Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Cubed3 ( )

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.

The Video Game Critic (A+)

The more I played Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, the more it dawned on me that this could be the best platformer I've ever played. If you're still on the fence about the Wii U, that should be food for thought.

NintendoWorldReport (9.5 out of 10)

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze does not represent a particularly surprising title for Nintendo, and it may not be the title that pushes Wii U sales into the stratosphere, but it is another wonderful classic Nintendo game on a system slowly building a nice library. If you’re a Wii U owner looking for something to play, you really can’t go wrong here. It’s exactly the kind of game Nintendo does well, and it’s among their best.

Gamegravy (9.5 out of 10)

If you are a fan of the Donkey Kong Country franchise, this is a no-brainer. It improves on and surpasses it’s Wii predecessor if every which way.

Impulse Gamer (4.75 out of 5)

A truly fantastic arcade game that not only plays well (with a few 21st century tweaks) but looks amazing on this next-gen console.

411mania.com (9.5 out of 10)

Make no mistake: the cartoony nature of the game may make it seem like a game for children, but this is one of the most difficult platformers out there. Retro has done an excellent job of bringing this series forward, and I can’t wait to see what else they have in store for us.

Co-Optimus (4.5 out of 5)

Overall, Tropical Freeze is a super solid title for the Wii U library that I'd put near the same level of quality as Super Mario 3D World. It shows that Nintendo puts a ton of love into its core franchises and continues to perfect the peak gameplay found in their respective series. My disappointment in Cranky's mechanics aside, this game easily took most of my attention from other co-op games I'm currently playing. For veterans or beginners alike, Tropical Freeze accommodates both perfectly in co-op and rewards those who choose to play as a team. As a cooperative a Nintendo title currently available for the Wii U, you can't find a more satisfying and refined experience than this one.

Nintendo-Online.de (9 out of 10)

Werfen wir nun also nochmals die Worte „Retro" und „Studios" in den Raum, so ertönt ein lautes „Danke“. Diesem schließen wir uns bedingungslos an und empfehlen euch schon mal die Bananenshakes kalt zu stellen für viele fantastische Runden dieses wirklich tollen Spiels. „Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze“ überzeugt mit einer grandiosen Inszenierung, einem exzellenten Soundtrack und der dazugehörigen Portion an Herausforderung.

4Players.de (90 out of 100)

So bleibt man zwar konservativ, fährt im Gegenzug aber alles auf, was einen klassischen 2D-Plattformer auszeichnet: Die Steuerung reagiert präzise, das Artdesign ist eine Pracht und jeder Level ist hervorragend gestaltet. Einzig die zu generöse Versorgung mit Extraleben stößt etwas sauer auf. Aber trotz der Ballon-Sicherheitsnetze werden Joystick-Akrobaten ordentlich gefordert. Nintendo beweist mit Tropical Freeze einmal mehr, dass die sympathische Affenbande zur absoluten Hüpf-Elite gehört!

Game Freaks 365 (9 out of 10)

Tropical Freeze is one of the stronger titles on the Wii U, one that I've enjoyed much more than Super Mario 3D World. It feels more like a Donkey Kong Country game from the SNES than Returns did. It's more creative, more “organic”, and more fun. I tip my hat to Nintendo on this one.

Digital Chumps (8.8 out of 10)

You might be tempted to overlook Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, but if you did, you’d be missing out on an excellent platforming title with tons of style and polish. While it’s true that it doesn’t explore a lot of new territory, iteration within a genre is only bad to the extent which creativity and permutation are not applied. In other words, if it’s fun and feels fresh enough, it was worth the effort—and Tropical Freeze is every bit as enjoyable as its Wii predecessor.

GamesReviews (8.5 out of 10)

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze is a must own for any Donkey Kong fan or platforming fan. Be warned, the difficulty of this game is very high, and if you happen to complete it 100%, you will be in the small minority. Despite the difficulty, the great graphics and excellent gameplay makes this a staple for anyone who owns a Wii U and enjoys this style of game

Lazygamer (8.5 out of 10)

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a marvel. Though it doesn’t deviate from expectations in the slightest, it’s an exceptional, and exceptionally tough platformer that just about every masochistic Wii U owner should play.

