Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Switch) Review

Time to get Funky.

It won’t be long before the Wii U is completely useless. Nintendo continues porting all the noteworthy games to its new console with plenty of reason for double-dipping. The latest in that string of upgrades is Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Everyone’s favorite barrel-smasher is now on Switch and better than ever.

MSRP: $59.99
Platforms: Switch (reviewed), Wii U
Price I’d Pay: $59.99

Tropical Freeze is easily one of the best DK Country games ever created. The challenging levels and spot-on controls make it a joy to play. One of the biggest gripes about the Wii U version though was its daunting difficulty. Tropical Freeze on the Switch has added an entirely new mode that helps alleviate that though.

Funky Mode introduces Funky Kong to the mix. This new mode basically creates a super version of all the other characters, bringing it into one master class. Funky can double jump, doesn’t take damage from spikes, has five hearts, can roll infinitely, breathe underwater, and even has a float jump. Basically he is easy mode and it is a welcome addition.

Retro has also done an amazing job in porting this game to the Switch. Docked mode now supports 1080p resolution which really pops. The game is now portable thanks to the Switch and the controls are pitch-perfect. Every time I died I knew it was due to my error. I knew I got impatient or messed up. This game feels so good and is truly the pinnacle of platform controls.

While the new features are a nice bonus, the core game is still here and still fantastic. Tropical Freeze was overlooked when it launched for many reasons. Now with Switch being as huge as it is, it is great to see this masterpiece get a second chance. I strongly recommend not passing this up a second time. Switch continues to make the Wii U feel obsolete daily, but it is great to see some of its best games getting a second chance.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.

Good
  • Funky Kong is a great addition
  • Great visual style
  • Outstanding controls
Bad
  • Price bump from Wii U
8.5
Great
Written by
Ken is the Editor-in-Chief of this hole in the wall and he loves to troll for the fun of it. He also enjoys long walks through Arkham Asylum and the cool air of Shadow Moses Island. His turn-ons include Mortal Kombat, Metal Gear Solid and StarCraft.