It’s been so many years since we had a new game featuring Donkey Kong as a main character, in fact the last new Donkey Kong game was on the Wii U. Thankfully this won’t be the case soon, when Donkey Kong Bananza releases on the Nintendo Switch 2 later this year. Sporting a new look for DK himself and an exciting destructible environment, it’s easily one of my most anticipated games coming in 2025.
This got me thinking about other games starring my monkey man Donkey Kong, and how great they are. Some of my first video game memories are of blasting out of barrels in Donkey Kong Country, and over the years I’ve only become more attached to DK and the other members of the extended Kong family. Which Donkey Kong games are the best though? Well after much deliberation here’s what I decided.
A quick housekeeping rule first though, this list only contains games where you play as either Donkey Kong and/or his family members. This means no Mario Vs Donkey Kong, and weirdly not the original arcade game Donkey Kong. Yes I realise it’s a bit bananas to not allow the game Donkey Kong in a list of best Donkey Kong games, but those are the rules. Now let’s begin.
10. Donkey Kong Land 2
This entry on the list is almost entirely just for me, because this Game Boy version of Donkey Kong Country 2 was all I had as a youngster. I’m not sure which relative made the mistake that caused me to get Donkey Kong Land 2 instead of the SNES masterpiece, but the small screen version of the game was actually great. With levels entirely redesigned for the limited display area you could argue that DKL2 is a totally different game, and a wonderful one in its own right. There were two other Donkey Kong Land games for the other Super Nintendo platformers too, but I didn’t play them so they unfortunately have to sit this list out.
9. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
So back in the GameCube era, Nintendo decided it would be a good idea to create a plastic set of bongos you could use in exciting rhythm games. This was very cool (and might be something we discuss again fairly soon) but then there was a problem. What else could we possibly do with the bongos? The answer came in the form of a platform game where the only way to control DK was by hitting the bongos to go left, right, or jump by hitting both. This led to some seriously clever moments. This is unlikely to be anyone’s favourite Donkey Kong game, but it’s a lot better than it sounds.
8. Donkey Konga
The reason that so many people had those DK branded bongos taking up room in their bedrooms. Donkey Konga was Nintendo’s take on Guitar Hero, and although not quite as iconic it was still a lot of fun. Having to hit either the left, right, or both bongos in time to the music may have seemed simple enough, but when the notes came in faster and those dreaded clap notes appeared (requiring you to clap into a tiny microphone) it was anything but easy. Donkey Konga also featured possibly the greatest rhythm game soundtrack ever, thanks to having a load of Nintendo themes for maximum joy.
7. DK: King of Swing
For a while Donkey Kong games were always where Nintendo put its strangest ideas, and DK: King of Swing was absolutely one of these. This climbing game saw you using the L and R buttons of the Game Boy Advance to grip onto pegs to swing your way towards the goal of arcadey stages. Once you got used to this way of getting around you could pull off some spectacular moves as you gracefully soared from post to post, and it was seriously blooming satisfying. King of Swing was popular enough it spawned a sequel on the DS too, which was also rather wonderful.
6. Donkey Kong Country Returns
After fourteen long years of waiting, fans of the classic platforming franchise got a new Donkey Kong Country game. Far from a simple nostalgia cash in, Donkey Kong Country Returns brought back everything we loved about those SNES games and more. With loads of shiny doodads to find, seriously creative levels and much more challenge than your average Wii game, Donkey Kong Country Returns was a must play for absolutely all platform fans and a return to form for everyone’s favourite tie wearing monkey.
5. Donkey Kong Country
The game that started it all, and introduced the versions of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong we all know and love to the masses. As a child I couldn’t believe how gorgeous this game was, and how fun it was to play. Blasting across chasms in barrels, collecting K-O-N-G and riding adorable animals, Donkey Kong Country had it all and I played it over and over for years. The only reason I couldn’t place it higher on this list is the lack of collectibles that really made the series special, but rest assured it will always hold a special place in my heart.
4. Donkey Kong 64
Donkey Kong’s only 3D platforming adventure at the time of writing is a personal favourite of mine, and not just because of the legendary DK rap. This was the final Rare collectathon platformer that came after the success of Banjo Kazooie, and featured a ridiculous amount of banana-themed items to collect. Getting to play as five different Kongs with unique powers was an absolute blast, and I fell in love with all the goofy monkey characters introduced from Lanky Kong and his creepy arms to Chunky Kong and his massive biceps. It might have a few iffy levels and ridiculously tough mini games, but I just can’t help but adore this 3D outing for the Kongs.
3. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Now confession time, I haven’t actually played this game. It released when my free time was massively limited, and despite being a huge Donkey Kong fan I’ve neglected my simian duties and never rectified skipping it. My main man Steve managed to convince me it belongs at number three though, and although I don’t like trusting someone else on such an important list, I have no choice. It can’t crack the top two which are all timers in my eyes, but here’s why Steve thinks Tropical Freeze is incredible.
“One of the crown jewels in an underrated console’s life, DKC: Tropical Freeze is a platformer aficionado’s joy. Featuring new playable cast members in Dixie and Cranky Kong, each bringing their own unique skills to the table, it’s a romp through what is unquestionably the best looking Donkey Kong game ever made. It’s a visual barrage of bright colour and cutesy characters, most of which, unfortunately, are intent on taking a chunk of DK.
As with others in the series, there’s a plethora of collectibles to obsess over as you strive for the ever elusive 200% completion. I have vivid memories of lying on the sofa, Wii U controller gripped tightly, desperately attempting over and over again to finally beat Bopopolis, one of the harder K levels, extra tough stages opened via collecting KONG letters. The pure elation of finally reaching that end barrel is a gaming memory yet to be surpassed. With top tier visuals, challenging yet ridiculously satisfying gameplay and another absolute banger of a David Wise soundtrack, you owe it yourself to give this one a go.”
2. Donkey Kong Country 3
I tossed and turned trying to decide whether this was my favourite Donkey Kong game, and it unfortunately just fell short of the top spot. Featuring Dixie and newcomer Kiddy Kong, the final game in the SNES Donkey Kong Country trilogy was packed full of creative ideas and tantalising collectibles. From playing as an elephant and having to kill scary mice at a distance to using wooden barrel shields to block nuts thrown by spider monkeys, Donkey Kong Country 3 throws new stuff your way constantly. It even had an open world to explore on various boats. This game is the total package, and an all time classic.
1. Donkey Kong Country 2
One of the greatest platformers ever made, full stop, case closed, end of story. When I first found out that DK himself wasn’t playable in this highly anticipated sequel I was shook, but swapping him with Dixie who could fly with her propeller hair was absolutely the right decision. The new collectibles meant that it was worth finding every last secret to unlock incredibly fun harder stages, and the pirate theme of everything was beyond charming. This game also has the greatest soundtrack of any video game I’ve ever played, which is frankly ridiculous. All of the DKC games have wonderful music, but none of them come close to this masterpiece. This game is beyond incredible, and if you haven’t played it before then get a Switch Online account and prepare to have your mind blown.
