DONKEY KONG COUNTRY TROPICAL FREEZE: The Game That "Should've Been Metroid" | GEEK CRITIQUE

At E3 2013, it was revealed that a sequel to one of the most successful games of the previous generation was on its way. But it was difficult to celebrate, because almost everywhere I went, an undercurrent of hostility permeated the discussion whenever DKC: Tropical Freeze was mentioned.
And I doubt anybody will see this far down on the description, but hey, with this video, I've talked about every single Country game!
Back TGC on Patreon: / geekcritique
Twitch: / geekcritique
Facebook: / geekcritique
Twitter: / tgcritique

[@tacoman422]

2013: A new 2D Donkey Kong is announced. "But we were expecting Metroid!" 2021: A new 2D Metroid is announced. "But we were expecting Donkey Kong!"

[@ChickenBoo1989]

It's the sad world we live in...

[@davinchristino]

I'd say let retro studios work on whatever they're passionate about, and not to pressurize them.

[@manfredicadelo9604]

Well at least the Metroid Dread announcement was unexpected but great. I loved that direct, even if i remember being a bit sad of the 3D Donkey Kong not being in. Metroid Dread is great tho

[@davinchristino]

@@secoTheSonicFan I think Donkey Kong has more fans today only because DKCR happened

[@JustAndre92]

@@secoTheSonicFan Uh. When Nintendo announced they were scrapping development on _Metroid Prime 4_ and it was being delayed an indefinite number of years, the overwhelming response from _Metroid_ fans was that they appreciated Nintendo's transparency, understood that issues come up in game development, and were thankful that Nintendo was willing to make hard calls if it meant assuring _Prime 4_ lives up to what the _Metroid Prime_ series means to people. _Metroid_ fans aren't inherently bad human beings just because the series they love went so horribly wrong between 2010 and 2017 that there was legitimate reason to fear Nintendo might take it out behind the shed and put a bullet in the back of its skull like they've done with the likes of _F-Zero_ or _Wario Land._

[@BDaMonkey]

This game is the quintessential example of people stupidly shitting on a game before it's even out. It's the best 2d platformer ever. Retro should be proud.

[@pgcroonerva3256]

Arguably the second best donkey Kong country and all the franchise next to Diddy’s Kong quest. This game is criminally underrated

[@kuronyra1709]

People weren't shitting on that game because they would tought it would be bad. They shat on it because they wanted something that WAS NOT a platformer and a DK video game.

[@turtleanton6539]

For sure Im proud to even have played it

[@chubbubdreamer6904]

@@kuronyra1709 So they basically shit on the game that was good because it wasn't Metroid?

[@alanlee67]

@@chubbubdreamer6904 I didn't think tropical freeze was that good. Music was bad and for some reason, Kremlings are a better villian than anything retro ever produced. Absolutely not "best 3d platformer ever" that title is a heated contest between dkc2 and yoshis island

[@Paper_Sunset]

What I love about this game is how natural the platforms are they aren’t just floating blocks they are leaves, branches ground, ice, etc they are built it the world

[@FroztiProductions]

It really pains me that a difficult game won't be popular anymore if it doesn't have dark and/or serious art design. I miss when games like dk and mario were "cool". I didn't even know there were so many people disappointed to hear about a new dk game when I had been hoping for one for a long time.

[@11clocky]

Dark and serious is boring, yet so overdone by most AAA studios. They feel so lifeless to me. I tend to gravitate towards Nintendo and Indies as a result.

[@NueThunderKing]

Well the industry and the gamers haven’t gotten out of puberty so they are still trying hard to be taken seriously, and lo and behold, you have dark and serious overdone.

[@alvareo92]

NueThunderKing I first heard the “Nintendo games are for children” narrative from my peers when I was 12, I’m 27 now and it’s still going on

[@nikeneon3188]

@Bro9650 and cuphead

[@seantherebel]

I think you just touched on the real issue. DKC got "Wind Waker syndrome" where the game was legitimately great and had pathos, but it was a light, cartoony aesthetic instead of the dark, gritty design

[@RogersBase]

Good video and I honestly feel like the reason DKC:TF was hated upon its announcement WAS just due to the fact that there was an abundance of platformers on the market at the time (and on the way) and people just wanted something different from Nintendo developers. TF was a great game that came out at the wrong time.

[@19Szabolcs91]

Yeah, they announced it when the have recently released New Super Mario Bros U, then New Super Luigi U, then Yoshi's Woolly World, and there was also Rayman Legends. If there was any genre the WiiU wasn't lacking it was 2D platformers, so it's easy to see why another one seemed disappointing. Even with DKCR literally being my favorite 2D platformer of all time, I wasn't that hyped for it. At that time I was wondering where the hell is a new Zelda or a new good Metroid or something like this.

[@DrCorndog1]

Hey, it's Roger again. Wait, this isn't a GameXplain video!

[@lmk10000]

Yah! But Nintendo chose to delay DKTF to release Mario 3D and Pikmin 3 first. Even though a DKC is far mor better game than this two, but Miyamoto loveeees Pikmin and loooooovess Mario 3D, so they care to release those games first.

[@Tailslol]

this is sad how cemu is now so popular and same as those games in downloads. because now they realize what they missed. it is the gamecube and dolphin all over again.

[@hr-g4640]

I just realized Samus is a magical girl, just think about it, her powersuit is her transformation

[@thrillhouse_vanhouten]

The Nintendo Direct announcement of Tropical Freeze on Switch brought me here! Excited to finally play this one :)

[@paulakroy2635]

Yay

[@SeleneDethly]

I'm curious to see if the port will be better received since it fixes... kinda ALL the issues he brings up at the start. 1. Metroid has had a good game since then, Samus Returns, plus we know MP4 is on the way. 2. The Switch isn't drowning in platformers, and has bigger variety of games on it just in its first year. 3. The Switch, much like the Wii, is printing money and already has a bigger install base then the WiiU had. All the major factors for why it went under appreciated are gone, and only new one exists. "Oh, ANOTHER port." Since Nintendo, kinda rightfully imo, is slowly bringing a lot of the WiiU's best offerings to the Switch to give them new life, which still gives us a some really good games to fill the gaps between actual new games come out. It's kinda Win-Win for Nintendo and honestly the majority of Switch owners that likely never played ANY of them becuase they didn't get a WiiU.

[@ParasocialCatgirl]

This game will probably work best on Switch. The console doesn't pander only to 'casuals', but the 'Funky Mode' will probably help nintendo to sell the game to the casuals, not just the hardcore audience (assume that the aforementioned hardcore audience didn't already buy it on Wii U, but then again, the Switch port might also iron out a few more problems with the game, and might add even more content)

[@JC-hi8fk]

Why didn’t you play it on Wii U?

[@turtleanton6539]

Its the n Best game ever

[@griedelamont]

i never knew that this game was overlooked, it’s kind of surprising, this game is such a masterpiece

[@tylerlaunius7396]

It genuinely is. I want to say it sold far better on Switch, but the fact remains that... this game (and DK's identity with Country in general) could have been so much more, but wasn't. And that makes me very sad because I truly adore this franchise so much. I just hope a new game on the Switch, should it ever happen, will bring about a resurgence for the Kongs.

[@Mojo1356]

For Dixie, she’s great for when you’re trying to get everything, but for speedruns, Diddy is the better choice because Dixie kills your momentum when you use her hair.

