Retro Studios Handled The Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Port On Nintendo Switch

Well, see you again in 4 years! 😛

Maybe it was just a good excuse to port the engine and test it on Switch for the next game?
Get ready for Donkey Kong Country Antarctic Heatwave!

I’d like to see Retro make DKC: Returns 3 for Switch next, but I know most people probably want them to make something else. Is it bad that I want to see the return of Chunky and Lanky Kong (and King K. Rool)?

Retro studios next game is gonna be "Donkey Kong Country returns 3: because that's all we make nowadays"

" it's still a little surprising that Nintendo didn't out-source this work to another firm to free up resources for Retro's current project - which, lest we forget, we still know nothing about. "

Um, guys. I think we just got our answer.

This is great news! What a fantastic way to get used to the new console and its features! This makes me feel even more confident that their next game will deliver a great experience.

Nothing if not expected. Seemed pretty obvious to me, seeing as they have done all of them before, even assisting in the porting to the 3DS, so yeah...

@gatorboi352 Gotta agree with @Damo: that is a definite no. Retro has been busy with other stuff. I'm not completely counting on them showing what it is at this year's E3, but I really don't think that they have only been working on DKR.

THis has been known for months. Can't remember the source but it's been discussed thoroughly on ResetEra.

@MagnaRoader - Retro makes three Metroid disasters

"We need a 4th right now!"

Retro makes 2 DKC games

"God when will they get out of the DK rut they're in?!"

Literally baffles me to no end.

@Paraka If you’re insinuating that the Prime series was a disaster, then you’re the crazy one and very much in the minority.

@thesilverbrick - I am very much aware I am the minority, but people also say CoD is utter garbage and it sells gangbusters too.

Cannot quite say sales oft reflect quality.

But that's not what I was trying to convey with that post.

@thesilverbrick I just wanted to write the same thing regarding Metroid. But I have to agree with @Paraka that it's crazy that anyone could be angry if Retro was working on the next Donkey Kong Country.

@Paraka Tell me where in my comment I mentioned that I want them to work on another Metroid? It's your judgment of my comment that baffles me.

They are a talented studio and should be trying their hands on something new. That's what I want them to do. But hey lets just judge random people because it's the cool thing to do!

I hope it’s a third DK as well. The whining when Tropical Freeze was unveiled was unreal though.

@Paraka the difference is most people (myself included) not wanting them to make another DKC is we acknowledge the two they’ve made so far are great games; you, on the other hand, are saying the MP games were disasters just because you didn’t like them.

@Paraka If you’re referring to the sales performance of the Prime series then you have a bit more credibility. But those three games received near universal acclaim. Absolutely not disasters from that standpoint.

But I agree that the outrage over Retro possibly developing another Donkey Kong is foolish. Both Returns and Tropical Freeze were some of the best platformers I’ve ever played and I certainly would love to see what Retro could do next with that series, just not right away. I’d prefer to see them try something else, perhaps resurrecting another dormant IP or even trying something original before going back to Donkey Kong. They’re not the people behind Prime 4 anyway, so all the complainers have nothing to whine about.

I'm not worried. They're a company, they probably only had a smaller team work on the port. And even if it was the entire company, it probably didn't take long and it got them used to the Switch's architecture. I'm sure Retro has a new game relatively close to completion at this point.

@wiggleronacid Perhaps a new Kid Icarus?

@thesilverbrick - And widely CoD also has similar acclaim, but pretty sure most of us here would state differently.

You are right, however, about the people behind this. Technically I would wager the studio isn't who they are anymore either. But doesn't stop the Prime fanbase demanding Prime 4 to be shifted to them, not them clamoring to the 2D Metroid rumor as the "thing Retro is making."

The latter being far more prevalent.

@clvr - Doesn't really justify the scrapping on the idea. "The previous two are great but kick rocks if they dare make a third," holds as much weight on the matter as my opinion of Prime being awful for becoming the bar acceptable thing for Metroid to be.

@MagnaRoader - Your comment falls in line with similar responses about the mere idea of a third DKC. That response wasn't just about you.

I do agree I want them on something new, my response is namely because of the polarized responses each series had.

@Paraka Do not agree with Metroid beign a disaster. Having said that, I agree with the DK comments. It baffles me that after 2 games people are saying that that is enough!

@Paraka I’ve never played CoD, so I’ve never been in a position to criticize that series. And based on how wildly popular it is, it stands to reason that it must have some universal appeal. The general consensus I seem to gather about CoD among its critics is that it refuses to evolve in any meaningful way and is overdone, with its predictable formula getting very tired over years and years of annual installments. Doesn’t mean the games are bad, but even series that I love to death wear on me if they’re annualized and refuse to evolve significantly.

