Diddy Kong Racing

"This game IS better than Mario Kart 64!"

The war between Diddy Kong Racing and Mario Kart 64 has been going on for quite some time. Some people say that DKR is better, and some are dead-set keen on MK64 being the better racer. However, in my opinion, Diddy Kong Racing is far better than Mario Kart 64. And though this review is on DKR, I will be comparing both games quite a lot.

As you probably guessed, Diddy Kong Racing is, of course, a racing game. It is not your average car racer though, as it doesn't contain real cars. When you play the game you will be racing in either a go-kart, a hover craft, or a plane. If you are the kind of person who likes crashes, explosions, and total destruction in racing games, this isn't one for you. However, if you enjoy a racing game that is played simply for the pleasure of racing, this one's for you.

In Diddy Kong Racing you must first choose who you will be when racing. You must first pick from 8 characters, and as time progresses, you will be able to pick from 10. All of the characters in the game are cute little animals. And of course, one of those characters is Diddy Kong. Each driver has their own strengths and weaknesses. Some drivers are faster, but are harder to turn, and the opposite goes for other drivers. Each driver may also have a special ability in a certain vehicle. Heavier characters seem to fair well with hover crafts, but loose control while in a go-kart.

Once you have chosen your character, the game begins. Unlike other racing games, DKR also acts as an adventure game. You start of in the main world where you will meet you friend and helper, TAJ. After a brief encounter, you are then left to figure everything out for yourself. You must travel around the world, and find places to race. However, you can't just waltz into a domain and start to race. You must collect balloons to unlock doors. You can gain balloons by winning a race, or simply by picking them up in the main world.

Once you have settled in the ''feel'' of the game, you can race and win balloons, and take it from there. The first few races are quite easy, but as the game goes on, the races become incredibly difficult, and require a lot of practice.


STORY: 9/10

Hey! At least it HAS a story. Unlike most other races, this game actually has a point to it. An evil pig named Wizpig, has taken over the island. He has locked all of the races, and has put a spell on the people who live on the island. You must unlock the races, brake all of the spells, and in the end you must defeat the evil Wizpig.


GRAPHICS: 9/10

People complain about these graphics, but obviously, they have no idea what graphics are. The graphics are very good. All of the courses are well designed, and they are very bright and colourful. Just the colour in the game makes you a lot happier while playing. In Mario Kart 64, the colours are duller, and a bit more boring.

The drivers themselves are drawn to perfection! They look wonderful, and very, very cute. The polygons they were made from seem non-existent, and they look very realistic.

As in most games that come out for the N64, the graphics take on a ''cartoon'' sought of feel. Nothing looks like a real life picture, but the way it is drawn, makes up for it. It is hard to explain, but you will get what I mean if you buy the game. (BUY THE GAME!)


AUDIO: 9/10

Once again, people complain because they have no idea what sound quality actually is. The music is excellent. The quality of the music is excellent. It doesn't sound like it is from a game cartridge. The music is very, very catchy, and enjoyable to listen to. People complain because the music sounds ''childish''. OF COURSE IT DOES! The game is made for the age group of children! However, this shouldn't deter most older gamers.

The sounds effects are good, but do not pack the same punch as does the music. However, they fit the game perfectly, and match the actions very well.


GAMEPLAY: 9/10

THE GAMEPLAY ROCKS! Because the game is more than just a racing game, it makes you want to reach the end, and adds heaps of gameplay. In terms of fun goes, DKR will not let you down. You will enjoy yourself tremendously while racing.

The game has many other tasks for you to complete as well. There are the usual races in which you have to win. Once you have finished all of the races in a world for the first time, you must then complete it AGAIN but you must do an extra challenge in each race. Plus, once you have done that, you must race the boss of the world. And, mind you, every single boss is very hard to beat.

Then, you have trophy races. It is like a grand prix. You race every race in the world against the other races. However, this time the other drivers are much harder, and smarter. You must gain points by winning, and you must try to get the most points at the end. And, depending on your place, you will win a trophy. A special surprise awaits when you win every gold trophy.....

You also have to do another set of races, and even more tasks. You will be playing for at least month, and in most cases more, just trying to find everything.

You also have to collect pieces of amulets, and once you gain all of the pieces of an amulet, you gain access to something big.

Awesome gameplay there is.


CONTROL: 7/10

Ok, so I must admit, there is a SLIGHT draw-back with the control. RARE purposely made some characters had to control, but I think they may have gone overboard with characters such as Crunch, and Drumstick. But, both characters control excellent in the hover craft, it's just they are IMPOSSIBLE to control in either a go-kart or a plane.

However, overall the control is good. Most characters are easy to use. Turning, and such, is easy, and it doesn't take much to learn how to do it without mishap.

Each vehicle controls differently as well. The car is the easiest vehicle to drive. The plane is the second hardest to drive. It can be difficult when trying not to move up and down a lot. The hover craft is the hardest, yet fastest vehicle. It is hard to turn, but with practise, it can be mastered.

Most people should be able to play this game without much struggle.


LENGTH: 10/10

This game is HUGE! It is really, really big.

First of all you have the basic story line to work through. You have to win all of the races, then again, race bosses, and defeat Wizpig. That in itself is a pretty big game. However, not only do you have to finish it once, but you have to do it twice! I STILL haven’t completed it! But, to make things interesting, the second time around everything seems to be a little......different.

Then comes the things that aren’t necessary, but you need to do in order to complete to game 100%. Things like the T.T worlds. You have to find keys on certain course, to unlock doors to hidden challenges. Then, once you have beaten them all, you get a big surprise.

Plus, you have the trophy races, which are pretty hard to beat.


MULTIPLAYER: 9/10

The multiplayer feature in DKR is excellent. You get to race against up to 3 friends, plus some computer characters. However, all of the tracks aren’t open to you in multiplayer when you first play. You can only race certain levels if you have accessed them in the adventure mode. Which, is a good idea.

Multiplayer is very fun. There are many tracks for you to race in, and because you’re playing with friends, you will have a great time. And just like in Mario Kart 64, there are battle races. However, I think they are much better than the one in Mario Kart 64, but different people will have different opinions.

The multiplayer feature adds much to this great game, and it is just one more reason to buy it.


REPLAY VALUE: 7/10

This is what bugged several people. Once you have completed the entire game, there really isn’t much to do besides play multiplayer. Unless of course if you’re like me, and you complete a game several times just for the heck of it.

Still, there IS replay value, both in the adventure mode and in the multiplayer mode. So, I bet you’ll still be playing this game when you’ve finished the one player game. Come to think of it, it take you a long time to actually complete the full game in its entirety. Therefore, less-than-average reply value isn’t that big a deal in this game.

BEST SUITED FOR CHILDREN!

DKR is designed for a younger age group. Everything in this game is childish, from the cute animals, to the cute music and graphics, to the clean stops when you crash into a wall. If you are of an older age group, and like hardcore racing, this is definitely not the game for you.

However, most females(I’m not being sexist here) of any age, will love the game. Both because of the simplicity and fun, and the loveable, cute, adorable animals.


OVERALL: 9/10

Diddy Kong Racing is a great game. Some say it is better than Mario Kart 64, some people say it isn't. I think that it IS better. But like I said, different people have different opinions. I would still recommend this game for most people, even if they already have Mario Kart 64.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/07/00, Updated 06/07/00