[@SirNarax]

Coming up to 8 years later and still no new Donkey Kong game. I miss Donkey Kong. I hope the backlash didn't kill the franchise, again.

[@darthgamer9861]

same, while Metroid seems to have been revived with the success of Returns and Dread, meanwhile DK seems to have reverted to a mario character

[@lostporpoise8883]

metroid isnt revived until prime 4

[@Mqstodon]

​@@lostporpoise8883 sure, cuz a mainline game after a decade isn't reviving

[@cato3277]

@@lostporpoise8883this is such a silly take

[@Clinkety]

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze is one of my favourite platformers of all time. Hell, it's one of my favourite games of all time.

[@SaladofStones]

You are called meat, but have a picture of a pumpkin. I am not sure if I can trust your opinion.

[@hubbleenjoyer800]

That music tho

[@JeffACornell]

Suggestion for how to make Diddy more worthwhile: make him the only partner who gives you the endless barrel roll. Dixie would still generally be better, but at least Diddy would have *some* unique benefit, rather than being a strictly worse version of Dixie.

[@paulakroy2635]

Have you seen a speed run. Dixie is used less than diddy

[@Birthnote]

I'd give Diddy an Air-Dash instead of his hover. It's basically his underwater dash but with less range. That'll reestablish him as a speedy character.

[@DJ_Maysonic]

@@paulakroy2635 this is talking about general play, not speedruns

[@ahumanbeingfromtheearth1502]

@@paulakroy2635 faster =/= easier.

[@ahumanbeingfromtheearth1502]

@@davinchristino I'm confused. My point was that being slower than the others doesn't change the fact that it's easier to beat almost all stages of the game with dixie than the other 2 kongs. I cant tell if you are agreeing or disagreeing?

[@CompleteAnimation]

I've just played Tropical Freeze to the end credits on the Switch. This is definitively, without a doubt, my favorite sidescrolling platformer of all time.

[@sherrypearce700]

jodudeit Better than mario bros on the NES?

[@MrRhysReviews]

@@sherrypearce700 Mario Bros on NES are absolute classics but sorry not sorry they are totally outdated and irrelevant now (especially since I'd recommend All Stars on SNES or Wii if you want to play the originals anyway)

[@JosephMore]

agree , need a third part soon for switch , dk returns k , rool strikes back

[@lordroy88]

@@sherrypearce700 no doubt

[@maxrn3923]

Agreed 100%

[@BusterTBMPlays]

Damn, your analysis at the start. You were not mad at the metroid fans, you approached it really fairly. I am truely sorry for the backlash this game got from the metroid fans as a metroid fan myself. Honestly after this review, I HOPE that retro goes back to Donkey Kong, and that is coming from someone not really being a fan of DK. But your aproach to this has been really good, and I loved it

[@JigInsane]

Buster TBM Gameplay I'm a huge Metroid fan, but I really like DK. So I was excited for it. Probably not popular among the Metroid fans. But knowing that retro isn't working on Prime4, I still don't want them on DK. I want to see something new, or something that they could revive. Like Eternal Darkness or something.

[@nathaneskin3572]

I can't blame Retro for being tired of making Metroid after making 3 in a row. If that is the case, it's better if they don't anyway because it just wouldn't be as good if it was something most of them didn't want to make.

[@giygas_9577]

I really want Retro to revive F-Zero next.

[@JigInsane]

Giygas_95 that's another good one. I couldn't imagine what they could do with it.

[@Alias_Anybody]

JigInsane It most likely won't be a racing game, the genre is pretty limited, and I really wouldn't "waste" Retro on bringing FZero up to date. I'd rather go the Samus Returns route and use an external studio with experience in this area.

[@PhirePhlame]

Heh. "Should've been Metroid" turned out to be "should've been Dixie".

[@GeekCritique]

I was hoping someone would catch the callback.

[@paulakroy2635]

Have you seen a speedrun

[@sincromelon2912]

Dixie > Everybody else

[@turtleanton6539]

👏👏

[@paulakroy2635]

The Geek Critique This used to be a Dixie level now it’s cranky level

[@DustyMusician]

“we know they’re not doing Prime 4, either.” That comment didn’t age well. Edit: Hi, Dusty here, anticipating future commenters. If Metroid Prime 4 is publicly canceled at any point in the future, I'll Venmo the first person to comment "You owe me a soda" 5USD. People seem to think I have some unwavering faith in Nintendo and its subsidiaries, and they love coming down here to tell me to abandon all hope ye who enter... to the contrary, I'm quite open to the possibility that the game could be canceled! But in order to win the $5, it has to be a public and official announcement, so not a leak or speculation. Thank you, and I'll return to my slumber once more...

[@tacticalnut528]

Aged like milk

[@adamswing6115]

Judging how long it is taking to even get the 2nd trailer fro prime 4, I think it might be cancelled

[@johnny05100]

zucc man blasphemy! Not sure I’ll survive another failed attempt at my most anticipated game

[@justinc.5591]

At the time of this video, it was a factual statement. Retro didn’t pick up Prime 4 until early 2019.

[@placeholder1308]

@@adamswing6115 Nintendo said that they announced the game earlier than they would have liked to please fans, and they want to wait until they have something closer to release to show more.

[@Quonzer]

This game is criminally underrated.

[@Delzethin]

I remember a lot of the backlash you talk about at the beginning. While I was disappointed Retro Studios' new project wasn't a Metroid game, I didn't mind that it was another DK game because of how good Returns was. It was really frustrating to see so many people refuse to give it a chance just because it wasn't what they expected Retro to be working on, and it's nice to hear that it's slowly being vindicated by history, so to speak. I didn't actually get the chance to play Tropical Freeze myself until almost a year ago, I was blown away by the impressive design, the extremely unique style and aesthetics of each world (something 2D Mario has struck out on for a while, mind you), the attention to detail, and even the way it managed to start out fairly challenging and eventually become tough as nails while always feeling fair. Honestly, this game might be one of the greatest 2D platformers ever made, and it's a damn shame it was written off as unworthy and undeserving just because of extenuating circumstances. Hopefully we do get a third game to complete a "Returns Trilogy", whether from Retro or someone else who understands what made this one so great. And while I do want to see the Kremlings come back, I _also_ want to see the Snowmads show up every now and then as alternate antagonists. They fit right in as an enemy force in ways the tikis didn't, and I want to see more of their oppressive, all-conquering warfare for the Kongs to defeat.

[@ColdGoldLazarus]

It would also be fun to see a situation down the line where the Kremlings and Snowmads try to enact their own seperate schemes at the same time and wind up getting in each others' way, so it ends up being a three-way conflict between them and the Kong family.

[@jjtheenton]

This has to be my favorite platformer in existence, even over DKC2. It's a near- perfect sequel to Returns, and it's easily Retro's best game to date. It frustrates me beyond words how the Metroid fanbase slammed Retro for making it instead of Prime 4, as if a team that already completed their trilogy, had most of the original members move on, and didn't even create the franchise in the first place OWED them a new Metroid because of a game they had nothing to do with.

[@jarerarebear1765]

I think that for some Metroid fans, it opened them up to Donkey Kong Country. Both series have so much in common even if they do seem completely different. They both have exploration and secrets to find, they both have a lot of exciting set pieces and boss fights, they both bring a level of challenge to players that most Nintendo franchises don't, they both really hit their strides in popularity on the SNES, they both have immersive worlds, and they both get overshadowed and outsold by other more trendy franchises. My best friend is a huge Metroid fan, and I'm the biggest DK fan I know, and we've really bonded over our two respective series'.

