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  1. Games
  2. Platformer
  3. Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze brings Dixie back to the series

News
By Henry Gilbert published 8 October 2013

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

King of swing

King of swing

Nintendo developer Retro took over the reigns on Donkey Kong Country a few years ago, the new team proved it could recreate what made that series memorable feel. Retro is now taking Donkey Kong and his ape pals into HD for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on Wii U, and the five levels we played showed the game again captured the challenging gameplay of DKC. And it also marks the return of Dixie Kong, who we finally got to play as in our brief hands-on.

The first couple levels were the standard affair of tough 2D platforming, taking DK and Dixie through a series of bouncing platforms that took precision to navigate. A frozen-over mountain stage was even more challenging thanks to the slippery ground and the continually shattering platforms. Then we headed to a burning jungle where DK had to toss water balloons on burning branches to move on. Then came the two auto-scrolling levels, starting with a minecart stage, a staple of DKC. This one took advantage of the many creative camera angles coming to the Wii U entry in the franchise, making the experience even more intense. Next, the rocket barrel from the Wii entry returns in Tropical Freeze, and the rockets propulsion controls still demand careful (but fast!) presses of the A button to make it through a stage untouched.

We appreciate that the game retained the challenge of the originals, and we were just as happy to play as the returning Dixie Kong. Like Diddy, the welcome return of Dixie means she can help DK make jumps, and her spinning ponytail keeps her in the air as well. It's great to have alone or in co-op, but we hope she doesn't start a bad precedent. We'd hate to see Kiddy Kong appear in the next game.

Read on to see some of the newest screens from the February 2014 game!

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
As the title says, Donkey Kong's island has been frozen over...

As the title says, Donkey Kong's island has been frozen over...

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Well, except for the parts that are on fire...

Well, except for the parts that are on fire...

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
There's barely a moment to breath in the minecart sections

There's barely a moment to breath in the minecart sections

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Whatever you do, don't look down

Whatever you do, don't look down

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
A shark destroying the track is just one of the unpredictable moments in this stage

A shark destroying the track is just one of the unpredictable moments in this stage

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Like in the Wii entry, Retro found some artistic uses for silhouettes

Like in the Wii entry, Retro found some artistic uses for silhouettes

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
 These rocket stages still have a steep learning curve

These rocket stages still have a steep learning curve

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Whoo! Zip lining, brah!

Whoo! Zip lining, brah!

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
It's harder than it looks to avoid a giant cheese wedge

It's harder than it looks to avoid a giant cheese wedge

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Dodos are back only for the Kongs make them extinct once more

Dodos are back only for the Kongs make them extinct once more

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
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Henry Gilbert
Henry Gilbert
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Henry Gilbert is a former GamesRadar+ Editor, having spent seven years at the site helping to navigate our readers through the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. Henry is now following another passion of his besides video games, working as the producer and podcast cohost of the popular Talking Simpsons and What a Cartoon podcasts. 

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Screenshot of Donkey Kong and Pauline in Donkey Kong Bananza.
Donkey Kong Bananza features a young Pauline, immediately raising lore implications and many questions about the very serious DK timeline
Donkey Kong Bananza DK and Pauline after she is released from purple rock
Donkey Kong Bananza wins the praise of Donkey Kong Country artists who also had the job of redesigning the ape 31 years ago: "Reunited at last!"
Donkey Kong punches a rock enemy in the face in Donkey Kong Bananza with a large purple glowing area in the background
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Donkey Kong Bananza screenshot shows DK and Pauline looking around an area shrouded in green light.
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Donkey Kong Bananza DK and Pauline after she is released from purple rock
26 years after Donkey Kong 64, Nintendo finally wants to establish "two separate branches" of Donkey Kong with the Switch 2's Bananza: 2D and 3D "just as we did with Mario"
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