Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze News
May2022
News Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Artist Talks About "Frustrating" Zelda Rumours
Not-so Funky mode
Back when Retro Studios was riding high on the success of the Metroid Prime trilogy, not many expected them to jump off of the space bounty hunter's ship and into the jungle in Donkey Kong Country Returns. This fantastic platformer rebooted the Donkey Kong Country series from the SNES with beautiful visuals, tight platforming, and...
December2021
Feature The Many Faces Of Donkey Kong, Nintendo's 40-Year-Old Gorilla
Four decades of DK
Nintendo’s monkey of manifold mantles – one Donkey Kong, Esq. – recently turned 40. Forty years young and still so vital, but it could be reasonably argued that the ol’ Kongmeister has been undergoing a bit of an identity crisis for most of his lifespan. The man-ape has turned from heel to face to heel more times than The...
May2018
Careful: this includes spoilers
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze hasn't changed much in the transition between Wii U and Switch, so if you've already played that version you won't have a ton of questions. However, it's safe to say that the Switch has a much larger audience than the Wii U did, so a bunch of you will be coming into this excellent...
Guide Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Boss Strategies - Tips And Tricks To Beat Every Boss
Like a boss
So you thought the bosses in Dark Souls were hard? Ha! That's adorable. You clearly haven't fought a Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze boss just yet. Okay, in all seriousness, the bosses in Tropical Freeze are pretty tough, and require the very best of your reflexes and memory to beat – much like in Dark Souls. Each boss does have...
Rise from your Mangrove
Puzzle pieces and KONG letters are the big collectibles in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, provided you're not a total masochist and feel the need to run time trials or aim for 200% completion via hard mode. We really can't help you with that. But we can help you collect all of the lovely puzzle pieces and KONG...
Guide Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Complete Walkthrough - All Puzzle Pieces And Kong Letters
Warm up
Puzzle pieces and KONG letters are the big collectibles in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, provided you're not a total masochist and feel the need to run time trials or aim for 200% completion via hard mode. We really can't help you with that. But we can help you collect all of the lovely puzzle pieces and KONG letters. While they're...
Tropical Freeze-pops
Puzzle pieces and KONG letters are the big collectibles in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, provided you're not a total masochist and feel the need to run time trials or aim for 200% completion via hard mode. We really can't help you with that. But we can help you collect all of the lovely puzzle pieces and KONG letters...
Heights of challenge
Puzzle pieces and KONG letters are the big collectibles in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, provided you're not a total masochist and feel the need to run time trials or aim for 200% completion via hard mode. We really can't help you with that. But we can help you collect all of the lovely puzzle pieces and KONG letters...
Not so bright
Puzzle pieces and KONG letters are the big collectibles in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, provided you're not a total masochist and feel the need to run time trials or aim for 200% completion via hard mode. We really can't help you with that. But we can help you collect all of the lovely puzzle pieces and KONG letters. While...
Nice and breezy
Puzzle pieces and KONG letters are the big collectibles in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, provided you're not a total masochist and feel the need to run time trials or aim for 200% completion via hard mode. We really can't help you with that. But we can help you collect all of the lovely puzzle pieces and KONG letters. While...
Home, sweet home
Puzzle pieces and KONG letters are the big collectibles in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, provided you're not a total masochist and feel the need to run time trials or aim for 200% completion via hard mode. We really can't help you with that. But we can help you collect all of the lovely puzzle pieces and KONG letters. While...
That's just K. Rool
Puzzle pieces and KONG letters are the big collectibles in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, provided you're not a total masochist and feel the need to run time trials or aim for 200% completion via hard mode. We really can't help you with that. But we can help you collect all of the lovely puzzle pieces and KONG letters...
December2016
Editorial Rediscovering the Simple Pleasures of 2D Platformers on Wii U
What mascots do best
Heading towards the festive period I often revisit older games, favourites that have perhaps been untouched for a year or two. That's certainly the case this year, where relatively few recent blockbusters (on any platform) have been tempting enough to make me part from my cash. There's also a bit of premature nostalgia at play,...
