Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

DONKEY KONG COUNTRY: TROPICAL FREEZE

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is the most recent game to come out in the series, the sequel to Donkey Kong Country Returns, and considered by many to be one of the finest 2D platformers ever made. Much as I said with the New Super Mario Bros. U post, I will only be covering the original version of the game and not later editions as those will be covered in their own group. So, sadly, nothing of Funky's playable appearance. (Don't worrry, he's done plenty already to land him a spot).

Tropical Freeze follows Donkey, Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky as their island is invaded by a horde of viking raiders with ice powers led by the evil Lord Fredrik. You mainly play as Donkey, with the other three acting almost more as power-ups than secondary characters, at least in single-player mode. They can do most of the basic Donkey Kong mechanics, running, jumping, ground pounding, using barrels, climbing and swinging, and so on. It's mostly a continuation of the mechanics from the previous game. Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky each add a new ability to the mix, with Diddy using his rocketbarrel pack, Dixie using her ponytail to flick enemies and spin it like a helicopter, and Cranky using his cane to bounce like a pogo stick. They all also have popguns that shoot peanuts, bubble gum, and . . . Cranky's dentures respectively.

Funky takes over Cranky's role as the shop owner for this game, while the Tutorial Pig returns in his same basic function. Rambi returns, charging as he always does, and Squawks will fly around and alert you of items.

Lord Fredrik is the leader of the Snowmads and the final boss of the game. He is very clearly supposed to be a spiritual successor to King K. Rool as he inherits many of the character quirks and appeal of his predecessor. Fredrik is a member of the Walrus subspecies of Snowmad, thus most anything they can do can also be applied to him as well. In the opening cutscene, he blows a giant horn that summons an ice dragon capable of freezing their whole island (final smaaaaash!!), and during his boss battle, he will jump and charge around, and use his horn to blow out more dragons, spike balls, and various enemies onto the field.

The Snowmads, much like the Kremlings, come in multiple varieties and species, the main subgroups being Tucks, Fluffs, Hootzes, and Waldoughs (Penguins, Rabbits, Owls, and Walruses respectively). Tucks, the penguins, walk around, charge, wear helmets, wear spiky helmets, carry shields, use a bow and arrow to shoot fish or fire, throw a giant melon bomb, use a fishbone spear to jab you, fly, bounce on springs, use a horn to blow fish out of it, and even drive a giant mech to attack you with. Huh, I see we have at least one volunteer for this round's surprise inclusion. Hmm. Welcome aboard, I guess.

Fluffs, the rabbits, can jump, wear helmets, create ice waves, and throw the same bombs. I guess they weren't as eager to get in. Hootzes, the owls, fly, light on fire, and sometimes wear helmets. Also not as eager. And Waldoughs, the walruses (and also the same species as Lord Fredrik), walks around, wears a helmet, uses a shield, tosses chum at you, fires a snowball cannon at you, and attacks you with a spear tipped with spiky pufferfish. Again, same species as Fredrik, so I suppose already in. Neat.

Finally, the Snowmads also include a handful of bosses, including: Pompy the Presumptuous, a seal who will slide and roll around on his belly and throw fish; Skowl the Startling, a giant owl who with fly around, using feathery darts, eggs, and ice balls as projectiles and whipping up some serious wind; Baboom the Boisterous, a trio of baboons who will throw bombs, swing on ropes, and roll around; Fugu the Frightening, a pufferfish who will inflate himself, roll around, and spit out smaller fish; and Bashmaster the Unbreakable, a polar bear with a giant hammer who will slam it down, create ice waves, jump around, and send ice blocks sliding along the stage.

We do have a scattering of other enemies to consider, including: Finley and Gordo, fish; Snaggles, the shark; Dozy, a basic bird; Mimics, who pretend to be bushes; Monocle Monica, a dragonfly; Punchy Paddy, a jumping grasshopper; Thug Slug, a slug; Wild Wendell, basically a Koopa Troopa; Cheesy Chester, a rat; Schnautzel, a pig that breathes fire; Buffaloafer, a buffalo that will charge at you; Chomps, basically Piranha Plants; Porcupal, a porcupine that lights itself on fire; Swooper Dooper, a flying enemy; Fritz, an electric eel; Jellyfish; Mama Saw, a sawfish enemy; Puftups, puffer fish; Sea Urchins; Squiddicus, the giant octopus from before; Bouncelisks, lizards carrying bouncy fruit on their backs; Bucky, a poisonous caterpillar; Buzzy, a bee; Chompasaur, a living plant that can crawl along the ground; and Toucan't, a bird who rolls on top of a spiky ball.

The levels in this world are certainly some of the most creative. The Lost Mangroves is your basic jungle level, not much to cover. Autumn Heights is a serene fall-leaves setting full of windmills and such. Bright Savannah is heavily based on the African savannah. Sea Breeze Cove is a beach/underwater level. Juicy Jungle is literally a whole series of levels built around the idea of food as a level (see drug-fueled dream sequence in the last game). And finally we have DK Isle, which is a series of levels based on every world from the last game, but covered in ice this time around (I'm just saying, that is so cool). Topping it all off with a final battle against Lord Fredrik in the volcano.

We have a lot of the same basic items from the previous game, as they were obviously made by the same developers, a la Retro Studios. So not much to add in here.

