All Donkey Kong Games, Ranked

Very few franchises have stood the test of time as the likes of the Donkey Kong series. For nearly four decades now, the series has churned out pretty high-quality platformers that thrive on challenge. So far, over 30 Donkey Kong games have been released over the years, with plenty more spin-offs. And even though it’s been a minute since we’ve gotten our hands on a fresh title, the ones that presently exist still offer valuable gameplay. 

But not all the titles have been created equal. While some classics will still feel great to play right now, others have simply aged out or were rough entries right from the start. Bear with us as we rank all the Donkey Kong games that have ever made it to the gaming sphere, arcade, Game Boy, SNES, Switch, and many more platforms alike.

32. Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (2013)

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move is an action puzzle game that’s the fifth title in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. You control Mini toys as you guide them toward the set goal under the time limit given. More precisely, you’ll have tiles that you must organize to create a pathway for the Minis to reach their goal.

Platform: Nintendo 3DS

31. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars (2015)

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars is also an action puzzle game with the same gameplay concept as Minis on the Move. It’s the sixth entry in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series and involves controlling Minis to reach their destination.

But in addition to helping Minis get around, you can also create your own levels, upping the ante further and sharing your creations with other players.

Platform: 3DS

30. Donkey Konga 3 (2005)

Donkey Konga 3, on the other hand, is a music/rhythm game. However, the game was only released in Japan as the third and final entry in the Donkey Konga series. It has 75 J-pop, children, Latin, jazz, classical and more songs, plus four playable Kong characters 

Platform: GameCube

29. Donkey Kong Circus (1984)

Next up on the ranking of all Donkey Kong games is Donkey Kong Circus, which challenges you to control Donkey Kong atop a barrel as he tries to juggle pineapples and avoid getting hit by fireballs dropping down on him from drums. There are a couple of activities going on the screen that engage you throughout the game as you try to get as few misses as possible.

Platform: Game & Watch

28. Donkey Kong Barrel Blast (2007)

Meanwhile, Donkey Kong Barrel Blast is a racing game that didn’t quite receive the warmest reception upon release. You use the Wii remote to control your character and shake it to increase your speed, lift it to jump over obstacles and stay on top of the sensor to beat your opponents.

Platform: Wii

27. Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis (2006)

You’ll want to play Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, a fun action puzzle game that follows up after Mario vs. Donkey Kong. It’s the first game that introduced the concept of navigating Minis through levels that went on to feature in the next sequels in the series.

Platform: Nintendo DS

26. Donkey Konga 2 (2004)

Donkey Konga 2 is better than its predecessor, cementing the spin-off series as a worthy contender on the ranking of all Donkey Kong games. You still use the GameCube’s controllers to play through the roughly 30 song choices. In Japan, the title is known as Donkey Konga 2: Hit Song Parade.

Platform: GameCube

25. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! (2010)

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! is also an action puzzle game that’s the fourth title in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. While the gameplay doesn’t change much from its predecessors, it does add a few notable touch-ups. For instance, you could trace the pathway or bridges you want your Minis to follow.

Platform: Nintendo DS

24. Donkey Kong Jr. Math (1983)

Among the early Donkey Kong titles is Donkey Kong Jr. Math. This educational game is the fourth title in the franchise, where the popular Nintendo Mascot holds up a sign for Donkey Kong Jr. to try to find the numbers and math signs that will arrive at the solution.

Platform: NES

23. Donkey Kong Hockey (1984)

Donkey Kong Hockey stands out for being a two-player classic. It pits Donkey Kong and Mario against each other in a game of field hockey.

Platform: Game & Watch

22. Donkey Kong 3 (1984)

Donkey Kong 3 experiments with different gameplay ideas, adding a shooter gaming genre to the franchise. Moreover, it replaces Mario with an exterminator called Stanley, who platforms under Donkey Kong, spraying bug spray on both Kong and flies littered around the levels.

Platform: Game & Watch

21. DK: King of Swing (2005)

Among the best Donkey Kong games of all time is DK: King of Swing. This puzzle game kicks off the DK series with style where Kong traverses five worlds to get back the Jungle Jam medals taken by King K. Pool.

Platform: Game Boy Advance

20. Donkey Kong Land III (1997)

Donkey Kong Land III thrives on the platforming genre the Donkey Kong franchise has always been known for. It wraps up the Donkey Kong Land series, which also picks up where Donkey Kong Country 3 left off. As a result, the gameplay is very similar to Donkey Kong Country 3, controlling Dixie or Kiddy Kong across different stages. 

Platform: Game Boy

19. Donkey Kong Jr. (1982)

Donkey Kong Jr., in turn, is an arcade platformer game that picks up where Donkey Kong, the first game in the franchise, left off. This time, though, Mario plays the villain while Donkey Kong Jr. plays the hero, trying to save his father, Donkey Kong.

Platform: Arcade

18. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! (2009)

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! is a puzzle platformer game that’s the third title in the Mario vs Donkey Kong series. You can create your own levels here, sharing them with other players so they can experience limitless ways to guide Minis to the goal.

