The Nintendo Switch has been the home of a number of hit Nintendo exclusives. Titles like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Odyssey, and Metroid Dread have all enriched and built upon their respective franchises, but one legacy IP, Donkey Kong Country, seems to have gotten left out in the cold.
Starting its life on the SNES, Donkey Kong Country follows the titular anthropomorphized ape and his allies as they run, jump, swing, and swim through various platforming challenges. The series has been renowned for its satisfying, unique traversal mechanics, alongside its art direction and iconic soundtracks, but it has been oddly absent from Nintendo's modern lineup of exclusives. With the exception of two remasters, one of which is still forthcoming at the time of writing, Donkey Kong Country has not received a proper, new release in over a decade, which is a bit strange given the prestige and pedigree of the IP.
Although Donkey Kong 64 took a well-received swing at 3D platforming, the rest of the Donkey Kong Country games are strictly 2D platformers in the vein of Super Mario.
Donkey Kong Country Deserves a New Release
The Lack of New Donkey Kong Games Is Strange
It was recently revealed that Donkey Kong Country Returns will be coming to Switch, ported from its original Wii version. This news has been welcomed with relatively open arms by fans, though it once again revives the question: where are the new Donkey Kong games?
On top of the fact that Donkey Kong Country Returns HD will be $60 at launch, which many view as exorbitant for a nearly 15-year-old game, its announcement has also been disappointing for those looking forward to new Donkey Kong games. Its absence has certainly been felt during the Switch era, as just about every major Nintendo franchise, from Metroid to WarioWare, has seen a full release on this generation of hardware. Considering that Donkey Kong is arguably more culturally significant and carries more cache than many IPs that have gotten new games on the Switch, it all seems a bit odd.
The Switch successor is expected to come next year, so unless Nintendo surprises audiences with a shadow drop or last-second reveal, it's likely that there simply won't be a Donkey Kong game released during this console generation. Donkey Kong has long been counted among Nintendo's biggest mascots, so it's about time that his flagship franchise got some contemporary representation outside of remakes and remasters.
There's Still Plenty of Potential In Donkey Kong
Of course, gaming companies should never release a game just because it's what audiences expect them to do (although this certainly does happen). At the same time, a series like Donkey Kong Country has plenty of room for growth and iteration; a proper sequel to Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze would be fertile ground for creativity, and probably wouldn't feel forced or unnatural.
Donkey Kong Country is a unique 2D platformer that stands out from its competition in a number of key ways. One of the most notable distinctions between Donkey Kong and a series like Mario or Rayman is its sense of weight and momentum, which lends the moment-to-moment gameplay a remarkably consequential, rewarding, and risky feeling. Other 2D platformers are focused on speed and precision, but Donkey Kong Country leans more into expressive gameplay and experimentation, which helps its games stand out, even all these years later.
The core design elements of Donkey Kong Country ought to be reprised in a modern game, as this would enrich the platforming genre. With any luck, Nintendo will push out a new Donkey Kong game on the Switch 2, bringing the franchise back with a full-fledged, modern entry.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
- Released
- February 21, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
Barrel-blast into a critically acclaimed Donkey Kong adventure as this beloved franchise makes its Nintendo Switch™ debut with a banana-bunch of new features. Traverse islands packed with platforming perfection and nonstop action as the classic Kongs in the original game, or mix things up by playing the story as Funky Kong in new Funky Mode!
Arctic invaders have turned Donkey Kong Island into their personal frozen fortress, and it’s up to you to save the day. Play as Donkey Kong in Original Mode and team up with Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong—each with unique abilities—to overcome platforming challenges and frosty foes.
For a more accessible experience, start a game in Funky Mode to enjoy a range of gameplay updates and a new main-character option, spectacular surfing simian Funky Kong! His extra hearts and unique abilities make for a more relaxed gaming experience. And no matter which mode you choose, a wealth of collectibles and two-player co-op round out the fun!
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Mild Cartoon Violence
- Developer(s)
- Retro Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Franchise
- Donkey Kong Country
- Platform(s)
- Switch, Nintendo Wii U
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
