The Nintendo Switch has been the home of a number of hit Nintendo exclusives. Titles likeZelda: Tears of the Kingdom,Super Mario Odyssey, andMetroid Dreadhave all enriched and built upon their respective franchises, but one legacy IP,Donkey Kong Country, seems to have gotten left out in the cold.
Starting its life on the SNES,Donkey Kong Countryfollows the titular anthropomorphized ape and his allies as they run, jump, swing, and swim through various platforming challenges. The series has been renowned for its satisfying, unique traversal mechanics, alongside its art direction and iconic soundtracks, but it has been oddly absent from Nintendo’s modern lineup of exclusives. With the exception of two remasters, one of which is still forthcoming at the time of writing,Donkey Kong Countryhas not received a proper, new release in over a decade, which is a bit strange given the prestige and pedigree of the IP.
AlthoughDonkey Kong 64took a well-received swing at 3D platforming, the rest of theDonkey Kong Countrygames are strictly 2D platformers in the vein ofSuper Mario.
Donkey Kong Country Deserves a New Release
The Lack of New Donkey Kong Games Is Strange
It was recently revealed thatDonkey Kong Country Returnswill be coming to Switch, ported from its original Wii version. This news has been welcomed with relatively open arms by fans, though it once again revives the question: where are the newDonkey Konggames?
On top of the fact thatDonkey Kong Country Returns HDwill be $60at launch, which many view as exorbitant for a nearly 15-year-old game, its announcement has also been disappointing for those looking forward to newDonkey Konggames. Its absence has certainly been felt during the Switch era, as just about every major Nintendo franchise, fromMetroidtoWarioWare, has seen a full release on this generation of hardware. Considering thatDonkey Kongis arguably more culturally significant and carries more cache than many IPs that have gotten new games on the Switch, it all seems a bit odd.
TheSwitch successor is expected to come next year, so unless Nintendo surprises audiences with a shadow drop or last-second reveal, it’s likely that there simply won’t be aDonkey Konggame released during this console generation. Donkey Kong has long been counted among Nintendo’s biggest mascots, so it’s about time that his flagship franchise got some contemporary representation outside of remakes and remasters.
There’s Still Plenty of Potential In Donkey Kong
Of course, gaming companies should never release a game just because it’s what audiences expect them to do (although this certainly does happen). At the same time, a series likeDonkey Kong Countryhas plenty of room for growth and iteration; a propersequel toDonkey Kong Country: Tropical Freezewould be fertile ground for creativity, and probably wouldn’t feel forced or unnatural.
Donkey KongCountryis a unique 2D platformer that stands out from its competition in a number of key ways. One of the most notable distinctions betweenDonkeyKongand a series likeMarioorRaymanis its sense of weight and momentum, which lends the moment-to-moment gameplay a remarkably consequential, rewarding, and risky feeling. Other 2D platformers are focused on speed and precision, butDonkey Kong Countryleans more into expressive gameplay and experimentation, which helps its games stand out, even all these years later.
The core design elements ofDonkey Kong Countryought to be reprised in a modern game, as this would enrich the platforming genre. With any luck,Nintendo will push out a newDonkey Konggameon the Switch 2, bringing the franchise back with a full-fledged, modern entry.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
WHERE TO PLAY
Barrel-blast into a critically acclaimed Donkey Kong adventure as this beloved franchise makes its Nintendo Switch™ debut with a banana-bunch of new features. Traverse islands packed with platforming perfection and nonstop action as the classic Kongs in the original game, or mix things up by playing the story as Funky Kong in new Funky Mode!Arctic invaders have turned Donkey Kong Island into their personal frozen fortress, and it’s up to you to save the day. Play as Donkey Kong in Original Mode and team up with Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong—each with unique abilities—to overcome platforming challenges and frosty foes.For a more accessible experience, start a game in Funky Mode to enjoy a range of gameplay updates and a new main-character option, spectacular surfing simian Funky Kong! His extra hearts and unique abilities make for a more relaxed gaming experience. And no matter which mode you choose, a wealth of collectibles and two-player co-op round out the fun!
