Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Nintendo Direct Mini: ‘Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze’ Get’s Funky On The Switch!

by The_aczJanuary 12, 2018

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was one of the most overlooked titles for the Wii U.

The game seemed to come out at the wrong place at the wrong time, where in order to keep Wii U sales afloat in 2014, Nintendo ended up littering the console with 2D platformers in hopes of turning things around. Not only did this not work, but in the sea of 2D platformers, Retro Studios’s sublime sequel to Donkey Kong Country Returns got overlooked for just being another platformer. Flash forward 4 years, and the game has become a Wii U gem, often being praised for the amazing soundtrack and cohesive level design. Now, people who never owned a Wii U or gave Tropical Freeze a shot can now finally experience pure platform joy and bliss.

During Nintendo’s surprise mini direct yesterday morning, the company announced that the game will be heading to the Nintendo Switch on May 4th. Probably the most exciting aspect of the announcement is the addition of a new mode. The game now includes a mode that’ll allow you to play as everyone’s favorite surfer monkey Funky Kong. Funky essentially acts as an easy mode for new players trying to get into the series, which is good for a tough as nails platformer as this one. Using his surfboard, Funky Kong can infinitely hover in the air, double jump, roll forever, and even breath underwater forever. This marks the characters first playable appearance in about 10 years since his unlockable appearance in Mario Super Sluggers for the Wii.

Are you excited for Tropical Freeze heading to the switch and Funky Kong’s playable return? Tell us in the comments below, and also check out the trailer for the game below as well!

The 12 Days Of Switchmas: Day 11- New Life For The Wii U?

by Josh JacksonJanuary 11, 2017

It’s my turn once again to talk about what I’m hoping Nintendo will deliver with the Switch, the company’s upcoming console. If you want to get caught up with the rest of the series, including how the Virtual Console should be revamped, and how table top gaming could change the game for the system, check us out here!

This next entry might sound a bit weird coming from me. Both on the podcast and in my writings, I’ve talked at length about how I feel like this generation has become a glorified PS3 and Xbox 360 retread. It’s hard not to think otherwise when so many recent releases are remasters and collections of games no one ever asked for, (I’m looking at you, Deadpool and Legend of Kay Anniversary). But in the case of the Switch, with so much mainstream attention being shined on it as we approach Nintendo’s big conference, what better time would there be to breathe new life into some of the Wii U’s greatest games?

If this can get a remaster, why not Donkey Kong?

Yes, contrary to what popular opinion might tell you, the Wii U has a fantastic library of exclusive titles. Due to the low install base however, most of them never got their fair shot, forcing many great games to get tossed aside. The company seems to already be on the right track when you consider the rumors that have surfaced since the system’s reveal, which include versions of Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart 8, and my two favorite games of 2015, Xenoblade Chronicles X and Splatoon. On other consoles, versions of ZombiU minus the Game Pad have already been released, while Lego City Undercover is on its way.

Splatoon is sure to be a highlight for the Switch!

But with those games on the table, you’re still missing so many games that haven’t been accounted for. Pikmin 3 was the best game in the series yet, with multiple characters and paths to play with. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is one of the best 2D platformers you’ll ever play. Imagine Super Mario 3D World with online multiplayer and a few new characters so you can play with your friends no matter where you are? Bayonetta has definitely taken back some of the spotlight since making her debut in Smash, so it makes perfect sense for her second game to make the jump to the Switch as well. And dare I mention my game of the year of 2016, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, a game that was so poorly promoted that even the Atlus and RPG faithful didn’t even know what it was, let alone being aware that it released. The Switch and its portable capabilities would be perfect for the simulated text messaging app that your party uses to communicate with you outside of combat. And let’s not forget Kirby’s Rainbow Curse, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, Pokken Tournament, and the many other games that could do well with a much larger install base. For that matter, why stop with the Wii U? The Wii had plenty of games that became casualties in the propaganda machine that convinced many that the Wii had no games for “hardcore gamers”. So I would LOVE to be able to replay hard to find gems like Zack and Wiki, Madworld, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, The Last Story, Pandora’s Tower, and many other forgotten classics that didn’t get their due.

Bayonetta 2 would be a perfect candidate for a second chance.

While the influx of re-releases has gotten out of control in recent years, one benefit is that they fill in library gaps when the system would otherwise be pushing through a dry spell. When you pad your library with games that most people never played the first time around, they end up feeling brand new to most of your install base while having to invest very little in comparison to making a brand new game. It’s a win-win for consumers and Nintendo alike!

I’ve gone over what I want to see, so now it’s your turn. What Nintendo exclusives would you want to see get a second chance on the Switch? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check back tomorrow for our FINAL entry in our 12 Days of Switchmas series.

