The Fantastic Level Design of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มิ.ย. 2024
- Donkey kong Country: Tropical Freeze is one of my favorite games of all time! No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to find any flaws within this masterpiece (other than the fact that the Stickerbrush Symphony remix only plays once in the entire game). One of my favorite aspects, if I have to choose, is the uniqueness that's present in each and every level. Every stage is different from its predecessor, and, while I'd love to talk about all of them, today, I'm simply going to be listing my top ten favorite levels in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.
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I'm sad that I can never play these levels for the first time again
Homecoming Hijinks actually calls back to all of Jungle Hijinks from returns. The dragon statues on the wall and the mugly statues were straight out of the first level. The entirety of Jungle Hijinks is just the background for Homecoming Hijinks. As well as the Factory level having the robot with the eye ball, the rocket level based on the mines has an appearance or the giant bat that chases you in another rocket barrel level in returns, except it is frozen in ice. These two games are some of my favorite of all time. The attention to detail is absolutely phenomenal
That’s why I love World 6 so much. The entire world is one reference to Returns after another. This entire series loves to reference past games, even through the music sometimes, and I love it so much
It's absolutely genius! I love how the levels get progressively harder as the stage goes on and sometimes there's even a jumpscare enemy waiting at the end to tick you off and defeat you!
Exactly. It’s like they teach you the levels gimmick very slowly and then really put you to the test towards the end
@@stalekarma3262 Yep! :D
These levels are just amazing. I’ve had so much fun playing this on Wii and Wii U.
I still remember the first time playing them, so much nostalgia. 😁
Really hope we get another game for the switch to finish off another trilogy.
Country returns - country tropical freeze - country ???
I can only hope. The dkc games are easily my favorite platformers and a brand new game would be amazing!
Donkey Kong Country Island Warfare:
K Rool and the Kremlings return and team up with the Tiki Tack tribe and the Snowmads to take Donkey Kong Island once and for all, in this game you take the fight to their lands before they set foot in yours, and the levels feature enemies and weaponry that mixes elements from all three attacking forces.
How's that sound?
Some of favourite levels are Platform Problems (Juicy Jungle Kong Temple), Fruity Factory, Jelly Jamboree, Wing Ding, Aqueduct Assault, Forest Folly, Scorch 'N' Torch, Alpine Incline and Windmill Hills.
All great ones too! Aqueduct Assault and Forest Folly were two I really wanted to put on the list. All of World 6 is honestly fantastic
This game is better than any modern 2d Mario game by a landslide
I know they’re not as comparable, but it even beats some of the 3D ones for me too
@@stalekarma3262 well I still think 3D world is better
@@lordroy88 3D World is very good, especially now with Bowser’s Fury added too. It’d be hard for me to compare the two since they’re both so great
Screw that, it's better than any mario games ever. The galaxy titles are the only ones that come close.
Every modern*
You’re going to make it far. Remember me!
This reminds me of MrBeast
Yes
You lied..
@@OrangeStaringCat that was only 3 months ago when you commented that. Bow it’s 1 year. There is still hope. Mark his words
@@sameeknowsitall lol bruh.
Oh my gosh, I can't even begin to gush enough about how much I love Tropical Freeze. It's my all time favorite video game because the levels are so expertly designed. Amazing soundtracks, gorgeous looking levels and incredibly well designed precise platforming challenges all mesh into one unforgettable game! And you have a great video describing your favorite levels, and a lot of them are some of my favorites, too!
I especially love how World 5 as a whole tells a sort of story- you go from watching the fruits being harvested to juiced to made into jelly then it gets frozen and made into popsicles which has the glorious pay off of being what sets the boss off when you find him.
If I had to share any things I find flawed in the game, the description already points out the fact Stickerbush Symphony is criminally underused, but also that the Kong partners are very imbalanced in Dixie's favor. And even then, that's more a nitpick than anything. No game is perfect or above criticism, and it's a good sign when I find so little to criticize about a game because it shows just how much I love this game as well as being a good sign of the game just being that darn good.
