A technical marvel for the SNES, Donkey Kong Country 2 pushed the limits of what 16-bit graphics could achieve. The darker, pirate-themed world saw Diddy and Dixie Kong battling across gloomy forests, haunted amusement parks, and bramble-filled treetops. David Wise’s moody soundtrack blended perfectly with the atmospheric levels, while tight platforming mechanics and hidden secrets ensured the game’s legacy as one of the finest platformers ever made.