[@levobertus]

Especially the last part resonated with me deeply.

[@bravesfan718]

Yeah

[@somethingsomething9008]

You havent played every platformer in existence

[@thesnatcher3616]

@@jarerarebear1765 Wonder what your friend thinks about Metroid Dread.

[@TheREALepicsheep]

So glad this game is getting a second chance on Switch. It's honestly such an overlooked masterpiece of a game.

[@greenkidd529]

It didbokay but could've done a lot better in Switch and it a reason to justify the full $60 price point They should've bundled DKCR with it Or just sell it for $40

[@reno82]

Basically, WiiU portfolio is getting a second chance on Switch.

[@danceswithmetroids162]

You have to wonder how many people parroting "It should have been Metroid" would have even bought a Metroid game in the first place, because Metroid isn't that popular. I love Metroid despite being a new fan, but that reaction was baffling and childish.

[@insupportofjunhado]

I bought Samus Returns, despite it not being the game I wanted(I just wanted Metroid II with a map). Then again, I bought Zero Mission despite it not being the game I wanted(I just wanted Metroid with a map) so I'm not the best example and the point stands. The only Metroid game I deliberately put off buying(as opposed to not enough time/money) was MOM(well and Pin Ball, and Federation Force, but those were more like keep forgetting exist rather than active avoidance). I was skeptical of another Metroid so soon. Prime 3 was a great place to stop making Metroid, take a break, reevaluate and come back stronger. I didn't want their to be another Metroid game unless it could make as much impact as Prime and be as good as Prime 3(or just continue the "story" past Fusion). I could tell MOM wasn't going to do that, and the slightest confirmation bias was enough for me. "Retro make Metroid", wasn't me. Everyone said Mario Kart's got better, that The Donkey Kong Country's were good work, maybe waggle/no kremlins aside. Retro do good! MOM was kind of worse than nothing. MOM+Federation Force was definitely worse than nothing. Shouldn't have been Metroid, should have been new female character alien shooter. It's not like Nintendo can't have fifteen pretty boy swordsman games.

[@johnnyscifi]

Yasss

[@Raylightsen]

Wrong.

[@Raylightsen]

@neArac Go back to school and learn how to address to people.

[@chrisnguyen2316]

@@Raylightsen how is this wrong? makes perfect sense to me, and I'm also a metroid fan for god's sake. I understand metroid fans so badly wanted nintendo to "redeem" themselves after the hot garbage fanfic that is other m, but a new metroid game on the wii u would've sold poorly too. the fact that one donkey kong game sold more than the entire prime trilogy speaks to how insanely niche metroid is.

[@KaiSchSp]

Tropical Freeze has incredible music. I listen to it regularly.

[@DinnerForkTongue]

Two words: David Wise.

[@LordGriebenschmalz]

@@DinnerForkTongue Exactly. Thats why I love Tropical Freeze and feel "meh" about returns. The music, so basicly David Wise, is a part of Donkey Kong in general.

[@turtleanton6539]

For sure!!

[@therealpiranhaplant7415]

Me too lol

[@luigioftime1283]

Seriously I listen to it like every day lol it's my peaceful zone music:P

[@buddythebad8371]

Krool could not be bad guy because he is cold blooded and it is too cold.

[@buddythebad8371]

azart61, very true.

[@superstarkirby7460]

He wearing a coat/ warm cape though

[@Ryeguy123a]

As others have stated, there have always been snow levels in the DKC games. Moreover, the boss's fight in Tropical Freeze is literally in an underground lava pit. Which would have been thematically so awesome if we got a K Rool reveal -- like the "freeze" powers that booted the Kongs off Kong Island were just a means to an end, and would be ditched after K Rool had cemented his control.

[@sak4933]

Well King K Rool also has a belly button so he's not a true reptile. ...Not to say that being a reptile automatically makes him cold blooded. Birds are considered reptiles after all, and many prehistoric reptiles, including terrestrial crocodiles, were very likely warm blooded.

[@knee-deepin-doot8742]

True, Crocodilians are a sort of in between, ( I think it is called mesothermic but I haven’t looked that up in a while so take it for a pinch of salt)

[@goldentoast0193]

Just wanted to state, I just found your channel today and I have watched all of your donkey Kong country series so far. Your style and content of your reviews is really something i love, in addition to the fact you choose ones your passionate about. That is awesome. I’m subscribing for sure because you attention to detail and lore, and you heart for these games. You’re presentation style is amazing. Keep it up man, I’m hitting that bell.

[@k1productions87]

This is one of the biggest examples of something that pisses me off so badly about the modern generation. DON'T TEAR APART A GAME BEFORE IT IS RELEASED!!! Tropical Freeze was AMAZING, but nobody gave it a chance at the time. Even though it got a resurgence, the damage was still done, and (another problem with today's generation) that is often unrecoverable in the development market. When you respond so negatively to such a degree, then you often ensure that no matter how great of a product we get,... it will fail. Almost as if you WANT it to fail. And some may even have that mindset "if DK fails, they may re-focus that attention on Metroid"... but you also forget the fact that they may also attribute that failure to the things you may like. We ALL know they won't blame the WiiU console itself, so they will instead try to claim DKTF's failures were because of its difficulty or design, and therefore tone down both when (or IF) they turn their focus back on Metroid,... and you see what problems may ensue. I know, social media is an addictive drug that makes people want to express even the tiniest bit of rage they ever have (justified or not),... but consider the consequences, especially when raging over something that HASN'T BEEN RELEASED YET. You can always tear something apart AFTER the fact, when you have all the information and experience to back it up. But to do so beforehand only runs the risk of bringing failure upon something that deserves to succeed in the biggest way.

[@Jammer439y8]

K1productions You just explained the current state of the Pokémon fan base in 3 paragraphs

[@charlessugg6102]

Totally agreed, this game is one of my top 5 Nintendo Switch games, and it might be my favorite Donkey Kong Country game.

[@darthgamer9861]

The pokémon fandom could stand to learn this

[@anthonysoto2923]

Right but it's a 2d platformer that lasts 12 hours and costs 60 quid. Hard HARD PASS for me. It's a 2d platformer for fks sake. 60 quid!!!

[@k1productions87]

@@anthonysoto2923 Yeah... its a 2d platformer... and your point is? Are Super Mario Bros 1, 3 and World bad games because they are 2d platformers that can be completed in even less time than that? Plus, they cost MORE 60 quid at the time (inflation). That's the other thing that pisses me off about the modern generation. If it isn't 3d in highest possible graphical fidelity, then its a bad game, even if the high def 3d game's gameplay sucks ass.

[@daejonmoody3304]

I feel bad for this game because Donkey Kong Country Tropical freeze was amazing

[@alexinabox6931]

Daejon Moody it has new life!

[@NowRacattackForce]

I remember watching that E3 announcement of the game at Nintendo NY with a crowd of people back in 2013 and...yeah, my desire to cheer at another installment in the series was destroyed by everyone else's chilly response and mutterings of "should've been Metroid". Heck, I was one of maybe five people that touched the game's demo station in the hours after the Direct, while no one else even wanted to so much as acknowledge it. Hopefully the attention and love that Tropical Freeze has been getting recently will only grow, because it is without a doubt one of my favourite games of all time.

