"Excellent Game - Close to best in the series."

I must admit that I was a little skeptic about this game at first - it dropping both Donkey and Diddy for a ludicrous baby character, it having had what seemed liked a rushed release... - but soon came to my senses when I popped the game in my machine.

I was blown away by this game from start to finish. I feverishly played it for almost 10 hours straight until all the small bits and parts were completed. I have rarely been hypnotized by a game that I would so eagerly have jumped in it with so much expectations each time - all fulfilled expectations, mind you.

I believe the people at Rare to be considerate, respectful, careful, loving and, above all, immensely talented craftsmen. They always seem to come up with very high-quality games that never seem to disappoint the demanding fans. I believe their games to be no less than works of art which can conveniently be explored and enjoyed by every single basement dweller with an eye for the good stuff.

Of course, the graphics are still way above that of your average SNES release and they even surpass those from DKC2. Exploring the various worlds from DKC3 is in fact very much like venturing into a living and logical world of adventures. All the gorgeous backgrounds on every level seem to hint at a realm free of boundaries where there is no real stopping the amazement. The world map and water spots which you need to scroll through also add to that wonderful feeling of freedom, freedom to explore, freedom to discover and to experience. Needless to say that I felt totally drawn into the action all through the game, feeling the light mountain breeze passing me by as Dixie was standing uneasy on the edge of a cliff near Benny's Chairlift, smelling the freshly cut tree's bittersweet scent as Kiddy escaped the cruel Ripsaw's Rage.

Graphics are one thing but must I remind us that invention is a much more crucial one, especially when dealing with a second sequel. In fact, how can the designers find new challenges for us to confront, challenges we won't expect and that we will have to learn to deal with. On that side, Rare couldn't have made me more happy. The truth is that this release is a whole new ball game from what we were used to in the two previous outings. Of course, the gameplay is the same but it doesn't mean that you don't have to learn the game all over again. In fact, it takes time to really get into each area and feel safe within them, feel accustomed to them. On top of that, since a new character opens new doors, it comes to no surprise that Kiddy is actually able to bash through cracked floors - an ability far too underplayed but fun for the very short time it lasts - which will prove a crucial talent early in the game. Furthermore, I must say that I was very impressed by the immense variety of eclectic new challenges offered to us from the burning ropes, to the timed lightning bolts and the highly innovative 'phantom' barrels. Thus, the insane pace is kept alive through those surprises traps and new problems set at every turn, keeping us wanting to explore and discover more and more. Finally, the designers have finally solved the one major flaw in the series: the bosses. In fact, all previous bosses in the series were evenly easy and static. Now, what we have is a set of all-new inventive and progressively challenging bosses, each with it's own strategies and powers, each a new challenge.

Of course, this game, as all games, cannot escape criticism but I, for one, don't even see the interest of pointing out its minor flaws since they're all so overshadowed by its tremendous qualities and the sheer and pure fun I've had going through the game. Of course, nothing is perfect but Donkey Kong Country 3 sure comes close!

I highly recommend this game to all DK fans for they will find in it a righteous follower to the brilliant Donkey Kong Country 2, to all SNES nostalgists for they will remember what fantastic games this console could support and, finally, to all who like to have a good time and to all who can appreciate beauty in one form or another for this game is surely a modern work of art of tremendous appeal.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/16/03, Updated 07/16/03