Jump to content

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Tropical Freeze)
Donkey Kong Country:
Tropical Freeze
North American cover art
Developer(s)Retro Studios[a]
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Ryan Harris
Vince Joly
Producer(s)Kensuke Tanabe
Designer(s)Stephen Dupree
Programmer(s)Aaron Walker
Artist(s)Ryan Powell
Will Bate
Composer(s)David Wise[b]
SeriesDonkey Kong
Platform(s)Wii U
Nintendo Switch
ReleaseWii U
  • JP: February 13, 2014
  • NA/EU: February 21, 2014
  • AU: February 22, 2014
Nintendo Switch
  • JP: May 3, 2018
  • WW: May 4, 2018
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a 2014 platform game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the Wii U console. The fifth installment in the Donkey Kong Country series, Tropical Freeze is a direct sequel to the 2010 Wii game Donkey Kong Country Returns and was released in February 2014. An enhanced port for the Nintendo Switch was released in May 2018.

In Tropical Freeze, Donkey Kong and his family must venture across five islands to save their home, Donkey Kong Island, after it is frozen over by the villainous Snowmads—a group of invaders from the northern seas, who attacked the island on Donkey Kong's birthday. Like its predecessor, the game received generally positive reviews. Praise was directed at the level design, gameplay, and soundtrack, although its high level of difficulty received more mixed opinions.

Gameplay

[edit]
See also: Gameplay of Donkey Kong Country Returns
Player one controls Donkey Kong, while the second player controls Diddy Kong or one of the other two Kongs, in a standard level.

The game continues on from the side-scrolling platform gameplay of the Donkey Kong Country series and sees Donkey Kong and his friends traveling through seven different islands in order to defeat the Snowmads. Controls are similar to the previous game, with the addition of being able to pluck items from the ground and pick up and throw stunned enemies, and various controllers can be used with customizable controls.[1][2] Like the previous game, players primarily control Donkey Kong who is assisted by a companion, who either provide additional abilities to Donkey Kong, or can be controlled individually by a second player. Along with Diddy Kong, who returns with his barrel jet pack for crossing large gaps, two additional characters are added: Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong. Dixie has the ability to spin her ponytail into a propeller and slowly descend through the air, with an initial boost in height at the start, allowing her and Donkey Kong to fly up out-of-reach platforms or items. Cranky, in a similar mechanic to the DuckTales video game, can use his cane to bounce on dangerous surfaces such as spiky thorns and reach higher areas and defeat certain enemies the other Kongs cannot.[3] Filling up a 'Kong-POW' meter allows Donkey Kong and his partner to perform a special move which defeats all on-screen enemies and converts them into items depending on the partner.[4]

The Super Guide from the previous game is absent and is replaced by an expanded shop, run by Funky Kong, offering various support items such as temporary invincibility. Like the previous game, each level contains various Kong letters and puzzle pieces, some of which require specific partners to reach, which unlock various bonuses and hidden levels. The Time Attack mode also returns, now featuring online leaderboards, allowing players to view video replays of the top ranked players.

The Nintendo Switch version of the game features Funky Kong as a new playable character.[5] In the optional easier NEW FUNKY MODE, Funky Kong is playable with no possible companions, along with an option to switch between him and Donkey Kong. Unlike Donkey Kong in the game's normal mode, Funky Kong comes with five hit points instead of two, while he is also able to double-jump, hover in mid-air, stand on spikes and breathe underwater for an unlimited time.[6] When DK is played, he can gain a companion and each Kong has three hit points.

Plot

[edit]

As the Kongs celebrate Donkey Kong's birthday, their island is attacked by the Snowmads, arctic invaders. Their leader, Lord Fredrik, blows a horn that creates frozen winds and an ice dragon. The Kongs are blown away and the Snowmads seize the frozen Donkey Kong Island.

The Kongs traverse a series of islands and make their way back to Donkey Kong Island. They make their way through the frozen fortress until they encounter the leader of the Snowmads, Lord Fredrik, who challenges them to a battle deep in the depths of the volcano. Donkey Kong delivers the final punch to Lord Fredrik, who crashes into the Snowmad ships, defeating the Snowmads. Donkey Kong blows into Fredrik's horn, producing a breeze that thaws Donkey Kong Island.

