At the risk of sounding like BillyMC or some crazy neurotic gamer, I just finished DKC3 with the max percentage. With that under my belt I have finally for the first time conquered the entire DKC trilogy with perfect files. So here are my thoughts on each game and the journey of finishing them.

Donkey Kong Country is pretty easy but the difficulty spikes near the end of the game, especially when you get to the last few worlds. I can't remember the name but the stage with the fuel-powered platforms proved to be very difficult. The K. Rool battle was moderately difficult. Nothing much to say about that. Obtaining all of the bonus barrels in this game felt more like a chore to me. Of course this is the first game in the series...

But all of that was cake compared to Donkey Kong Country 2. This platformer is easily superior in every way, and one of the best damn platformers I have ever played. And I say that WITHOUT my bramble-covered nostalgia goggles hooked up to an infinite loop of Stickerbrush Symphony. This game is hard, and will whoop your ass until you're left with 0 lives and a whole level still unfinished. The K. Rool fight in this game is an unrelenting marathon of deadly cannon fire. He constantly throws you curveballs (literally as well) to keep you on your toes. So many close calls in this fight, I love it. But the best part is when you realize that even after K. Rool's supposed demise you still have the LOST WORLD to complete which happens to contain arguably the hardest level in the entire series. Animal Antics. Getting the max percentage in this game was a true challenge but such a satisfying one.

Donkey Kong Country 3...yeah...this game. I know it gets a lot of hate (especially for Kiddy Kong) but it really is a great game! This was also the hardest game for me to finish because getting 105% requires you to enter the TUFST cheat. This eliminates continue barrels and the DK barrels. So once you lose a Kong in a level, that's it, you have to finish the entire level with basically 1 hit point and dying will send you straight back to the beginning! Trying to obtain the collectibles while under this handicap is harder than completing DKC2. For example, there are bonus barrels that CAN ONLY BE REACHED WITH THE TEAM-UP MOVE! In the later levels, keeping both Kongs alive in order to reach one bonus barrel is, ugh, f*ck, SO HARD! If you enjoyed collecting everything in DKC2, DKC3 is the perfect next step to test your ingenuity.

The game's K. Rool fight is really disappointing. Kaptain K. Rool tested your platforming skills; Baron K. Roolenstein plays more like a bizarre puzzler without any exciting moments. Hell, honestly, it's not even as difficult as Kaptain K Rool even with TUFST on. The second encounter with him is even more disappointing. However, this game's lost world is more difficult. Too bad the game's true ending was sorta shallow.

First off, congrats. I haven't done a TUFST run yet in DKC3. Mad props. Also, I share practically the exact same opinion. DKC1 is awesome. 2 is still one of the best platformers to date. And 3 gets WAY more hate than it deserves. I mean, some people don't even like to include it into the series... which is just harsh.

Congrats. You've done something I've still yet to do in actually beating DKC3.

@Lantis - That's because DKC3 didn't make the leap towards becoming an RPG like DK64.

Not even including it in the series? Those people are insane!

It's a good game. I actually played it a fair amount way back when, but before I could beat it some of my SNES stuff got stolen. Sucked. I'm still thinking of buying it again sometime.

Also, nice job Duel! ...Have any Pro-tips?

I think fans just don't find DKC3 as memorable as DKC2. You'll find more people gushing over Stickerbrush Symphony than people reminiscing over that wacky first level song in DKC3.

@Fay My biggest PRO-tip is not having any shame in looking at a walkthrough. If you spent thirty minutes looking for a well-hidden bonus barrel, just cheat.