Platform: DSiWare

17. Donkey Kong Land 2 (1996)

Another platformer you should check out is Donkey Kong Land 2, which plays a lot similar to Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest. You traverse seven worlds, beating rivals, making friends, and conquering the diverse stages on offer.

Platform: Game Boy

16. Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber (2007)

The puzzle platformer game  takes after Donkey Kong Country, at least in terms of gameplay. You control Donkey and Diddy Kong as they try to beat different levels. 

Platform: Nintendo DS

15. Donkey Konga (2003)

Of course, Donkey Konga ranks high among all Donkey Kong games for reinventing the wheel of the gameplay the franchise had been used to thus far. It introduced the rhythm genre to the series, using special DK Bongos that look like small bongo drums or the GameCube’s usual controllers to play the game. Alongside songs from the Mario and Zelda series, you’ll also find popular classic, jazz, and pop music to the tune of 30 tracks.

Platform: GameCube

14. Donkey Kong Country 3 (2005)

Donkey Kong Country 3 is, in fact, a remake of Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble! While it retains much of the original’s gameplay, you do enjoy a new world and soundtrack that breathes new life into an old favorite.

Platform: Game Boy Advance

13. Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2004)

The Mario vs. Donkey Kong puzzle game remains a global sensation after having picked up from the all-time great Donkey Kong (1994). You both platform and solve puzzles across a series of stages, controlling Mario as he searches for a key and saves mini-marios while at it.

Platform: Game Boy Advance

12. Donkey Kong Country 2 (2004)

Another remake you can consider playing is Donkey Kong Country 2. It elevates 1995’s Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest to a new level. You still control Diddy or Dixie Kong across different challenging levels traversing eight worlds, just with better graphics and controls.

Platform: Game Boy Advance

11. Donkey Kong Land (1995)

Donkey Kong Land retains the franchise’s signature platforming genre, coming up with new ways to complete challenging levels and conquer enemies. You can switch between Donkey and Diddy Kong even as you stuff your pockets with collectables and retrieve your stolen banana board from King K. Rool. 

Platform: Game Boy

10. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie’s Kong’s Double Trouble! (1996)

Although there’s a remake for Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie’s Kong’s Double Trouble!, the original still remains, well, the OG. Nothing beats experiencing thrilling gameplay for the first time ever, as veterans will remember when the title came out. You could follow Dixie Kong’s travels over and over again as she teams up with Kiddy Kong to save Donkey and Diddy Kong from captivity.

Platform: SNES

9. Donkey Kong Country (1994)

Still, on first-time experiences, Donkey Kong Country remains a fond look back at how far the franchise has come. Yet, even with its age, it was still a game-changing iteration that did away with the initial Donkey Kong formula. As a result, new trajectories birthed a new trilogy that remains one of the best Donkey Kong series of all time.

Platform: SNES

8. Donkey Kong (1981)

Mario may seem like the leading Nintendo mascot. However, it’s Donkey Kong that made the plumber the hero he is today. Before Super Mario Bros. (1985), there was Donkey Kong (1981). This arcade game features player-controlled Mario, running and jumping across different platforms. You need to get him across obstacles and challenging levels to save Pauline from Donkey Kong, the game’s villain.

Platform: Arcade

7. Diddy Kong Racing (1997)

Donkey Kong’s humble villain roots birthed an affinity for racing, too. Well, Diddy Kong, at least, who is Donkey Kong’s nephew and sidekick. This time, Diddy takes it to the tracks, racing cars, hovercrafts, and even an aeroplane across the finish line in a bid to beat the intergalactic villain, Wizpig.

Platform: Nintendo 64

6. Donkey Kong 64 (1999)

In 1999, Donkey Kong 64 enticed players with its 3D gameplay. It’s the first and only title to incorporate 3D gameplay, with players controlling Donkey Kong across different themed worlds. You collect special items along the way, solve puzzles, and try to beat King K. Rool, who is holding your family hostage.

Platform: Nintendo 64

5. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (2004)

Donkey Kong is determined to rule the jungle in Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, even as he platforms different levels to defeat evil kings. But you also control bananas, ride animals, and swing on vines, among all other gorilla shenanigans. 

Platform: Gamecube

4. Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010)

Donkey Kong Country Returns features menacing Tiki-like villains who rampage Donkey Kong island and influence other animals to snatch Donkey and Diddy Kong’s banana hoard. So now, you set forth again, determined to reclaim what’s rightfully yours.

Platform: Wii

3. Donkey Kong (1994)

Leave along the first game in the franchise, 1994’s Donkey Kong pretty much steals the show. It takes the best parts of the original and its sequel, still controlling Mario as he tries to rescue Pauline from Donkey Kong. However, you enjoy better character designs and generally more seamless features.

Platform: Game Boy

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

Remake or not, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest still remains a memorable game. You enjoy a decent story about Diddy Kong and his girlfriend, Dixie, as they try to rescue Donkey Kong from King K. Rool.

That and a fun platformer complete with 52 levels, eight worlds, and excellent content variety.

Platform: SNES

1. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014)

By far and above, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze beats all Donkey Kong games. It’s the most modern entry that’s also a platformer, focusing on Donkey Kong and his efforts to save Donkey Kong island from the Snowmads.

Platform: Wii U