Donkey Kong 64

"Golden Review for a Golden Game"

Donkey Kong 64 is a platformer for the Nintendo 64. Don't let this turn you away because it is different than the SNES versions. Rare took the Donkey Kong Series and made it better. Though this is an old game, it is still one of my top 10 favorites. Its tied with Banjo Tooie in my opinion, If you liked that game, you will really like this one. This game is long, challenging but not too hard, and most of all FUN!!!

Story 8/10

The story is ok. It works for this game. Basically K ROOL is at it again and is planning to blast up DK island but crashes and breaks the lasor. He steals DK's golden bananas to distract him and DK's pals. You now try to save your island, get your golden bananas, and save your friends. Squawks delivers the news to DK as he is working out to some groovy tunes and falls flat on his face. He goes to Cranky and sets of on his new adventure. DK teams up with his best buddy Diddy, Dixie kongs sister Tiny, a new fellow that goes by the name of Lanky, and Kiddys Big brother Chunky. Although Dixie and Kiddy arent in this game from the original Donkey Kong Country series, you still get there siblings (this has been confirmed in the instructors booklet) and 5 different kongs to use in the game.

Graphics 10/10

Back in the N64 era, these graphics were outstanding. Though today they can't really compare, they were great for its time. The animations are fantastic, the monkeys look great, and the water is nice. The atmosphere is huge. You won't be sad because the levels were so small. The levels in this game are 5 times bigger than Super Mario 64.

Control 10/10

No problem here. The combinations are excellent and are that of Banjo Tooie. All kongs have the same control set for the basics as of throwing grenades, shooting there gun, and jumping. No flaws here. It takes some time to get used to but you will be good in no time.

Gameplay 9/10

This game will take you about 50 hours to finish. That is awesome. There is so much to do in this game. You can go on a hunt and try to find all the golden bananas. You could fine regular bananas to fight the boss in the world, you can go play mini games (donkey kong classic anyone?) or you can just explore since the worlds are so big. A few mini games will make you upset because they are so hard but you will do it eventually. There are 25 golden bananas in each level, (5 per kong) and they can all collect a 100 regular bananas each. This is what makes the game so long. Although you dont have to get everything in the game, I bet you will want to when you replay it.

You also get to see Cranky, who gives you potions throughout the game to learn new moves, Candy who gives you some cool instruments, a different one per kong, Funky who gives all the Kongs a gun and they are all different from each other. A lot of people also forget Wrinkley, Crankys wife (or should I say Ex-Wife) Shes dead. But she still helps you out!!! Before you enter a stage she can give you hints on what to do in the world you are about to enter. Fantastic! This rating didn't get a 10 because of the boss battles. Two bosses are repeated they are just slightly stronger. But that still doesnt take away form the game itself.

When Cranky gives the Kongs new moves, they can be activated by pressing certain buttons, jumping into barrels, or standing on the pad. Lanky can inflate himself into a balloon to fly. Or you can rock on with Diddy as you fly with his Rocket Barrel Boost and your peanut pistols. Chunky can get more CHUNKY lol. I wont spoil the rest. You will just have to find out for yourself.

The mini games in this game can be really annoying. Especially beaver bother. It is hard and it doesnt really work. The beaver doesnt go down in the hole likes its supposed to. Some mini games are really fun though. I enjoyed the train kart ones the best. It is intense and will keep you out of your seat as anything could happen.

Since the levels are so huge, it would be impossible to navigate through the world and go back to other locations. That would be boring and make this game awful. There are now Banana portals. There are 5 in each level (10 counting them all, There are two 1's two 2's two 3's two 4's and two 5's each sending you to the number portal you choose. Very useful especially in huge worlds like Frantic Factory. It is almost like Banjo Tooie again. (sry for referring to banjo tooie so much.) But this game is also so different than Banjo Tooie I dont want you to think its the same. They just both use portals and are great platformers.

Sound 10/10

The sound in this game is amazing. The songs are alike with the environment you are in. Jungle themes, water themes, desert themes, castle themes you name it, its all here! I really like the sound in Fungi Forest it goes great with that forest feeling. When you go under water, the sound sounds like you could be under water. The very first level of the game brings back the original song from the first level in Donkey Kong Country. It sounds great. The kongs also have there own unique sounds. DK sounds like a strong dude. He is confident and reliable (he flexes for you in the character select barrel). Diddy has that personality that we all know about him. Tiny is small and sounds girly, but dont let her fool you. She is strong and unique. Lanky does sound a little annoying though. When he jumps he like to go LALOO or WOOLALOO. This is annoying, but also funny at times. Chunky is strong and he sounds like strong but can act like a wimp at times. He always wants you to pick Tiny instead of him lol. K Rool sounds evil. A true villain. At the beggining when you turn your N64 on, there is a scene where Funky is doing the DK RAP which is quite funny as Cranky is doing the DJ role. You really gotta listen to it.

Multiplayer 6/10

I fell like this was rushed. Its not really bad its just short. There are 3 battle stages you can pick from and you can fight friends with your gun, grenades or your characters moves. The other one is like the Crown Battle. In my opinion the crown battles are the best. Its still pretty fun though the first time around. Stick with Super Smash Bros.

Replayability 9/10

There is so much to do in this game once your finished. Go back and find those missing bananas you missed. Or go and take pictures of those fairys and get the extra golden banana. Getting 201 golden bananas makes an alternate ending and more things to do on the main menu. I have beaten this game 4 times and now I am on my fifth run dedicating it to this review.

Rent or Buy?

I say buy. This is the best adventure game for the N64 (along with Banjo Tooie). If you have played the Banjo Kazooie series you will feel right at home with this game. If you rent it, you will just need to rent it a dozen more times to finish the game. Good Job Rare!!! Im lucky my grandma gave me her N64 and all her games and im happy it came with Donkey Kong 64.

Final Rating 9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/26/06