Geekscape’s ‘Super Mario Maker’ Course Of The Week: Sawmill Thrill

by The_aczOctober 23, 2015

I love Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.

To me, it’s the best Wii U game I’ve played so far. Developer Retro Studios was able to really take the concept they made with Donkey Kong Country Returns and improve upon it 10 fold. And, what better way then for fans to show their love for the game by re-making some of the levels in Super Mario Maker. Today’s Course of the Week is a re-creation of the level Sawmill Thrill by Sambob.
Just like its actual counterpart, the level starts you riding a minecart outside of a run down sawmill. After a while, you’re then blasted into the sawmill as you jump, duck, and dodge oncoming saw blades while also trying to avoid falling to your death. Those wanting to play this level, be warned. The title of this course is no joke as it’s just as a challenge as it was in the actual game. Heck, I’m still trying to beat this level as of writing this article. Even though only a handful of people have played it, there’s still a course completion of 0.00%. Think you have what it takes to be the 1st one to beat it? Try it here at: 47BD-0000-0096-8DC9. Until then, Keep on playing and creating awesome levels!

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze’

by Derek KraneveldtFebruary 18, 2014

With exclusives like Super Mario 3D World, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101, Lego City Undercover, and not to mention the still-coming-this-year Smash Bros. and Mario Kart 8 (just to name a few), you shouldn’t really need another reason to pick up a Wii U.

But as it happens, here’s a damned good one; Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.

To start, from the very second that I tapped on the Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze icon on the Wii U home screen, I had an ear-to-ear grin on my face. The game’s loading music immediately brought me back to my youth and my days (and days) of yelling at my Super Nintendo and Donkey Kong Country for killing me when I clearly shouldn’t have been killed.

I eventually played through all of Super Nintendo’s Donkey Kong titles (watching the animated series in-between), fell madly in love with Donkey Kong 64, and even Diddy Kong Racing during the next generation (though I’ll hold my ground at ‘it was no Mario Kart‘). I missed out on 2010’s Donkey Kong Country Returns, but now that I’ve played through Tropical Freeze, I’ll be trying to find a copy immediately.

Following the beautiful loading music, you’ll be greeted by the rest of the game’s fantastic audio (and then you may look it up and realize that original DKC composer David Wise has returned for the game). Then come the visuals, which will have you realizing within seconds that Tropical Freeze is quite possibly the best looking game on the Wii U today. Seriously. The gorgeous colours, backgrounds, levels, and characters are virtually without equal, and once they start moving, you may find yourself simply staring in awe at the wondrous 1080p visuals. DK and company (Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky will accompany you during the game, and a second player can even take control) have never, ever looked this good, and it’s almost tough to imagine them ever looking any better.

Playing through Tropical Freeze, even in its earlier levels, is a stark reminder of just how easy today’s games have become. I would bet that I died more playing Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze over this past week than I have in every game that I’ve played in the last five years… combined (aside from maybe Flappy Bird). Dying, of course, is frustrating by nature (especially, as I mentioned, since it rarely happens these days), but I was always willing to jump right back in and perfect that missed jump or get revenge on the enemy that killed me. Plus, the level design is so good that I don’t simply want to pass them, but actually experience them, and spending more time in a single stage isn’t a bad way to do that.

You won't find me on here... But I can dream. — You won’t find me on here… But I can dream.

Then, of course, there’s the collectables, which will have you playing through the game multiple times because they’re so addicting and so impossible to find on your first time through. I still haven’t found nearly as many as I’d like to, and DKCTF has brought out the completionist in me far more than any other game in recent memory.

The title thankfully offers players a few different control types, including the Wii U Gamepad, Wii Remote + Nunchuk, and Wii U Pro Controller, and all options are precise, enjoyable, and easy to control. Tropical Freeze does support offscreen play (which I use all the time, and love), but sadly, using the Gamepad as your controller adds absolutely zero additions to the gameplay. That’s a missed opportunity right there, and for a first-party that’s trying (and not really succeeding) to sell consoles, it’s almost inexcusable.

Brings you back, doesn't it? — Brings you back, doesn’t it?

Overall, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is quite possibly the best side-scrolling platformer that I’ve played in years. It’s far better than the excellent New Super Mario Bros. U and its expansion, and is my favourite Donkey Kong title of all-time. I hope that Retro Studios’ latest gets the recognition it deserves, as it deserves to sell some consoles, and that they soon get hard to work on a follow-up (maybe by the time it releases I’ll have found all of the collectables in this one). The game can be frustratingly difficult at times (it’ll make you go bananas, yeah I went there), but it’s likely that these frustrations lay with our expectations of a modern game’s difficulty; I’m no longer used to attempting the same stage ten or fifteen times, and that sometimes makes yell-at-the-TV mad, but when I think back to my childhood, what game didn’t force that many attempts?