World 5 is certainly my favorite of them all, and you’re right about the kongs. I didn’t even think about them, but they are really unbalanced. Cranky can be fun to use, but Diddy was just completely forgotten to me in favor of Dixie
Couldn't have said it better myself
Dude this video is so underrated! I cant wait to see where this channel goes, you deserve a lot more than the algorithm gives you credit for.
If you see this, I hope I put a smile on your face.
It did, thank you! That really means a lot to me.
how on earth this video has just 4k views??? amazing quality and heavily underrated! here before your channel blows up
Thank you! This video is already blowing up compared to what’s usual for me. I appreciate the support!
I really love Mangrove Cove, that beach aesthetic and music has got me feeling so good, it introduces you into all of the mechanics so well, transitions themes, looks phenomenal, and teaches you of the attention to detail the rest of the game will have.
The entire sense of progression of the fruit harvesting and processing throughout the fruit juice factory is extremely well done. This game's individual stages feature some of the genre's best design, but the fruit factory also showcases some really impressive "macro" design across the entire world.
Exactly! I love when games pull off stuff like that
After making a list of my top 50 games of all time and finding Tropical Freeze landing squarely at number 1, I'm not surprised to see other people agreeing with me! Great video, friend! Also, I don't think I could make an ordered list, but some of my favorites are:
3-1 Grassland Groove (Phenomenal level with one of the best songs in the game, probably the best world-opener level in the game for my favorite world, Bright Savannah. The music changes as it gets more dynamic later into the stage, I absolutely ADORE the setpieces of moving festival animals you climb on. The dancing trees and rolling grass off the totems is also a really fun mechanic. TOP TIER level for sure.)
5-5 Jelly Jamboree (Super well-designed level that features an easy-going bouncing jelly mechanic that incorporates switches and items that eject from them. Designed as a breather level after Panicky Paddles, Jelly Jamboree is significantly less stressful but still evolves on its ideas in a natural way. It's really fun to just jump into and play through whenever I feel like I'm getting my butt handed to me on later levels. Also, the fuckin GUITAR ON THIS SONG IS SICK.)
6-2 Seashore War (World 6 is mostly fanservice to people who played DKC Returns, and this level is no exception as it's designed to be based on the Beach World from Returns. There's the cool mechanic where you pull boats up with your bare hands and let them sink back into the icy water, and some really fun, tight jumps on icicles floating around. Also, this stage has another of the best tracks in the whole game. Seashore War is stated to be one of David Wise's favorite compositions of all time, and I can't blame him.)
1-B Busted Bayou (First off, THE MUSIC. I love this jam so fuckin much. Really reminds me of DKC2 more than a lot of other songs. That, AND it's a silhouette level which is always amazing. This level encapsulates the theme of overgrowth tangling up ship parts with the rest of the world really nicely, and it has a lot of fun easter eggs like Samus' ship in the background because Retro made the Prime series before this. Anyway, this level is great, it's a shame you have to find the secret exit in 1-3 to even GET TO IT because I feel like it should be on the main path. Really just a fantastic level.)
3-6 Cannon Canyon (Some of my favorite setpieces in the entire game. I love blasting out of barrels, and this level has that in SPADES. It also has the most impressive camerawork in the whole game. Maneuvering around the bombs and blasting through this viking camp is so dope. Really makes you feel like you're taking the island back just before the boss of world 3.)
2-K Bopopolis (Do I need to say why? It's fun, it's kinetic, it boils down the essence of bouncing on enemies heads' and shoots a condensed dose of it directly into your veins like a drug. It's one of the best Kong levels ever made.)
Obviously, we agreed on some of those, haha!
