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I prefer the original DKC trilogy to Retro's revival
- Thread starter SolVanderlyn
- Start date
Theanine3D
Member
I prefer the original trilogy as well but for me it's entirely due to the aesthetic differences.
DKC1-3 had a much darker tone and settings. DKC:R and TF are much more colorful and vibrant (which is really great too), but I prefer the darker tone of the originals. It's just personal taste for me.
DKC1-3 had a much darker tone and settings. DKC:R and TF are much more colorful and vibrant (which is really great too), but I prefer the darker tone of the originals. It's just personal taste for me.
Buckethead
Banned
I never liked the weight of the characters in the Returns games.
Needs more speed, momentum.
Needs more speed, momentum.
I don't like DK64 at all to be honest. It has no style.
A Link to the Past
Banned
As someone who didn't really grow up with DKC and tried so hard to like them
DKCTF > DKCR > DKC2 > DKC3 > DKC
DKCTF > DKCR > DKC2 > DKC3 > DKC
I much prefer the original trilogy, and that is only because I feel that much more in control.
Especially Tropical Freeze does so many things right- yet I still find it aggravating to play due to the different physics and controls. If TF would play exactly like the old games, it could be a GOTY contender for me.
Especially Tropical Freeze does so many things right- yet I still find it aggravating to play due to the different physics and controls. If TF would play exactly like the old games, it could be a GOTY contender for me.
I loved the DKC games as a kid, but they don't hold up as classics at all in the way that the old Mario games do. DKC2 is still perfectly fun, but it's not an incredible game any more. Ask yourself "What does this game do that other games didn't do better? What did this game bring to the industry?" and you'll see that the game really wasn't that special.
The problems with the original DKC games are somewhat janky movement and a camera that's too zoomed in to create complex platforming sections. I just recently played DKC2 and those were my two biggest issues with it.
On the other hand, Retro has created one brilliant game and one GOTY in Returns and Tropical Freeze. The mechanics are flawless, and lead you to that state where you get 'in the zone' and start forgetting you're pressing buttons as DK whips himself through levels at the speed of light. The momentum in particular is what makes the game such a delight to play. Add to that the fact that they finally got 2D swimming 'right'. It's weighty but controllable and basically perfect.
The level design is stunning, being perfectly suited to slow play by casuals, secret hunting, difficult play in hard mode, and best of all time attack - where every enemy is perfectly placed so that if you keep your momentum you basically never have to lose full speed in many levels on your way to the goal. It's only when you realise how the levels are built for speedrunning that you understand how good the level design is. The original DKC games had none of that kind of depth.
Regarding the visuals and music, the SNES game's unique visuals have dated them in a way that Mario games haven't, but they are still charming. However Retro's art direction was the right step for the series, and is fantastic at times. I'd give the SNES games the edge in enemy design - that's where Retro's weak. As for music, both series have ten out of ten soundtracks. Returns is maybe the weakest but Tropical Freeze is the strongest.
I think the OP's opinion must be clouded by childhood biases (which is fine) because he specifically recognises all the ways Retro's series is better in his post but likes the old ones better because of their style. Nothing wrong with that, but the rest of us will recognise the better games.
The problems with the original DKC games are somewhat janky movement and a camera that's too zoomed in to create complex platforming sections. I just recently played DKC2 and those were my two biggest issues with it.
On the other hand, Retro has created one brilliant game and one GOTY in Returns and Tropical Freeze. The mechanics are flawless, and lead you to that state where you get 'in the zone' and start forgetting you're pressing buttons as DK whips himself through levels at the speed of light. The momentum in particular is what makes the game such a delight to play. Add to that the fact that they finally got 2D swimming 'right'. It's weighty but controllable and basically perfect.
The level design is stunning, being perfectly suited to slow play by casuals, secret hunting, difficult play in hard mode, and best of all time attack - where every enemy is perfectly placed so that if you keep your momentum you basically never have to lose full speed in many levels on your way to the goal. It's only when you realise how the levels are built for speedrunning that you understand how good the level design is. The original DKC games had none of that kind of depth.
Regarding the visuals and music, the SNES game's unique visuals have dated them in a way that Mario games haven't, but they are still charming. However Retro's art direction was the right step for the series, and is fantastic at times. I'd give the SNES games the edge in enemy design - that's where Retro's weak. As for music, both series have ten out of ten soundtracks. Returns is maybe the weakest but Tropical Freeze is the strongest.
