《大金剛：熱帶急凍》（Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze，日文名：ドンキーコング トロピカルフリーズ）是任天堂發行，由Retro Studios開發的平台動作遊戲，最初於2014年在Wii U上推出，後來於2018年在Switch上推出加強版。本作是《Donkey Kong Country》系列的正統續作，也是《Donkey Kong Country Returns》的延續，融合經典的橫向卷軸玩法與現代遊戲的流暢表現，成為玩家與評論者眼中的佳作。

故事從Donkey Kong一家的家園──Donkey Kong Island被北方來的「雪之侵略者」（Snomads）襲擊開始。這群來自寒冷北方的海盜以巨大號角吹起強風，把整座島嶼冰封，並將Donkey Kong一行人吹到遙遠的地方。為奪回自己的家園，Donkey Kong與夥伴們展開穿越多座島嶼的冒險，途中必須對抗冰雪怪物、解決機關陷阱、面對強大BOSS，最終直搗敵人根據地，解放被冰封的家園。雖然劇情本身相對簡單，但配合生動的動畫過場與角色豐富的肢體語言，讓這個看似童話式的冒險變得格外生動有趣。

在Switch版本中，可以選擇使用Joy-Con單手模式或傳統的雙手握把模式，支援單人與雙人合作遊玩。Donkey Kong是主要角色，他擁有強勁的敲地板與抓藤蔓技能。可以與其他角色搭配：Diddy Kong（使用噴射背包滑翔）、Dixie Kong（利用馬尾上升飛行）、Cranky Kong（用拐杖跳躍像是跳跳虎一樣避開陷阱）──這些夥伴不僅改變操作方式，也影響玩家過關的策略。

Switch版特別新增Funky Kong作為可選角色，這是為降低難度並讓新手玩家也能享受遊戲樂趣。Funky Kong擁有雙跳、滑翔、防刺傷害等能力，是較輕鬆的遊戲體驗方式。

關卡設計是本作最大亮點之一。從熱帶叢林、海底世界、火山地形到滿布冰雪的凍土，每一座島嶼都有獨特的主題與配樂，且關卡裡常藏有隱藏路線、秘密房間與收集品（像是K-O-N-G字母、拼圖碎片），鼓勵玩家重複遊玩與探索。

設計團隊極具創意地將動態場景與物理效果結合，比如隨著音樂節奏變化的障礙、會倒塌或旋轉的地形、風雪與水流的即時影響。每關幾乎都能帶來全新的遊戲感覺與挑戰。BOSS戰也非常有特色，不僅視覺效果震撼，也強調反應力與模式識別。從會噴火的海豹到空中飛舞的貓頭鷹，每場BOSS戰都像一場小型的秀。

推出後廣受好評。Wii U版本曾因平台冷門而未被主流玩家大量接觸，但Switch版本重新發售後獲得更廣泛的認可與商業成功。

評論者普遍稱讚其畫面細膩、操作手感紮實、關卡多樣且富挑戰性，認為它是2D平台遊戲的巔峰之一。音樂方面由系列經典作曲家David Wise負責，為每個場景量身打造動聽又具風格的配樂，更加提升沉浸感。唯一較常被提及的缺點是其難度對某些玩家來說偏高，尤其是在追求全收集與100%完成度的挑戰上。不過，新增的Funky Mode成功解決這個問題，使得更多人可以輕鬆享受這款作品。

總體而言，這是結合懷舊風格與現代設計的橫向卷軸鉅作。不僅延續Donkey Kong系列的精神，也進一步豐富平台遊戲的表現力，是Switch遊戲庫中不可錯過的佳作之一。

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Japanese title: ドンキーコング トロピカルフリーズ) is a platform action game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo. It was first released on the Wii U in 2014 and later re-released in an enhanced version for the Nintendo Switch in 2018. As a direct sequel to Donkey Kong Country Returns, this installment continues the legacy of the Donkey Kong Country series, combining classic side-scrolling gameplay with modern, polished presentation. It has been praised by both players and critics as a standout entry in the genre.

The story begins with Donkey Kong and his family celebrating a birthday on Donkey Kong Island when they are suddenly attacked by the “Snomads,” a group of ice-themed invaders from the far north. These Viking-like animal pirates summon a massive blizzard using a magical horn, freezing the entire island and blowing Donkey Kong and his friends far away to distant lands. To reclaim their frozen homeland, Donkey Kong and his companions embark on an epic journey across multiple islands. Along the way, they face off against ice monsters, navigate through deadly traps and obstacles, and battle powerful bosses, eventually making their way back to confront the invaders and liberate their home. Although the narrative is relatively simple, the lively cutscenes and expressive character animations bring a charming and whimsical fairy-tale feel to the adventure.

In the Switch version, players can choose between single Joy-Con mode or traditional dual-controller mode, and the game supports both solo and two-player co-op play. Donkey Kong is the primary character, equipped with powerful ground pounds and vine-swinging abilities. He can be paired with other characters such as Diddy Kong (who uses a jetpack to glide), Dixie Kong (who can hover upward using her ponytail), and Cranky Kong (who uses his cane to bounce over hazards, much like Scrooge McDuck in DuckTales). Each companion alters the gameplay dynamics and offers different strategies for tackling levels.

A notable addition in the Switch version is Funky Kong, a new playable character designed to provide an easier gameplay experience, especially for newcomers. Funky has special abilities such as double-jumping, gliding, and immunity to spikes, allowing for a more relaxed and forgiving playthrough.

One of the game’s greatest strengths lies in its level design. From lush tropical jungles and underwater realms to volcanic terrains and snow-covered tundras, each island features a unique theme and soundtrack. Levels are filled with hidden paths, secret rooms, and collectibles (like the K-O-N-G letters and puzzle pieces), encouraging players to explore and replay stages to uncover everything.

The development team showcases remarkable creativity by integrating dynamic environments and physics-based effects—platforms that move to the beat of the music, collapsing terrain, spinning obstacles, and real-time environmental effects like wind, snow, and flowing water. Nearly every level offers a fresh gameplay twist. Boss battles are also memorable, combining impressive visual flair with challenging patterns and reaction-based combat. From fire-breathing sea lions to aerial owl kings, each boss encounter feels like a mini spectacle.

Upon release, Tropical Freeze received widespread acclaim. While the Wii U version was initially overlooked due to the platform’s limited user base, the Switch re-release brought it to a much larger audience and saw renewed commercial success.

Critics praised the game’s crisp visuals, tight controls, diverse level design, and satisfying challenge, calling it one of the finest 2D platformers ever made. The music, composed by series veteran David Wise, was especially lauded for its atmospheric and stylistic richness, perfectly matching the tone of each level and enhancing immersion. The only common criticism was the game’s high difficulty, particularly for players aiming for 100% completion. However, the introduction of Funky Mode in the Switch version helped to address this issue, making the game more accessible to a broader audience.

Overall, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a masterfully crafted side-scrolling platformer that blends nostalgic charm with modern design sensibilities. It not only stays true to the spirit of the Donkey Kong franchise but also elevates the standards of the platforming genre. It stands as a must-play title in the Nintendo Switch library.