Since his debut in 1981, Donkey Kong has been a staple of video game culture. Featured in many different forms of popular culture the iconic ape is easily recognized for his red tie, smile, and love for bananas. However, what are the best games dawning his iconic world? With Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze releasing on Nintendo Switch this week NoobFeed has decided to choose their top 5 best Donkey Kong games.
LLC: "With Donkey Kong Bananza being one of our most wanted games of 2025, we decided to look back at the series history and create a top ten Donkey Kong games list."
While the genre may currently be an oversaturated one, it’s interesting to look back on how the Donkey Kong franchise even got a racer to begin with, and what stopped Nintendo from ever releasing more entries.
Man, this would be the perfect title to bring next to the Nintendo 64 lineup on Nintendo Switch Online. This game was so good back in the day.
GOAT, best game of all time, never got the updated version / sequel is so much deserved,
sometimes though, as they say "never meet your heroes" to avoid disappointment,
so I look at it as, best left in the past and just enjoy the memories.
Really was a phenomenal game. I still remember being at my cousin's house and unlocking the spaceship, our minds were blown lol
Also hated that damn blubber the octopus boss.
This was better than Mario Kart 64 but far for me. I loved the different vehicles and adventure aspect.
The single player was by far better than MK64, not sure about the multiplayer as I don't recall playing DKR with someone else.
The thing I noticed with DKR was that the enemy racers seem to hardly use power ups against you, but they are pretty aggressive in keeping pace or passing you so maybe that's why they made them use power ups less than MK.
I always remember DKR being hard as a kid compared to MK64, but I mostly played MK64 as a multi-player game, whereas DKR had a satisfying single player mode.
Absolutely loved DKR. Mario Kart, as much as I love it, has yet to really capture the magic of DKR. Better in some ways, worse in others.
As the first game to be released in the DKC series in 11 years, fans of Donkey Kong were eager to see how the iconic ape’s adventures continued. And when it was finally released, the game proved well worth the wait. With incredible level design, difficult yet fun platforming gameplay, vibrant presentation and an amazing soundtrack, “Donkey Kong Country Returns” is an amazing side-scrolling platformer and an incredible comeback for one of Nintendo’s oldest mascots.
Donkey Kong is Nintendo’s longest running franchise
I can’t wait until the next new installment
No way in hell is Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat a better game than Donkey Kong Country 2, 3, Returns or Tropical Freeze and it damn sure isn’t better than Donkey Kong ‘94, Diddy Kong Racing, Donkey Kong 64, & Mario vs Donkey Kong.