I think the OP's opinion must be clouded by childhood biases (which is fine) because he specifically recognises all the ways Retro's series is better in his post but likes the old ones better because of their style. Nothing wrong with that, but the rest of us will recognise the better games.
It isn't.
The new ones are good but lack any kind of atmosphere aside the random silhouette stages which gets old very very fast, the originals had extremely good platforming, great atmosphere and a music that accompany those atmospheres.
I was really surprised by how TF managed to just barely edge out DKC2 as my personal favorite in the series, especially since I found Returns to be good but not great. It just feels like so much more creativity and diversity went into the levels, and the boss fights weren't hot garbage this time around. I still understand anyone that would prefers 2 or even 3 though.
One thing I'll never understand is the love for the original game. Outside of the music, it really doesn't do anything outstanding.
One thing I'll never understand is the love for the original game. Outside of the music, it really doesn't do anything outstanding.
So from this I'm getting: atmosphere = dark, because I think the Retro games have plenty of the nebulous concept that is atmosphere.
Same here, I play the original trilogy every now and then and it still holds up. The controls are superb, the graphics have charm and the music is great. And one thing I really like is how quickly you can run through most of the levels if you know what you're doing.
Yep, DKC games (especially 2 and 3; the first one is admittedly limited and a little repetitive) still hold up. They seem like they shouldn't based on the graphical style but they play really well.
I don't understand the atmosphere complaints at all either. It's not an RPG, it's a platformer. Mechanics and level design are 90% of how good it is. Secondly, Retro's games have tons of atmosphere, it's just a light-hearted one. The atmosphere in the Savannah and Alpine levels of DKC:TF is amazing, with the art design, music and level design all working as one to really evoke a feeling of those places rather than a just a 'typical platformer trope world' that so many games fall into.
So many of the criticisms I see here of Retro's games are because of how they're different from the originals with no explanation of how that actually makes them worse. It's a whole new series and plays a whole new way - that's the brilliance of it. If they'd stuck to the old mechanics we would have been stuck with a shitty NSMB situation - bad games relying on nostalgia to impress people. Retro did something far more impressive, the same thing they did with Metroid Prime - they totally reimagined the series.
Jerry Orbach
Member
SolVanderlyn
Thanos acquires the fully powered Infinity Gauntlet in The Avengers: Infinity War, but loses when all the superheroes team up together to stop him.
And therein lies the issue. It's down to personal preference, I suppose, but I'd have much preferred they didn't make it so goofy and lighthearted.
It's the direction they went with their reimagination that some people have problems with. It would have been entirely possible to keep the darker feels of the originals while still refining the gameplay. Also, certain decisions like making Kong partners into powerups are decisions that didn't have to be made. The Prime series actually hit the nail on the head in regards to keeping the "feel" of Metroid and translating it into a modern, 3D space. DKCR/TF go in a very different direction, IMO.
JPeeples83
Member
I agree - I wanted to love the Returns games, but the lack of team-up stuff really kills things for me. The flow to the gameplay is there, but nothing ever reaches even DKC 3-levels of fun.
Nocturnowl
Member
The original games have this more earthy atmosphere to them, well as earthy as googly eyed cartoon apes and crocs can inhabit at least, I think the pre rendered visuals lent themselves well to this look giving the visual backdrops something that looked faintly true to life while not detailed enough to really go all in on that realistic look.
I think Retro's more stylised take on the environment focused settings was the right path to follow with the increase in visual quality since the original trilogy in order to have the settings fit in with the Kong characters, following the SNES style path in the present makes me think of cartoony Kong's sauntering across photo-esque depictions of the Grand Canyon or something that would look kind of jarring.
All that said the first DKCR does have a few points that veer a bit too closely to a more stock cartoon style that leaves something to be desired, mainly the Beach setting with the basic wildlife designs not helping the case.
Tropical Freeze bridged the visual gap quite well, its enemies more distinct and stylised, some stages can really strike that classic DKC style more than some may be willing to admit, the backgrounds of Baobab Bonanza and Rickety Rafters in Bright Savannah are a solid blend of Retro's art direction and that natural look. Autumn Heights in general is just fantastic with a picturesque European countryside combined with scatterings of an Owl civilisation that ramps up the more you ascend up the mountains by which point you've got beaks chiselled into the mountainside and platforms through a series of almost chapel like wooden buildings suspended in the skies by their attachment to the mountainside.
