it's not that it's overlooked because people think it's bad. It doesn't get that much attention because it's a 2d sidescroller/platformer. They're fun and all, but really it's an outdated genre of gaming. You just can't really call it a AAA title, thus it doesn't get that much attention. The same thing happens to Little big planet with sony. They're fun games, but the only really get attention from their die hard fans.

It's aight

One of the best 2D platformers created.

I 200% the game, all kong letters, all puzzle pieces, and beat it in hard mode.
I still have left beating it in the time trials mode.

Best game I played on the Wii U. I rate it something like 9.5/10

the bad things about the game would be, repetitive bonus levels, you can only play as Diddy, Dixie and Cranky in hard mode (which needs to be unlocked), and Diddys ability is a similar but worse version of Dixie's ability, so you dont get many reasons to ever play with him.

I'd say it's an all-time fave for me, too; definitely the game that has impressed me most this gen so far. I can't think of any other recent game whose gameplay, artistic direction and sound all served one another so perfectly (like the way the music changes and builds through many of the levels depending on where your character is). I love the tough-but-not-unforgiving difficulty curve and the variety between levels.

And underrated? Absolutely. It's got a worse Metascore than DKC Returns, for god's sake. I think a lot of reviewers were especially hard on it because they were all butthurt that they weren't reviewing a new Metroid Prime instead.

Not just DKCR, it got a lower metacritic than New Super Mario Bros U. 

I love DKC:TF, platforming games are my thing, and it took me right back to the challenging platformers of the 90's, my favourite game on the system, will probably finish as my favourite game this gen.

For me, is the best 2D platformer ever made and my favourite Wii U game so far. It's incredibly underrated, but only for those who haven't played the game (and game reviwers who don't know any better). As far as they think, Tropical Freeze is a rehash of Returns and a low class game that is surpassed even by some indie games. Obviously they are completley wrong.

Or Shovel Knight.

Retro Studios, makes top notch games...... MP arguably a top 25, if not top 10 GoAT

DK:TF arguably top 5 Best 2D Platformer of all time...

Now make a WiiU Metroid or make a New IP that makes non nintendo fans port beg for their console of choice! :p (ex: XCX)