3.5/5 ★ – Spongyoshi's review of Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!.

And the trilogy concludes with a nice balance of the last two games. The game starts with a weirdly exploratory setting! And while the game is more freedom-based than the other two games, it's still definitely linear and world-based, just feels way nicer to explore! Although what it gains in exploration, it looses in plot, although you get nice dialogue in bosses and stuff, you're kinda on your own at the beggining. The start isn't great, the music feels disapointing at first and the stages seem a bit simple. Thankfully they pick up in themes and the level design is probably the best of the trilogy overall. There's still some gimmicky, break-pacing levels but they come much later and they feel more varied overall. The music isn't as great as DKC2 but it's still pretty nice overall! One thing that is a straight downgrade is the bosses tho, they don't feel as fun as the ones in DKC2 and maybe even DKC1 with is a shame! The game is way less punishing and *tries* to be more fair although it still has it's fair share of camera and enemy placement problems but non-solid walls and similar stuff are no more and it makes the 103% journey way more solid! The gimmicks are also more tame although some gimmicky stages do feel annoying still... But overall, it's less all over the place and the difficulty ramps up nicely and is a real fun experience! Especially the 103% as you explore the land and do little sidequests and search for hidden collectibles on the stages AND map! I do wish there was a bit more variety on the map's locals but oh well! While it doesn't have the high highs of DKC2, the low lows are also far between and it's a way more accessible title! This is personally my DKC of choice and was the most fun to play through for me! I even enjoyed the secret stages! Some of the later stages are a bit annoying but besides that, it's still a step-up from the previous installments! Still a bit rough, but better! Great game, I can't understand why most people like it less than the first two.