July2016
News More Discounts and Downloads Arrive on My Nintendo in Europe
Taking flight
Pinch, punch, start of a new month. Nintendo of Europe has added a small batch of new Rewards to My Nintendo in the region, and as is normal is going for smaller and regular updates in comparison to Nintendo of America. This time around we have two full downloads - or rather one across two platforms - along with a handful of...
April2016
Reminder Six Wii U Games Are Now Discounted to Nintendo Selects Prices in the European eShop
DK Tropical Freeze! Wind Waker HD! LEGO City! More!
It was mentioned in the European Nintendo Download Update at the start of the week, but five days is a long time in the modern world. Nintendo of Europe has released six 'Selects' budget titles for Wii U in stores, but pleasingly the discounts are also available on the eShop; there's even an extra...
March2016
News Five Wii U Releases Confirmed for Nintendo Selects Range in Europe
Will be joined by an equivalent eShop price cut
Update: A kind European tipster (PtM) has pointed out that Nintendo Land is also going to be part of this range in mainland Europe, though evidently not in the UK. Original Article: In recent times Nintendo of America has confirmed a handsome expansion to its Nintendo Selects range (due to launch on...
February2016
News Nintendo of America Confirms New Wii U, 3DS and Wii Nintendo Selects Titles for 11th March
Just $19.99 each
In mid-February a retailer listing from Canadian store VGP Video Games Plus pointed to a new batch of Nintendo Selects titles being on the way to North America. The good news is that the listing was accurate, with Nintendo of America confirming that the range of Wii U, 3DS and Wii games will be available for $19.99 - that's the US...
News New North American Nintendo Selects Range Emerges in Retailer Listings
Includes Wii U, 3DS and even Wii titles
The European range of Nintendo Selects titles - which is available at handsome price points - has continued to grow, leaving some in North America frustrated at the lack of progress in their region. Thankfully that seems to be heading for an improvement, with Canadian retailer VGP Video Games Plus apparently...
November2015
News Nintendo of Europe Confirms Its Second Batch of eShop Cyber Deals
DK x2! Pikmin 3! Ultimate NES Remix!
While Nintendo of America went for a varied batch of Black Friday to Cyber Monday offers for its eShop cyber deals, Nintendo of Europe is opting for a smaller number of options spread across 24 hour windows. The first batch featured key Mario titles and The Wonderful 101, and the latest offerings blend some DK...
February2015
Video How To Game Safe On Valentine's Day
Who wants to go out, when you can have a romantic night of gaming?
It's that time of the year, which is either a celebration of your love to another person, or just another day for those who aren't quite as lucky. Alas, this is a video for those of the former category, but the single folk amongst you could do worse than make some notes for that...
January2015
Poll Which Current Generation Nintendo Soundtracks Would You Buy?
Moving beyond occasional Club Nintendo giveaways
Earlier today Nintendo Europe added The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds soundtrack to Club Nintendo, which is jolly for those in the region with a load of stars to spend, but disappointing for anyone else. It continues Nintendo's slightly odd policy of creating some of the greatest soundtracks...
October2014
Nintendo Download 16th October (Europe)
DK delights and discounts, Lone Survivor, themes, PAC-MAN and more
The start of a fresh week can be a happy occasion for European Nintendo gamers, as it means Nintendo Download Update news. While it doesn't always provide thrills and spills, this week's selection certainly has some tempting options, including a new title on Wii U, some retro...
August2014
Feature Ten Wii U and 3DS Games That Are Perfect For Summer - Community Choices
Games you're playing in this sunny season
Earlier this Summer we brought you two top 10 Wii U and 3DS game lists for the season, one for retail titles and another for eShop releases. We also promised to take your suggestions from the comments in those articles for a community list; so here we are. Naturally we've only picked 10, five for Wii U and...
June2014
Feature Our Top 10 Wii U Retail Games - Summer 2014
Our favourites so far
With E3 2014 right around the corner, Nintendo seems set to prioritise the Wii U in its Digital Event, subsequent coverage and, of course, the Super Smash Bros. Invitational. The 3DS will have a role to play, of course, but many eyes are on Nintendo's home console to see how it'll capitalise on the recent success of Mario Kart...