Rude Boys Podcast I was SO tempted to put Bopopolis and Seashore War on this list! Seashore War’s track is easily my favorite in the game and Bopopolis is easily the most fluent, fun to play level in the game even if it doesn’t have much else going on besides that. Thanks for the response! I really enjoyed hearing your own thoughts
World 6 is actually jam-packed with references to Donkey Kong Country Returns. In Homecoming Hijinx, we see the DK Hut, the peak of DK Island, the Mugly statues that spewed bananas for a puzzle piece in Jungle Hijinx, and all the ruins and designs that were seen in Jungle Hijinx (1-1). In Seashore War, we see all of the ships that were in the Beach world of Donkey Kong Country Returns, but all sunken and frozen in ice. In Aqueduct Assault, we can see the obvious similarities in platform choices to the Ruins world, but we can also see at the end of the level, the statue of classic Donkey Kong holding a WiiMote that could also be seen in Wonky Waterway (3-1). In Blurry Flurry, you can see a large frozen bat, which was actually the Big Squeekly that chased you in the Rocket Barrel level of Crowded Cavern (4-5). There isn't anything in particular showcased in Forest Folly other than the identical background to most of the levels in the Forest world, but you can also notice the totem poles that were used in Tippin' Totems (5-4). I didn't notice anything particular in Cliffside Slide other than the dinosaur skeletons that can be seen in the Cliff world. In Frozen Frenzy, there is of course, as you mentioned, the Eye from Handy Hazards (7-3), but in my opinion, the generator that is activated in the beginning bears an uncanny resemblance to the one shown in Lift-Off Launch (7-R) back in DKCR. I also did not notice anything specific in Meltdown Mayhem. Dynamite Dash and Icicle Arsenal don't appear to have any Easter Eggs, which makes sense, as for the fact that they are not inspired by any particular world in DKCR. The only reference I noticed for Slippy Spikes is the location of the level itself on the World Map, that being that it is a slight nod to The Golden Temple in its placement.
I love that the developers added all of these small details! I’d say the robot in Handy Hazards, the DK statue in the ruins, and the same starting point in Homecoming Hijinx have to be my favorites.
"...the generator that is activated in the beginning bears an uncanny resemblance to the one shown in Lift-Off Launch (7-R) back in DKCR."
You mean the Dark Aether portal?
I'm glad I wasn't the only one that ADORED the level design of tropical freeze! Awesome video dude!
Scorch n Torch is pretty much the epitome of platformer level design imo. Most typical mario levels will focus on one main game mechanic the whole time, but scorch n torch has like 10 and manages to combine them together in unique challenges that still feel natural
Holonholonholonholon. 16:11 That ain’t just a reference to Mugley. That’s the spot in Donkey Kong Country Returns’ Jungle Hyjinx where you bounce on the flower to collect bananas for a Puzzle Piece. That’s dope as fuck.
Wow, nice catch! This game (and series) continues to astound me!
I was enjoying it already but that “almost” at 5:01 convinced me - you’re pretty darn good at this video making stuff 👌👌 can’t wait to see where you take it
Thank you so much! I’d love to work on consistency but for now I’m just doing what I can. I really appreciate the support
this was a great video man!! really enjoyed it
I recently started playing it with my 7 y/o son. It's a really difficult, but beautiful game!
Donkey Kong does tend to have some of the more challenging platformers out there. I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
My list would go like this.
1. Cliffside Slide
2. 5-K
3. Homecoming Hijinx
4. Panicky Paddles
5. Irate Eight
6. High Tide Ride
7. Busted Bayou
8. Frantic Fields
9. Dynamite Dash
10. Rosent Ruckus
pelucheCR7 I was really debating putting Panicky Paddles on the list and Cliffside Slide as number 1. It’s so hard to pick when almost every level is so fantastic!
@@stalekarma3262 i think panicky paddles does a great job combining precise timing platforming and water sections which is why it made my list. And to get to the secret exit it also requires the player to keep dixie from beggining to end since there is only one barrel, so there are more stakes in keeping the kong buddy here. Cliffside slide is in my opinion the best out of the whole the level is crumbling type combined with the music, arstyle and atmosphere is just in another league.
5-K is called Platform Problems
Fantastic video! I'll add to the chorus that you deserve more of that tasty TH-cam engagement! It's also heartwarming to see Tropical Freeze continue to build up more and more goodwill in the years since it's release (especially among folks really looking into game design. My own top 10:
1) Wing Ding (I adore the autumn, Bavarian aesthetic of World 2, and this stage has some fast-paced action in a manner distinct from rocket barrels or mine carts)
2) Alpine Incline (you go on a JOURNEY in this stage. I love the big open segments when you can just bounce around on balloons, and David Wise goes to WORK in this stage. It's just a shame that much of the musical variants used in this stage likely won't get heard in a casual playthrough)
3) Frantic Fields (hugely underrated stage in my opinion! It has spectacle that directly ties into gameplay, the tornadoes make for some interesting jumps, and the lightning is a truly challenging obstacle. Some fun callbacks to Run Rambi Run, as well as the rare DKC3 callback via Lightning Lookout!)
