Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze—Retro Studios Considered Martian Theme During Early Development

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a standout title in the Donkey Kong franchise, well-known for its inventive winter atmosphere and challenging platforming.

Developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo, the game first launched for the Wii U in February 2014, and later found renewed success with a port to the Nintendo Switch in May 2018.

The critically acclaimed platformer has become a mainstay on Nintendo platforms, praised for its tight controls, vibrant visuals, and inventive level design. Recently, new insights have emerged about the early development of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.

During an in-depth interview with KiwiTalkz, former Retro Studios artists Eric Kozlowsky and Ted Anderson revealed that the team briefly considered a "martian theme" for the game's setting.

While the final product is indelibly defined by its snow-laden worlds and the antagonistic Snowmad tribe, Retro Studios momentarily explored a storyline where aliens—inhabiting the moon—would invade Donkey Kong Island.

This concept drew inspiration from the ending of Donkey Kong Country Returns, where Donkey Kong is seen punching the moon. According to Kozlowsky and Anderson, the martian theme was discussed in the initial stages of development but was quickly set aside in favor of the snow-centric narrative that ultimately defined Tropical Freeze.

Speaking on the topic, Kozlowsky stated that the studio reflected on whether to fully embrace a snow-based world or branch out with a martian storyline.

"Early on, there was discussion about using the snow theme or introducing a martian concept, where after Donkey Kong punches the moon at the end of Returns, aliens living on the moon would become the invaders," recounted Kozlowsky.

This creative experimentation resulted in only a handful of concept art pieces, and both artists categorized the episode as a minor, "superfluous" part of the overall development process. While only brief, this glimpse into the creative process behind Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze offers a fascinating look at how different the game could have been.

Retro Studios ultimately committed to the Snowmad storyline, leading to the unique environments and memorable boss battles that define the final product. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze remains one of Retro Studios' celebrated achievements, boasting strong sales—particularly following its Nintendo Switch release—and a lasting presence on the eShop.

The game's distinctive combination of platforming excellence and creative world design stands as a testament to Retro Studios' development philosophy.

For fans and industry observers alike, these newly surfaced development insights enrich the legacy of a modern Nintendo classic.

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