April2014
News Patch Fixes Bug in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Thaws out a progress-stopping problem
Nintendo has made a software update available for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze today that fixes a game-halting glitch in World 3. According to update notes, the patch will solve an issue some players have faced when completing level 3-3, Frantic Fields and finding no path has opened to the next level,...
March2014
Video DK Breaks The Ice in These Short Tropical Freeze Animations
For your viewing pleasure
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze has been out for a few weeks now and — as we reported earlier this week — it’s selling quite a few copies as well as assisting Wii U sales. Everyone’s favourite gaming ape is certainly playing his part, seemingly winning the hearts of many that play it. If you can’t seem to...
News Nintendo Highlights Positive February Sales in the U.S. of Bravely Default and Tropical Freeze
Wii U hardware and software increase compared to February 2013
It's that time again, with the NPD results — which cover physical retail sales in the U.S. — for February starting to emerge. Nintendo has, in a surprising twist on previous months, been quick to jump into the fray with its results, no doubt due to the fact it could report positive...
Four Nintendo titles in the top 10
We often report the weekly UK and Japanese chart results here on Nintendo Life, as well as the monthly NPD results for the U.S., but there are a significant number of other valuable territories in which Nintendo is competing. It can also paint a worrying picture for European sales as titles struggle in the UK,...
Modest performance in multi-platform releases, too
The latest UK software chart results are in, and they make worrying reading for Nintendo. With 2014 well under way and new releases increasingly arriving on multiple platforms, weekly sales of Nintendo titles — and multiplatform titles on Wii U and 3DS — are being increasingly pushed out of the...
News Nintendo Canada Unpeels The Making Of Its Tropical Freeze Contest
4835 bananas are frozen in total, breaking DK's heart
To help celebrate the launch of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, you may have heard of Nintendo Canada's pretty extravagant contest, Banana Mania. With everything having wrapped up last month, we're all now able to get a peek behind the scenes and see exactly how it was done. A video
News Senran Kagura Bursts Into The UK Top 40 While Donkey Kong Country Hangs A Little Higher Up
Racy subject matter helps niche fighter gain some sales
Senran Kagura Burst isn't your typical 3DS title — it features large-chested anime girls rather than rotund Italian plumbers — but it has gained quite a bit of attention ahead of its European release. We've seen saucy (and
Month Of Kong What Donkey Kong Country Means To Me
Dave Letcavage on growing up with Kong as company
We know what you're going to say. Our Month of Kong celebration should have ended with the close of February, and we're now two days into March. However, in very much the same way that Nintendo refuses to be tied down by conventional calendars when it comes to plotting The Year of Luigi, we're...
February2014
News Retro Studios Talks Up Wii U And Has Been Working On A New Title Since November
Speculation ahoy!
With Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze now settling into stores around the world, its developer Retro Studios is looking back on the development and hinting at what's to come. As a first-party studio with high-profile experience on GameCube, Wii and now Wii U, it's also in a position to share its perspective on the hardware...
Month Of Kong Tropical Freeze Composer David Wise On Working With The Ape Again
A Rare breed of composer
As we all know, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze launched this month on the Wii U, and comes with a glorious soundtrack composed by former Rare staffer and original Donkey Kong Country music-maker David Wise. We got chance to sit down and chat with Wise recently, and he shared a few thoughts on what it was like working...
News Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Makes Top 10 Début in UK All-Format Charts
The highest new entry of the week
After being pushed back from a Holiday season release, Retro Studio's Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze arrived in Europe and North America on 21st February. The UK chart results covering its opening weekend of sales are in — reflecting physical retail purchases only — and the platformer has managed to swing a...
Feature When Cranky Kong Took On Twitter
Madness? Brilliance? Both?
With Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze now on sale in Europe and North America, Nintendo of America celebrated the big launch by having 'Cranky Kong' takeover its official Twitter account. The elderly ape — the original Donkey Kong from the arcade according to lore — has been promoted for his entertaining character,...
News UK Retailer, GAME, To Hold Special Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Day Next Week
In select stores, of course
Yes, at last it’s finally here, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze has landed in the UK and US. It’s been three years since the primate pilgrim had his own private outing, but we’re just as happy to see him now as we were all those years ago; to celebrate the simian superstar’s frosty return UK retailer, GAME,...
