5 Best Donkey Kong Games - May 2022

Updated December 2021

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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.

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 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.

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 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.

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. 4 retro levels with high replay value. Nintendo classic. Challenging, yet fair. Extra affordable.

Cons

Only playable in 2D.

HOW WE TESTED

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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.

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