes no apostamos por la WIU.

    La Switch me hace sentir que estoy jugando a mi vieja Súper Nintendo (un niño de 10 años)
  4. Sep 18, 2019
    9
    One of my favorite platformer! great animations, smooth control system, really enjoyable gameplay.
  5. Oct 14, 2019
    10
    The bar has been raised and Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze is that bar! An exuberant bombastically enjoyable celebration of platforming genius.
  6. Nov 26, 2019
    10
    Great gameplay, awe-inspiring soundtrack, and set in a world oozing with charm. Easily one of the best 2D platformers of all time.
  7. Aug 31, 2020
    10
    This game is a masterpiece upon 2d platformers. One of the best games I've played. The atmosphere beautiful and every platform has a purpose. This is a must buy.
  8. Nov 17, 2019
    10
    Donkey Kong Country was one of my favorite games growing up and Freeze does not disappoint. For a 2D platformer in today's day and age it's excellent.

    The levels designs are creative and true to the franchise. The characters are fun and add to the play-ability. The music is great. The boss fights are engaging. Do recommend.
  9. Jan 27, 2020
    10
    Amazing game, got it on boxing day, loved every second, and the backround design animation was stunning.
  10. Feb 17, 2021
    10
    Greatest 2D platformer ever created, we need more DKC games. If this game didn't exist, Rayman Legends would be the best 2D platformer but alas.
  11. Dec 4, 2020
    10
    Best Nintendo 2D-Platformer I've played in a while. DKC Returns was amazing, but this is just breathtaking. Though it has a cartoony style, it looks beautiful. Gameplay is super fun and it feels great. The level design is pure genius, every level feels unique. Soundtrack is good, but the Temple theme is DKC perfection. We need more DKC games, I need them!
  12. 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
  13. Mar 12, 2020
    9
    Uno de los mejores juegos de plataformas en 2D que se puede jugar hoy en día. El diseño de los niveles es brillante, y tiene una dificultad medida para ser un buen reto sin ser injusto. Los bosses a los que te enfrentas al final de cada mundo te sacarán alguna sonrisa. A la altura del Donkey Kong Country Returns de Wii, un juego excelente y muy recomendado.
  14. 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.
  15. Mar 16, 2020
    10
    Best platformer of all time. I beat the game twice, once on an airplane and I hate airplanes and Donkey Kong helped me out and made it an awesome ride. I got it for $50 at Best Buy and I love it. Can’t wait to beat it a 3rd time, no brainer purchase
  16. CT2
    Apr 3, 2020
    10
    A really fun platformer with the art pushed to its limits and have plenty of collectables to find and challenges to overcome.
  17. Apr 17, 2020
    10
    Words can't describe how much I love this game. It sucks that it didn't sell well on the Wii U and that Nintendo is selling this version for $20 more than it was initially. Either way, it's definitely worth getting it on the Switch if you're at least somewhat interested in 2D platformers. To the average consumer, it's just another game in it's genre, but it's done EXTREMELY dang well. NotWords can't describe how much I love this game. It sucks that it didn't sell well on the Wii U and that Nintendo is selling this version for $20 more than it was initially. Either way, it's definitely worth getting it on the Switch if you're at least somewhat interested in 2D platformers. To the average consumer, it's just another game in it's genre, but it's done EXTREMELY dang well. Not a single level or boss is bad. Very challenging, but fair and doable; the level design introduces multiple creative mechanics/gimmicks that sometimes work with one another, and they go together well. Nothing comes at you too fast, even when the game gets hectic - that is not easy to pull off in a game like this. The world in the game, while clearly fictional, feels very much alive due to the populated levels, great animation, attention to detail, and the fact that nothing feels out of place. And the soundtrack is phenomenal. In my opinion, Donkey Kong has beaten Super Mario at his own game; this is currently the best 2D platformer out there. Expand
  18. May 1, 2020
    8
    Nothing to say except that it is one of the best 2D platforms in history. Crazy levels and super playable. As a catch it would put that they should have added some more level, since it is a port of Wii U. But in short, an excellent game.