Don’t own a Wii U yet? Buy one, and make Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze one of your first purchases. Aside from the game all but pretending that the Wii U’s main differentiator (the Gamepad) doesn’t exist, it’s probably the best platformer that we’ll see all year on any console.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze scores a 4.5/5.

Nintendo Direct Wrap Up: 12-18-13

by Josh JacksonDecember 18, 2013

Yesterday’s surprise announcement of a new Nintendo Direct was a welcomed one, especially considering Reggie’s reveal at VGX was… lackluster at best. Unlike the last Direct, we had plenty of Wii U news to sift through in between news of an ever growing library of fantastic 3DS games. This show was all about 2014, with a few surprises along the way. Below are the highlights straight from Nintendo’s press release sent out after the stream’s conclusion.

Wii U News

Super Smash Bros.: Rosalina, who was introduced in the Super Mario Galaxy games for Wii and makes a surprise appearance in the new Super Mario 3D World for Wii U, will be a playable character, accompanied by her starry friend, Luma. The game will launch in stores and the Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in 2014.

Note: Check out our thoughts on Rosalina’s reveal here.

Mario Kart 8: New playable characters include Rosalina and various “Baby” Nintendo characters, like Baby Mario and Baby Luigi. New course settings include an airport, the desert and high in the clouds, and vehicles include UFOs, four-wheel ATV buggies, standard karts and bikes.

NES Remix: Select parts from 16 classic NES games have been remixed with new challenges. For example, players might be tasked with completing a familiar Super Mario Bros. stage while running to the left. Or they might encounter a revamped level of Donkey Kongthat allows them to play as Link from The Legend of Zelda series. NES Remix includes Miiverse compatibility, so players with broadband Internet access can show off their skills, complete with cool 8-bit stamps. NES Remix is now available exclusively in the Nintendo eShop for $14.99.

Sonic Lost World: A new Nintendo-themed level is coming to the Nintendo eShop. Yoshi’s Island Zone is now available for free. Done in a Yoshi art style, the level has Sonic speeding through areas filled with pipes, coins, Shy Guys and Piranha Plants.

Note: Isn’t free downloadable content the bees knees? Iwata said a second piece of DLC was coming, but it wasn’t ready to be shown. He hinted that there would be a “Link” between the game’s two versions. Does it need to be said? I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I can’t wait for that F-Zero stage.

At least they’re not the Deadly Six.

Dr. Luigi: The Year of Luigi continues to deliver surprises, with a new title starring Mario’s green-clad brother. Much like the classic puzzle game Dr. Mario, Dr. Luigi requires players to line up color-coded pills to destroy viruses. Dr. Luigi offers different skill settings and attacks in multiplayer games, and an original mode where the pills are, of course, L-shaped. The game comes with a Dr. Mario mode, Wii U GamePad compatibility and online play, so wannabe virus busters from all around the world can compete. Dr. Luigi launches exclusively in the Nintendo eShop on Dec. 31 for $14.99.

Oh Luigi, always bringing home viruses.

Wii Sports Club: Launching today, golf becomes the third sport added to the Wii Sports Club lineup, joining bowling and tennis. In a move not possible on any other system, golf asks players to place the Wii U GamePad controller on the floor in front of their TVs. Players can then use a Wii Remote Plus to swing at the ball on the ground, just as they would a real golf ball, enabling more precise control with each stroke. When they take their swing, the ball flies from the screen of the GamePad to the TV screen in one fluid motion. Wii Sports Club – Golf includes the nine-hole course from the original Wii Sports game, in addition to a newly developed nine-hole course based on Golf US Course, a Famicom game that Nintendo Global President Satoru Iwata helped develop more than 25 years ago. Wii U owners can play a free 24-hour trial of Wii Sports Club, which lets players sample all three sports. The trial offer is open to everyone, even to people who previously sampled the 24-hour free trial. A Club Pass for the full golf game, allowing unlimited access, can be purchased for $9.99. Boxing and baseball will be coming to Wii Sports Club in 2014.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: Veteran Cranky Kong joins playable characters Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong as companions for Donkey Kong. Cranky Kong comes with his own set of special moves that allow him to bounce off enemies and obstacles using his cane. Players who collect 100 bananas in a stage can execute a new move called the KONG-Pow, which turns all enemies on the screen into items. Now that Cranky Kong is setting off on an adventure, instead of overseeing the in-game shop as he did in the Donkey Kong Country Returns game, the aptly named Funky Kong will assist players by offering them items for trade in the game. The game launches Feb. 21 in stores and in the Nintendo eShop.

