Where to Start · Donkey Kong
Where to Start with Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong is one of Nintendo's oldest franchises, running since the 1981 arcade original, but the series effectively splits into two distinct eras: the arcade and NES era (1981-1994) and the Rare platformer era beginning with Donkey Kong Country (1994). These two eras share a name and a character but are almost entirely different games — the arcade original is a single-screen platformer, the Rare era is a 2D side-scrolling platformer with one of the best soundtracks in gaming history.
Most people who say they love Donkey Kong mean the Country series. Here is how to approach both.
If you only play one Donkey Kong game
Play Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995). It is the peak of the franchise — harder than the original, more varied in its level design, more memorable in its music (David Wise's soundtrack is extraordinary), and more ambitious in every direction. You do not need to play DKC1 first — the story context is minimal. DKC2 is available on Nintendo Switch Online (SNES library).
The Rare SNES trilogy
Donkey Kong Country (1994) launched the franchise into its golden era — pre-rendered 3D visuals that looked unlike anything else on SNES, tight two-character gameplay, and excellent level design. DKC1 → DKC2 → DKC3 is the correct order for the trilogy. DKC3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble (1996) is the weakest of the three but still excellent — Kiddy Kong is the divisive element, not the gameplay. All three are on Nintendo Switch Online (SNES library) and are the most cost-effective way to play them.
Donkey Kong Country Returns and Tropical Freeze
Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010, Wii) is Retro Studios' revival of the franchise — hard, precise, and faithful to the Rare era without copying it. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014/2018) is the better game and considered by many to be the best platformer on Nintendo Switch. Funky Mode in the Switch version adds a more accessible option. If you own a Switch, Tropical Freeze is essential. Dixie Kong's swimming levels, Funky Kong's board sections, and the David Wise soundtrack returning — Tropical Freeze is the best the franchise has ever been.
Switch Online bundle — Donkey Kong Country 1–3, Donkey Kong 64, and the NES arcade-style rereleases stack neatly on one subscription — pair that with a Tropical Freeze cart for the full modern peak.
The arcade era
The original Donkey Kong (1981) is available on Nintendo Switch Online (NES library). It is historically essential — Jumpman (later Mario) vs Donkey Kong throwing barrels is where Nintendo's two biggest franchises began. Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong 3 complete the arcade trilogy. All are playable as historical documents but not as primary entry points for a modern audience.
Donkey Kong 64
Donkey Kong 64 (1999) on N64 is the franchise's 3D collectathon entry — five playable Kongs, hundreds of collectibles, the DK Rap. It is divisive: the collectathon design is extreme even by N64 era standards, but the scale and personality are undeniable. Available on Nintendo Switch Online (N64 library). Worth playing after the Country series if you want the full franchise picture.
What platforms you need
Donkey Kong Country 1-3 — Nintendo Switch Online (SNES library). Donkey Kong Country Returns — Wii physical or 3DS version. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze — Nintendo Switch. Donkey Kong 64 — Nintendo Switch Online (N64 library). Original arcade Donkey Kong — Nintendo Switch Online (NES library).
Recommended order
Donkey Kong Country 2 first if you want the best single game. DKC1 → DKC2 → DKC3 if you want the trilogy in order. Then Tropical Freeze for the modern peak. Returns fills the gap between the SNES trilogy and Tropical Freeze. DK64 for completionists.