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Best Donkey Kong Games
Updated February 2023
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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 all opinions about the products are our own. 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.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Nintendo Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Nintendo
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
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Fun Visuals
Bottom Line

As atmospheric, exciting, as difficult as you want it to be, and brilliantly fun for all ages.

Pros

Explore the Savannah, beaches, coral reefs, and other stunning environments as Donkey, Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky Kong bounce and bop their way through tons of challenging levels. Two-player co-op. Engaging music, visuals, and characters.

Cons

This isn’t an easy adventure, but you can breeze through the game’s “easy mode”.

Best Bang for the Buck
Nintendo Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo Games 2020
Nintendo
Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo Games 2020
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Great for Groups
Bottom Line

Brings Donkey Kong, friends, and rivals together to compete in a wide range of Olympic games.

Pros

There are more than 30 events to choose from, including skateboarding, surfing, and more. Play as several characters from the Mario and Sonic universes. A great game to play alone and in large groups. Perfect for game night.

Cons

Not your classic Donkey Kong , Mario, or Sonic game.

Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Nintendo
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

A gigantic cast of all-star gaming icons and countless ways to play with friends; a value-packed game.

Pros

Includes a cast of 82 legendary videogame characters. Supports up to 8 players both locally and online. Boasts an expansive single-player mode. Create your own stages. Supports regular balance updates.

Cons

Fan-favorites like Banjo, Kazooie, and Minecraft’s Steve are sold separately.

Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Nintendo
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
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12-Player Karting Fun
Bottom Line

Boasts a huge number of characters and tracks, smooth controls, fun items, and online racing modes.

Pros

Offers 48 competitive wild-karting courses and 42 racers, including Donkey Kong, Toad, and Bowser Jr. Race online against up to 12 players. Intense Battle Mode is just the right thing for family game night. Compatible with Nintendo Labo and Joy-Con Wheel.

Cons

While there are 48 racetracks, you’ll have to win the game’s various Cups to unlock them all.

Nintendo Mario Party Superstars
Nintendo
Mario Party Superstars
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Best for Beginners
Bottom Line

The quintessential Nintendo party game, as Donkey Kong, Mario, and friends face off in an interactive board game.

Pros

This compilation of your favorite Mario Party games of systems past features over 100 fun mini-games alongside your favorite boards from history. Each level comes with its own twists and turns. It's great for children's parties and game nights.

Cons

Some games are settled by luck instead of skill.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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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.

Our Top Picks
Nintendo
Best of the Best
Nintendo
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Bottom Line
As atmospheric, exciting, as difficult as you want it to be, and brilliantly fun for all ages.
Shop Now
Nintendo
Best Bang for the Buck
Nintendo
Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo Games 2020
Bottom Line
Brings Donkey Kong, friends, and rivals together to compete in a wide range of Olympic games.
Shop Now
Nintendo
Top Pick
Nintendo
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Bottom Line
A gigantic cast of all-star gaming icons and countless ways to play with friends; a value-packed game.
Shop Now
Nintendo
Top Pick
Nintendo
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Bottom Line
Boasts a huge number of characters and tracks, smooth controls, fun items, and online racing modes.
Shop Now
Nintendo
Top Pick
Nintendo
Mario Party Superstars
Bottom Line
The quintessential Nintendo party game, as Donkey Kong, Mario, and friends face off in an interactive board game.
Shop Now
Nintendo
Top Pick
Nintendo
Super NES Classic Edition
Bottom Line
The pinnacle of '90s gaming brought back again. Rediscover the biggest games ever made or experience them for the first time.
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Nintendo
Top Pick
Nintendo
Donkey Kong Jr.
Bottom Line
The lesser-known sequel to the arcade Donkey Kong game throws climbing, fruit-tossing, and key-collecting into the mix.
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