It’s been over a decade since Tropical Freeze landed on the Wii U, and honestly, the silence from Nintendo is getting a little deafening at this point. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent the last three years refreshing Twitter (or X, whatever) every time a Nintendo Direct is announced, hoping against hope to see that iconic tie and a pair of bongos. We’re all wondering the same thing: where is the Donkey Kong Country new game? While the big N has been busy giving Mario every spin-off imaginable and making sure Link has enough physics toys to break reality, the Kongs have been relegated to "remaster duty" and a starring role in a theme park.
It's weird. Donkey Kong is a pillar of the company. Yet, the gap between Tropical Freeze and today is now longer than the gap between the original SNES trilogy and the Retro Studios revival. That’s a long time to keep fans hanging on a vine.
What do we actually know about the next Donkey Kong?
Let’s cut through the noise because the internet is basically a dumpster fire of "leaks" that turn out to be fake 4chan posts. Currently, the most concrete thing we have isn't a new platformer, but Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. It’s a remaster of a Wii game that already got a 3DS port. Is it cool? Sure. Is it the Donkey Kong Country new game we’ve been screaming for? Not even close.
But there’s a silver lining here if you look at how Nintendo operates. Usually, when they drop a remaster of a dormant franchise, they’re "priming the pump." They want to see if the audience is still there before they commit $50 million to a ground-up sequel. We saw it with Metroid Prime Remastered leading into the Metroid Prime 4 hype cycle. The rumor mill—specifically folks like NateTheHate and Zippo, who have hit-and-miss track records but occasionally get the internal scoop—has been adamant for years that a new 2D/2.5D DK title is in development.
The most interesting tidbit? Retro Studios probably isn't making it. They’ve been buried under the development hell that is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond since 2019. If a new Kong adventure exists, it’s likely being handled by Nintendo EPD Tokyo. That’s the Super Mario Odyssey team. Think about that for a second. The level of polish and creative insanity they could bring to the Jungle Hijinxs is staggering.
Why the Switch 2 changes everything
Timing is everything in the gaming industry. Releasing a massive, AAA 2D platformer in the twilight years of the original Switch doesn't make a ton of sense when you have a "Switch 2" (or whatever the successor is called) on the horizon.
The move to the next generation of hardware is the most logical explanation for the delay. Imagine a Donkey Kong Country new game running on hardware that can actually handle modern lighting, high-fidelity fur textures, and complex physics without dropping below 60 frames per second. Tropical Freeze was gorgeous, but it was held back by the Wii U’s ancient architecture. A new entry could finally give us the "CGI movie" look that the 1994 original was trying to simulate with pre-rendered sprites.
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Nintendo needs "tentpole" titles for a console launch. We know Metroid is coming. We know a new Mario is inevitable. But a new Donkey Kong title provides that perfect middle ground—it’s a family-friendly brand with massive nostalgic pull for the 30-somethings who grew up on the SNES. It’s a system seller.
Gameplay shifts: 2D, 3D, or something else?
There’s a massive debate in the community about whether the series should stay 2D or finally pull a Mario 64 and go fully 3D again. Let’s be real: Donkey Kong 64 was a polarizing mess of orange blueprints and too many collectibles. But that was 1999. We’ve learned a lot since then.
If Nintendo EPD Tokyo is indeed the developer, a 3D platformer isn't out of the question. However, the "Country" branding is specifically tied to the side-scrolling DNA. If they call it a Donkey Kong Country new game, expect it to be 2.5D. That doesn't mean it has to be "safe." We could see a return of the world map style from DKC3 or even a more open-ended exploration system.
One thing is for sure—the "Buddy" system needs an overhaul.
- Diddy Kong needs to be more than just a jetpack.
- Dixie Kong shouldn't just be a "hover" button.
- Cranky Kong's pogo stick was a fun experiment, but we need more interaction.
Honestly, bring back the animal friends. Rambi the Rhino is a classic, but where is Enguarde the Swordfish? Where is Squitter the Spider? The recent Retro Studios games leaned heavily on the Kongs themselves, but the SNES trilogy felt like a whole ecosystem. Bringing that variety back would immediately differentiate a new entry from its predecessors.