Gameplay (Benelux) (84 out of 100)

Tropical Freeze luidt geen revolutie in, maar bouwt verder aan een uitstekende formule die al sinds jaar en dag garant staat voor uitstekende en uitdagende platformgameplay.

New Game Network (84 out of 100)

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.

GamesCollection (8.2 out of 10)

I fans del nostro amato scimpanzé non resteranno delusi. La nuova incarnazione di Donkey Kong saprà essere la giusta sfida che in tanti cercano. Colorato, divertente, impegnativo, longevo quanto occorre se si vuole scoprire tutti i segreti e con qualche aggiunta piacevole, la sensazione è però che questo titolo non centri del tutto il bersaglio, ancorato a degli schemi e strutture di gioco che andrebbero riviste. Insomma, non vorrei che il brand si fossilizzasse un po' come sta accadendo negli episodi in 2D di Mario Bros. Occorreva un po' più di coraggio, mentre la tendenza si è dimostrata quella di andare sul sicuro, proponendo un gioco tuttavia stilosissimo e coinvolgente. La domanda che però mi pongo è: a quando un episodio in 3D del gorillone incravattato, magari sequel diretto dello splendido Donkey Kong 64 per N64?

FNintendo (8 out of 10)

Excluindo os níveis subaquáticos, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze é um excelente título de plataformas, indicado para os jogadores mais experientes. Com um desenho brilhante e uma boa banda sonora a acompanhar, aqui está um grande desafio e mais um título digno do nome Donkey Kong.

Jeuxvideo.com (16 out of 20)

Donkey Kong Country : Tropical Freeze s'impose comme une référence de la plate-forme, tous supports confondus. S'entêtant à respecter les codes historiques de la série, les équipes de Retro Studio, à défaut de rafraîchir le genre, signent un titre de qualité, soigné, inspiré, en mesure de plaire aux fans de l'épisode Super Nintendo comme à ceux qui ont découvert le singe sur Wii. Si son level design est un modèle du genre, la progression est parfois un peu gâchée par une difficulté mal dosée, malheureusement pas compensée par un mode coop qui passe à côté de son sujet. Toutefois, je le conseille sans hésitation aux joueurs téméraires et plus globalement, à tous les possesseurs de Wii U. Derrière Super Mario 3D World et Rayman Legends, le meilleur jeu de plates-formes sur la machine de Nintendo.

Gameblog.fr (8 out of 10)

Tropical Freeze ne se résume pas qu'à une croisière dans les îles magnifiée par la fenêtre de la haute définition, puisque ce voyage moins frisquet et plus humide qu'escompté permet d'explorer ces environnements davantage en profondeur. Pour ce faire, Donkey s'appuie sur le renfort de Dixie et Cranky en sus de son éternel compère Diddy, leurs talents particuliers aidant à découvrir les nombreux secrets des niveaux. Car le level design ne se limite pas à la multiplication des coups de théâtre et autres changements étourdissants de caméra pour produire un spectacle explosif, il repose avant tout sur un travail absolument édifiant d'ingénierie et de précision. Encore faut-il garder la tête froide face à l'impitoyable loi de la jungle qui en résulte, d'autant que ces singeries sont souvent plus meurtrières à deux joueurs, comme d'habitude dans la série.

GamerGen (16 out of 20)

En conclusion, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze n'a rien de foncièrement très surprenant, Nintendo ayant opté pour la continuité d'une formule qui a fait ses preuves avec le précédent renouveau de la célèbre franchise. Pour autant, malgré cette impression de déjà-vu, déjà joué, la nouvelle aventure du singe parvient à nous surprendre grâce à un level design encore plus poussé.

