The game runs at a solid 60 frames per second most of the time, but there are instances of dropped frames, particularly in challenging sections like the beach world's boss fight.

The gameplay is praised for its variety and balance, offering a mix of platforming mechanics with unique elements like underwater and rail levels. The introduction of a hub world and boat upgrades adds a new layer of exploration and progression.

The art style of the game is widely praised for its vibrant and colorful aesthetic, drawing inspiration from the real-world Pacific Northwest and reminiscent of classic Donkey Kong games. Assessments highlight the success of remastering efforts in maintaining the original visual design while introducing new textures and improved character models, particularly noticeable at the end of levels and during in-engine cutscenes. The character designs and animations are fluid and cartoonish, contributing to the game's charm and humor. However, there are points of contention, with some reviewers noting minor inconsistencies and missing visual effects compared to the original Wii version. Despite these minor issues, the game's graphics are lauded for being the best in the series, showcasing the capabilities of the SNES towards the end of its lifecycle. The detailed character sprites and stunning level environments are consistently celebrated across reviews.

The game is appreciated for its shorter length compared to its predecessors, providing a refreshing experience that doesn't overwhelm the player with excessive difficulty and time investment.

The game is considered a fine way to play the original but is criticized for being sold at a premium price without substantial improvements over the Wii original.

The game's difficulty is a point of both agreement and nuanced difference among assessments. Assessment 1 highlights the game's balanced difficulty, offering various options like checkpoints, collectible items, and difficulty modes to cater to different skill levels, ensuring a challenging yet non-frustrating experience. Assessment 2 emphasizes the game's reduced punishing nature and increased accessibility, particularly through the ability to save after each level, which contrasts with its predecessors. Assessment 3 notes the game's overall challenging difficulty, with 'Tropical Freeze' being slightly easier but still demanding, especially during boss fights. Overall, while there is consensus on the game's challenging nature, there is also agreement on its accessibility features that help mitigate frustration.

The game's graphics are praised for being highly detailed and superior to other Super Nintendo games, showcasing the console's evolving capabilities.

The combat system in the game is widely praised for its weight and momentum, with DK's physics and momentum being a unique aspect that fits well with the level design. The parry system is particularly noted for rewarding timing precision, adding a layer of strategy and skill. However, there are points of contention: the blowing mechanic is criticized for disrupting the pace, being direction sensitive, and its absence in the sequel. Additionally, while some reviewers appreciate the responsiveness of the combat, others find it less responsive compared to previous entries, suggesting a potential area for improvement.

While most of the game is well-balanced, the boss battles are criticized for being too long and difficult without checkpoints, causing frustration. The final battle is also seen as underwhelming.

Innovative gameplay mechanics, such as the gravity-defying stages and unique level designs, are highlighted as standout features.