Really it's not too dissimilar from DKC2 which has a moody aesthetic hand in hand with a rather fantastical one, murky marshlands exist alongside sky high bramble patches, dense forests one second and the honey coated interiors of a giant hive the next and it works as they tie enough visual elements together across these stages (such as the woods eerie vibe and the brightly shining crystals in the mineshafts).
Where was I going with this? oh yeah, DKCR despite some great visuals doesn't hit that same sort of mark as DKC1 and 3 in particular, I do however find Tropical Freeze to have made more strides towards that more classic style while retaining its own, it's like getting the best of both worlds with the scenic progression of each individual stage unique to Retro's games and the tourism like feeling of the SNES games. All that said Crocodile Isle is still the location to beat for atmosphere, as for the attention to detail Retro's games easily take this.
As for the Gameplay I have little hesitation saying that Retro have a better formula going on especially at the base level, it lends itself to more satisfying and precise platforming as well as scenes of spectacle that don't throw these elements out the window. What it is currently lacking however is that which DKC2 (and in some cases 3) still hold onto as what I'd consider a defining strength of the SNES games, firstly the secret hunt and bonus room aspect, that JC guy (ugh) summed it up pretty well, Retro have got down the secret placement down but when their bonus rooms immediately make me wish I was just back in the stage then it falls flat, that and less is more when it comes to those puzzle pieces.
Second is gimmicks, it doesn't have to be a bad word at all, DKC2 leveraged its animal buddies well to creating gameplay variety within the platforming and has a lot more notable stages with unique elements to their design (even more evident in 3, even when it drops the ball). Retro touch upon this at times with the likes of Scorch N Torch, Dynamite Dash, Switcheroo and Treacherous Track to name a few and really it just makes me want to see more like it if they ever go in for a third game complete with more animal buddies.
When it comes down to it Retro's games don't entirely step on the toes of Rare's games, it picks up bits and pieces from them and heads in its own direction leaving merits to both parts of the Country series, so it's not too surprising that some may still much prefer the style of the SNES games even in gameplay.
Still with the way some speak damningly of Retro's visual style you'd think it was Jungle Beat levels of throwing out the Country from Donkey Kong.
I think Retro's more stylised take on the environment focused settings was the right path to follow with the increase in visual quality since the original trilogy in order to have the settings fit in with the Kong characters, following the SNES style path in the present makes me think of cartoony Kong's sauntering across photo-esque depictions of the Grand Canyon or something that would look kind of jarring.
All that said the first DKCR does have a few points that veer a bit too closely to a more stock cartoon style that leaves something to be desired, mainly the Beach setting with the basic wildlife designs not helping the case.
Tropical Freeze bridged the visual gap quite well, its enemies more distinct and stylised, some stages can really strike that classic DKC style more than some may be willing to admit, the backgrounds of Baobab Bonanza and Rickety Rafters in Bright Savannah are a solid blend of Retro's art direction and that natural look. Autumn Heights in general is just fantastic with a picturesque European countryside combined with scatterings of an Owl civilisation that ramps up the more you ascend up the mountains by which point you've got beaks chiselled into the mountainside and platforms through a series of almost chapel like wooden buildings suspended in the skies by their attachment to the mountainside.
Really it's not too dissimilar from DKC2 which has a moody aesthetic hand in hand with a rather fantastical one, murky marshlands exist alongside sky high bramble patches, dense forests one second and the honey coated interiors of a giant hive the next and it works as they tie enough visual elements together across these stages (such as the woods eerie vibe and the brightly shining crystals in the mineshafts).
Where was I going with this? oh yeah, DKCR despite some great visuals doesn't hit that same sort of mark as DKC1 and 3 in particular, I do however find Tropical Freeze to have made more strides towards that more classic style while retaining its own, it's like getting the best of both worlds with the scenic progression of each individual stage unique to Retro's games and the tourism like feeling of the SNES games. All that said Crocodile Isle is still the location to beat for atmosphere, as for the attention to detail Retro's games easily take this.
