The Most UNDERRATED Donkey Kong Game...
52With the release of Donkey Kong Bananza on the Nintendo Switch 2, I figured now was the perfect time to look back and rank every single Donkey Kong game from worst to best. This list covers everything from the earliest arcade hits to some of Nintendo's weirdest experiments, and ends with the latest and possibly greatest 3D DK adventure yet.
This isn’t just a dry history lesson—this is a personal, in-depth journey through one of Nintendo’s most iconic (and sometimes overlooked) franchises. From barrel-hopping classics to bongo-based rhythm games, from Game Boy oddities to 3D collect-a-thons, I break down what each title did right (or very, very wrong) and how they hold up today.
Included:
A full ranking of 28 unique Donkey Kong games — no remakes, no ports, and no Mario vs. Donkey Kong puzzle spin-offs
Commentary that’s part review, part nostalgia trip, and part “what were they thinking?”
My personal take on classics like Donkey Kong Country, Tropical Freeze, Donkey Kong 64, and Diddy Kong Racing
Coverage of obscure titles like DK: King of Swing, Jungle Climber, Donkey Kong Jr. Math, and Barrel Blast
Thoughts on how Donkey Kong Bananza compares to both the classics and modern platformers
🎮 Why this list matters:
The Donkey Kong franchise has had one of the most bizarre and diverse histories in gaming. It started as an arcade juggernaut that introduced Mario to the world and evolved into a groundbreaking 2D platformer series with some of the best music and level design in the SNES era. It dipped into rhythm games, racer spin-offs, and experimental handheld titles before making a triumphant return with Retro Studios’ Donkey Kong Country Returns and Tropical Freeze.
And now? With Donkey Kong Bananza, we finally have a brand-new 3D DK game—something fans have waited over two decades for. It’s gorgeous, expansive, and full of surprises (don’t worry, I keep it spoiler-free). This game might just be the Super Mario Odyssey moment DK fans have dreamed about.
Thank you for watching Game Domain! Subscribe here http://bit.ly/2c2M2Ix
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=2800249
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/BJvjKMs
Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/realgamedomain
Follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/realgamedomain/
Checkout our Rankings series: https://bit.ly/2oqUJIa
Checkout our Top 10s: https://bit.ly/3Ructw2
Checkout our Best Mario Videos: https://bit.ly/4jkPWxP
Checkout our Documentaries: https://bit.ly/4iKVhOS
Some of our personal favorite videos:
Top 10 Nintendo Switch Games: • Top 10 BEST Nintendo Switch Games
Ranking Every Mario RPG: • Ranking EVERY Mario RPG (2025)
Mario & Luigi Documentary: • The Complete History of the Mario & Luigi ...
Ranking EVERY Zelda Game: • Ranking The Legend of Zelda Games (All Mai...
New Super Mario Bros Documentary: • New Super Mario Bros - Documentary
Pikmin Documentary: • The History of Pikmin - Documentary
For any press inquiries, or sponsorship questions, please email gamedomainbiz@gmail.com
For any collaboration request, DM us on X, Discord or send an email.
Film Domain: / @filmdomain