The Super Nintendo World factor
Don't ignore the physical world. Universal Studios Japan recently opened the "Donkey Kong Country" expansion to Super Nintendo World, and Orlando is getting it soon.
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Companies don't spend hundreds of millions of dollars on theme park land for a dead franchise.
The "Mine Cart Madness" coaster is the centerpiece. It’s a direct marketing tool. Nintendo is building a multi-media ecosystem where the games, the movies (remember DK in the Mario Movie?), and the theme parks all feed into each other. You don't build a Donkey Kong land and then not release a Donkey Kong Country new game to capitalize on the hype. It’s business 101. They want kids leaving that park and begging their parents for the game they just "lived" in person.
The composer question: Wise or bust?
We have to talk about David Wise. The music is 50% of the soul of this franchise. Tropical Freeze worked so well because Wise returned to provide that atmospheric, soulful, "aquatic ambience" vibe. If Nintendo tries to make a new game with generic, bouncy "Mario-style" music, the fans will riot.
The soundtrack needs to be moody. It needs to be percussive. It needs to feel like a jungle at night, not just a bright cartoon.
There’s a specific texture to DKC music—a mix of synthetic pads and organic drums—that defines the series. Whether it’s David Wise or a new composer like Tee Lopes, the "vibe" is non-negotiable. If the music isn't there, it isn't a Country game.
Acknowledging the "Returns" fatigue
I’ll be blunt: some people are tired of the Returns style. The "two-hearts-per-Kong" system and the rigid movement can feel a bit clinical compared to the floatier, more secret-heavy SNES games.
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A Donkey Kong Country new game has to innovate. It can't just be Tropical Freeze 2. Maybe they introduce a "tag-team" mechanic where you can switch between three Kongs on the fly, each with specific puzzle-solving abilities. Or perhaps we get a return of the "Kremlings." The "Snowmads" and "Tikis" were fine, but they never had the personality of King K. Rool and his pirate crocodiles. Bringing back the Kremlings would be a massive win for the fans who have been begging for their return since the Rareware days.
Looking at the technical side
If this is a Switch 2 title, we’re looking at some serious potential upgrades:
- DLSS Support: This would allow for incredibly sharp 4K output on your TV while maintaining a smooth frame rate.
- HDR: Imagine the sunset levels from Returns but with actual High Dynamic Range. The silhouettes would pop against a truly blinding orange sky.
- Physical Interaction: Better fur rendering. When DK gets wet, his fur should matted and heavy. When he’s in the snow, it should gather flakes. Small details matter in a high-end Nintendo production.
What you should do while waiting
The wait is painful, but there are ways to prep for the eventual reveal. Don't just sit there and stew.
First, go play Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze again, but try the "Hard Mode." It unlocks after you beat the main game and forces you to play with only one Kong and no checkpoints. It’s brutal. It’s also the best way to appreciate the masterclass in level design that Retro Studios achieved.
Second, keep an eye on the Donkey Kong Country Returns HD launch in early 2025. The sales numbers for that game will directly influence how much marketing budget Nintendo puts behind the Donkey Kong Country new game. If it sells 5 million copies, expect the new game to be treated like a GOTY contender.
Lastly, watch the Nintendo investor meetings. They rarely leak specific game titles, but they do mention "IP utilization." When they start talking about expanding the reach of the Donkey Kong brand beyond the theme parks, you’ll know the announcement is weeks—not months—away.
Immediate next steps for fans
- Check your Nintendo Switch Online library: The original trilogy is there. If you haven't played them in a while, go back. See how the level pacing differs from the modern games.
- Monitor the "Switch 2" reveal cycle: Any mention of a "new 2D platformer" that isn't Mario is almost certainly our big ape.
- Support the remaster: If you want the franchise to live, you have to show there’s a market for it. Returns HD might be a "double dip," but it’s a vote for the future of the series.
The Kongs aren't gone. They're just resting. But with the theme park opening and new hardware on the horizon, the slumber is almost over. Get your bananas ready.