Third DKL with Dixie and Kiddy. Frozen continent, Baron K. Roolenstein, refined tag mechanics. Shorter and slightly less inspired than DKL 2, but still excellent. Presentation remains impeccable for Game Boy. Chain it after DKL 2 if you want more, no regrets.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer1 player3+
Description
Third Donkey Kong Land with Dixie Kong and Kiddy Kong exploring a frozen continent to defeat Baron K. Roolenstein. Published by Nintendo/Rare, released in 1997 in Europe and North America. DKC3-inspired levels, Kiddy's ground slam, factory enemies, and Boss K. Roolenstein.
Donkey Kong Land III review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
This third portable instalment pushes its settings further than its predecessors: marshes, timber yards and snowy peaks bring textures the first two had not explored, each identifiable by its screening pattern. The duo's newcomer, bulky and heavy, is told apart from the nimbler one by his mass on screen as much as by the way he lands.
Across the frozen lands and forests of the third entry, the music strings together adventurous themes and catchy refrains with fine vivacity. The compositions match the momentum of the levels and sustain a constant energy. This melodic generosity, polished despite the hardware, fulfils fans of the handheld trilogy.
Released at the tail end of the original Game Boy's commercial life, shortly before the Color was announced, which translated into a noticeably smaller Western run than the previous two Lands and a Japanese cartridge release that later landed exclusively on Game Boy Color. The scarcity here is structural rather than symbolic, particularly for a clean PAL cardboard box. Rare's last Donkey Kong title on the monochrome handheld, a sought finish to the trilogy.
Is Donkey Kong Land III still worth playing in 2026?
The third and final Donkey Kong Land keeps the gains of its predecessor while exploring a frozen continent under Baron K. Roolenstein. Dixie and Kiddy alternate with distinct abilities, the presentation remains impeccable for the Game Boy and the sound design suits the cooler tone. The game runs a touch shorter and feels a notch less inspired than DKL 2, but the technical mastery more than compensates. For anyone who enjoyed the previous entry and wants more, it remains a high-end portable platformer with no real drop in quality.
