15 BRUTALLY Hard Video Games (That Are Actually Fun)

Donkey Kong Country has always been Mario for grown-ups. Ever since the original DK Country was released on the SNES, the franchise has taken inspiration from the flagship plumber and incorporated ever imaginative level design, mechanics and bosses to ramp up the difficulty. DK Country: Tropical Freeze is no exception.

The level design throughout the game is bold. Each world has unique enemies, challenges and bosses to navigate and inevitably die to. At no point does this become unbearably annoying however, thanks to the vast array of skills the DK family has to offer, suitable for players of all styles.

Our titular ape is well balanced, Diddy Kong has a jetpack that can let you hover for a short time, Dixie Kong can use her hair to glide to safety and Funky Kong (added to the most recent Switch release) is there if you are finding the whole thing a little too challenging.

Every level is packed with secrets, alternative routes and inventive ways of navigating the levels. It all comes marries together to make DK Country: Tropical Freeze both a wonderful nostalgia trip as well as a genuine challenge.