Gamers take control of Nintendo's simian superstar and his friends as they try to fend off a group of Viking-like animal invaders in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. These Snowmad warriors have sent a deep chill through DK Island, turning the once tropical paradise into an icy nightmare, and it's up to Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong to save the day. Players run, jump, swim, launch themselves from barrels, and occasionally ride Rambi the rhinoceros through a variety of stages set on five islands filled with bananas, coins, and adventure.

Each sidekick character has a unique skill to help Donkey Kong on his adventure, with Diddy using his barrel jetpack to soar through the air and under water, Dixie's hair serving as a propeller, and Cranky's cane helping the apes bounce over hazardous spikes. Tropical Freeze is the first new Donkey Kong Country title for the Wii U, and it makes use of the system's processing power to offer dynamic levels and a rotating camera, while multiplayer fans can break out their GamePad and enjoy some local co-op action. Gamers can also see how they stack up compared to the rest of the world thanks to online leaderboards.