Characters

[edit]
See also: List of Donkey Kong characters

The game's story focuses on the Snowmads, a group of Viking-themed arctic animals such as walruses, owls, Rabbits, and penguins that invade Donkey Kong Island,[7] forcing Donkey Kong to go against them with the help of his friends Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong. This is Dixie Kong's third appearance in the main series and the first since Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, released in 1996. This is also Cranky Kong's first appearance as a main playable character in the Donkey Kong Country series, although he was previously playable in minigames in the Game Boy Advance versions of Donkey Kong Country 2 and 3 and 1984's Donkey Kong Hockey (when he went by the name of Donkey Kong).

Development and release

[edit]

The game was first announced during Nintendo's E3 2013 Nintendo Direct presentation on June 11, and was produced by Kensuke Tanabe[8] who, having previously worked on Super Mario Bros. 2, has incorporated some elements from that game.

Originally to be released on December 6, 2013, Nintendo pushed back the release date to February 21, 2014, citing the need for more time to optimize the game.[9][10][11]

The soundtrack was primarily composed by David Wise, along with the help of Aiden Griffin as his assistant.[12] Wise previously contributed music for the original SNES Donkey Kong Country games. Additional music was provided by Daisuke Matsuoka, Minako Hamano, Shinji Ushiroda, and Riyu Tamura under the supervision of Kenji Yamamoto.

The development team designed the gameplay to be similar to that of previous series games, apart from a few new features.[8] Retro Studios president Michael Kelbaugh told Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé that production started on Tropical Freeze because the team "had a lot of gas left in the tank" after finishing Returns, wanting to include underwater levels and 3D camera work, and to use the Wii U hardware to do "a lot of really new cool tricks".[13] The addition of camera work was the team's biggest change. The dynamic camera swings from a side to a fully 3D view, bringing depth to obstacles in the characters' path. Additionally, Tropical Freeze adds Dixie Kong as a partner character, who has a mid-air hover ability that affects how players access platforms. The developers also added "plucking" objects out of the ground, similar to the game mechanic in Super Mario Bros. 2, on which Tropical Freeze's producer had also worked. Due to Donkey Kong series creator Shigeru Miyamoto being protective over the series, Retro Studios had to prove their ability to handle the license. Miyamoto influenced the game's "ground pound" design and gave other small tips, but was otherwise not involved in its development. Michael Kelbaugh of Retro Studios had worked on Donkey Kong Country series games in various capacities since the first release.[8]

An enhanced port for the Nintendo Switch was released on May 4, 2018. It was developed once again by Retro Studios and includes support for new control schemes and an easier difficulty option, "Funky Mode", which introduces Funky Kong as a playable character.[14]

Reception

[edit]

Like its predecessor, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze received "generally favorable reviews" from critics.[55]

Destructoid gave the game a perfect 10 out of 10.[17] GamesRadar gave the game 4 out of 5 stars, praising its presentation and challenge whilst criticising the co-operative multiplayer.[31] Game Informer gave it a 9.25 out of 10 for the levels, gameplay and graphics, while also noting the game having a fewer levels than Returns.[26] GameTrailers gave the game a 9.1 out of 10, praising enhancements made to the gameplay, and the "stellar" soundtrack.[33] IGN gave the game 9 out of 10 for the game's challenge, level design, and boss battles.[37] Gamnesia's Colin McIsaac chose Tropical Freeze as a Game of the Year, calling it "a masterpiece of mechanics and level design" and citing the level Grassland Groove as the best platforming level of the game.[56]

GameSpot, however, gave the game 6 out of 10, saying that interesting boss battles and vehicle segments did not make up for "clunky, repetitive level design" and poor implementation of new mechanics.[29] GamesTM, who gave it a 7 out of 10, found the game to be as difficult as its predecessors, citing the enemy and obstacle placements, and the difficulty of boss battles.[32]

