Why Donkey Kong Country Is a Flagship Series for Retro Gaming - Retro Bird 

All bananas that appear in my videos are eaten. Overripe bananas are either used for baking, frozen for smoothies, or consumed in other ways... Games played: DKC 1,2,3 (throughout the video), Bare Knuckle III (0:04), Sonic the Hedgehog (0:17), Super Metroid (2:15), Battletoads (4:31), Aladdin (5:06)

I just discovered this channel and it has quickly become one of my favorites on RU-vid. It’s just all around good natured and positive. I swear, every story seems like it was ripped straight from my childhood. Thanks for the nostalgia trips Retro Bird!

The world definitely needs a 2hr retrospective on the mining cart levels. I loved the long format for this one. It’s the Retro Bird Short Film Festival! Never trust those damn walls!

Hey man, just wanted to drop a line to say I enjoy your videos. Back in the ScrewAttack days I definitely would have reached out to work together. Great job!

A mother couldn't be more proud.

I appreciate this longer format compared to your other videos.

Honestly, I think the DKC trilogy has to be my favorite gaming trilogy. I think the reason why the DKC games have withstood the test of time is that they have good graphics, good sound, and good gameplay. They hit that perfect sweet spot. DKC 1 is the perfect blend of gameplay and length. Fun but not too long. It's the easiest to pick up and play as well. DKC 2 is near platforming perfection. I'm not sure if I can think of a better example. It has every right to be in the top 10 SNES games. DKC 3 is great and I don't understand the hate it gets as well. It builds upon DKC 2 while adding more of a challenge. It was the SNES swan song IMO. Is that a banana in your underwear? Oh, never mind...wait why is there a banana in your underwear?

So about DKC3 and the forest vacation feel. I live in Washington state, and was a kid in the 90s. I was 7 or 8 when we got this, cuz we didn't have an N64 or PS1 or Saturn. My family went to meet my uncle's family near Lake Washington during the summer just after DKC3 came out, we went from their house near Redmond to their cabin on Lake Wahington. Playing that game, going tubing, exploring in the woods. Not to mention we had Pokemon Red Blue and Yellow we would take turns with the gameboy when we were camping. Those were about the only good times I can remember from round then but damn were they good. To me DKC trilogy is timeless. I've been to areas like in the games in real life and wow are the games nailing the atmosphere. Thanks for reading my schlock, hope you have a good day. 👍

“Give up the leg, you can still eat nanners without it” - Out of Context Retro Bird Comment of the Year lmaooooo fantastic video as always, love this long form look back!

Great video, I loved the ending with the ongoing look for snickers 😂

I feel like kiddy Kong was probably a trend in the 90s. Tiny toons, muppet babies, flint stone kids etc.

Donkey Kong wasn't the first video game I played, but it still was my first game in so many ways.

I fricken love this channel. Bird's humor fits for me in all the right ways

19:33 while I didn’t have a snes as a kid, I did have a GBA SP and the GBA port of DKC1. I used to play it in the car on the long drives my parents would take during the occasional vacations. I suck at platforming and I died more times than I care to admit, but I have very fond memories of the GBA port of DKC1. I played the SNES original years later, I love it as well but I truly appreciate some of the QOL changes that the GBA version added such as being able to save anytime on the map screen (it’s a portable system after all) as well as making the bosses harder than the SNES original. Both versions of the game are perfect in my opinion

The entire trilogy is great. Yes, even Country 3. It gets so overlooked. It's a very appropriate series for you too, considering your love of old-school games _and_ nanners!

I swear this youtube channel it's like the Underground hip-hop back in early 90's mid 2000's

Fun fact me and the original donkey Kong came out the same day! July 9 1981!!

First time I saw this game I was amazed, and said : This looks like real life 😁😁😁

Wow this was so much fun! Thank you for the awesome video! It was entertaining, funny and very well done!! 4 out of 4 stars... erm, nanners!

My original exposure to this game was the Gameboy Color version, playing on the original white GBA. I didn't find out till later that the GBC version was the hardest version because of the way sprites and hitboxes we're scaled. I later played the Super Nintendo version and was just flying through it because I was used to all the BS from the GBC version that it was much easier, especially the mine carts.