4) Grassland Groove
5) Sawmill Thrill (I'd like to emphasize how the mine cart's transformation not only makes for some really nifty spectacle, but it has gameplay implications, as you have to manage your buoyancy when jumping in water on the log flume. Such a cool stage, such a memorable environment that stands out from the game's other locations)
6) Busted Bayou
7) Amiss Abyss (an absolute beauty. Fantastic use of lighting, wonderful music, tight swimming controls, and a Secret Metroid!)
8) Jelly Jamboree (another part of the absolutely wonderful fruit factory. I like bouncing in platformers when it's implemented well).
9) Scorch 'n Torch (Again, the aesthetic blend perfectly with a unique gameplay mechanic. I also think the music here is one of the game's most underrated tracks. You can FEEL the sense of loss and sorrow as the land burns!)
10) Frosty Fruits
Scorch n’ Torch, Frantic Fields and Jelly Jamboree were all ones I was debating here. Thanks for the comment, and I really enjoyed hearing your personal favorites too!
10: Reckless Ride
9: Homecoming Hijinx
8: Fruity Factory
7: Sawmill Thrill
6: Forest Folly
5: Frosty Fruits
4: Blurry Flurry
3: Meltdown Mayhem
2: Cliffside Slide
1: Frozen Frenzy
Meltdown Mayhem is one I completely forgot about but that’s a really great one too! All of your choices are.
Factory levels are just breeding grounds for all sorts of fun creative wackiness.
Other than the exclusion of Windmill Hills, that list is pretty much perfect IMO.
And the production quality is brilliant, keep up the gud work!
I appreciate that. Thank you! If I remade this list now, Windmill Hills would probably be on it. That level served as a such a good introduction to its world!
I FREAKING love this game. really great stuff here.
I enjoy this type of videos Great work
Beautiful list bro. Awesome explanations on why you liked them. As for busted bayou its placement in the game really works greatly considering its basic level design. For the most it is a level more enjoyed for exploration, the beatiful scenery and music.
Honestly it's level design is quite complex for a platformer and I wouldn't consider it simple. But it does squeeze everything out of its ideas and I love it!
@@awesomezilla Yeah its damn great. Though not all the levels are equally great. But they're all great though hahaha.
@@pelucheCR7 I'd say the world one levels are the weakest, and even then they are really solid levels that do a great job at introducing the mechanics.
I know this video is quite old by now, but it highlights some of the best parts in this absolutely phenomenal game. Underrated game, underrated video. And I’m looking forward to that Easter egg video!
That means a lot! And thanks for reminding me, maybe I should get working on that soon
I could probably drool on this game for a while, it's levels are SO fantastic, as you said that last world is truly a nostalgic tour filled with love!
I cannot deny though, seeing that damn bat frozen .. satisfying, as it truly annoyed me in the main game..!
The bat’s level was rough, I’ll say that! Thank you so much for watching!
Wow... great list. But I missed some World 2 levels... to me this world has the best levels in the entire game (Wing Ding being the best) I also missed Amyss Abyss, to me the most beautiful level. However, this game have so many awesome levels that your list is great anyways 😃
Wing Ding was a really good one too. Amiss Abyss definitely had my favorite music in the entire game. Honestly, I would’ve listed every single level in the game if I could’ve. They’re all just so amazing
@@stalekarma3262 So true!!! Amyss Abyss' music (Funky Waters) is also my favorite in the game... too beautiful.
10. This is my fav. level of the game, period, and you articulate well why. However, as someone who also does levels on time attack mode, I'd add that this level is extremely difficult but also extremely fun to do no damage with a shiny gold, and it was so rewarding when I finally got it.
9.This level is the perfect transition to the final world. This one is also crazy fun in time attack because of how fast you can go on the ice, althought it's not nearly as difficult as Fruity Factory.