In their review of the Nintendo Switch version, GameSpot gave Tropical Freeze a more favorable assessment, awarding the game 9 out of 10.[28] IGN stood by their 9 out of 10 score, remarking that the addition of Funky Mode makes the game more accessible without reducing the formidable platforming difficulty.[36]

The game was nominated for Best Visual Design and Best Audio at the 2014 Golden Joystick Awards, as well as for Best Nintendo Game at the 2018 event.[57][58]

Sales

[edit]

In Japan, the Wii U version of Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze sold over 70,000 copies during its first month of release.[59] During its first eight days of release in the United States, the game sold an estimated 130,000 units.[60] This game, along with its predecessor, were added to the Nintendo Selects label in March 2016, in North America.[61] According to the 2021 CESA Games White Papers, it went on to sell 2.02 million units on the Wii U, as of December 2020.[62]

The Nintendo Switch version of Tropical Freeze had stronger sales.[63][64] In Japan alone, the game sold roughly 88,421 units in the first five days of release, more than doubling its debut on Wii U.[65] By December 2018, the game had sold 2.08 million copies worldwide on the Switch, bringing total sales to over 4 million units across both platforms.[66] As of March 2019, the title has sold over 2.25 million units worldwide on the Switch, including 290,000 copies in Japan.[67] The 2023 CESA Games White Papers revealed that the Nintendo Switch version had sold 4.62 million units, as of December 2022.[68]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Monster Games co-developed the Wii U version.
  2. ^ Additional music by Kenji Yamamoto