Nintendo Download 20th February (North America)
DK is back, NES action, forging weapons, kung fu rabbits and more
The time has come, North America, for details of the goodies that'll be available to download on the eShop stores this week. The latest title from Retro Studios is the headline arrival on Wii U, while two NES games (one on each current Virtual Console) are joined by three promising...
Video Nintendo Minute Shows Off Two Favourite Levels From Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Tough but fun
With Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze now so close that we can smell the bananas, Nintendo's YouTube show 'Nintendo Minute' has naturally pitched in to show a little more of the game in action, with the co-hosts each picking a favourite level. First up is world 3-3 (Frantic Fields) which includes some heroic charging with Rambi...
Video These UK and US Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Adverts Are Islands Apart In Tone
Bongo-drumming up interest
By now you might have seen our coverage of the Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze commercial currently airing to promote DK's latest outing, and it's a fun showcase of gameplay and character that definitely paints a charming picture to drum up some anticipation. Today, a UK version of the same trailer has just arrived to...
News Retro Studios Outlines "Symbiotic Relationship" With Nintendo Teams
"We spent a lot of time working on fur as requested by Iwata-san"
With Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze swinging into Western stores this week, eager fans are no doubt continuing their own personal countdowns. Ahead of the release Official Nintendo Magazine has published its interview with Retro Studios CEO Michael Kelbaugh and Nintendo SPD...
News Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Only Sells Just Over 35,000 Units in Japanese Launch
No notable Wii U hardware boost
The latest Media Create Japanese chart results are in, and while there are positives for the 3DS there's little cheer for Wii U. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze arrived in Japan on 13th February and, despite coming in second in the charts, has failed to make a significant impact. Top honours in the software...
Nintendo Download 20th February (Europe)
It's on like ..., Retro City Rampages again, tasty discounts and much more
Monday morning means happy times for European download fans, and the latest update is through from Nintendo. This is a rather good week by most standards, with an exciting Wii U retail title being joined by some excellent titles on the 3DS eShop, with some tempting discounts...
News Nintendo Canada Announces an Awesome Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Contest
Where's Rain Man when we need him?
Calling all Canadian Nintendo Lifers! Nintendo of Canada Ltd. is currently running a special contest for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. The contest, aptly named "Banana Mania," is open only to Canadian residents and offers one Grand Prize and five second place prizes, both including a copy of Retro Studios'...
Month Of Kong Meet Donkey Kong's Extended Family
The gang is all here
As you're probably aware by now, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze hits the Wii U on February 21st. To mark this momentous occasion, we're running a month of Kong-related content on Nintendo Life — the first of which is this intriguing look at the famous simian's extended family. Grab some bananas, set your phone to "do not...
Video A Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze TV Commercial Swings Into North America
"Donkey Kong and friends got your back"
Nintendo of America, for a good while now, has opted to mix real-life actors with CG characters in its commercials, sometimes to excellent effect. A stand-out example was the North American advert for Pikmin 3, but now it's the turn of Donkey Kong and his companions to help out photogenic humans in need. The...
January2014
Video Japanese Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Trailer Swings Into View
The Kongs go bananas when they get the cold shoulder
A new Japanese video showcasing footage from the upcoming Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze has appeared, and it's chock-full of gameplay bits that may help tide fans over until the game's February launch. The video — which may contain spoilers for players who are trying to avoid seeing too...
Video World 2 Of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Looks Something Like This
Monkey business
We trust that our recent preview of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze has whet your appetite for some more simian-related fun — if so, then you're going to love the short but sweet highlights reel we've put together for World 2 of the upcoming Wii U platform adventure. We'll be running more videos in the next few weeks, leading...
Preview Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Dat HD fur
The E3 event can be a strange beast, as the unveiling of a sequel to one of the Wii's finest platformers was met with wails of despair in some corners. A number of fans, including this writer, wanted a fresh project from Retro that was either Metroid or something new, and instead we received Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. It's...
News Nintendo Confirms Rambi's Return in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Power play
With its release now a little over a month away, Nintendo is starting to gradually reveal more minor pieces of information for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. At the end of last year we were shown the return of Funky Kong, and now there's confirmation that a favourite from Donkey Kong Country Returns — and from the original Super...
