This game requires so much fine precision that it will definitely appeal to hardcore platforming veterans looking for a challenge and those that do are in for one hundred eighty minutes of mesmerization, astonishment, thrills, chills, spills, kills and ills. The only real downfall of Donkey Kong Country is the boss battles. If your companion Diddy is following you he will take over but then if he takes a single hit you lose a life and it’s back to the start of a level. Needless to say, the game is unforgiving and requires quick reflexes and precise pattern memorization to continue.
There are constant pitfalls and Donkey Kong can only take a single hit before he loses a life. In fact, some of the hardest levels come early on. Right from the start, you’re in for one hell of a ride. Donkey Kong Country is a platformer you can only finish through persistence and with a lot of patience. What really stands out the most about Donkey Kong Country after all of these years is just how challenging this game is.īut what really stands out the most after all of these years is just how challenging this game is.
The result is an apt accompaniment to the colorful characters, tropical landscape, and tomfoolery that proceeds. Practically every piece on the soundtrack exudes a certain lyricism that has become a staple of Rare’s games – from its upbeat tropical introduction to the unforgettable climax which secures its place as one of the Super Nintendo’s most memorable boss fights. Meanwhile, the soundtrack by David Wise is guaranteed to win listener’s over. In 1994, Donkey Kong Country’s visuals were spectacular with its rendered 3D models, lively character animations, detailed backgrounds, and a lush jungle setting, and while some would argue the game is dated, in my eyes it still looks great to this day. Kong has heart, and he’s willing to show it in a game made with wit, excitement and moments of visionary beauty. What’s really impressive about Donkey Kong Country is how it has withstood the passage of time. Predating Super Mario World: Yoshi’s Island, Diddy and DK can also ride on the backs of Rambi the Rhino, Winky the Frog, Enguarde the Swordfish and more! The two heroes can also rely on various animal friends to help guide them through their adventure. It isn’t the most original platforming feature, but it works. Donkey Kong can dispatch larger enemies with his giant fists, while Diddy can jump a little higher than his bulky cousin. You control one character at a time, and each has his own unique strengths. And in Donkey Kong Country, you’re not alone your simian sidekick Diddy tags along for the adventure. Every level has little nooks and crannies too, hiding secret areas and passageways that lead to bonus games where you can earn bananas and balloons, which you can trade in for additional lives. And let’s not forget the mine cart stages where you ride on rails and use your quick reflexes to successfully reach the end. Each stage has its own theme, forcing players to swim underwater, navigate through a misty swamp, swing from vines, or transport DK using a set of barrels (cannons) to advance. The characters are fluidly animated and the rich tropical environments make use of every visual effect in the Super NES’s armory. For a two-dimensional side-scroller, Donkey Kong Country conveys a three-dimensional sense of dept. The graphics for the time were above and beyond anything anyone would imagine possible for the 16-bit system. Monumental! Monstrous! Magnificent! Use any term you want, there’s no denying how important this game was for Nintendo and Rare.
They teamed up with Rare to produce Donkey Kong Country, a Mario-style platformer, and the rest, as they say, is history.ĭonkey Kong Country is a game held in high regard and with reason. After three years of intense competition and heated rivalries, Nintendo desperately needed a hit that could prove the Super NES could output graphics on the same level as the forthcoming 32-bit consoles. With the release of the Saturn and Playstation on the horizon, the Super Nintendo needed a visually impressive and original title to reinforce its market dominance. Back in 1994, Nintendo was struggling with their 16-bit Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which wasn’t selling as well as they’d hoped it would.