Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze heads to Nintendo Switch

Nintendo is re-releasing Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on Nintendo Switch, the company announced today. The Wii U hit marks the Donkey Kong franchise’s first, full-fledged debut on the company’s latest console.

Tropical Freeze, a side-scrolling platformer in the vein of the classic Super Nintendo Donkey Kong country games, won over fans when it launched on Wii U in 2014. It serves as a sequel to the 2010 Wii game, Donkey Kong Country Returns, which was Donkey Kong’s first big-deal console game in several years.

Nintendo is adding Switch-exclusive features to its latest Wii U-to-Switch port, however. The notoriously tough game is receiving what’s called a “beginner-friendly mode,” which should help new fans get acclimated to the gameplay. This will star the bandana-clad Funky Kong, who will throw something different into the series thanks to his fancy surfing skills.

Otherwise, Tropical Freeze should be similar to the Retro Studios-developed hit that DK fans fell in love with four years ago. Nintendo will release the game on Switch on May 4.