"The DKC Trilogy ends with a fizzle."

What can I saw about a game like this. Very little, surprisingly. It's a forced sequel that was rushed so Rare could work hared on the Nintendo 64. What was supposed to be a anticipated sequel came as a slightly above average game.

(I'm reviewing all the DKC games, so I'll compare this one with the others at the end)

GRAPHICS (8/10)

In terms of quality, there very nice. But there just not up to par with DKC2. Everything looks nice, like backgrounds and textures. On the other hand, character design took a large step down. No, it's more than large, a gigantic step down.

GAMEPLAY and DESIGN (7/10)

Standard platforming stuff, with some role-playing elements mixd in there. Moving is a slow compared to the other games. The newest member of the Kong clan is Kiddy Kong: A overgrown toddler thats about as original as green grass. Come on, bring back Donkey! On a brighter note, Dixie Kong is back, but why?

The RPG elements in the game work out, but they distract the player from enjoying the game. I don't really want to be bothered trying to find a missing wrench so the Chairlift can be fixed, THEN I can continue.

Levels, like Kiddy, are about as original as muddy dirt. Save for the Tree Trunks and Mountains. A breakdown of levels are Docks, Mills, Snow, Factory, Pipes, Marshland....I can't remember anymore because there so boring and plain. But mixed in with it all are some neat levels like the Mountains and Treestumps, and occasionally a Factory.

Ranbi the Rino is gone, replaced with Ellie the Elephant. She's one step away from being really pointless. Oh look, she took a step back. ( In the Church Lady Voise): ''Well isn't that special.''

SOUND (7/10)

Ugh...I had very high expectations for the music in this game. When you first start playing, music isn't bad. But then you enter the first level, and you hear this really out of place music that should be heard in a Mickey Mouse game. Ironically, Rare now has the license to make Disney game.

But then you come to the Factory and Mountains, and you fell like your back in DKC2. Very nice.

STORY (5/10)

Dixie - ''Donkey and Diddy are gone, I must save them!''

Sounds alot like DKC2.

REPLAY VALUE (8/10)

Despite it lack of everything, it's still fun to play.

GRIPES

The manual: I'm putting this here because DKC2 had a great manual, but DKC3 is Bantha Poodoo. Kiddy: he's stupid. Boring levels and music. The Brother Bears: These guys are here to offer ''help'' and serve no other purpose to get 103%. Cranky: Serves no purpose in the game, he's just there as a challenger for a mini-game. Ending: It's boring. The name: It's stupid. The Boss: KAOS? Come on! Not only does he have a stupid name, he looks like a over grown trashcan!

OVERALL (8/10)

Donkey Kong Country 3 was not a bad game. It was a DKC game, and I never got bored, but my God! Looking back, it's the black sheep of the DKC Trilogy.

COMPARED TO DKC 1 and 2

(Scores here are based on the other two games)

GRAPHICS (9/10)

Very pretty.

GAMEPLAY and DESIGN (5/10)

Big step down. Dixie and Kiddy move at a snails pace.

SOUND (4/10)

On a related note, the country side is plagued with locus, and the Nile has tuned to blood.

ORDER PLACED

donkey kong country 2: diddy's kong quest
donkey kong country
DONKEY KONG COUNTRY 3: DIXIE'S DOUBLE TROUBLE

OVERALL (8/10)

It's a good game, but just lacking. Donkey Kong Country left us with a fizzle, and I'm very sad. I had such high hopes.

-review by Mortis-

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/16/00, Updated 11/09/02