I remember when I saw the trailer of Tropical Freeze. My jaw was wide open. Why do people hate the idea of a new DK game?

@Damo No.

@jcgonzmo - I think it just holds that same "bad taste" of the Wii U release when it came out on the train of platformers Nintendo released in succession of one another. Now it's just tradition to squat on it cause reasons... I guess.

Interesting that it wasn't farmed out to someone else, that's generally what happens. Still though, what on earth are they working on? They've been quiet for far too long. They certainly didn't work on the Switch port for 4 years.

I NEED more DKC games by Retro studios, please! Tropical Freeze is fantastic!

Would love a final DK games from Retro Studios to end the Trilogy. Also please release a remastered version of Returns on the Switch.

On the Top 20 Nintendo Wii U, Tropical Freeze is currently number one, so the hype and exposure over the Switch release has given it a little boost on its original home, aw!

@Paraka DKR was amazing. DKTF near perfect. I would be happy with a sequel that includes at least one more animal buddy (Enguarde), a couple of more mine cart and rocket levels (that match the intensity of the levels of DKR, the fire dragons, the giant bat, the rolling egg, etc) and keep a similar design of the AWESOME and HARD boss fights. An extra would be if the enemies are the Kremlings.

@NESlover85 I didn't even think about that but that would be awesome. I wasn't a huge fan of the 3DS version due to the cumbersome controls and repetitive on-foot segments but a Switch version handled by Retro Studios would be awesome! Imagine longer flying sections with bosses similar to Star Fox, and more open on foot sections with the controls of a third-person shooter. I absolutely loved the characters and atmosphere of the 3DS game so I'd love to see it return!

@thesilverbrick Yeah CoD negativity usually equates to the same same syndrome of sports annual titles. CoD plays great, looks great but is pretty creatively linear and that's a bit of a ZzzzZ.

God I love this game, to change my "Nintnegative" tune on here, this game has made the wait since Bayonetta [for something not targeted at super young kids] pretty much worth it. I never I'd ever be thinking "pleassse let that new level be another minecart level" while playing a DK game.

@jcgonzmo - To be honest, if they were making a new DKC game (it is one of my favorite franchises), I would say the Kremlings have to come back. It would feel as we came full circle and met where we, as children, left off. Like the whole trilogy is us coming back "home" to what we knew.

Anything outside Kremlings would just be insulting.

@Paraka I think it's all a bit more nuanced than that: the Metroid Prime trilogy was made across several console generations, and far further apart from each other, whereas the DKR games have followed each other relatively quickly, and then there was also the 3DS version of the first game, and now there's a Switch version of the second game.

So to some people, that feels like much more of an overload of one series than the Metroid Prime series ever was. And another thing is that it has already been teased for many, many years, even BEFORE the reveal of the Wii U, that Retro Studios was busy making a game that would task the hardware of the Wii U to its limits, and it would be a game that was a new IP, made from the ground up, with its own, custom engine.

Now, DKR also has its own engine, but it is hardly unique or new and it certainly isn't maxing out any hardware, and many of us would like for Retro to simply show us what they're capable of, besides making 2.5D platformers, ports and helping Nintendo out with optimizations of 3DS titles...

So, nothing really baffling at all, and it certainly isn't as black & white as "well, Metroid Prime had 3 games, so DKR is also allowed to have 3".

Far as I'm concerned, that third DKR game is more than welcome, but preferably AFTER they've shown us something new that REALLY surprises and delights us, because it's (hopefully) going to be completely unique and interesting.

And speaking of baffling: no one can make me believe that all they've done in the last 5 years is make a port of a Wii U game and a new sequel to that same game, when the engine and (most of the) assets were already available and used in both games, so if that truly is the case, I would be VERY surprised, and also pretty disappointed in Retro Studios' capabilities, to say the least...

Even if they add some new things to it, it's still not going to be wildly different from the first two games, so it stands to reason that this new game really isn't a new DKR game, regardless of how bad some people would want it to be.

@Cosats - That's certainly the most productive comment in the history of comments.

@ThanosReXXX - All fair points, but ports aren't entirely the fault of Retro regardless. Well... Except this one, even then (as you stated) it'd be a huge surprise of all this time they got to show for us is another DKC all things considered.

@jswhitfield8 - You cannot convince me Nintendo cares about Wave Race. :[

@Paraka I know, that's on Nintendo, who simply told them what to do, so they probably had little say in it, but still...