8. You're a big fan of this world, aren't you? It's my favorite. I don't like rocket barrel that much(auto scrollers are still that, no matter how fast, and it's not as fun to control as minecart), but Reckless Ride is my favorite, it's so creative.
7. R.I.P eye robot. Also, yeah, absolutely awesome level.
6.This is the level where you know that this game is gonna be special. The rest of world 1 plays it relatively safe and is a bit tutorial like, but this is great.
5.I always love rain in video games(and real life), so obviously I love it.
4. This level is almost more style than substance. It's very easy, which is a shame cause it's also the last full minecart level of the game.
3.I have to say, I never understood the hype for this level, or it's soundtrack. It's just a bit silly in my opinion.
2.Like High Tide Ride, it looks and feels really cool, but feels a bit out of place in it's world because of how easy it is. It's not as dramatic as aqueduc assault, which could have been a level in world 2 honestly, but still.
1.The level is a bit on the short side, but it's epic and is a memorable introduction to this world.
I didn’t even realize the first three were from the same world, I guess I do love it a lot. It’s cool to hear your perspective as someone who does time attack. I’ve tried that mode but never played more than five levels or so
@@stalekarma3262 Time attack is a huge time investement if you want the shiny or even just the normal gold, that's for sure.
the levels here are definitely valid but I think amiss abyss is the best silhouette level. just can’t beat the atmosphere of it
That’s definitely a great pick! The music alone makes it so memorable for me!
Super good video dude love this game
Great top 10!👌
Besides your top 10, I really like the levels Mountain Mania, Irate Eight, Beehive Brawl, Scorch ‘n Torch and Meltdown Mayhem too! Although every level in this game is amazing
Thank you! Those are all good ones too. It was so hard having to exclude some levels but on the end, they’re all just fantastic
@@stalekarma3262 Yeah! great game. Also its an honor to be your 200th subscriber ;)
Great list! My personal favorite is Cliffside Slide, but I think levels like Windmill Hills and Scorch 'n Torch also deserve a shoutout. Honestly, ranking the levels is so difficult because this game has so many wonderful levels with amazing level design, music, and creativity. It's also amazing how much this game improved on Returns in practically every way.
With that being said, I hope that we eventually get another DKC game (after Retro is done with Prime 4 probably) with K. Rool and the Kremlings returning as well. It would be hard to top Tropical Freeze, but I feel like there's still so much more potential with the series. For instance, they can improve the bonus rooms to be more varied (similar to DKC2) and bring back more of the animal buddies from the original trilogy. Plus, I'm really interested in seeing how many more creative level themes they can pull off. Seriously, I want a new DKC game so badly!
Exactly. There are too many good levels for me to accurately rank them.
I would love another game too! I obviously appreciate that the developers have been creating new villains, but it would be nice to see K. Rool and his crew make a return. I hadn’t thought much about the bonus rooms, but I’ve been replaying the original trilogy recently, and that’s a good idea! I really enjoy how varied they all are.
Very good list
The donkey kong country games, are one of my favourite, if not my favourite series ever. Only being in the 21st century, the first one I played was DKCR on the wii and it was one of my favourite games growing up. I then bought tropical freeze on my wii u, and double dipped on switch, and I also played the original SNES games on the switch SNES online service, and I immediately knew how amazing it was for its time. This has gotta be my favourite series ever and I hope they release more games one day.
Sounds like you had pretty much the same experience as me with this series. I’m glad to hear you love it so much. This series really deserves all the support it gets and more. A new title for the Switch one day would be amazing!
@@stalekarma3262 Yeah everything you covered in this video, I feel strongly about the series too. I loved all the little throwbacks to the wii version in tropical freeze during the last world, since the last world is the one you explored the whole game in DKCR. Little details in the background like the eye in the factory or the giant bat in that iceberg from that one rocket barrel level on the wii. It was all so immersive.
U definitely deserve more recognition! 😁
Thank you so much!!!
My favorite 2d platformer of all time. The level design in Tropical Freeze is absolutely outstanding
If Celeste counts, it’s a pretty close fight between the two for me. The entire Donkey Kong Country series is just so well made!