My parents had an old conversion van we drove around for summer vacations. Hooked up a snes to that lil tv in there. I got dkc3 from a local funcoland on the way out of state and played the hell outta that game for the entire vacation. Mount Rushmore was cool, too, i guess.

I still remember how good was this game visuals at the time and I think, still today, this style is been the epitome os what a retro (modern) game should look. What an absolute MASTERPIECE.

25 minutes and 50 seconds of Donkey Kong awesomeness! I think I’d rank them as Donkey Kong Country, Country 2, then Country 3. But they’re all pretty amazing! Here’s hoping for another Donkey Kong Country Returns game so we can all have a second trilogy!

okay my sister of 11 years of age got into retro gaming with donkey kong country so much so we beat the game in one weekend she loved it and its her favorite game im so happy this is it my family will like retro games

Sounds crazy, but I went from NES to PS1 as a kid, didnt play a SNES til I was 19 or 20! The first cartridge my friend put was DKC 1 and I fell in love immediately! It truly triggered my rediscovery of retro gaming 10 years ago, and this trilogy holds a special place in my heart! Another fan here that loves the longer format! Nothing was redundant, it really held my attention the whole time. Not everyone can do that for almost 30 minutes. So excellent job Bird! Can't wait for the next one!

I remember playing DKC at Service Merchandise for the first time in 1994 when I was 8 - it’s a GREAT memory ☺️

I worked in electronics at Walmart in the 90s and I had to watch everyone come in and play this on the gaming demo.... I couldn't wait to clock out and play on lunch break.

I relate to the little brother tier joke way to much. Brother of two older sisters.

I LOVE DKC1 because of the amazing times I had playing it with my sister.

Definetly #1, #3, #2 in that order. And OMG I LOVED THE BANANA SCENE AT THE END LMFAO!!!

Since i discovered this channel it has fast become one of my fave retro gaming channels. You crack me up. I break a smile or laugh out loud in every single one of your vids.

Oh yeah. Most games are most definitely have a seasonal feeling to them. I like playing Skyrim in the dead of winter. I took my switch on vacation when the Untitled Goose Game multiplayer dropped, and my girl and I played that one evening. It was swell.

I am still waiting for the day, when his video starts with:"This video is sponsored by Chiquita Bananas". I like the Donkey Kong Country games, too. I remember when my cousin brought the VHS promo video. It included some background information about how the game was done. DK64, although it is the least favorite of many, is my first choice compared to all DK games. But yes, for the SNES, it showed what this system was capable of. And do not forget, there was no extra hardware needed, like later on N64 games, to make this power come true. BTW. I really love these little stories at the end. Reminds of GameSack.

Great video! I love the long form! I also appreciate that you timed it in your line up to align with a yellow shirt vid. RU-vid's favorite banana boy strikes again!

DKC2 is my favorite. The graphics were a step up from the original and the soundtrack is one of the best of all time in my opinion. Plus I just love the themes of the levels- pirate ships, theme parks, beehives etc. They were all so vibrant and distinct. Also I feel the gameplay had more variety and the extra collectables and optional world added a ton of replay value. Oh, and of course Dixie Kong is super cool. Next would be the original. I have so many great memories of playing this game. I was pretty young when it came out and I remember playing it a long time before I beat it. When I finally did it was very satisfying. It was definitely the hardest game I had ever finished at that point in my life. The final boss is probably my favorite part of the whole game, and the credit roll music makes me super nostalgic. Last would be DKC3. It's still a great game, but I personally don't have as much of a connection with it as the other two. I can see why some people consider it to be their favorite. However, in my opinion, the level themes, characters and music are easily the weakest out of the trilogy. I do like how long the levels are though and the adventure element was a nice touch. The DKC games were a big part of my childhood and I still enjoy them today. I will never get over that Nintendo sold Rare.. dumbest thing they ever did in my opinion. Anyway, still waiting for a great 3D Donkey Kong game. I mean I love DK64 but let's be honest, there is a lot of room for improvement there.

ooh a nice longer episode to start my day before work, understandable it came out saturday morning for me

Incredible video! You’re great at saying what everyone is thinking. Editing is soooo good. Did you know you can make banana milkshakes? Banana bread muffin cakes? Banana pancakes? Banana bread pudding topped with bananas foster WITH A banana milkshake on the side???

