Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble

"You Thought Donkey Kong Country 2 Was Good? Well, You Haven't Seen Anything Yet!"

Even with the N64 out on the market, Nintendo and Rare decided to go through with one of their final titles for the aging SNES: Donkey Kong Country 3, the final game in the DKC trilogy. With this game, the SNES's power was taken to its limits, thus resulting in an unforgettable Super Nintendo classic.

Gameplay 10/10: This is a side scrolling game. Like all the games in the DKC trilogy, you get to play as two Kongs: Dixie Kong and Kiddy Kong. For all of you that have played Donkey Kong Country 2, none of Dixie's moves have changed. Dixie's the fastest of the two Kongs you play as. She can jump slightly higher than Kiddy, and she can temporarily fly through the air as well. Kiddy, on the other hand, is big, slow, stupid, and strong. He's basically like DK, but without the ability to pound the ground. Personally, I don't like Kiddy. Why should you play as him when Dixie can do nearly everything in the game by herself? Oh well. Oh yeah, the control is rather fluent, and it rarely messes up.

Challenge 8/10: DKC 2 takes the award for most challenging Donkey Kong Country game, but DKC 3 definitely gets second place. Sure, the first levels are very easy, but once you get into the middle of the game, things start getting a little difficult. The Lost World of Kremtoa world is by far, the hardest part in all of DKC 3. The rest of the game though, is not extraordinarily hard, but it does have its frustrating moments.

Story 5/10: Okay, K. Rool's back...again, and this time he's captured both Diddy AND Donkey Kong! Honestly, is DK really so ignorant as to allow himself to get captured by the same guy twice!? Apparently so. Come on Nintendo, let's get a little more creative here.

Graphics 10/10: This is what the DKC games are known for. These graphics are even better than some N64 game's graphics, which is saying a lot! The bosses are extremely well detailed, as are the regular enemies. Everything is shown in vibrant colors with amazing detail. And best of all...it's in 3-D...in a way. What I'm saying is that it's a side scrolling game with a 2-D feel to it, but with 3-D graphics. Like Smash Brothers for the N64.

Sound 10/10: To go along with great graphics, we have great sound. All the music is crisp and clear, and suits each level perfectly. The sound effects are also wonders to behold. They are far better than in DKC 1 and 2. Whether it's barrels breaking, or enemies crying out in sheer agony, it's all good.

Playtime/Replayability 10/10: DKC 3 is quite addicting. Aside from the main game, multiplayer, and various mini-games, there is also a huge trading quest to complete.

Rent or Buy? Buy. That is, Buy it if you have played and enjoyed the previous Donkey Kong Country games. If you HAVEN”T played any other DKC games, then I suggest renting this first, if you can find a place that still rents old SNES games.

For reasons I do not know, this great game is considered by a good portion of DKC fans to be mediocre, and not worthy of playing. I don’t see how that can be possible, as this game has great graphics, excellent sound, and most importantly, superb gameplay. Oh well.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 05/23/03, Updated 05/23/03