I was shocked to see there wasn’t a k at the end of your sub count
That really means a lot, thank you! Maybe one day, but I’m content with where I’m at right now
Nice content, imma subscribe, can't believe you only have about 200 subscribers you're criminally underrated. :D
Thank you! I’ve actually been growing a fair bit from this video, honestly, and I’m just happy that everyone seems to be liking it. I really appreciate you subbing :)
@@stalekarma3262 Of course mate! You have my support
Good video. You got a subscription! 👍
This game is majestic, but I have to say only people with a good eye can enjoy it in his entirety. To appreciete the level design more you need to have past experience with platformers. That's probably why it's not talked about that much, but those who talk about it, always praise it like it is one of the best games of all time, and it sure is
I couldn’t agree more! The details in every stage just make it so immersive compared to others in its genre.
So much effort put in this video!
Thank you! I really appreciate it!
@@stalekarma3262 no problem
Seashore War was one of the most memorable levels for me. Homecoming Hininxs made me realize this isn't DK's home anymore, but Seashore War is where the despair of the situation set in.
I genuinely mourned the life that was snuffed out because of the ice age they were unprepared for. All the plants and animals that were never meant to handle the arctic are now facing an icy death because of something that happened in an instant. Comparing the beach between Returns and Tropical Freeze was heartbreaking.
I couldn’t have said it better myself! As someone who played Returns for hours upon hours when I was younger, I thought that revisiting the game’s world would come with nostalgia, and it certainly did, but it was so shocking to see the devastating changes that the Snowmads caused.
make a easter eggs level. cool vid by the way. i adore this game and want a sequel so badly. hate that people were mad that it wasn't metroid becouse this game looks way coller
Im excited for hopefully a new DK game at E3 soon! Level design probably will still be great
That’d be a dream come true! We’ll find out soon
I feel like I can hear every single sound effect and the music from all the muted Donkey Kong Country footage. I think I’ve played that game too much.
There can never be too much Donkey Kong Country. It’s definitely the same with me though!
Donkey Kong Island should be studied in every regard
That it should.
Scorch ‘N Torch is my personal favorite
I had a lot of fun with that one too. It was the one I was debating most about putting on this list
0:29 "threatening bosses" whilst showing footage of Very Gnawty, an upscaled enemy that pathetically and nonthreateningly hops towards you
What can I say? I’ve gotta have a little fun to get myself through the editing process.
@@stalekarma3262 fair
"threatening bosses" *very gnawty footage*
May have exaggerated a bit on that one
@@stalekarma3262 wasn't just a slight exaggeration that's gargantuan levels of exaggeration
Dk Tropical Freeze is the best Nintendo made 2d platforming game ever imo
Also what is your favorite world mine is the savanna
Oh, easily! And probably the Jungle, though the Savanna is definitely a close second
Bruh how are you so underrated?
Thank you! It means a lot that you think so!
I wish the switch version would have included country returns
That would be amazing. Returns really deserves the upgraded graphics!
Quality this high with subs this low?
Damn no 2nd world
no scorching fire?
I had it as a potential candidate until right before I began writing the script, believe me!
@@stalekarma3262 such a solid level
Why are you playing the Funki Mode???
It can be really fun to see how fast I can fly through the levels with Funky! Plus, as I've already beaten the game, Funky Mode is helpful to record footage faster.
@@stalekarma3262 you can also run with donkey kong fast frough levels. Funky Mode is vor total noobs
Only gripe I’ve ever had with this game is that the final boss is badly designed
I never minded it, but now that you’ve got me thinking, the fight really wasn’t very special compared to some of the game’s other bosses.
Bruh where’s Seashore War no joke.
That level easily has the best track in the game. I was tempted to put it on the list, but I like the level design of some of the other World 6 stages more.
Kongy
This game just destroys New super mario bros. U!
Easily! That game definitely appeals to a wider audience and is more accessible to just about everyone, but even if it’s not as well known, I’ve never seen a platformer as polished and amazing as this one
@@stalekarma3262 Well, there is Donkey Kong Country 2...
Great video except for the use of Funky Kong. 😒
Alas, he's really helpful when recording footage quickly. Thank you!
DKC games> every mario game