[@GeekCritique]

Hey, I had a similar experience! My friend Kalin (you may know of him from ancient TGC videos) and I went to Best Buy in the summer of 2013. I think you could choose to demo Mario Kart 8, Wind Waker HD, Mario 3D World, or DKC Tropical Freeze. We were in line for over an hour, and nobody except us played the Tropical Freeze demo.

[@OSW]

Your video essays are all very well put together but this one in particular, wow! It's really insightful, choc full of knowledge and point of view you only get as a lifelong, passionate fan. A winner is you! 🐵

[@8YoHoJo]

9:35 "Everything changed when the ice nation attacked" 😂 Your videos are excellent, thanks!

[@ghmartini]

"And then everything changed when the Ice Nation attacked" I'm dying

[@aizunaizu6755]

A hundred years passed and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar, a Kong named Funky, and though his air mobility skills are great, he has a lot to learn before he's ready to save DK Island. But I believe Funky can save Kong Island

[@BoundaryBreak]

subbed

[@theperfectboy1084]

Idk.

[@SwedenTheHedgehog]

Same here!

[@PatTheHyruler]

Wow. Nice seeing you here! And yes, of course, I immediately subbed as well.

[@davispo7550]

Can't believe it took me until the end of the DK playlist to do the same

[@levzurcher8902]

dubbed

[@Jabbadnut]

Honestly I rented DKC Tropical Freeze back in 2014 and had never played a DKC game before. I was blown away at how fun the game was, how interactive the characters were, how beautiful the environments were, and how amazing the music was. After playing that game it turned me into a DKC fan and I have now played almost all the other games. It will be forever remembered as one of my favorite platformers produced by Nintendo. A masterclass in how good 2d platformers could be.

[@Nick-oq5cc]

26:10 I actually learned from watching GDQ this year that their backstory was invading the island to gather up the ingredients to make juice, and popsicles, and other treats at the cost of ravaging the island. I didn't notice this on my playthrough either until it was spelled out for me.

[@jjnnerazor]

Makes a lot of sense to boot.

[@themindfulmoron3790]

I... I love that. God, that's just perfect for a Donkey Kong villain. Extremely powerful, a huge step up from previous villains, with all of the personality and flair you could ever ask for and... they're just here to make juice and popsicles. That almost makes the disappointing Lord Frederik reveal worth it.

[@StupidMarioBros1Fan]

Yay i wasnt the only one expecting K Rool to reveal himself as the leader of the Snowmads! It was just too good of a missed opportunity, same with Bramble Scramble not having a remix of Stickerbush Symphony. Now that the game has been revealed to be ported to the Switch, maybe the chance of a third game has been reignited. Hopefully the thirs game does use the Kremlings, it's the only thing that could top Tropical Freeze...that and being able to have any combination of characters, just put more emphasis on his strength as his special ability...how about throwing his partner & being the only one to kill tougher enemies? Anyways, fantastic game. Without a doubt my favorite game on the Wii U and i am so happy that it has a second chance of reaching the audience it deserves once it releases on the Switch.

[@tiagodarkpeasant]

dont forget the buddies

[@AtomicBoo]

StupidMarioBros1Fan well now that we know K Rool is going to be a playable character in ultimate and a lot of new generation of gamers will not even know who the F that character is since his last appearance was the DK country gba ports (the ones I got to experience as a child and now im 22, in fact i didnt even know they were snes games at the time) we might just get a new DKC with K Rool in it. Edit: Now that I think about it I experienced almost all of the coolness of the snes era in GBA as a child without even knowing they were snes ports, yoshis island, mario world, dkc 1, 2, 3. The kirby games, a link to the past. Of course I eventually found out they were rereleases but nintendo allowed for peiple to experience the snes magic again, the gba was like a snes portable

[@daseal1479]

@@AtomicBoo Same here, experienced Yoshi's Island and the first 2 DKC games at a very young age on the GBA. They litteraly changed my life forever, and are my favorite games of all time. Tropical Freeze is also on that list! Lol

[@johndewberryiii9925]

StupidMarioBros1Fan that would’ve been cool but aren’t the kremlings property of rare? Would it have even been possible for them to use? I thought that was why they didn’t use them to begin with

[@alvareo92]

john dewberry III for that matter, so are Diddy, Dixie, Funky, Cranky...

[@abelperez1434]

This should come to Switch with a remaster of DK:Returns as a bonus.

[@Ray_2112]

That would be cool (incl. DKCR in HD!)...and a third one to conclude the second trilogy. :)

[@off_Planet]

Tropical Freeze has one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard, easily top 10, maybe even top 5 of my favorite game soundtracks.

[@neonshark337]

If I put all nostalgia aside (being someone who religiously watched the DKC video tape from Nintendo power back in the 90's), I would say that this is the best DKC game. It's just so well-done. Even the soundtrack, in my little opinion, stands up to the originals. Great news if ya'll haven't heard yet though - Tropical Freeze is getting another run on Switch. Hopefully now it will get the recognition it deserves and DK can keep on rockin'.

[@Slim.31]

Such a great game...very underrated

[@Slim.31]

TimtheEnchanter I agree, I’ll rephrase it and say under-appreciated

[@truepatriot3768]

I always feel pity for those who haven't played any DK games bcoz it's protagonist is monkey not have realistic graphics like modern games like (call of duty battlefield 💩💩)

[@drewgreen4954]

I almost never comment on youtube videos, but I feel the need to really commend your ability to critique a game. You spent an appropriate amount of time setting up the context for this game's release and reception, and it really helps add to the context of the actual critique. Impressive work! I'm really enjoying your content, keep it up. :)

[@MDComix]

The third game should either be Donkey Kong country Seasonal summit Or Donkey Kong country Kremling chaos

[@turtleanton6539]

Yeees

[@user-bb2op9he1x]

I think monster game will be working on it because they proved themselves with the extra world in dkcr 3d

[@Rubii5]

Kremling Kaos**

[@gwenc1371]

Ok, I am totally sold now on getting the port when it comes out. Just watching the gameplay alone, without your commentary, was enough to convince me. I had a Wii U, but I totally glossed past this one. Partially because of it being released at a time when we were oversaturated with fairly simple and low-effort platformers. Partially because it *looked* like one of those. They didn't show *any* of the more interesting stages or designs in ads or trailers, and I got the impression it was just more of the same. And while I enjoyed Returns well enough, it lacked the atmosphere and creativitiy that the original trilogy had. DKC was the original, Diddy's Kong Quest made one of my all-time favorite gloomy games but still felt like a proper upbeat sequel somehow, and even DKC3 feels distinctly like it's own thing(even if I'm torn on whether I like that "thing" or not). But Returns very much felt like a rehash of the original game. Which was just fine, but it just didn't let me fall in love with it and it's faults when compared to the original(no tag-teaming, almost no animal buddies) were just unnecessarily emphasized by this. So there's no wonder I wasn't particularly excited about the prospect of a game that was advertised in a way that made it look like a rehash of a rehash.

[@thesnatcher3616]

So How'd you like it?

