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Top 10 Donkey Kong Games Ranked

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Here are the Top 10 Donkey Kong Games RANKED just in time for the new game coming on Switch 2 soon!

1. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Switch/Wii U, 2014/2018)

  • Why #1: It’s a 2D platforming masterpiece. Tight controls, gorgeous HD visuals, inventive level design, and David Wise’s god-tier soundtrack.

  • Bonus: Funky Mode makes it welcoming, but even on normal mode, this game doesn’t pull punches.

2. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest (SNES, 1995)

  • Why it’s classic: Many still consider it the peak of the DKC trilogy. Atmospheric worlds, deep platforming, and Dixie’s helicopter hair made this unforgettable.

  • Arguably the best SNES soundtrack of all time.

3. Donkey Kong Country (SNES, 1994)

  • Why it changed the game: This game sold the SNES. Its pre-rendered graphics were revolutionary, and the gameplay still holds up.

  • Collecting bananas has never felt so urgent.

4. Donkey Kong (Arcade, 1981)

  • The origin story: The game that introduced Mario (then Jumpman), Pauline, and DK himself. It’s still brutally hard and iconic in every way.

  • OG arcade cred: It’s one of the most important video games ever made.

5. Donkey Kong ’94 (Game Boy, 1994)

  • Why it’s genius: Starts like the arcade game, then explodes into a full-on puzzle-platformer. Way deeper than it looks.

  • Mario flipping and backflipping like a gymnast? Yep, it started here.

6. Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii, 2010)

  • Retro reboot magic: Brought DKC roaring back after a long hiatus. It’s tough, creative, and full of energy.

  • Controls were divisive (waggle to roll?!), but level design? Top tier.

7. Diddy Kong Racing (N64, 1997)

  • Surprise, it’s racing: Not strictly a DK game, but Diddy headlines, and it’s better than it has any right to be. Story mode + planes + hovercrafts? Yes, please.

  • A rainbow-colored fever dream with a killer soundtrack.

8. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (GameCube, 2005)

  • Yes, this is the bongo game: You control DK by slapping bongos and clapping. It shouldn’t work—but it does. It’s bizarre and beautiful.

  • Later re-released with normal controls, but that’s not the true experience.

9. Donkey Kong 64 (N64, 1999)

  • The collectathon of collectathons: So many golden bananas. So many colored items. So many Kongs.

  • Infamous for the DK Rap. Endearing for its scope, if overwhelming and janky by today’s standards.

10. Mario vs. Donkey Kong (GBA, 2004)

  • Puzzle time: Revived the Donkey Kong ’94 gameplay with mini-Marios and loads of clever puzzles.

  • More brainy than brawny, but still very much in the DK family tree.

🍌 Honorable Mentions:

  • Donkey Kong Land trilogy (GB) – Great, if sometimes awkward, handheld versions of the DKC formula.

  • Donkey Konga (GCN) – A rhythm game with licensed music and bongos. Wild times.

  • Donkey Kong Jr. (Arcade/NES) – The sequel where you play as DK’s son to save your dad. Role reversal at its finest.