Tropical Freeze represents a bolder, further developed title adding new twists to pre-existing mechanics and themes. As contentious as the Wii U's software library might be, one thing it does not lack are quality 2D platformers.

HD fur/art direction is beautiful; Depth of 2D unrivalled; Beautiful soundtrack; New characters add variety; Finely managed difficulty level

Loading screens can be lengthy; Limited GamePad usage

Retro Studios has demonstrated once again that it can take a treasured Nintendo franchise and keep it relevant, with modern thrills and retro nods expertly combined. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze utilises the Wii U's graphical capabilities beautifully, with levels both stunning in design and...

There's something about Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze that's just a little off. Maybe it's the way Donkey Kong doesn't quite land with the firm-footedness you'd expect from a Nintendo platforming mascot.

Exciting and challenging boss battles; Vehicle sections help to break up the more monotonous moments

Dull; derivative level design; Employs some cheap and frustrating platforming tricks; Harsh checkpoints during boss battles

The argument about whether Retro Studios should or shouldn't be spending its energy on another Donkey Kong Country game rages, but at this point it's moot. The studio finished a while ago and is surely now working on something other than this series, but while they do, let's talk Donkey Kong...

It hit me last night. As I was playing a bit more Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze before penning my review I realized just how maddening this game can be. I lifted my GamePad up in the air after yet another untimely death and I almost threw it across the room.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze will inspire a range of reactions. Fortunately it's not exactly a wide range of reactions, so we can probably just run through them one by one. Let's start with those of you who haven't played Donkey Kong Country since the days of the Super Nintendo.

If I were Donkey Kong, I'd be f***ing pissed. Back in the 1980s, DK was just a simple construction monkey, trying to save a woman who wandered onto the job site without a hard hat. Some plumber tries to climb up and take credit, and now we're here.

I wanna move to Donkey Kong Country; Bonus levels; worlds; more; DK Gashapon; Off-TV play; Sounds like DKC again; Cranky's cane bounce; Mine-cart and rocket-barrel levels

No GamePad use to speak of; Off-TV play; Cranky's cane bounce

It was nice of Donkey Kong Country to return and all that, but the act is already starting to feel stale. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, coming out on Feb. 21 for the Wii U, is the follow-up to the Wii's Donkey Kong Country Returns, which was the first entry in the franchise since the days of...

Tropical Freeze might not have the novelty factor of its predecessor, but it's still a great platforming experience; Levels offer plenty of challenge, with lots of extra lives and checkpoints to keep you from becoming totally frustrated after each of your (many, many) deaths.

Each boss fight acts like it's the final encounter of any other game; They all feature multiple stages with different patterns to memorize, which means that they're all very, very long.

When it was revealed that the next game from the beloved Retro Studios would be a follow-up to the Nintendo Wii game Donkey Kong Country Returns , it came as a surprise to many, and fan reactions were fairly mixed.

Donkey Kong's just wanted to be liked for so long. The erstwhile villain to everyone's favorite plumber, Donkey Kong decided long ago that if you can't beat him, you might as well join him - or, emulate him, in the case of Donkey Kong Country.

Donkey Kong Country looks great in HD; Dixie and Cranky Kong add a few new wrinkles to the mix

Feels way to similar to previous entries; Controls are still sluggish and imprecise; Frustratingly drawn-out boss battles