Donkey Kong, despite being one of Nintendo's leading franchises, hasn't gotten as much love as the likes of Mario and Zelda. It's been quite awhile since the last major Donkey Kong game, and it looks like fans may be in for an even longer wait, as rumors allege that an ambitious new project in the series has been canned.
It was reported that Vicarious Visions, the studio best known for remakes like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, had been working on a game called Donkey Kong Freedom a few years back. Rumors about DK Freedom suggested that it would adhere to an open-world formula (a reasonable prospect, considering the title), marking a return to the 3D perspective that had previously only been featured in Donkey Kong 64, over 25 years ago. Apparently, this ambitious concept was scrapped all the way back in 2016, but it still lives in the minds of many Donkey Kong fans, once again proving—as if there needed to be more proof—how hungry audiences are for a proper follow-up to Donkey Kong 64.
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The Absence of a New 3D Donkey Kong Continues To Be Baffling
Vicarious Visions' Donkey Kong Freedom Could Have Been Something Special
While it's important to take the reports of Vicarious Visions' Donkey Kong game with a grain of salt, as neither Nintendo nor Activision-Blizzard have confirmed it was ever in development, the information does come from reputable sources, including the popular DK Vine news blog. Assuming that the project was indeed in the works at one point, it could have had the power to be a bold new chapter in the Donkey Kong franchise, as its reported status as an open-world adventure would be a natural fit for the series' unique platforming mechanics.
More recently, concept art allegedly linked to DK Freedom was revealed, showing the titular ape walking through a lush jungle. Naturally, this doesn't shed a lot of light on the project, but it does conjure a powerful image of Donkey Kong unshackled from the dated hardware of the Nintendo 64, making his way through a detailed 3D environment and free to go anywhere, anytime. Games like Tropical Freeze are great, of course, but they lack the sense of scale, ambition, and whimsy that could be present in a well-crafted 3D Donkey Kong game, making the cancelation of this rumored Vicarious Visions project all the more bitter.
A New 3D Donkey Kong Could Give the Series a Shot in the Arm
It's rather astonishing that Donkey Kong has only gotten remasters over the course of the past decade. Other major Nintendo entries, including the often-neglected Metroid, have enjoyed proper, new releases since 2014, with clearly ambitious projects on the horizon. A greater commitment to Donkey Kong only makes sense, as it's essentially a flagship franchise with an inexplicable lack of new entries.
In light of this, the next Donkey Kong would do well to be something big—something that both fans and, no doubt, many developers, have wanted for a long time now. The ship has likely sailed on the rumored Vicarious Visions game, but a new 3D Donkey Kong, quite frankly, seems like a no-brainer. The leap in technology since 1999's Donkey Kong 64 would open the door to significant innovation within this space: more detail, vaster landscapes, and better visual effects could underpin a dense and engaging sandbox.
Moreover, an open-world platformer like the rumored Vicarious Visions project, something along the lines of Bowser's Fury, could be truly unique with a character like Donkey Kong at the helm. The satisfying physics and vibrant level design of a game like Tropical Freeze could be translated to this larger, more interconnected world, making for a one-of-a-kind experience.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- February 21, 2014
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Mild Cartoon Violence
- Developer(s)
- Retro Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Donkey Kong Country
WHERE TO PLAY
Barrel-blast into a critically acclaimed Donkey Kong adventure as this beloved franchise makes its Nintendo Switch™ debut with a banana-bunch of new features. Traverse islands packed with platforming perfection and nonstop action as the classic Kongs in the original game, or mix things up by playing the story as Funky Kong in new Funky Mode!
Arctic invaders have turned Donkey Kong Island into their personal frozen fortress, and it’s up to you to save the day. Play as Donkey Kong in Original Mode and team up with Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong—each with unique abilities—to overcome platforming challenges and frosty foes.
For a more accessible experience, start a game in Funky Mode to enjoy a range of gameplay updates and a new main-character option, spectacular surfing simian Funky Kong! His extra hearts and unique abilities make for a more relaxed gaming experience. And no matter which mode you choose, a wealth of collectibles and two-player co-op round out the fun!
- Platform(s)
- Switch, Nintendo Wii U
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
