Topic: Donkey Kong Country 2D platformers > Mario 2D platformers

After having played both DKC: Tropical Freeze and New Super Mario Bros. U, it dawned on me that once again, DKC is the superior platformer, even if people don't give it the series the props it deserves.

In fact, I will go out on a limb and say that for the most part, besides Yoshi's Island perhaps, the DKC series has always been superior to Mario 2D platformers, to include Super Mario World..........I think my opinion stems from the overall aesthetic of the DKC series, which is very organic and nature-focused. Even DKC 3 has this very cool northern temperate forest vibe going on.............and the music, man, DKC is one of the greats.

Mechanically, I'll admit that Mario is more of a precision platformer, very tight in it's control, and DKC is more rhythmic / momentum based, but yeah, I got to say, DKC wins pretty much hands down.

I also prefer the level design from DKC over SMB, DKC's levels feel as if they are all individually and uniquely crafted by hand, whereas SMB seems to reuse a lot of objects over and over.

The orginal Donkey Kong Country games have aged horribly whilst the orginal Bros - World still keep their charmes. Tropical Freeze is brilliant tho, easily the better than Returns & New Super Mario Bros.

Hmm, I played through DKC 1/2/3 back to back on my SNES in late 2012, and I don't believe they have aged any more than the other 2D platformers of that generation, if anything, the overall aesthetics of the those games still stand out, and I found the mechanics to still be solid.

You only figured this out now?

I think Donkey Kong Country Returns is one of the best platformers ever!!!!! It's way better than any of those New Super Mario Bros games.

However, to me, the original DKC hasn't aged well at all................... _{I've never played DKC2 or 3}
And the old 2D Mario games (on NES and SNES) are still fine as wine!

...........also, as far as DKC ageing badly, I mean c'mon, if you can't smile when your enter that first water level and aquatic ambience starts playing from your speakers, your not human.

I've said this for years. I don't even know why I bother with 2d Mario anymore really. I'll also put the last 2 Rayman games way up above 2d Mario. Those 2 series are the direction I want to see 2d platformers take. 2d Mario needs to die a quick death!!

I haven't played Donkey Cong Country Returns and Tropical Freeze, but the SNES games were somewhat boring. The levels felt too similar due to the only changing mechanics being the different mounts and the obligatory underwater levels. The SNES Mario games felt much more interesting and creative with their smart powerup usage (especially with secret exits).

@sub12 Or, like in my case, don't like the track at all, or Donkey Kong in general.

I think the recent ones are definitely better. But Nintendo hasn't tried (Like 3D World tried) with a 2D Mario.

The Newer mod is great. (It is what a 2D Mario should be like) but due to it being mod it has a few rough edges.

NSLU is pretty good (Should have had full size levels and the choice of Mario or Luigi though).

I preferred the tag team setup.

I think Tropical Freeze was too easy. (DKC2 is harder than the first which is how it should be).

So you don't like the DKC soundtrack? Get out of here............

Gangplank Galleon, and remember this is 16 bit, mind blown.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lS7_tcwsj4E

Agree that Rayman Origins and Legends are superior to any recent 2D Mario.

Almost every decent 2D platformer released in the last 23 years > every 2D Mario Platformer

I feel they both offer different and unique types of platforming.

Both series have become incredibly generic and stagnant, so I'd say it doesn't matter which one is better. They're both crap.

Have you played Tropical Freeze?

There is a small amount of Legends that is ok. (The Shaolin Master Dojo and Olympus Maximus - rest of it along with all of Origins is rubbish).

At least the whole of NSLU is good. (And there is probably about 1 1/2 worlds that are ok in NSMB + the Challenges).

Agreed. The DKC games are amazing.

The NSMB games don't even come close at being as good. The variety, difficulty, visuals etc., the DKC games just beat the NSMB games in every area possible.

Tropical Freeze is basically playing catch up with the Classics in terms of gameplay mechanics while offering nothing unique. Fancy level themes don't really make up for that.

I almost agree. DKC games are definetly more challenging from the start. They a bit slower pace, but that's not bad. Mario is def my personal fav however. Nostaglia and years of gaming I know are talking making me a little bias, but any series has it high and low points. Of all the new 2d DK and Mario games, DKC returns is my fav, with Mario Bros Wii U next, then Luigi U, DKCTP and NSMBwii. But look at that list, all amazing games. I have to comment towards Rayman, I enjoyed it, but not as much as either other series. And Little Big Planet is absolutely terrible IMO except for the level creating aspect. The actual gameplay is terrible.