All right, let's see what we've got so far:

Characters:
Donkey Kong: run, jump, roll, swing, launch from barrels, bounce on tires, swim, ride minecarts, throw barrels, kick, punch, invincibility, pull levers, coconut gun, bongos, orange grenades, slam, ground pound, giant punch, rocket barrel, multiple punches
Diddy Kong: run, jump, roll, swing, launch from barrels, bounce on tires, swim, ride minecarts, throw barrels, throw Dixie, dynamite, spin with tail, bounce on tail, rocketbarrel pack, charge headfirst, peanut popgun, guitar, orange grenade, slam, rocket barrel, multiple punches
Dixie Kong: run, jump, roll, swing, launch from barrels, bounce on tires, swim, ride minecarts, throw barrels, throw Diddy, dynamite, flick with hair, fly with ponytail, hang from hook, rocket barrel, boat, plane, throw rocks, bubblegum popgun
Kiddy Kong: run, jump, roll, swing, launch from barrels, bounce on tires, swim, ride minecarts, throw barrels, hang from hook, rocket barrel, boat, plane, throw rocks
Tiny Kong: run, jump, roll, swim, throw barrels, climb, swing, flick with ponytails, teleport, fly, shrink, feather arrows, saxophone, slam, orange grenades
Lanky Kong: run, jump, roll, swim, throw barrels, climb, swing, stretch arms, multi-slap, jump rope, inflate, walk on hands, grape shooter, trombone, slam, orange grenades
Chunky Kong: run, jump, roll, swim, throw barrels, climb, swing, pick up giant rocks, punch, turn invisible, grow giant, roundhouse punch, slam, orange grenades
Cranky Kong: walking stick, dynamite, hints, museum, throw rocks, potions, shop, run, jump, roll, climb, etc., pogo stick cane, wack with cane, dentures popgun
Candy Kong: save, musical instruments, flirt
Funky Kong: airplane, boat, weapons, boot-bazooka, shop
Wrinkly Kong: college, hints, save, workout, ghost
Swanky Kong: quiz show, extra balloons, target mini-game
King K. Rool: throw crown, charge, jump high, cannonballs, blunderbuss, suck, various items, propeller jetpack, fireballs, electricity, KAOS, Klaptrap, shockwave slap, giant punch, bounce off ropes, Blast-o-Matic
Lord Fredrik: ice dragon horn, jump, charge, blow out spike balls, enemies, throw fish, shield, giant snowballs, giant mace
Kremlings/Kritter: walk forward (Klomp/Kobble), jump (Kaboing/Re-Koil), ride minecart (Krash/Klank), Krusha/Kruncha/Krumple (maybe his own, run, jump, bazooka, punch, roll, orange grenades, etc.), Klump/Kannon/Kuff n' Klout? (maybe his own, blunderbuss, jump, orange grenades), hide in barrel (Klobber/Knocka/Kracka/Kuchuka/ Klasp/Kaboom), climb ropes (Klinger), Kutlass, Krook, Kloak, Kackle, Klubba, Koin, Kopter, Bazuka, Kasplat, Kosha, Robokremlings, Ghosts, Shrooms, Bones
Tiki Tong/Various Tikis: spew lava, slap left and right, down, together, hypnotize, back and forth, fly, boing, light on fire, razor blades, tank, explode, wormhole, spit blades
Tucks: walk around, charge, wear helmets, wear spiky helmets, carry shields, use a bow and arrow to shoot fish or fire, throw a giant melon bomb, use a fishbone spear to jab you, fly, bounce on springs, use a horn to blow fish out of it, drive a giant mech
Animal Buddies:
Rambi: charge forward, jump
Enguarde: swim, stab
Expresso: jump, run fast, glide
Winky: leap
Squawks: fly, flashlight, carry Kongs, peanuts, find stuff
Rattly: bounce
Squitter: crawl, spit webs, walk on webs
Clapper: cool things
Glimmer: flashlight
Quawks: fly, carry Kongs
Ellie: charge, jump, pick up barrels, squirt water
Parry: mimic
<Tentative> Moles: balloons, pickaxes, burrow, train, bombs, minecarts? (sounds a whole lot of derivative. Maybe a color swap for Monty?)

Bosses:
Very Gnawty
Master Necky
Queen B
Really Gnawty
Dumb Drum
Master Necky Sr.
Krow
Kleever
Kudgel
King Zing
Kreepy Krow
Belcha
Arich
Squirt
Bleak
Barbos
KAOS
Army Dillo
Dogadon
Mad Jack
Puftoss
King Kut Out
Mugly
Scurvy Crew
Stu
Mole Miner Max
Mangoruby
Thugly
Stompybot 3000
Squiddicus
Big Squeekly
Pompy the Presumptuous
Skowl the Startling
Baboom the Boisterous
Fugu the Frightening
Bashmaster the Unbreakable

Stages:
Jungle Level
Forest/Trees Level
Mine/Cave Level
Underwater Level
Snow Level
Factory Level
Gangplank Galleon
Volcano Level
Theme Park Level
Ghostly Level
Bramble/Hive Level
K. Rool's Keep
Flying Krock
Cliff/Waterfall Level
KAOS Core
Jungle Japes
Angry Aztec
Frantic Factory
Gloomy Galleon
Fungi Forest
Crystal Caves
Creepy Castle
Hideout Helm
DK Isle
Jungle Hijinx
Beach Level
Golden Temple
Food-Themed Level
Lost Mangroves
Autumn Heights
Bright Savannah
Sea Breeze Cove
Juicy Jungle
Frozen DK Island

Items:
Barrels
Barrel Cannons
Bananas
Banana Coins
Tires
Banana Birds
Cogs
Presents
Boat
Plane
Oranges
Banana Fairy
Golden Banana
Puzzle Pieces
Letter Panels

Thanks for reading! Now, let's break this all down and put ourselves together a roster.