Ranking according to this thread:

1. DK: TF (by a landslide)
2. Rayman Legends
3. New Super Mario Bros. U
4. Shovel Knight

Ranking according to metacritic:

1. Rayman Legends
2. Shovel Knight
3. New Super Mario Bros. U
4. DK: TF

If you ever needed proof of how stupid the average "game critic" is then here it is. DKC: TF is by far the best platformer of this generation. "Professional" reviewers have insulted Retro Studios. They should stop sending free review copies to sites like Gamespot and refuse them any interview what so ever. Fuck them! :p 

I would skip on Rayman Legends. It's floaty, looks boring (entirely in 2D and the levels are the opposite of dynamic) and the Murphy levels are the worst! And a lot of levels are Murphy. I play a platformer to platform... Not to see someone else do it... 

Tropical Freeze would be my pick as well.
While it lacks the ambition of Retro's prior games, this is a minor niggle compared to its sublime controls, divine soundtrack, elegant and mischievous level design, and thrilling yet fair challenge.