As for the Gameplay I have little hesitation saying that Retro have a better formula going on especially at the base level, it lends itself to more satisfying and precise platforming as well as scenes of spectacle that don't throw these elements out the window. What it is currently lacking however is that which DKC2 (and in some cases 3) still hold onto as what I'd consider a defining strength of the SNES games, firstly the secret hunt and bonus room aspect, that JC guy (ugh) summed it up pretty well, Retro have got down the secret placement down but when their bonus rooms immediately make me wish I was just back in the stage then it falls flat, that and less is more when it comes to those puzzle pieces.
Second is gimmicks, it doesn't have to be a bad word at all, DKC2 leveraged its animal buddies well to creating gameplay variety within the platforming and has a lot more notable stages with unique elements to their design (even more evident in 3, even when it drops the ball). Retro touch upon this at times with the likes of Scorch N Torch, Dynamite Dash, Switcheroo and Treacherous Track to name a few and really it just makes me want to see more like it if they ever go in for a third game complete with more animal buddies.
When it comes down to it Retro's games don't entirely step on the toes of Rare's games, it picks up bits and pieces from them and heads in its own direction leaving merits to both parts of the Country series, so it's not too surprising that some may still much prefer the style of the SNES games even in gameplay.
Still with the way some speak damningly of Retro's visual style you'd think it was Jungle Beat levels of throwing out the Country from Donkey Kong.
Guys, it's ok to like the new ones. It's even ok to like them better than the old ones. But saying the old ones are now outdated is pretty bullshit, no matter how much arguments you have.
The first one is the only one I can see being worse than these new ones. I still haven't played the second one, but the first one wasn't better than DKC2 or even DKC3 for me.
The first one is the only one I can see being worse than these new ones. I still haven't played the second one, but the first one wasn't better than DKC2 or even DKC3 for me.
So dark
Retro's DK do not have atmosphere they have themes which are two completely different things.
Did i just found someone that loves DKL1 as much as i do?
SinCityAssassin
Member
It's called nostalgia.
Starsunder
Member
Hey man, to each their own. I personally can't stand the original games. I hate the art style, the atmosphere, and the actual feel of the games. The only thing I enjoy from the OG trilogy is the music.
JudgmentJay
Member
The new games are great, but to me they don't compare to DKC2. Mainly because of the atmosphere.
Donkey Kong Country Returns may have left some doubts but Tropical Freeze did not. Retro's take on the series is superior and the level design in particular is something that nobody in the games industry can match.
Plastic Donkey Kong graphics belong in the 90's and I say that as a huge Donkey Kong Country 2 fan.
I totally agree with you. I can see why people dig Tropical Freeze, but it will never top DKC2 (maybe even 3) for me, the main reason being the control. DK and friends just feel so light and snappy in the original games, it's the best-controlling platformer I've ever played. In Retro's games DK has a sort of weight to his movements that admittedly makes sense since he's a big ape, but just doesn't give it the same kind of feel.
Also, only being able to play as DK in single-player was a real downer for me since I always loved playing as Dixie in DKC2/3.
EDIT: And yeah, I definitely liked the more moody, atmospheric settings of the Rare trilogy to the generally over-the-top and cartoony settings of the Retro games.
Also, only being able to play as DK in single-player was a real downer for me since I always loved playing as Dixie in DKC2/3.
EDIT: And yeah, I definitely liked the more moody, atmospheric settings of the Rare trilogy to the generally over-the-top and cartoony settings of the Retro games.
Old DK looks good to me. I don't think it's aged badly as some people seem to say.
But wanting this style to carry over into 3D? Eh, I don't think it'd work well. It might end up looking Tim Burton esque. Which Nintendo wouldn't want for a flagship platformer.
My main problems with the later games is how heavily they focused on mini games. It seems like every few moments I'm stumbling upon another short diversion, collecting bananas or popping balloons or following enemies as they move around barrels, stuff like that. Each Kong game has gotten heavier and heavier focused on these secrets. The original and DKL had a bunch of secret mini games, but they were more out of place, and the main focus of the game was merely getting through the levels with precision jumping and timing. As such, I can completely ignore those mini-games and still enjoy the moment to moment gameplay.
I also feel the original and land were much less forgiving with their timing and thus much tighter, more challenging platforming games. I really enjoy the barrel puzzles with tight windows, or ledges that can only be reached by running off a platform, rolling after you're in the air, then canceling into a jump to get more air. Later games focus less and less on this.
A perfect comparison would be crash bandicoot, which I always thought felt like Donkey Kong Country games only in 3D. By the time crash 3 rolled about, I felt the "normal" platforming stages were the minority to the gimmicky "mini-game" stages.