  19. May 11, 2020
    8
    The intense difficulty and need for memorization of the levels detracts from the replayability of this title, but it is visually stunning, innovative, and fun nonetheless.
  20. May 19, 2020
    10
    The best 2d platformer I have ever played. This is up there as one of the best games you can get on switch, along with breath of the wild, oddessy, and ultimate.
  21. May 25, 2020
    10
    This is one of the best 2D platformers I've ever played. This game is defined by it's amazing controls and level design. DK's controls are just perfection. His bounces have a nice weight to them, his rolls can develop a heck tonna momentum, which makes playing as him just fun on a bun. His swimming controls are just as good. You can quickly dash underwater, which makes everything muchThis is one of the best 2D platformers I've ever played. This game is defined by it's amazing controls and level design. DK's controls are just perfection. His bounces have a nice weight to them, his rolls can develop a heck tonna momentum, which makes playing as him just fun on a bun. His swimming controls are just as good. You can quickly dash underwater, which makes everything much faster. You can get 3 buddies in this game. Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong. Dixie Kong lets you glide for a second if you hold the jump button. Dixie Kong lets you glide for a second than gives you a boost upwards. Cranky Kong has a cane which'll let you bounce on spikes if timed correctly. The level design in this game is absolutely top notch. Basically, a level takes multiple gimmicks and then slowly fuses them together to create something brilliant. What's truly impressive is how natural the level design truly feels. Everything feels like it fits in where it is. There's so much stuff going on in the background. This game is just amazing and definitely worth a go if you're a fan of 2D platformers. Have a great day,/night folks! Expand
  22. Jun 18, 2020
    10
    Um dos melhores Donkey kong ja feitos, a altura dos classicos de snes. Jogabilidade fluida, trilha sonora impecavel e graficos lindissimos. Um titulo mais que necessario para quem tem um nintendo switch.
  23. Jun 23, 2020
    10
    Best 2d platformer out there with varied levels and environments would recommend to anyone with a switch who likes platformers
  24. Jun 23, 2020
    8
    Highly polished platforming returns with well thought out level design, that ultimately fails to surprise or delight as much as it should. Disappointing nor revolutionary but well worth a playthrough
  25. Jun 23, 2020
    8
    Fun, platformer in tradition of previous games. It tweeks the original DKC in a fun way
  26. 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.
  27. Jul 23, 2020
    10
    Un juego excelente tiene muy buena jugabilidad y dificultad, en cada mundo puedes desbloquear niveles secretos que tienen una dificultad mayor que el resto del juego, si se te dificulta mucho tiene el modo funky en el que juegas con uno de los monos que tiene más habilidades y por tanto es más fácil, una vez terminado el juego desbloquea el modo difícil lo que genera que sea un títuloUn juego excelente tiene muy buena jugabilidad y dificultad, en cada mundo puedes desbloquear niveles secretos que tienen una dificultad mayor que el resto del juego, si se te dificulta mucho tiene el modo funky en el que juegas con uno de los monos que tiene más habilidades y por tanto es más fácil, una vez terminado el juego desbloquea el modo difícil lo que genera que sea un título bastante rejugable y desafiante tanto para jugadores nuevos como veteranos. Expand
  28. Jul 19, 2020
    10
    El juego definitivo de plataformas en 2D, banda sonora alucinante muy divertido
  29. Jul 24, 2020
    10
    Best platformer game on the switch right now. This game is amazing but it sucks that it is underated
  30. Aug 20, 2020
    10
    The best platformer on Switch. This puts Odyssey to shame. Unfortunately never beat the original DK games since I never got them as a kid, but this made me go back and enjoy them. Had no expectations going in and left blown away. Don’t deprive yourself of this masterpiece.
  31. Aug 22, 2020
    8
    Some of the best level design I have ever seen in a 2d platformer, beautiful music. great bosses. but a little bit expensive for a Wii u port
  32. Jan 18, 2021
    10
    It is the best game I have played on Switch, and my library of games is pretty big.