[@taimakitty]

I'd like to tell you that I recently bought Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze thanks to your critical analysis of the game. And I have to say, I'm really enjoying the game so far. Currently as of this comment, I'm on the last world. Normally I don't skip out on trying to find secrets before moving on, but for now I do need to take a break from my completionist side thanks to Mario Odyssey. Otherwise, even casually I'm enjoying the game so far. And I suppose I'm grateful for my past in platformers and Sonic games, as I don't seem to find this game that difficult. At least, not a false type of difficulty. So, thank you for opening my mind on Donkey Kong games with your reviews. I do hope I can find my own way to owning the original DK Country games and the first DKC:Returns. So, once again I thank you for getting me into the Donkey Kong series.

[@pgcroonerva3256]

Sonix the NMH I realize this comment is a month old, but just in case you haven’t found them yet, the original trilogy is available in the eshop for both the 3DS and the Wiiu.

[@raulivanmachado9716]

Sonix the NMH I feel really bad now especially since you have a switch

[@taimakitty]

raul ivan machado I normally feel bad about this kind of thing. Mainly since I owned many WIIU titles. But it doesn’t bug me as it used to. Nowadays I just trade in for a discounted Switch copy. Besides. NEW FUNKY MODE. So I’m still pretty excited. (Funky Kong is my favorite of the bunch after all.)

[@Lucideyes89]

How you liking those SNES online ports?

[@gilgamesh5450]

I wish K rool could come back, The King needs to come back.

[@boshwa20]

Hydro Didn't he die or something?

[@gilgamesh5450]

Boshwa No, he was last seen in, I think DK Jungle Climber or Mario Super Sluggers.

[@nostalgiaworks5999]

*I wish that K. Rool kould kome back, The King needs to kome back.

[@ItsRetroPlanet]

K. Rool NEEDS to come back. The Snomads were good, even great, but if I had the kremlins again... It's like if bowser was gone for an extended time. It feels wrong.

[@boshwa20]

Gorgo the Orc If he comes back, do you think he'll still go by King K. Rool? Or will he go by another title again?

[@pitri_hub]

29:56 "We know they're not doing Prime 4, either" ...well, so much for that statement. :D

[@megamarsonic]

Yeah but only because the original team developing the game was doing such a poor job at it, Nintendo just went "Nope! Nope! Start over and get those guys that actually know what they're doing to replace these amateurs!"

[@legrandliseurtri7495]

@@megamarsonic I kinda fear that Prime 4 will turn into an open world like Mario and Zelda did...

[@hover9198]

So how do you think he reacted when he found out that this game WAS coming to the switch and that retro IS now making a Metroid prime 4?!?!

[@totallyahuman5055]

Metroid prime 4 will come years after we are all dead.

[@hover9198]

@@totallyahuman5055 i have no doubts that I will be dead and forgotten by the time this game actually releases

[@sludgemute]

at this rate, prime 4 will come out after prime 5

[@hover9198]

@@sludgemute at this rate Nintendo is gonna release another 2D Metroid before prime 4.... OH WAIT SHI-

[@alkankondo89]

Thank you SO MUCH for giving an audible voice for those of us individuals who revere this game as one of the best (or THE SINGLE best, in my case) in the Wii U's library. This incredible game is tragically underrated! It is, to me, the biggest victim of the Wii U's under-performance. I recently subscribed to your channel, and after watching this video, I see that my subscription was well-deserved!! Great episode! ... and congratulations on making a video on each DK Country installment, as the video description says! (Yes, I did read that far down, haha!)

[@thepiemaster477]

I remember when Tropical Freeze was confirmed, I thought it was cool. And that's about it. I played DKCR and I enjoyed it. I think the hatred for Tropical Freeze was Metroid fans desperate in their Metroid drought which I can't really blame them for. Edit: I do understand why they were upset, but I don't agree with it. I also think that Retro Studios was justified in wanting to continue with Donkey Kong Country and not moving back to Metroid. Heck, I think they're still justified in not working on Prime 4.

[@jjtheenton]

ThePieMaster They didn't have a drought. They were just coming off of Metroid's most abundant presence in franchise history.

[@boshwa20]

hehehe...."cool"

[@brian.jrmontoya3227]

Gokou Blacc - Subarashī drought for good Metroid games, and after other m, I don't blame them.

[@jarerarebear1765]

At least Metroid always had its own identity. Donkey Kong just got swallowed up in the Mario spin off games. Just another character to fill out the roster.

[@jarerarebear1765]

Other M and Federation Force were like flies in their soup. It didn't matter that Retro was done working on the Prime series. Metroid fans were mad Retro was "wasting" its talent on Donkey Kong, when they could have been making proper Metroid games.

[@redbones6046]

"We know Retro's not doing Prime 4 either" Heh, time travel

[@TheFallingFlamingo]

Stumbled upon your channel by accident, and was absorbed into your metroid series (I've never even played a metroid game) and now I'm here. You've earned your sub good sir, your content is excellent.

[@alenor210]

I'm so happy that they are porting Tropical Freeze to the switch!

[@anon4336]

I had a Wii and skipped the wii u but wanted to play a lot of games on it but with a massive PS4 backlog and generally having less time to play games on the TV I just bought a 3ds but now that they're putting all the good Wii U games onto switch slowly with more features and better graphics on a platform which will be far more supported I can't wait to retire my 3ds and go all in on the switch.

[@chrisedwards9424]

Hey, at least they're now porting this game to Switch!

[@cyberyu640]

ChristendoSwitch I hope for him to make a video of it.

[@chrisedwards9424]

Cyberyu Yeah, I hope he does.

[@bert7651]

And the people that didn't support the Wii u version still had a bitch fit about the price.

[@TheMGMfan]

Punchy Primeape To be fair, it was a four year old game that was $50 when it first launched, so its borderline-if not downright- impossible to justify full price for a port of it in 2018 even with Funky mode. A lot of the people who aren’t fans of the price are also probably people who already played it and don’t want to pay full price to play something they can already play, which is fair. I don’t feel that ports themselves are a problem. In fact, I’m all for them on the Switch as long as the game in question can possibly run well on the system. The problem is that since these aren’t meant for the hardcore Nintendo fans that already played them but rather those who didn’t have a Wii U and missed out as a result, they treat them like new ones because they technically are to these people in that they never played them before, and there for mark them at $60, which kinda sucks for those who already played them, especially in 2018, where it was mostly ports.

[@thehoov6672]

Just found this channel... How you only have 114k followers is beyond me. Amazing scripts, gags, productions, narrative flow. Awesome work 👌

[@danielinostroza7122]

Just got Tropical Freeze (July 10th) and I must say, after 5 hours of play (currently on Bright Savanna), it's an amazing game!

[@lightbrand_]

I saw multiples dumb critics on a french website taking down this game because it was "too hard"... THIS GAME DOESN'T SUCK, YOU SUCK!

[@sandman8993]

Matteo Joachim love the difficulty

[@moro9146]

i guess they never played DKC2. oh god, that thing was sure hard

[@lightbrand_]

Now that I've seen I really must play this game... But Xenoblade Chronicles 1 and X are just taking all my time^^

[@Alex-mb2cy]

I loxed Xenoblade Chronicles, but X just wasn't for me. Glad you like it at least.

[@BDaMonkey]

It's more manageable than Returns, in terms of difficulty.

[@1sonicthe]

A video about Donkey Kong instead of Other M should've been Metroid

[@VrikoLaka]

He did Other M. But it's Patreon only. You should check it out :P (no, i'm not a patreon either, not because I don't want to, but because I don't have the money to do so :( )

[@1sonicthe]

It's timed patreon or forever patreon only?