ProtoCents
Banned
Oh, the original trilogy is much better.Really not a fan of how DK controls from stationary to full speed and stopping on a dime in the Retro games. It's off.
As someone who loves the original Donkey Kong Country on the SNES (one of my favorite games of all time) something always felt off in Retros DK games.They don't feel like Donkey Kong Country games at all when you actually play them. The flow of the games are just quite different.
Donkey Kong himself feels too slow, heavy and sluggish compared to the snes game.
Another thing Retro haven't been able to replicate is the atmosphere and personality of the snes games. They had a zany style to them. In the enemies and the world. The Kremlings helped a lot with that.
Returns and Tropical Freeze feels so lifeless and plain in their setting and enemies. They just feel so generic. Almost like a mobile game, super colorful and sharp, but just generic animals for the most part.
Of course this is just my opinion on the matter, I'm sure lots of folks will disagree
Donkey Kong himself feels too slow, heavy and sluggish compared to the snes game.
Another thing Retro haven't been able to replicate is the atmosphere and personality of the snes games. They had a zany style to them. In the enemies and the world. The Kremlings helped a lot with that.
Returns and Tropical Freeze feels so lifeless and plain in their setting and enemies. They just feel so generic. Almost like a mobile game, super colorful and sharp, but just generic animals for the most part.
Of course this is just my opinion on the matter, I'm sure lots of folks will disagree
Yep the original dkc games were not really that good at all. The definately do not stand the test of time unlike say super mario world
Retros donkey outclasses even mario imo
I would argue quite heavily that aside from a few exceptions, the locales in the newer games are much less generic than the original trilogy. Retro's levels are packed with detail.
I'll still never get how walking Crocodiles in biker gear is significantly more creative than walking Walri in viking gear, but I don't have the nostalgia factor.
I'll still never get how walking Crocodiles in biker gear is significantly more creative than walking Walri in viking gear, but I don't have the nostalgia factor.
Baleoce
Member
I agree, I prefer the atmosphere and aesthetic of the original trilogy.
Shadow_FFVI
Member
You and me both.
I prefer the music, the gameplay is fine (at least you dont have to wagge the wiimote to roll), and I prefer King K Rool as the main bad guy and the kremlins overall.
I prefer the music, the gameplay is fine (at least you dont have to wagge the wiimote to roll), and I prefer King K Rool as the main bad guy and the kremlins overall.
DKC2 is still the best game ever made. DKC, is still really awesome. DKC3 is very good, but not in the same league as 1 and 2.
I very liked the Retro's games, but the lack of animals (except Rambi), the bad water levels and some boring boss make them a little inferior to the Rare's games. I feel like they don't have souls, the Kremlins would have made those games 100% better (and then surpassed the original trilogy).
I very liked the Retro's games, but the lack of animals (except Rambi), the bad water levels and some boring boss make them a little inferior to the Rare's games. I feel like they don't have souls, the Kremlins would have made those games 100% better (and then surpassed the original trilogy).
What about Tropical Freeze though? Guessing you haven't played that one since you mentioned waggle. And TF music is superior to returns in every way, hell I'd put it right up there with DKC2 as one of my all time favorite game soundtracks.
Nocturnowl
Member
As someone who loves the original Donkey Kong Country on the SNES (one of my favorite games of all time) something always felt off in Retros DK games.They don't feel like Donkey Kong Country games at all when you actually play them. The flow of the games are just quite different.
Donkey Kong himself feels too slow, heavy and sluggish compared to the snes game.
Another thing Retro haven't been able to replicate is the atmosphere and personality of the snes games. They had a zany style to them. In the enemies and the world. The Kremlings helped a lot with that.
Returns and Tropical Freeze feels so lifeless and plain in their setting and enemies. They just feel so generic. Almost like a mobile game, super colorful and sharp, but just generic animals for the most part.
Of course this is just my opinion on the matter, I'm sure lots of folks will disagree
It's hard not to disagree when lifeless and plain are used to describe Retro's games, they've got quite possibly the most well brought to life stages in any platformer, each one progressing with its own scenery with the actual platforms and stage gimmicks working alongside the visuals of the environment to not only provide great platforming pieces but also doing so in a way that makes sense without resorting to abstract floating platforms and the like (barrel cannons being the sole exception and even then some of them get attached to scenery).
