Who else thinks this game is the best one of all three?

Growing up, I always enjoyed it more than the other two. Many say that the first DKC game is the best, and I can see why they'd think so. There are certain aspects of that game, such as playing as Donkey Kong himself, that you don't have in the others. The only thing I ever had against the first game was the bosses. I found them incredibly boring and had no difficulty defeating them. The bosses in DKC2, on the other hand, are much more challenging and fun. I think the gameplay in DKC2 in general is more difficult and exciting than the other two. Also, the darker story of Donkey Kong getting kidnapped by pirates works so much better than the story from the first game. As for DKC3, I don't think that game even comes close to either of the first two. Although it has a few fun levels and bosses, the gameplay and graphics are not nearly as well done, and Kiddy Kong is just an annoying infantile version of Donkey Kong.