Nintendo 3DS News

Bravely Default: A free demo of the game launches in the Nintendo eShop on Jan. 2, but this is much more than a demo. It’s an exclusive story with hours of content not included in the main game. The full game launches in stores and in the Nintendo eShop on Feb. 7 at a suggested retail price of $39.99. If players with the full game close their system while the game is active, they might gather additional warriors via the StreetPass feature, but they also earn Sleep Points for every eight cumulative hours of down time. Sleep Points can then be used during battle to change equipment, revive a fallen party member, heal or unleash attacks beyond the game’s usual damage cap. Players who don’t want to wait for their Sleep Points to refill have the option of purchasing SP potions in the Nintendo eShop to refill all three Sleep Points at once. Also launching Feb. 7, a Collector’s Edition including the game, an art book, a soundtrack CD and 34 augmented-reality cards will be available via GameStop, Best Buy and Amazon.com at a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe: The game is a side-scrolling platformer, but players can move Kirby to the background and foreground to dodge enemies and solve puzzles. Kirby can also use a new Hypernova ability, which powers up his inhale ability and enables him to suck up everything in his path. The game includes more than 20 different copy abilities, including four new ones created for this game. Kirby: Triple Deluxe also includes two new game modes: Kirby Fighters lets up to four players pick one of 10 copy abilities for their Kirby and then fight to see which is the most effective in battle. Dedede’s Drum Dash asks players to press buttons in sync with Kirby music while jumping and collecting coins. The game is planned for 2014.

Kirby continues his quest for arbor annihilation.

Chibi-Robo! Photo Finder: Everyone’s favorite helpful 4-inch-tall robot is back! This time Chibi-Robo has been tasked with helping a new museum get off the ground. Players are given silhouettes of needed objects, then use the Nintendo 3DS camera to find matching objects, known as NostalJunk, in the real world. Chibi-Robo will also help characters like superheroes and singing sponge-bears with various tasks, all while keeping an eye on his electricity reserves. The game also features community events called NostalJunk Challenges that focus on particular silhouettes, and give players opportunities to showcase their creativity and maybe earn a special outfit for Chibi-Robo to wear in the game. A demo will soon launch exclusively in the Nintendo eShop, with the full version landing on Jan. 9, 2014.

Note: Can I just say that I was all but sure that this series was dead outside of Japan? But not only is this not the case, but it’s coming out in about three weeks? Do yourselves a favor and check out this gem on the Gamecube and DS, and while you’re at it, check out my Underground Games article on the original from a few years ago.

Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter: Pokémon Bank is software that lets players store up to 3,000 Pokémon from the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games. Poké Transporter is an application that lets players take the Pokémon they’ve caught through the years and transferred into Pokémon Black and Pokémon White, as well as Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2, and transfer them into Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporterlaunch Dec. 27. Players can download a 30-day free trial version anytime between launch and Jan. 31, 2014. Following the free trial, an annual usage fee will apply for Pokémon Bank. Anyone who accesses a Pokémon Bank box by Sept. 30, 2014, will receive the Pokémon Celebi as a special gift.

Note: Want to know how Bank will work? Check out our overview of the Celebi giveaway and the details of the service here.

Yoshi’s New Island: The game launches this spring, and will be produced by Takashi Tezuka, the creative director of the original Yoshi’s Island for Super NES.

That’s the end of the press release. While that might be a ton of unexpected information, the crazy part is that this isn’t even all of it! We can’t mention today’s Direct without bringing up Hyrule Warriors, the Dynasty Warriors style Zelda game that came out of nowhere. Oh, and if you’re sitting on a ton of Club Nintendo coins, why not add Luigi to your figure collection with this Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon figurine. At least you won’t have to worry about ghosts in your home any longer.

Check out the video below to check out all of the announcements, and finally find out what would happen if Reggie were to arm wrestle himself. Enjoy!

‘Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze’ Gets A Release Date!

by Derek KraneveldtDecember 7, 2013

Briefly: During tonight’s VGX awards, Nintendo revealed some long awaited news about the excellent-looking Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.

First up: Cranky Kong is a playable character, and he looks pretty cool. The live demo showed how the different Kongs can team up to take down enemies together. The game (of course) features local co-op, which has to lead to some aggravating, frustratingly good times.

Reggie Fils-Aime also announced the oft-delayed release date for the title, which will hit stores on February 21st, 2014.

Take a look at the newest demo below, and let us know if you’ll be picking this one up!

http://youtu.be/9t6Hdagh7lk