"Will we ever get as good a 2D platformer as this again?"

Story – 7/10

DK and Diddy have been captured by King K. Rool and it's up to Diddy's girlfriend Dixie and her cousin Kiddy to save them! Not the most original story ever for a platformer but enough reason to base a game around it, and seeing as this game is so good; the story could have been anything for all I care.

Gameplay – 10/10

Well it's the third DK Country game but this is by no means the worst. It's the best. Like the last two, you control one Kong at a time and should you get killed, you then take over from where you got killed with the other Kong. More emphasis has been placed on the partner moves as well, where if Dixie jumps on Kiddy's back, he can throw her high and far, and if Kiddy jumps on Dixie's, she can throw him to smash through certain floorboards. There are more bonus areas than ever before and they're much better. They aren't just the old pick a barrel games, you have to find coins and defeat enemies in a limited time which makes the bonuses much more challenging.

Just like in DKC2, Dixie can use her long hair to fly through the air and reach further platforms, whereas new boy Kiddy is big and tough and doesn't really do much else. Animals return and you can jump in barrels to switch with one mid-level. For example, if you jumped in a spider barrel, you'd break out controlling the spider and can then use him to progress through the level. Most of the time, changing to animals enables you to find more bonus areas. Your old pals Squawks and Enguarde return too.

The world map screen is much different to the previous two games, where you use a boat to get around to the next world. You can even find hidden areas on the world map and by defeating bosses, you gain items to upgrade your boat to reach more areas. There are a huge number of levels and bigger bosses to face. As the games have gone on, the bosses and enemies have gotten much more original and aren't the usual ‘jump on their head to kill them' kind of guys anymore.

A lot of thought has been put into the levels of this game too, so as to make them not the same as the previous games. Such as the later levels where you have to swim in the water using a reversed d-pad or constantly running through the level with Elly the Elephant. DKC3 is a breath of fresh air for the series and it's good to see change rather than having levels that are all the same.

With the huge number of levels and secrets to find, you'll have your work cut out and it will last you ages. There's something about the game which doesn't make you want to stop playing. The tough challenge and originality is all there and you'll have so much fun. Don't forget the multiplayer modes. Play tag team and pick a Kong to play as and beat the game with your buddy, or take it in turns to play through the levels separately and see who can get the most done in the fastest time.

Controls – 10/10

The DKC games have been perfect in the controls department. Holding Y to run feels so smooth. B is jump and A is to switch places with your Kong buddy. Tapping Y when not running is your attack but most enemies can be defeated with a jump on the head. As soon as you start playing you'll get the hang of the game controls.

Graphics – 10/10

These are some of the best graphics ever seen on a 16-bit console. They are truly unbelievable. The backgrounds look absolutely fantastic and the Kongs and enemies are really something else. Everything from Dixie blowing a gum bubble to a fireball being shot past the screen is just breathtaking.

Sound – 10/10

Is there anything to fault in this game? The DKC series has had it all – gameplay, graphics, controls, sound. And DKC3 is no different. This game has some awesome tracks, just like the previous two games. You just won't be able to stop yourself singing to the music of every level. I wonder if they made a DKC series CD…

Overall – 10/10

The Super NES has had its fair share of 2D platformers in its time but none have been as amazing as the Donkey Kong Country series. The third game just adds to the brilliance of it all. Every SNES owner must own this game as it's the pinnacle of 2D gaming perfection.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/28/05