Best Donkey Kong game, and why

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Yep, DKC1 was my introduction to the franchise as well back in the day; it's not quite as varied or clever as 2 in terms of level design, but it's still a tightly made platformer with incredible atmosphere, soundtrack, and game feel.

Also, you kinda had to be there, but seeing it for the first time back in the 90s was mind-blowing, on a CRT its pre-rendered graphics were like seeing a playable CG movie come to life.