  33. Jan 31, 2021
    10
    Best 2D platformer of all time. The difficulty is perfect. Every level is completely unique and amazing. And even though the game has less levels then a game like New super Mario bros U. The longer levels, level design, amount of collectables, and difficulty, easily makes up for it. Even if you want an easier experience the power ups in the shop can make the game a lot easier if youBest 2D platformer of all time. The difficulty is perfect. Every level is completely unique and amazing. And even though the game has less levels then a game like New super Mario bros U. The longer levels, level design, amount of collectables, and difficulty, easily makes up for it. Even if you want an easier experience the power ups in the shop can make the game a lot easier if you want. This is a must buy for any fan of 2D platformers and honestly. Your making a wrong call if you are choosing another first party nintendo 2D platformer on switch Expand
  34. Mar 31, 2021
    10
    This game is fun, I like the swimming mechanics, the gameplay is great for a video game like this one. The enemies are amazing with just looking at them, the difficulty is awesome and It is great to have it on a library.
  35. Apr 15, 2021
    9
    The sound track is awesome, the graphics are great (considering its a 2d platformer on the switch), the level design and uniqueness between worlds and even levels is astonishing. Probably the best (not favourite, but best) 2d platformer I've played, just ahead of it's predecessor in Donkey Kong: Country Returns. That being said, I can't give this game a 9 because the controls are prettyThe sound track is awesome, the graphics are great (considering its a 2d platformer on the switch), the level design and uniqueness between worlds and even levels is astonishing. Probably the best (not favourite, but best) 2d platformer I've played, just ahead of it's predecessor in Donkey Kong: Country Returns. That being said, I can't give this game a 9 because the controls are pretty annoying, and it's not the games fault! The game is only available on switch (obviously, it's Nintendo) so you should expect the controls to be pretty bad. DK and the pals themselves move smoothly, especially in water which was a nice surprise, but the actual buttons I'm not a fan of. I think this game would work better the way PS4 and XBOX games work, each button has an individual function instead of 2 different buttons both doing 5 things at once... Expand
  36. Apr 27, 2021
    10
    This game can keep up with its precursor DKCR which isn‘t done easily. Following the same formula for success, but with new exciting level design and music. The reason this game is a 10 and not a 9 is the 3rd World/Island. The savanna has amazing soundtrack, level design, character design and an incredible atmosphere. Simply a great game.
  37. Aug 2, 2022
    9
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  38. Jul 16, 2021
    10
    for the voice acting alone, this games deserves a 10/10. don't eeeven get me started on the storyline.
  39. 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
  40. Aug 24, 2021
    10
    Quite possibly the best 2D platformer I’ve ever played, Tropical Freeze has incredible graphics, controls, and level design, as well as having the perfect difficulty for a game like this.
  41. Apr 15, 2023
    10
    Best platformer ever created in the history of gaming on any console. Must play if you love games.
  42. 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
  43. Feb 8, 2022
    9
    PALI_CRITIC: 93/100

    List of my favourite games: #4

    best 2d platform of aöö time
  44. 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.
  45. 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.
  46. May 12, 2022
    8
    Beautiful game, quiet hard but still fun.. good for handheld platform such as Switch
  47. Jun 28, 2022
    10
    I slept on this game for way too long. Best 2D platformer I've ever played.
  48. Jun 30, 2022
    10
    this game has not many stages but is very fun and good i love it til the end
  49. Aug 26, 2022
    10
    this game is a instant classic for switch owners, its so good on so many ways
  50. Oct 14, 2022
    10
    deze game heeft alles dat Donkey Kong Country Returns heeft en dan nog veel meer
  51. 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
  52. Nov 27, 2022
    10
    One word: MASTERPICE.fun,sometimes hard and have a Lot of repleyability.DK is Peak gaming.
  53. Dec 11, 2022
    10
    This is a fun game especially if you like side scroller that are linear but challenging.
  54. Mar 4, 2023
    10
    The best 2D platformer I have ever played. Beating this game makes me crave a Donkey Kong Returns rerelease.
  55. 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.
  56. Jan 17, 2023
    9
    The graphics are great and I love the addition of Dixie to the cast of characters!
  57. 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
  58. 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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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]