What an incredible project! I am so glad to have seen this just now. This is your best video yet!

Haha that intro... the stare what to play is very philosophical and mindfull. Your're asking yourself: who, how, why am I today. 😂

Was absolutely blown away when I first seen and heard DKC1. Graphics, sound, playability was pretty much 2nd to none. Water effects were actually better than Earthworm Jim in Genesis, incredible. The 2nd & 3rd installments were just as impressive and I can help but to place the series in the top 10 SNES games of all time. Just my opinion

I think all 3 were great, but #3 was my favorite and the only one my parents bought for me as a kid. I didn't play it while on vacation like you dream to read about, BUT I did play it all night one week day and was having so much fun. Miraculously, there was a snow storm overnight cancelling school in the AM. Spent the rest of the day sledding, napping, and playing more DKC3 so basically better than a vacation. Great video!

I agree, I think objectively DKC2 is the best in the series. That being said: DKC1 is my all time favorite in the series and easily one of my Top 10 Favorite SNES games! Great video!!

Please do more series reviews! I loved this video!

Just picked up DKC a few days ago and am very excited to play it for the first time! This video was well timed to say the least. Also, you excel at this longer format as well. Keep up the great work!

To your request of a country-like video game experience, I had one! While working as a camp counselor for Boys + Girls Clubs in Colorado we had a lodge cabin with a secret upstairs area only to counselors. There was a wardrobe of dress-up clothes, a few couches, and by God a CRT TV with a SNES!! Certain nights were camping nights for some of the cabins but if you didn't have to join one, we would huddle up there in secret with smores and game together. The main game was Mario Kart but i'm pretty sure there was a DKC in there. Really special moments there, especially coming from the fresh mountain air to a warm and cozy cabin that smelled of burnt firewood.

The ending was the best

Great video, I appreciate the long format.

The way you feel about the this series is the way I feel about the Prime series. I actually didn't know Metroid had continued it's story until one day in my 20's I walked into a retro game store (in like 2003 or 2004, and saw Metroid Prime for the GC in a glass case for $20. I bought it, and then thought "well now I will need a gamecube to play this on!" So I bought a GC, and when I did, I realized a sequel was available to preorder, so I did that at the same time, and my love for that series (particularly the first two games) was born. I def didn't really start appreciating video games until I was in my 20's, but I am glad I was around to blow into NES cartridges and write down Metroid save codes incorrectly (who puts the letter "o," the CAPITAL letter "O," AND the number 0 in the same save code!?!!? Those devs were absolutely sadistic! Anyway, great video!

I love the DKC series, especially the music. It's so good!

The way you speak is very addicting and your viewpoints are very insightful and concise, I really like your take on DKC's release. I felt similar, the game really left an impression on me - the graphics were amazing and the soundtrack is probably one of my favorite out of all games there are. I'm going to go binge your videos now haha. Edit 21:00 I always assumed all the crying in the games was because all the developers were having their first child. 😅

I would love to see more content like this from you every once in a while. I greatly enjoyed it.

I used to go camping up in Muskegon Michigan and my parents always let me bring my Dreamcast and I always used to play grandia 2 and especially Resident Evil Code Veronica have amazing memories with those two titles up at that old cabin

One of the best retro videos I’ve watched, loved the dorky dialogue and the in depth commentary. You’ve got something really good here.

Great review! Your channel is criminally underrated.

The way you initially said "DAHHNKEY KONNNNNG COUNTRY" made me actually laugh out loud. I freaking love your accent xD

When I was a kid one of my moms clients (Mom's a manicurist) had stock in Nintendo or something, and before SNES came out she had a tester system and she sent it with us when we went up north to a cabin! we played it during out downtime!!! was so cool to me!! what a random thing for you to say. wild.