[@VrikoLaka]

Probably Forever Patreon Only.

[@GeekCritique]

Uh... lot of misinformation here. I'm doing Other M next, but it's not out yet, and it won't be Patreon exclusive.

[@scottgrasser9737]

do you do patreon forever only stuff?? and if so what kind of stuff

[@SlapadelicMusic]

"if you're a bit younger you see Donkey Kong as just another Mario character" which is ironic since Mario is a Donkey Kong character

[@tophario1492]

10:58 Windmill Hills is such a lovingly crafted tune. Brings a tear to my eye. This game is a tour de force of love that absolutely dazzles and scintillates the senses as the sweet nectar of a crystal coconut soothes the soul.

[@therisingdyingidiot8022]

Tropical Freeze is better than Returns.

[@alexinabox6931]

AUU tenfold

[@henriqueinacio8702]

@@lobster_bisque1 am2r is better

[@lobster_bisque1]

@@henriqueinacio8702 is it still up or was it permanently taken down?

[@henriqueinacio8702]

@@lobster_bisque1 you can still downloads Just tipe on google

[@Sam_T2000]

_Tropical Freeze_ might be the best 2D platformer ever made...

[@CompleteAnimation]

Please port to the Switch! I'd pay a full $60 for it!

[@asims615]

Every DKC game has been ported to a handheld, so I wouldn't be surprised if a port is announced within the next few years.

[@advr6729]

jodudeit Yes,do a port / a new game, we need it.

[@Asderios]

I 've been waiting years for Tropical Freeze 3D.

[@awkwardsilence4427]

I'd love to see both games ported to the Switch actually, as it'd be the definitive version of Returns given that it would be in HD and not have motion controls. Or, conversely they could have motion controls as an option with the joycons (say what you will about the motion controls in most cases, but being able to give each boss a beat down post boss fight via them is incredibly cathartic).

[@CompleteAnimation]

I know, right? Too bad it doesn't come out until may. Oh, well. I've waited this long, I can wait for five more months!

[@keshinigisten4937]

I've never thought of getting a switch I know it's late but because of you I'm getting a switch with dkc tropical freeze for Christmas . best youtuber

[@T-Dawg75]

“We know retro isn’t doing prime 4” That line aged well

[@djayramos2331]

I sometimes feel like i'm the only guy who actually got DKC:TP from the start and loved it. Its even my favourite DKC when 2 was my fav for a long time.

[@Ray_2112]

Same for me. It was the reason for me to buy a Wii U - I waited still, but when they announced DKCTF I knew I had to have it asap! :) DKC2 (and OoT) is my favourite video game ever, but still I had to come to the conclusion that DKCTF tops it and is imo even the best 2D-platformer ever.

[@BDaMonkey]

I loved it on reveal. I couldn't get the hate for it. Returns was a blast, so more DK, with the return of Dave Wise was amazing to me. I'm glad the game exceeded all my expectations.

[@dr6559]

DJay Ramos I did too. This game is part of the reason why I loathe the Metroid fanbase.

[@dr6559]

Doggo X80 The reason I said that is that they got pissy over what is, in my humble opinion, a MAGNICIFCENT game.

[@k-leb4671]

The only reason I wanted to buy a Wii U back in 2014 was because of DKC: Tropical Freeze. All the other games on the platform were just bonuses.

[@dukemon6163]

And Tropical Freeze wasn't really a failure. Looking at the sales of all the games on Wii U that aren't Smash Bros, Mario, Zelda or Splatoon. This game still sold more than 1 million. They re not the huge sales of the original Trilogy or Returns, but it's very close to Pikmin 3 and way more than other franchises that tanked hard like Mario non-Kart spin offs, Star Fox Zero or Kirby and the Rainbow Curse. There is hope for more Donkey Kong guys!!

[@Ray_2112]

Yes, especially since EVERY franchise sold less than usual...since nobody bought the Wii U unfortunately.

[@drbuni]

I was there on NeoGAF when it was announced, I remember all the disappointment. The sad thing is platformers are still seen as disposable, as a lesser genre by many, and it is a damn shame. Such a beautiful genre.

[@craigmckenzie4967]

“We know retro isn’t working on Metroid Prime 4” About that…

[@oldluigimii3078]

When I saw that opening cutscene, I was hyped at what the leader of the snowmads could be (I was imagining a dark DK or something like that), only to be so disappointed that it was just a giant walrus. At least the fight with him is fun.

[@jarerarebear1765]

Yeah, shrouding him in shadow at the beginning was a bit contrived, but hey, they did that in the original manual and version of Donkey Kong Country too. Until you got to the final boss fight, you didn't know what King K. Rool even looked like, or what moves he would use on you. Lord Frederik is at least a better final boss fight than King K. Rool on the SNES.

[@oldluigimii3078]

Best 2d platformer of all time, imo.

[@williamwhite2568]

LuigiMii Super mario world and DKC2 Sonic 3 and Knuckles Sonic Mania and Mega Man X

[@linkluver_izn]

LuigiMii it’s up There for me

[@codacious14]

I agree, it's right up there with SMW and the original DK games, and DKCR

[@tounsi_m7ashesh]

Rayman legends

[@Darkside13190]

As a HUGE Rayman Fan, I admit that Tropical Freeze was just mindblowing

[@dirklogan4699]

I love DK. Recently been replaying them on the SNES app on switch and had to buy tropical freeze. They’re just visually fun games and the challenges are addicting. The music is always top notch. Bring on the next DK!

[@waywardlaser]

I didn't play this one until it came out on the Switch, even though I had a Wii U. Now it's easily my favourite platformer of all time.

[@bens5859]

The first savannah island level is so beautiful cry evertim

[@BDaMonkey]

FUCKING YES. It was amazing. It always reminds me of The Lion King.

[@44bigfreeze]

There are a lot of amazing levels in Tropical Freeze.

[@idiotababaca2126]

Ben S sometimed i come back to the game just to play this level xD. Thinking of trying hard mode but oh boy

[@RurouniZel]

Ya did it! Coming to Switch in May / Funky Kong playable.

[@robertlauncher]

“Retro did not take the Mario approach with water levels” They took the Rayman Origins approach

[@Birthnote]

YES!! And thank GOD they did! Dixie in particular has the Rayman Origins approach to a T whereas Diddy and Cranky have a more creative spin

[@robertlauncher]

@@Birthnote I’m just sad Origins doesn’t get the credit it deserves for making controls underwater far better than they’ve been in sidescrollers.

[@mrpro538]

@@robertlauncher I haven't played Origins, but the water levels in Legends were (mostly) really good

[@robertlauncher]

@@mrpro538 The main controls went pretty much unchanged between games, Murphy sections aside. So yep, same

[@mrpro538]

@@robertlauncher I want to try Origins. Is It better than Legends?

[@mattregan366]

Really happy about what you said about the puzzle pieces. No review or critic of this game 4 years ago never even touched on just how less tedious they were compared to Returns.

[@boshwa20]

"Well, I'm gonna go out for a run-" *video pops up in recommended* "YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!"

[@GeekCritique]

While I'm sure the great outdoors have their benefits, this is why I usually run on a treadmill. I can KZbin (or, more often lately, play Pokémon games) _and_ run at the same time! :P Hope you enjoyed the video, nonetheless!