They were once billed as a top-class studio of brilliant new talents, but now, they're just an external division of Nintendo, and we might never know what they're really capable of if Nintendo is going to squeeze yet another sequel out of them.

Personally, I'm kind of glad (although also a little apprehensive) that they're not doing the next Metroid game, so that they have hopefully had the time to put their skills to good use with a new IP.

And we all know that Nintendo could definitely use at least a couple of new ones...

From what I have heard, Retro has been working on an existing Nintendo IP, but is changing the genre of what that IP is typically known for.

@Paraka I was about to write a lot of things about the way of your thinking but seeing as how you are so egocentric I chose the simple "blah, blah" answer.

Still haven't picked it up yet. Gonna have to wait till payday now!

@Paraka Disasters

Dude. Metroid Prime and it's sequels are great.

@Cosats - So you disagree with my opinion, which I have stated I know I am the minority of, and proceeded with a dismissal to be edgy and superior without any genuine context to the matter? Even after I pointed out I was not making this about Prime.

Edgy, bro.

@ThanosReXXX - I am still bitter after all this time Ravenblade was never made into something. That felt like something incredible to me. Reminds me when they used to also have a Football game in the works, and if they'd be capable of doing something like Nintendo's wrestling game of the NES era.

Simple musings, though.

@MegaVel91 - Not the point I was making about the post.

Great so another game that has added a year to the actual retro project release date.
I mean how many years do these guys need to make a game!

@Paraka Yeah, I remember that one as well, and I share your sentiments on it. I still have the GameCube VHS tape that contains a trailer of that game, as well as all the Rare stuff that was supposed to come to the GameCube, but ultimately ended up on the Xbox 360.

Also worth mentioning is that the Prime games essentially carved out a new genre and identity for the Metroid franchise, whereas the two DKC games are more obvious continuations of the games that came before them.

With Donkey Kong Country Returns, we saw the Donkey Kong Country series... well, return. With Metroid Prime however, we saw Metroid as we'd never seen it before. A new DKC would essentially be DKC6, whereas a new Prime game would be Metroid Prime 4 (not counting the portable titles). In fact, it will be Prime 4 - we know it's coming, just not from Retro.

Personally, I'm hoping whatever Retro is making is... well, I don't know - a surprise! Something new and exciting that catches people slightly off guard. Not necessarily a new IP, but something that feels novel and engaging.

Thinking about it, the whole 'Retro's next game: DKC or Prime?" debate is probably pretty academic, as we know Prime 4 definitely not being made by Retro, and it seems unlikely that the next game is another DKC given that it would no doubt be ready for release about now, and that would feel a bit strange given how hard they've been pushing the rerelease of Tropical Freeze as an exciting new title. I don't expect a new Pokken or Mario Kart soon for similar reasons. So maybe I'll get my wish of something new and exciting!

weird that nintendo would let retro do the port. "hey guys, i guess you have nothing else to do..so can you port your old game? kthx"

@Kimyonaakuma give it up, these aren't tests of engines, or tests of market, etc, this is just a way to do cheap/quick development that has a chance at turning a profit. They're not "building hype" for the next one, they're not making fans forget Wii U, they're simply taking a game with easy to port assets, and for a minimal cost trying to fill in the massive gaps between Switch games, because Nintendo is being so stupid trying to prop up the dead 3DS by wasting development time/money on it when everyone else (Game Freak, Level 5, Atlus just to name a few) have already said they're done with 3DS, all their time/money is going into Switch.

Well then, sounds to me like their new project is in the final stages of production.

Only at the tail end of development do resources start getting freed up. This is almost certainly evidence their new game is about ready.

It also explains the immaculate quality of Funky Kong mechanics and movesets.

"So yeah, we still know nothing."

Thanks!

@Damo haha I agree, although I was more so saying that I think this was their "next" project lol

@pika677 We don't really know for sure, Retro Studios has been working on something for a while but it certainly wasn't just the port of Tropical Freeze. It's just good business to port the game, it's going to be new to a lot of people and I don't see anything wrong with making a great game available to more people.
I don't really think this is here just to fill out the schedule, Nintendo tends to release a game every month and they already have Hyrule Warriors coming next week, DK is just an extra.

It's not surprising that most of the big third party developers have moved on, they need to follow whatever is next to remain relevant, and some of them were winding down their releases anyway. Nintendo plans to offer the 3ds as a budget option so they need to keep supporting it, it's their console after all. And they're not putting a lot of effort into these new 3ds releases anyway, they are collections and ports, not exactly AAA system sellers

It's not all profits and evil business practices all of the time!

I would love to see a new IP from Retro Studios but also a third DKC game from them.