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Cole, Michael; Metts, Jonathan (June 15, 2013). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  2. ^ Fahey, Mike (June 12, 2013). "The Furry New Donkey Kong Yanks A Gimmick From Super Mario Bros. 2". Kotaku. Gizmodo Media Group. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  3. ^ Schulenberg, Thomas (December 7, 2013). "Cranky Kong brandishes cane, joins Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze roster on February 21". Engadget. AOL. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  4. ^ McElroy, Griffin (June 11, 2013). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze rewards its most thorough players". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  5. ^ Dale, Laura Kate (January 11, 2018). "Watch Today's Nintendo Direct Right Here". Kotaku UK. Future. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  6. ^ Stark, Chelsea (2018-05-07). "Watch Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze's Funky Mode in action". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2023-04-03. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  7. ^ Goldfarb, Andrew (June 11, 2013). "E3 2013: Retro Developing Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze". IGN. Ziff Davis.
  8. ^ a b c Parish, Jeremy (June 27, 2013). "Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze Full E3 Interview". USgamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  9. ^ Sarkar, Samit (October 1, 2013). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze delayed to February 2014". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  10. ^ Makuch, Eddie (October 1, 2013). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze delayed". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  11. ^ MacDonald, Keza (October 1, 2013). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Delayed". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  12. ^ Reeves, Ben (December 24, 2013). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  13. ^ Reggie Talks with Michael Kelbaugh from Retro Studios. Archived from the original on 2018-09-02. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
  14. ^ Dayus, Oscar (January 12, 2018). "Nintendo Switch Port Of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Announced With Release Date". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  15. ^ "Test: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Plattformer)". 4Players.de. 2 May 2018. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  16. ^ "Test: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Plattformer)". 4Players.de. 18 February 2014. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  17. ^ a b Carter, Chris (February 17, 2014). "Review: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze". Destructoid. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  18. ^ "Review: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze". Easy Allies. Archived from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  19. ^ "DKCTF for Wii U review". Edge. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  20. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Switch) review". Electronic Gaming Monthly. May 2018. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  21. ^ "Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze review". Archived from the original on March 3, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  22. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze re-review - an exceptional platformer that rivals Nintendo's best". Eurogamer. 3 May 2018. Archived from the original on 2021-06-14. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  23. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze review". Eurogamer. 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  24. ^ "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1313". Gematsu. 4 February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  25. ^ Hilliard, Kyle (May 1, 2018). "DonDon't Miss It This Time - Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze". GameInformer. GameStop. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  26. ^ a b Vore, Bryan (February 17, 2014). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  27. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review". Game Revolution. 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  28. ^ a b Brown, Peter (May 1, 2018). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review - A Blast From The Past". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  29. ^ a b Walton, Mark (February 17, 2014). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  30. ^ Sullivan, Lucas (May 1, 2018). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Switch Review: Donkey Kong Has Never Looked So Good". GamesRadar. Future. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  31. ^ a b Sullivan, Lucas (February 17, 2014). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review". GamesRadar. Future. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  32. ^ a b "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review". GamesTM. February 17, 2014. Archived from the original on October 22, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  33. ^ a b Damiani, Michael (February 17, 2014). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - Review". GameTrailers. Defy Media. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015.
  34. ^ "Review: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Switch)". Hardcore Gamer. 7 May 2018. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  35. ^ "Mario Kart 8". Hyper. No. 247. Future Publishing. May 2014. p. 68.
  36. ^ a b Macy, Seth G. (May 1, 2018). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze For Switch Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 6, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  37. ^ a b Otero, Jose (February 17, 2014). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  38. ^ "Test: Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze: Un portage qui fait le travail". Jeuxvideo.com. May 2018. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  39. ^ Kietzmann, Ludwig (February 17, 2014). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review: Money in the Banana Land". Engadget. AOL. Archived from the original on October 29, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  40. ^ Olney, Alex (May 1, 2018). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  41. ^ Whitehead, Thomas (February 17, 2014). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  42. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  43. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on August 25, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  44. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze review". Official Nintendo Magazine UK. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  45. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze review - One of the best platformers on Switch". Pocket Gamer. 4 May 2018. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  46. ^ Riendeau, Danielle (February 17, 2014). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review: Summer Boy". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  47. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Nintendo Switch) Review: Funky Like a Monkey". Shacknews. May 2018. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  48. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze review: losing a-peel". Shacknews. 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on August 25, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  49. ^ "Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze – review". The Guardian. 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  50. ^ "DKCTF Review". 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  51. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze review — a Funky-fresh Switch update". VentureBeat. May 2018. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  52. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze isn't the game the Wii U needs right now (review)". VentureBeat. 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  53. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Review". VideoGamer. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  54. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  55. ^ a b "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  56. ^ McIsaac, Colin (January 19, 2015). "Gamnesia's Games of the Year". Gamnesia. Archived from the original on January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  57. ^ "Mario Kart 8 Leads Nintendo Nominees in Golden Joystick Awards Voting". Nintendo Life. September 1, 2014. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  58. ^ "Golden Joysticks 2018 nominees announced, voting open now". Telegraph. September 24, 2018. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  59. ^ Romano, Sal (2014-03-19). "Media Create Sales: 3/10/14 – 3/16/14". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2015-04-21.
  60. ^ "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze sales reach 130K in eight days | Joystiq". 2014-03-14. Archived from the original on 2014-03-14. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
  61. ^ "Nintendo of America Officially Announces New Nintendo Select Titles". February 29, 2016. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  62. ^ 2021CESAゲーム白書 (2021 CESA Games White Papers). Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association. 2021. ISBN 978-4-902346-43-5.
  63. ^ Calvert, Darren (May 8, 2018). "Consumers Go Bananas For Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze In This Week's UK Charts". Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  64. ^ Workman, Robert (May 9, 2018). "Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Already Selling Well On Nintendo Switch". Archived from the original on May 12, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  65. ^ "This Week In Sales: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Is Back To Kick Some Tail". May 9, 2018. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  66. ^ Bishop, Sam (2019-01-31). "Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze passes 4 million units sold". Gamereactor. Archived from the original on 2020-03-20. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  67. ^ "Earnings Release for Fiscal Year Ended March 2019 - Supplementary Information" (PDF). Nintendo. March 31, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  68. ^ 2023CESAゲーム白書 (2023 CESA Games White Papers). Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association. 2023. ISBN 978-4-902346-47-3.
[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations related to Donkey Kong Country.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Donkey_Kong_Country:_Tropical_Freeze&oldid=1258689090"