Then point why Killer Instinct is a generic fighter.
Outside graphics??? What about the gorgeus OST? Or the number of secrets? Yes, some levels are bland, but most of the levels are really great.
I think it's hard to have a pure platformer that DOESN'T have a lot of "secrets". And I hardly remember the soundtrack being "gorgeous".
In retrospect DKC is pretty weak compared to 2D platforming greats.
I couldn't agree more about the DKC series. Watch the old interview done by g4tv (pre-tech tv merger). Rare themselves call County a mediocre game and talk about how people love mediocre games. They never thought in a million years it would sell as much as it did.