Personally, though I love Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze and the new entries in the DKC franchise, I believe it's time for a 3D Donkey Kong a la Donkey Kong 64. Playtonic, please!

Glad to know this wasn't the project they've secretly been working on. Tropical Freeze is a fantastic game though.

What if I told you it is a sequel to DK64?

Not surprising.

It would require intricate knowledge of the game's internal structure to upgrade performance like that while also reducing file size and load times to the extend they managed.

It doesn't surprise me, though if that's the only thing they are working on that would. I'm hoping/expecting to hear more about their next project at E3.

@MagnaRoader They made 3 Metroid Prime games as well so it’s not like they haven’t done that before.

@Kimyonaakuma I would totally be down for that!

@Alpha008 Me too!

@thesilverbrick Other than calling the Prime games disasters, he is right though.

Whatever Retro has been working on better be some epic poo or Nintendo is going to look like fools.

Somewhat worrying news, hopefully E3 will bring some good news.

@Orpheus79V He definitely makes some good points. I just have a hard time with his credibility when he calls a nearly universally critically acclaimed series a “disaster”.

@Sakisa "The whining when Tropical Freeze was unveiled was unreal though."

People were understandably disappointed that we would be getting one of the greatest 2D platformers of all time. It was simply too much quality!

from all games they picked this one to port to switch.
why not pikmin 3, or metroid, mario 3d world or mario maker or the hd remake of windwaker.

this donkey kong game dont have the apealing of donkey kong on the snes.

@ThanosReXXX
retro is turning out to be the next rare.

time to call microsoft.

Seems likely that we will find out about the next Retro title at E3.

@Maxz
on what secret project is retro working?
maybe be a new fzero game or star fox.
nintendo only give retro their own franchises that people want, but dont want to spend time on for themselfs.

i dont believe smash brothers is in the hand of retro.

Typically when Nintendo outsources it is for a straight port or at least only aesthetic upgrades. DKTF has adjustments to the gameplay so it makes sense it wasn’t outsourced.

can somebody fill me in, since im back with nintendo since 2004, i missed alot in this scene.

why is nintendo not making new ip's anymore? are they afraid, out of ideas?

last big ip i can remember is pikmin and luigi's mansion.

Of course Retro worked on it, they created Funky Kong as a playable character so it was more than just a port, - they needed to create new animations, mechanics etc, I would be suprised if that work was handed over, the original team would likely need to be in charge to make sure the addition of Funky would fit within the game which they originally created and already knew so well

New Donkey Kong confirmed!

@Damo yeah, because after making two of the greatest platformers ever we should be upset that they’re making another.

@PALversusNTSC No, that's not going to happen. Retro will probably always be a support group for Nintendo's own series, but they will occasionally do something else, and results of that should surface any time now.

And no new IP? Erm... counting both first and second party efforts, we've got the likes of Xenoblade, Splatoon, ARMS, and even though they're not entirely new IP, we do have Captain Toad getting his own game, Yoshi becoming more prominent as a leading character, Nintendo completely up-ending the Zelda formula, and even all the Mii/Wii games are new IP, regardless of whether they're good or not, so no new IP is highly over-exaggerated...

Mustve been real hard work with all the upgrades

Its confirmed now: Retro isn't working on a new product AT ALL!!

4 years and all they come out with is a port

I really hope they let Retro cut loose with a new IP. They've wanted to do their own projects since the GameCube days with Raven Blade and other demos being canned for Metroid Prime. They've obviously proven their worth by now, so let's see what they can do creatively!

"We still know nothing" - that sums it up for me.

In-studio porting is usually the best case scenario. It's definitely easier to work on your own code than trying to figure out someone else's mess. And if any of it needs rewriting there's less red tape involved.
It also means they now have the experience to develop for the platform directly.

I’d like to see Retro take on the F-Zero series, since they seem to be dedicated to reviving neglected Nintendo franchises.

I was down with another DKC game to complete the trilogy, but now that Tropical Freeze has been re-released I just can't imagine Retro's next game is another of the same franchise. Retro has to be close to releasing it's next big game, and I'd have thought it's now too soon for more DKC.

@justin233 And Dixie (as playable character)!

@BlueOcean I want King K. Rool and Dixie for Smash (or maybe Cranky with his cane). The DK series deserves more than two reps and one should be the most iconic villain of the series.

Yeah King K. Rool is a legend. I'll never forget the battles against him in the DKC trilogy.

@Kimyonaakuma oh yeah it is to fill out the schedule, because what other AAA games have released for it in 2018 again? Yeah, you can count on one hand that number, and here we are almost half way through it!