Meanwhile the first DKC and DKL games have oil drums just chilling in the air without even a chain to suspend them which is as jarring as it gets for games that otherwise do a great job presenting something of a tangible atmosphere.
Preference for the style of the SNES games is fine, I don't however get the accusations of lifelessness and the like for Retro.
Generic animals is something I'd agree with when it comes to some of DKCR's rogue lineup, still lets not so quickly forget Gnawty Beavers and Slippas when making this claim.
Gonzo The Great
Banned
The original trilogy is much better. You actually felt like you were on an adventure. Retro's games have too many gimmicky mine cart/rocket barrel levels, too many cryptic secrets, bland, almost lifeless visuals despite the higher resolution, and unforgiving boss fights. DK maneuvers like a bipedal dump truck, and you can't even use the other characters unless you play cooperatively. I prefer the tag team approached that was introduced in DKC2. The main problem with Retro's games is that they feel like an evolution of the original DKC, as if DKC2 and DKC3 never existed. But they did, and they furthered the series in a far more meaningful way than DKCR ever did. I still cannot believe how repetitive and bland the bonus stages are.
One thing I will say is that Tropical Freeze has a phenomenal soundtrack. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about DKCR. Having David Wise on board makes all the difference in the world.
One thing I will say is that Tropical Freeze has a phenomenal soundtrack. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about DKCR. Having David Wise on board makes all the difference in the world.
Shadow_FFVI
Member
I was aware that the waggle was only in the Wii game. Everything else still stands. Adding to that the atmosphere which others have mentioned.
I prefer the new ones, but DKC 2 and most of 3 were pretty good. I'm always confused when people deride the gameplay of those games. I played through all 3 recently and thought they controlled just fine. The most shocking revelation I had when replaying them was just how short DKC1 is.
I think in terms of overworld designs and music, I prefer the originals. In that regard, the Return games feel like a modern revival of an old cartoon show.
I think in terms of overworld designs and music, I prefer the originals. In that regard, the Return games feel like a modern revival of an old cartoon show.
I totally agree. My ranking is DKC2 > DKC3 > TF > Returns > DKC1
The new games feel sterile, like the new Mario games. There's no consistent theme really, it's just generic staples like fire world, water, ice etc. I thought they would try something different in TF, but the the whole freeze thing isn't really prevalent in the game nor is it compelling. It feels like a retread of DKCR (and by extension DKC1, again.) thematically and artistically, but the level design is pretty good.
One thing I don't like about the new games is all the collectables there are. It's stop and go on every level pounding on random shit and looking out for collectables that aren't even hidden cleverly. It feels more like a chore and there isn't a consistent flow to the levels. Of course you can ignore all that, but I don't think one should have to do that. One more thing, the bonus levels in the new games are terrible. In 2 and 3 every bonus level was uniquely designed and there were various goals to them, they were actually fun and not just a slog. 2 and 3 did collectables right. Roughly 2 (fun) bonus levels in each level, and a single hidden DK coin to find.
I also agree with the sentiment that the movement in the new games is weird. You feel too heavy and far too momentum based. In the old games you could zip on through, hop and bop on all the enemies with ease, your jump handled the same no matter if you were walking or running. DK in the new games feels more clunky to me, and more limited.
The new games feel sterile, like the new Mario games. There's no consistent theme really, it's just generic staples like fire world, water, ice etc. I thought they would try something different in TF, but the the whole freeze thing isn't really prevalent in the game nor is it compelling. It feels like a retread of DKCR (and by extension DKC1, again.) thematically and artistically, but the level design is pretty good.
One thing I don't like about the new games is all the collectables there are. It's stop and go on every level pounding on random shit and looking out for collectables that aren't even hidden cleverly. It feels more like a chore and there isn't a consistent flow to the levels. Of course you can ignore all that, but I don't think one should have to do that. One more thing, the bonus levels in the new games are terrible. In 2 and 3 every bonus level was uniquely designed and there were various goals to them, they were actually fun and not just a slog. 2 and 3 did collectables right. Roughly 2 (fun) bonus levels in each level, and a single hidden DK coin to find.
I also agree with the sentiment that the movement in the new games is weird. You feel too heavy and far too momentum based. In the old games you could zip on through, hop and bop on all the enemies with ease, your jump handled the same no matter if you were walking or running. DK in the new games feels more clunky to me, and more limited.