I usually try not to mention 'Strawmen Arguments' when I talk about this sort of thing since I feel it muddles from your idea's more than it adds to them. I feel like mentioning this in regards to DKC3 because it's got a really weird reputation online. It's ironic how DKC3 gets treated like the weird cousin of the DK series when it's the only game to feature Kiddy Kong, the weird cousin of the DK family, but I digress. Kiddy Kong Rules. He's hilarious. People who shit on him have never heard his death animation. Do yourself a favor and run into one of the sawbee things that's close enough to the ground to hear his tantrum. It never fails to get an honest hearty chuckle out of me.
The Northern Kremisphere of DK isle is probably the most overlooked videogame local I can think of. The game captures the feeling of Northern fall perfectly. Brisk is the immediate word that comes to mind with cozy following in suite.
DKC3 is like the last hurrah of Rare era Donkey Kong. DK64 couldn't capture the feeling this series had, and Diddy Kong Racing had spun way off into it's own thing. It's the swan song to this era of the company. After Banjo, they'd have to fully commit to the saturated and cartoony aspects of their brand given the quality of textures that were available on the n64. We wouldn't see that sort of style with grit again until Conker.
I make it a habit to play this game through every fall, and I hope when the season's line up, you'll do the same. It's charming, distinct, and most importantly, will put a smile on your face.

'The Wonderful 101' is 'A video game for people who love life.'
The Wonderful 101 perfectly replicates what it would feel like to be on a tokusatsu team. It warps a part of your brain with the sheer spectacle of what is at your hands. The weapon swapping mechanic is bar none genius. It makes you look at the controller design that's become standard for the past 3 generations of gaming, and ask yourself "What has all these developers been doing to make the right analog stick be the dedicated camera operator?" No other game, NO other game includes you transforming between 3-5 different giant weapons in the span of seconds to juggle your opponent with the finesse of a single unit, only you're controlling a hundred of them with ease. The game gives you everything you need to succeed, and even meets you at whatever level of gameplay you feel comfortable with. It's theme of unity is exemplified by this inclusive spirit it carries. It pushes you to want to be more.
The Wonderful 101 has a story that always takes itself seriously. The game has plenty of goofy moments and jokes, but it never detracts from what's being shown on screen. It never treats the things it's homaging to be stupid or inherently funny. It gives every concept it juggles the brevity and respect that only someone who deeply loves what they're making could give to something. It got me to be honest with myself about the things I like and the person I'd like to be. It's an experience that gives me hope that things like this will continue to be made, and will continue to inspire future generations. It's the only video-game I'd describe to be perfect.
The Wonderful 101 is like reading an old love letter. You thought you'd thrown it out after vowing to not think about the person who had sent it to you anymore. In your guilt riddled angst, you neglected to let yourself see that you had been loved by someone. That they loved you so much, they would transcribe this love to be an object for you to treasure. It was always there for you to let in, you just had to open your heart. This in turn starts to fill you with regret, only for that regret to blossom into love all over again. Only this time, you've learned your lesson, and you're going to be alright now.