Best Donkey Kong Games

Updated October 2019
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Nintendo
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
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Gorgeous Adventure
Bottom Line

Tropical Freeze features tons of creative stages across varies environments, a lovable cast, and a genuine challenge that Nintendo Switch owners need to play.

Pros

Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky help DK return home to kick the conquering Snowmads off DK Island. Up to 2 players. Forgiving Funky Kong mode for inexperienced players.

Cons

A little on the pricy side.

Nintendo
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
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Feature-packed
Bottom Line

DK and his pals are well-represented in this high-action celebration of video gaming’s all-time best characters, and there’s always something new to do in Smash.

Pros

Fight as DK, Diddy Kong, series villain King K. Rool, and old friends Banjo and Kazooie. Many Donkey Kong inspired items and stages. Huge online community to play with.

Cons

Some fighters are sold separately.

Best Bang for the Buck
Nintendo
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
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DK Island In Your Pocket
Bottom Line

The fun of guiding DK and Diddy Kong across DK Island is only enhanced by the game’s immersive 3D visuals, smooth controls, and ability to play anywhere.

Pros

Impressive 3D visual effects. Over 70 challenging levels. 8 more levels than the original Wii version. Many collectables to find and secrets to unlock. Huge level variety.

Cons

Exclusively a single player game.

Nintendo
Super NES Classic Edition
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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

Donkey Kong Country made shockwaves in 1994, and between its challenge, graphics, and charm, this mini-console is the ultimate introduction to the SNES classic.

Pros

Includes Donkey Kong Country, 20 other SNES games, and pair of controllers. DKC sports co-op and competitive modes. Challenging. Amazing music and visuals.

Cons

Donkey Kong Country may be tough for newcomers.

Nintendo
Donkey Kong Jr.
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NES Classic
Bottom Line

The lesser-known sequel to the arcade Donkey Kong game throws climbing, fruit-tossing, and key-collecting into the mix. An inexpensive little DK game for the Nintendo 3DS.

Pros

Rescue Donkey Kong from Mario’s cage as DK Jr. 4 retro levels with high replay value. NES classic. Challenging, yet fair. Extra affordable.

Cons

Only playable in 2D.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

10 Models Considered
5 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
292 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.

Although many recognize him from the original 1981 arcade game, legendary British video game developer Rare revamped DK into the ape we know and love today when they released the Super NES classic Donkey Kong Country. These days Donkey Kong is best known for failing to keep his massive banana hoard safe from the likes of King K. Rool and the Tiki Tak Tribe, and going on massive adventures with his family to retrieve them all. Donkey Kong’s games are known for their tough but fair level of difficulty, atmospheric music, immersive levels, and charming cast of creatures, and while most of his games are great, we found a few standouts worth your consideration.

The team that worked on this review
  • Arnold
    Arnold
    Writer
  • Melinda
    Melinda
    Web Producer
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Nintendo

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Nintendo

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Tropical Freeze features tons of creative stages across varies environments, a lovable cast, and a genuine challenge that Nintendo Switch owners need to play.
$47
×

Nintendo

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

DK and his pals are well-represented in this high-action celebration of video gaming’s all-time best characters, and there’s always something new to do in Smash.
$59
×

Nintendo

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

Nintendo

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

The fun of guiding DK and Diddy Kong across DK Island is only enhanced by the game’s immersive 3D visuals, smooth controls, and ability to play anywhere.
$19
×

Nintendo

Super NES Classic Edition

Nintendo

Super NES Classic Edition

Donkey Kong Country made shockwaves in 1994, and between its challenge, graphics, and charm, this mini-console is the ultimate introduction to the SNES classic.
$123
×

Nintendo

Donkey Kong Jr.

Nintendo

Donkey Kong Jr.

The lesser-known sequel to the arcade Donkey Kong game throws climbing, fruit-tossing, and key-collecting into the mix. An inexpensive little DK game for the Nintendo 3DS.
$4

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