[@ApolloDawn85]

An excellent critique on one of the best 2D platformers out there. Plus, we just got that announcement that Tropical Freeze is getting a Switch port! I'm so happy that this underrated gem can hopefully get another chance to shine in a world with a crazy popular Nintendo console and a world where Metroid is back and we don't have to deal with "should've been Metroid". I'm getting it day 1 again and I can't wait to 200% it again and I hope Retro can make a 3rd DKC game to put a wrap on an excellent series of 2D masterpieces.

[@eberherrera1626]

Congrats on 100k views! It went from 70,000 when it originally uploaded to 100,000 views and seeing that gives me hope that people will support the switch version of Tropical Freeze after seeing this video.

[@caramel1301]

7:36 Hey DK returns was my childhood... No wonder Im such a tryhard.

[@sandman8993]

My favourite game of all time!

[@BDaMonkey]

You have great taste!

[@gonknodge]

Sandman 89 same here man. Replay it every 6 months or so

[@ImHeywood]

I agree 1000% - this game is literally the best

[@SillyKoalas]

👍👍👍 same. Only games in competition are MGS3/2 and OOT

[@pyrrhickong]

Excellent work as always. DKC: TF was the first game I played on an HD television... and I didn't realize the inherent lag that came with that compared to CRT, so I played the game with about ten frames of lag. I... probably owe it a replay and a massive apology due to that. Still beat it, though, because dammit DK is just that good, and the design and engrossing levels absolutely needed to be completed. The cliff level homage on Donkey Kong Island gave me chills it was so striking, beautiful, and melancholy. The sheer destruction and feeling of "reclaim your home" was put on full force when scaling an enemy offensive. By my account, it's the strongest a platformer has ever been in combining theme and engrossing design. Thank you for addressing everything surrounding this game as well. Its poor sales and general "forgotten" status despite being so good made me feel like maybe the kind of platformers I loved were being passed by, that the challenge I craved had become antiquated and relegated to Super Meat Boy-esque titles that allowed short spurts instead of atmospheric experiences. This... this has given me hope that my favorite series will keep going and can continue to excel. I can't thank you enough for that = )

[@tvsonicserbia5140]

Every HDTV has more lag than CRT, but some are much better than others, and if you only play there it's normal to you so your brain automatically calculates it.

[@ExtremeAce]

The non-Metroid fans who bashed on Retro for not making a new Metroid game wouldn't even have bought the new Metroid. The fact that Returns sold more than the Prime Trilogy combined speaks that.

[@felixorozco4055]

that depends, really. Have to take into account that Other M was the most recent game in the franchise and, after a negative reception, a return to form to a more acclaimed style would've surely driven attention to it, more so now in advanced hardware compared to the original trilogy.

[@timothyt.82]

It's been 5 years. 5. Years. They took my Donkey Kong away.

[@AlfonsoSRT]

So he has a problem with DK punching the moon and it bouncing back into the sky, but not with a giant walrus blowing the Kongs kilometers away with a horn that also freezes an island instantly and then levitating its ship to the top of a mountain... And then the Kongs air surfing on top of flowers that came out of the aforementioned horn.

[@ArchenOpteryx]

In the case of the horn, it has the whole "magical viking thing" motif going for it, so it doesn't feel contrary to the usual tone of the series. On the other hand, DK is strong, but he's not "punch the moon out of the sky, only for it to get launched back into place with no major damages" strong. That's a little too cartoony for my tastes.

[@GeekCritique]

Yup, you pretty much nailed it!

[@ZSXDFV]

the problem with the ending isn't that it's cartoony and fantastical, but because it's played for laughs and feels very anti-climactic.

[@alltoasterstoasttoast1521]

Great video! This game really is a work of art, and especially the MUSIC. I've only subscribed recently but I am very glad I did!

[@michaelhulcy6680]

Yooooooo your alternate bad guy story is so dooooope. Should've totally been it!

[@Firebyte27]

"We know retro isn't working on Metroid Prime 4-" Jontron: "That one didn't age quite so well."

[@jarerarebear1765]

I think Diddy's Jet pack should have been changed to function more like Dixie's Propeller hair. It would Rocket DK and Diddy upward, Dixie's jump could have functioned more like it did in DKC 2, more of a controllable glide than a double jump. Dixie would have still been fun to use, and Diddy wouldn't have been so ignored.

[@idiotababaca2126]

Jared RB Garrison yea or maybe give diddy more functional pistols, able to stun from afar or actually kill enemies. It would make it his own niche and maybe especially useful for kids or new players, wich integrates into his special ability (getting lives)

[@k-leb4671]

That's pretty much what I've thought since the game was released. It means that both Kongs could have different secret paths, with Diddy being all about using his extra height to grab goodies or get onto really high ledges, whilst Dixie would be able to cross gaps that are otherwise impossible.

[@kylecampbell565]

Or have Diddy’s jet pack allow him to swim faster

[@44bigfreeze]

+Kyle Campbell I'm pretty sure it already does

[@kylecampbell565]

Ragnar Ahlman what does Dixie do underwater

[@ihatestairs9034]

I sincerely hope that Nintendo doesn't ditch the Donkey Kong Country franchise after the low sales numbers of tropical freeze, DKC is way too good of a series for them to just end it now.

[@funbro99]

Eustace Bagge just like Metroid... personally I'm paranoid a other second will come...

[@foxymetroid]

It outsold Prime 2, but we still got Prime 3.

[@RedmoonStudiosYT]

I wouldn’t worry too much. The adoption rate of DKCTF was pretty high for the WiiU. I’m sure that Nintendo will realize that any game they release for this series on the switch will likely do better because of the higher number of switch owners.

[@greencapzelda372]

Eustace Bagge Now the Switch Port with Funky Kong is announced

[@CalebCraft10]

Eustace Bagge Thankfully the port will probably bring in a new audience. Especially since Prime 4 WAS announced.

[@CassiusTheSecond]

First time discovering this channel. I LOVE DKC:TF. IT IS SUCH a masterpiece of a game!

[@GroundMemory]

How funny it is that you voice your hopes for a port of DKCTF to the Switch in the end of this video, then your wish is granted in an announcement of this about three months after you publish this video. It’s a beautiful thing.

[@oscarzxn4067]

I'm just 18 years old, but I had the oportunity to play the DKC trilogy on an old Snes of my ant when I was like 5, and i beat them and became a fan of the series, so even if I played Returns when I was just 11, I could beat it even if It was really difficult. So, I'm really thankful to DKC for showing me how to accept a challenge since I was a kid.

[@theskyknight1002]

oscarzx n I was in a similar positon growing up. I played on games almost a decade old older than I... and it gave me patience and an appreciation for what they all had to offer. I can appreciate what many games bring to the table because of it, and so many more are valuable for what they've done. And either from lacking modern conviences or being too difficult, or even being too "ugly" people don't care for them.

[@sepentasgameplays7346]

You had an ant with a snes?? Woow that surely was a really big ass ant!!

[@bobopatchigglerrulez]

The problem was that Nintendo teased it by saying "Retro is working on something that everybody wants them to make" which made it sound like it was going to be Metroid.

[@TopCat0601]

I just watched all of your DKC videos.Thank you for making such a comprehensive look at my favorite game series!

[@ronaldguz]

This game is amazing. One of the best platformers of all time, its so underrated

[@TheCartoonGamer8000]

One of my favourite video games of all time, and what a sequel should strive to be. I still hold out hope that there'll be a third DKCR game if only to see Parry the Parallel Bird (joking). Another great video, man!

