Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

 Switch
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 767 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 648 out of 767
  2. Mixed: 70 out of 767
  3. Negative: 49 out of 767
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  1. realtheo
    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. CTAN
    Jul 21, 2023
    6
    I love and hate this game at the same time. This game has beautiful visual, creative platform design and good animation; however, the game difficulty is not fair, it seems that there's alway one solution to solve the platform challenge, like you could only touch the rope by only jumping the highest point, sometimes you need to roll the furthest to far jump in order to reach ceetain movingI love and hate this game at the same time. This game has beautiful visual, creative platform design and good animation; however, the game difficulty is not fair, it seems that there's alway one solution to solve the platform challenge, like you could only touch the rope by only jumping the highest point, sometimes you need to roll the furthest to far jump in order to reach ceetain moving platform. Don't get me wrong, I like platformer game, but this game isn't fair enough in term of difficulty and learning curve. It's a frustrating game.… Expand
  3. CharlesDuchemin
    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?
  4. Tavo1994
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    Best platformer game on the switch right now. This game is amazing but it sucks that it is underated
  5. davidcanoart
    Jul 2, 2023
    5
    Simply the best plattform game I have ever played. Amazing graphics, excellent controls, outstanding music, challenging but not frustrating, original enemies and bosses, diverse levels. 10/10
  6. gietergeit
    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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  7. Pasqui
    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
  8. Sam195
    Apr 15, 2023
    10
    Best platformer ever created in the history of gaming on any console. Must play if you love games.
  9. B-Bog
    Mar 12, 2023
    4
    Presentation and level design are great, but man these controls just suck. Way too slow and unresponsive for the challenges the game throws at you; correcting course is almost impossible, which is BS because some of the obstacles in e.g. the barrel sections (which control like a** anyway) change position so fast that accurately responding is almost impossible. Not a fan of this dumb "everyPresentation and level design are great, but man these controls just suck. Way too slow and unresponsive for the challenges the game throws at you; correcting course is almost impossible, which is BS because some of the obstacles in e.g. the barrel sections (which control like a** anyway) change position so fast that accurately responding is almost impossible. Not a fan of this dumb "every action is mapped to two buttons" scheme either, I'm not f**king 4 years old. There are just four actions in this game but one of them has to be mapped to a shoulder button and two of them take up the same button?? Absolute nonsense.

    And this isn't just about difficulty or "gitting gud", either, as I have no problem with difficult platformers in general, but if a game demands pinpoint accuracy and fast reactions from me, then the controls should be up to the challenge as well (Celeste is a great example of this), which they're simply not here IMO. Boss battles also drag on for waaaaaaay too long, even if you do everything right.    … Expand
  10. undertal
    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
  11. sniffany
    Mar 4, 2023
    10
    The best 2D platformer I have ever played. Beating this game makes me crave a Donkey Kong Returns rerelease.
  12. DianeTheGamer
    Feb 17, 2023
    7
    It's a Donkey Kong game but control and feel nothing like the Donkey Kong Country games for the Super Nintendo. This feels closer to The Donkey Kong Bongo Games from the GameCube and I think it's really over hyped. I didn't like it and I usually love all Nintendo games. It's not bad but the controls I don't like, it's not a Country game, and doesn't hold a candle stick to the SNES originals
  13. spencerplewe
    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.
  14. Henny887
    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
  15. empowell
    Jan 17, 2023
    9
    The graphics are great and I love the addition of Dixie to the cast of characters!
  16. W1LD1FIRE
    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.
  17. Azeemo99
    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
  18. JT0718
    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
  19. jake45367
    Dec 20, 2022
    6
    The bad: The difficulty goes beyond challenging at times and forces the player to do trial and error to complete many of the levels. The bosses are fun but also incredibly frustrating. The game is too short, 6 main worlds for a $60 game that can be completed in 10 hours?

    The good: graphics are amazing and the level design is really good. The new Funky mode is also a plus. Overall a    The bad: The difficulty goes beyond challenging at times and forces the player to do trial and error to complete many of the levels. The bosses are fun but also incredibly frustrating. The game is too short, 6 main worlds for a $60 game that can be completed in 10 hours?

    The good: graphics are amazing and the level design is really good. The new Funky mode is also a plus.

    Overall a weak installment and seems to be the reason Nintendo has not made a new DK game since. Bring Back K Rool!    … Expand
  20. Andante
    Dec 17, 2022
    6
    This is a good game you should check out but in my opinion some design choices and technical issues spoil the overall experience. First and foremost many levels seem to be almost identical to each other and somehow lack identity, I know that this is something subjective but I find that the levels and worlds are kind of generic and not a product of real inspiration like in the classicThis is a good game you should check out but in my opinion some design choices and technical issues spoil the overall experience. First and foremost many levels seem to be almost identical to each other and somehow lack identity, I know that this is something subjective but I find that the levels and worlds are kind of generic and not a product of real inspiration like in the classic masterpiece Donkey Kong Country 2. Graphics are very good and although music is ok it sadly also has this generic touch in most of the themes...The second thing I noticed is the sheer difficulty of the game. Although it was cool at times to finish a difficult level I quickly found out that the fun factor had been lost during the process of memorizing the patterns and playing the same sections of a level over and over.....Don't get me wrong this is a good game but some sections are so insidiously designed and the game is so unforgiving that in the end once you finish the level all you want to do is stop playing because you are already fatigued and annoyed from trying. Donkey feels heavy to control, is not so responsive and his companions play unfortunately a rather passive role adding only 2 extra lives and a special ability in complete contrast to the old DKC games where every companion played a very active and important role to the experience. Overall an ok game if you like trial and error but nothing special....… Expand
  21. sloomo
    Dec 11, 2022
    10
    This is a fun game especially if you like side scroller that are linear but challenging.
  22. Gorillaburro
    Nov 27, 2022
    10
    One word: MASTERPICE.fun,sometimes hard and have a Lot of repleyability.DK is Peak gaming.
  23. DoktarioMyst
    Oct 14, 2022
    10
    deze game heeft alles dat Donkey Kong Country Returns heeft en dan nog veel meer
  24. srinu634
    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.
  25. lucinhagamer
    Aug 26, 2022
    10
    this game is a instant classic for switch owners, its so good on so many ways
  26. YokoHugo
    Aug 2, 2022
    9
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  27. Nintendist
    Jun 30, 2022
    10
    this game has not many stages but is very fun and good i love it til the end
  28. waywardlaser
    Jun 28, 2022
    10
    I slept on this game for way too long. Best 2D platformer I've ever played.
  29. giannis2001
    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.
  30. andikalj2
    May 12, 2022
    8
    Beautiful game, quiet hard but still fun.. good for handheld platform such as Switch
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Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Best Switch Game of 2018
10
#10 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2018
10
#10 Most Shared Switch Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 76 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 76
  3. Negative: 0 out of 76
  1. Pocket Tactics
    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.
    Read full review
  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]
See all critic reviews »