I had a little rca tv that was a 12 inch screen. My dad bought a radio shack power invert which back in the day, we're really crazy to have. We used to travel from mall to mall. While my dad built wooden displays for clothing for Ralph Lauren, I would be in the car and in the hotels playing games and watching vhs tapes. And I definitely played dkc 3 during that time. As dkc 1 as well. Oh yeah! My ranking. 2,3,1 for overall. 1,2,3 personally.

Dk country was the game that made me want a snes. So I asked my parents for one for Xmas. And they got me a genesis with Madden.

The visuals and music are great for these DK games😊

I'm a new subscriber and I just wanna say that I LOVE your sense of humor!! And you have great production values! Keep up the great work!!

I love your videos. This brings back my childhood

your sketches are very underrated

No doubt, my nieces and nephews gravitated towards this game naturally. Pac-Man versus on the GameCube is probably the most I've ever seen them have playing video games. Worth the investment to get a gba and set it all up. One kid plays as Pac-Man on the gba, the other three are the ghosts on the tv. It's brilliant

LMAO! I've never played Donkey Kong Country 3, but I hated crying Baby Mario in Yoshi's Island... until I became a parent. Compared to a real crying baby, that sound is barely noticeable!

The Gameboy advance version of DKC 1 was my first video game. My parents and I all had our own save file, but I would always play on my dad's because he was further ahead and I enjoyed having the large variety of levels to explore, even if I couldn't beat them.

My favorite series of all time

"I'll FIND ya!!!!!"

Great video. Like you said, I could ALWAYS go for some DKC on any given day. I love all 3 entries. Sometimes, even if there are SNES games on my backlog, or I’m about to embark on a longer (or more challenging game) for the first time, I’ll throw one of these DKC entries in for a fast and fun play-through before committing to that new game. The DKC trilogy is like my nostalgic comfort zone. I can 100% complete any entry in a day or so, and it’s always a fun experience.

Big fan of the longer format & game/ series review you did. Looking forward to more!

Another example I want to give you when it comes to Modern vs Retro games is that all the new DKC games, Sonic & Mario ones that are 2D they make them complicated, levels are longer & you are looking up youtube vids constantly to get said items. For the new DK games on Wii & switch, the characters now have to slap their hands, blow on flowers, press an extra & hold the R button so he sticks to the tree. All this stuff making the game more complicated & not fun at all. If you compare the levels of the original, the levels are a lot shorter on the Snes, Bosses also aren't complicated & take a way shorter time to beat them. It's not just this game. If you played any of the newer Sonic's, Mario's, Punchout on the wii. They make them all complicated, not fun & way longer than the games should be. This is why the retro games are the best. Simplistic, challenge is there, & you aren't looking up youtube vids all the time just to figure out where to get said things.

Awesome video, maybe your best yet! I would love to see longer videos like this, focusing on one game or series. Maybe once a month or something like that? Either way, thanks for the great content! I always feel inspired to go back and play the games you talk about.

This was definitely one of your better videos. The jokes felt developed and I think they landed very well. I'm always generally amused during your videos, but there were moments where I really laughed out loud. Your stuff is always been good but is consistently gotten a little bit better each time. Keep up the great work and I hope this is a really fun thing for you!

Thanks for making me wanna complete my dkc collection, went out and grabbed 2 and 3 after watching your video

"Me the answer is me" 😂😂😂 man you that is funny 👍

Great analysis of this trilogy. The OG DKC games were awesome. Arguably even more so than the OG Mario game.

Country 2, Tropical Freeze, Country 3, Country 1, Jungle Beat, Land 3, Returns, Land 2, Land 1 is how I'd rank them. I really wish Tropical Freeze had the old rolling mechanics but it's not enough to really hamper the game for me.

All three are fantastic, although my ranking has to be the complete opposite to yours, 2 -> 3 -> 1. I just think the first one lacks variety, no animal transformations and few stage archetypes, the majority of them are just caves. If we add the newer games I woud go 2 -> TF -> 3 -> 1 -> Returns. Maybe you can talk next time about the Donkey Kong Land series? They are great platformers on their own right and some of the best games on the gameboy overall. I do recommend them for DKC fans that have already played everything else.

I love the humor you put into the skits, always makes me laugh! These are my fav kind of videos on your channel.