[@boltstrike2787]

If this is what you think every sequel should be like I'd never buy another sequel again.

[@GeekCritique]

Oh, it's no joke from me. I would mark out SO HARD if I found a Parry the Parallel Bird crate in a third DKCR-style game.

[@leviathanx4383]

BoltStrike its better than returns. so your saying youd stick to playing lesser games than sequels that improve upon level design and mechanics. very smart

[@boltstrike2787]

+leviathanX I'm saying I don't want an expansion pack sequel that makes barely noticeable changes to level design and throwing in new characters that don't really add much. Let's see the Kongs actually have, you know, new abilities and things that actually impact the game on a large scale. They've mainly been doing the same things for 20 years and it's getting repetitive and boring.

[@Yoknuckles2]

BoltStrike, "expansion pack" barely "noticeable changes" I dont remember returns having water levels where the kongs can not only swim but attack, with each character having a special ability , dixies twirling hair, cranky beating difficult enemies like sharks, diddy's jet pack providing a short boost under water, i dont remember cranky being in returns being able to jump over spikes and hazards and killing enemies you couldnt normally jump on, i dont remember dixie being in the game providing the similar hair twirl as dkc2. I dont remember the kongs being able to skip over water when rolling with a buddy. I dont remember returns having the kong pow move, i dont remember returns having pullable hooks that effects the level and provides items, i dont remember returns having 2.5d dynamic angles. You talk about how throwing enemies doesn't add much, where do i even start about how its convenient for opening bonus rooms, taking out enemies from afar, and keeps the flow going i dont believe you, returns didnt have a variety of ways of taking out enemies, that was changed in tropical freeze providing a variety of enemies requiring certain ways to kill them such as not being able to roll into enemies with spears or shields, not being able to jump over enemies with giant hammers, not being able to jump on enemies with spiked helmets, throw-able objects that can kill enemies in one hit and make boss fights more interesting. No noticeable changes that barely changes the gameplay, i fully disagree tropical freeze improved almost every aspect of returns and it shows. The themes are all original and creative with a thematic link between them. You could say the minecarts and rocket barrels are similar but they do subtle changes to provide a different experience such as dynamic camera angles switching rails and even riding in a toboggan on the surface of water or becoming a snowball rampaging through the snowmads defences. This game is an example of how to do 2D modern platfromers and for you to say there were barely any changes makes me think that you have some high expectations. Cause this is a sequel done right.

[@xuhiken]

Amazing series! You can really see the passion behind every video :)

[@discoron77]

Here's hoping that strong DKCTF Switch sales brings Returns 3!

[@luxxrecords]

1:44 you thought you were slick with banjo and kazooie weren’t ya

[@pengo2418]

BRO I watched this video so many times and never noticed that !

[@MCFPapa]

Who else was disappointed by how no one could beat DKC Returns' Mole Patrol easily at the Nintendo World Championships?

[@jarerarebear1765]

Some pro gamers they are. I've played Returns so many times, I can make it through that level in one go.

[@MCFPapa]

If they really were the best of the best, they would've had to play Hot Rocket or Roasting Rails on Mirror Mode

[@TheFifthWill]

Hot Rocket on Mirror Mode? Like that would change anything.

[@OneRandomVictory]

MCFPapa That level is challenging but without having to go for the puzzle pieces, It’s not nearly as challenging.

[@sintheemptyone8108]

Wow... sounds like those guys were mere jobbers. That, and many of them were only chosen because of their popularity if I recall correctly.

[@KevinCow]

I agree with basically every word in this video. You mentioned everything that I love about the game, and even touched on all my nitpicks. I thought I was the only one who was annoyed by the bramble level not having a version of Stickerbush Symphony (side note: it's actually Stickerbush, not Stickerbrush). Though I'd also add that the beehive level should've had a version of Flight of the Zinger. One thing that I think really hurt the game's image that you kinda touched on but could've gone into a bit more detail on is that Nintendo really struggled to market the game. Most games will be marketed with their unique selling points, or USPs, and Tropical Freeze just didn't have anything like that. Its selling point was just being an amazing platformer with masterful level design, and that's a really hard thing to convey to people. So Nintendo's answer was to not even try, and instead to focus the marketing on the most random things. Like they specifically mentioned the way the camera moves around during some barrel sequences and the part where the minecart can hop between rails as if they were really important new features, despite the first adding very little to the game and the second appearing in only one level. And then there was the whole fiasco at The Game Awards, where they hinted that there was going to be a major announcement... and then all they announced was that Cranky was the third partner, something that had leaked earlier anyway. Oh well. At least they didn't shove some Gamepad screen gimmick into the game just to give it a USP. It took me a while to come to terms with it because DKC2 had been my favorite platformer for nearly 20 years, but I was eventually able to admit that it was dethroned by Tropical Freeze. I normally don't care about review scores, but it's an absolute crime that its critical reception was so tepid, and it was hardly even mentioned come GotY discussions. Even its soundtrack was ignored on most best soundtrack lists, which is just mind-boggling to me. Like, okay, sure, I get a 2D platformer not winning GotY, but there's no reason its soundtrack shouldn't have been universally acclaimed. There's an infamous clip from the Giant Bombcast where they're deliberating on soundtrack of the year, and one guy mentions DKC. None of them have played it, so they let him play the first like 20 seconds of three different tracks, and then judge the entire soundtrack on that miniscule sample. They compare it to elevator music and dismissively laugh at the fact that the one guy even brought it up. Anyway, I'd love a sequel to conclude the Returns trilogy. Fix the minor nitpicks, bring in Enquarde, Squitter, Rattly, and rideable Squawks, bring back Dave Wise and have him include some references to DKC3's soundtracks in the music (both of them, even though I know he didn't do the SNES one), and make the Kremlings the baddies (the Snowmads are great and I'd love to see them again, but it would thematically make sense to have different baddies in each game, culminating in DK's arch nemesis). Maybe the plot could be that the Kongs were captured and have to escape Crocodile Isle, so kinda the opposite of DKC2. But fanboy daydreaming aside, I'm sure whatever Retro's making will be great. At the very least, though, they need to get Monster Games to port TF to Switch like they did DKCR for 3DS. Fix the loading, give the option to play as the partners solo outside of one hit kill and no checkpoints mode, and maybe even add a few new levels like they did for DKCR. Okay, I'm done rambling now. I just really love this game and have a lot to say about it.

[@k-leb4671]

Liked just because you recognize the song as being called "Stickerbush Symphony".

[@k-leb4671]

Well, they ported the game to the Switch, but fixed absolutely zero problems (except maybe the loading, but I don't know) and added a mode that is debatable in how worthwhile it is. Wait, I already replied to this comment?

[@josiahferrell5022]

K-leb so here's the deal with the song title. David Wise himself has tweeted about this. He said "officially, it is Stickerbush." However he follows it up by saying that he actually prefers Stickerbrush or Bramble for the name.

[@SinnedNogara]

Retrospectives have been great so far. Wario/Yoshi series retrospectives?

[@BringMayFlowers]

KZbin recommended me this video on Tropical Freeze. A giant winter storm froze the entire US over and KZbin recommended me a video on Tropical Freeze. I mean, to be fair, I've probably watched this video 20 times already...