Digitally Downloaded ( )

Because Tropical Freeze is so charming, and because the platforming is so wholesomely engaging, it's easy to forgive the fact that is really isn't enough of an enhancement on the previous game to be called something new. The game itself is a very, very safe production by Nintendo rather than the blockbuster that it really needs for the Wii U right now. But like I said, I'm happy to forgive the game for being safe, because it is safely fun.

Gamekult (8 out of 10)

Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze fait partie de ces jeux qui posent un léger dilemme. Faut-il sanctionner le manque de véritables nouveautés alors qu'il pousse le niveau de réalisation à une hauteur vertigineuse ? Doit-on déplorer quelques pics de difficulté alors que les développeurs ont pensé à des moyens de l'adoucir ? Et doit-on s'émouvoir de laisser les fonctionnalités du GamePad de côté quand le gameplay repose avant tout sur une précision et une vitesse d'exécution plus exigeantes que la moyenne ? S'il pêche par manque d'innovations et d'audace, Tropical Freeze compense aussitôt par son level design incroyablement varié et son challenge calibré pour le speedrun. Un jeu de plates-formes remarquable, même s'il laissera un arrière-goût de déjà joué. A moins qu'il ne s'agisse de celui, plus amer, de la défaite.

WiiDSFrance (8 out of 10)

Si on enlève les rares niveaux difficilement jouables et les temps de chargement étonnamment longs, Donkey Kong Country : Tropical Freeze est le digne successeur de Returns. Retro Studios n'a peut-être pas réussi à créer le platformer parfait mais offre ici un jeu incroyablement riche, fun et musicalement jouissif. Les Snowmads sont totalement bienvenus dans la famille Kong : des bad guys incroyablement cools, et que dire de plus que Phoque Viking ? Pardon ? Rien de plus à ajouter.

Retro Gamer (74 out of 100)

It looks superb, but there's a genuine lack of innovation going on here, while the difficulty often feels a notch too high.Tropical Freeze is certainly a solid platformer, but it's nowhere near the creativity or imagination of Super Mario 3D World.

VentureBeat / Gamesbeat (70 out of 100)

Tropical Freeze does little to justify the Wii U’s existence, but it’s still mostly a fun, challenging platformer. Fans will certainly enjoy this difficult, beautiful romp through Donkey Kong’s islands, but it will frustrate less-enthusiastic players. I’m happy that Donkey Kong Country returned, but I think the series can go away for a while again. As entertaining as Tropical Freeze is, it doesn’t offer anything substantially different or creative to warrant another follow-up. Still, if you’re a Wii U owner, this is one of your few software choices this year until May. Don’t worry — you will enjoy yourself, but don’t expect this unambitious (although polished) platformer to increase the Wii U’s installed base.

Games TM (7 out of 10)

Presumably, however, Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze is made for those who don't necessarily want change. The inclusion of a touted hard mode and time trials that can automatically upload footage of your attempts online suggest that Nintendo has that traditional hardcore audience in its sights. While that's encouraging for players who fit that category, many others will be deterred. Those wiling to put time into this game will be rewarded, but given that difficulty and the lack of Wii U consoles out there, how many people will?

Gameluster N/A

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze is a definite stand out in the Wii U’s library and in my eyes a true return to what made the original Donkey Kong Country games so fun. In future I would like to see a Donkey Kong game in the same vein as Donkey Kong 64 but for now this is enough of a tide over that is still fun and reminiscent of the past. If you own a Wii U this game can’t be missed and we must give our thanks to Retro Studios for making this excellent game.

Diehard GameFan N/A

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze brings more of the Retro Studios magic. Solid platforming action, varied levels, and tons of collectibles await those that are up for the challenge, though beware that there’s no Super Guide to save you this time. The game also has a wonderful presentation, showcasing some of the best looking gorilla fur I’ve ever laid eyes upon. Also, two words: Cranky Kong! Still, it isn’t a huge leap forward over its Wii predecessor, so don’t go in expecting huge leaps in innovation. If you’re looking for an excellent Wii U platformer, this is a great candidate.