The *real* reason Retro Bird likes Donkey Kong Country is _all the nanners!_ I remember Donkey Kong Country as a kid as well, but I only had a Genesis! I was so jealous of SNES owners and would drool over all the DKC promos! It single-handedly gave the SNES a few extra years of life. I didn't play the trilogy until years after their release. I'd say Diddy's Kong Quest is my favorite as it took the original formula and refined it even more. It did many things right and was probably the most challenging of the trilogy. My second favorite was Dixie's Double Trouble. Yeah, it had like a million gimmicks, but the worlds were fun and there were secrets galore! It also is arguably one of the most gorgeous SNES games! I loved the original Donkey Kong Country as well, but I feel the sequels just outshine it. Some of the bonus levels are stupidly cryptic. The level themes can get repetitive, but it at least has solid platforming.

Honestly I've only played DK Country 1 & 2. I like how the original had Donkey Kong like the Arcade & I always thought Donkey Kong JR back in the day was now called, Diddy Kong. So it was obvious that the sequel would be about Diddy Kong like the sequel to Donkey Kong was Donkey Kong Jr. If they would have let them use bug spray in 3rd game then I would have been all in. However I read that was not the case & still to this day I have yet to play it. As the original Donkey Kong 3 was all about bug spray. But like you said the 3rd is usually the bad nanner of the group.

Great video man. Also made me crave some bananas which is unusual for me but I’m glad I have some in the house.

DKC1 is so far the only game my fiancee (not a gamer) and I have completed from start to finish together, and for that reason it will always be a favourite for me! Great video Bird.

People saying that videogames make kids violent but my dude here instead learned to have a healthy intake of potassium instead

Even Donkey Kong is jealous of your stockpile of bananas

When I finally noticed all the bananas!

Man the humor is unbelievable! DKC 1 is def my favorite. How did the Gameboy move on its own? Was it portable power?

Love your videos Retrobird. Very entertaining to watch.

I listen to Stickerbrush Symphony at work all the time! For me, DK2, DK3, DK1. Give me the parrot pet, though the Spider is my personal fav. The snake is fun too!

Great video as always RB. I've gotten back into retro games mostly thru my old Gameboy color. Dk land is something that I've been wanting to add to my collection. Your channel definitely helped decide to fully turn my back on the modern consoles and go back to the retro era. Keep up the awesome work. Hope you find that pesky cat!

Your videos always have me laughing out loud. I think we could be best friends forever.

Gosh that was such a lovely video. I just love how it covers so much of what I love out of the classic trilogy. Or at least, what I've played of it so far. That sense of flow and rhythm, the incredible atmosphere, and just being plain fun. I'm not sure how much some of the community affected writing this episode, but seeing some neat points that have been brought up like how some folks feel about the bonus stage placement in between the first and second was was really nice. As of now, when it comes to the rankings for the games that I've played, (Including Donkey Kong Land, just because of also playing that recently.) I think it'd be DKL

my snes came with dkc as a pack in game. it was my first console. this game will always hold a space in my heart

Great video! Dkc definitely has a vibe to it that if you've played the games you can feel. Hopefully you inspire alot of people to experience the best series on the SNES next to Zelda, Mario & Metroid

Donkey kong country tropical freeze is one of the best platformers of all time.

My ranking would go DKC 2, DKC1, and DKC3. I haven't actually finished DKC3 as I never had a way to play it for the majority of my life. I've been chipping away at it on switch though and it's super good. The 2nd one just can't be topped imo, but the 1st is truly magical. Great video btw

Another fantastic video - I loved the second game in this series when it came out. The graphics were mind blowing at the time! I recently tried to revisit the series and found the third game hard to get into - but after watching this video I want to give the trilogy another visit and play through all of them. For now I'm going to say DC2 DC1 then DC3 is my ranking.

Content is hilarious 😂 My new favorite RU-vidr!!!

While watching you play my brain was filling in the music and sound effects XD

I wasn't really paying attention and I thought you yelled something else and I lost it laughing. You know what it is. Lol!

Your videos never fail to put me in a better mood and inspire me to play some retro games! Thanks RB!