Donkey Kong Land

"Let's get it on like Donkey Kong!"

Perhaps one of Nintendo's most recognizable mascots ever since 1981, Donkey Kong has been a major player throughout the history of Nintendo. From when he first ravaged the high risers in Donkey Kong Arcade to when he blew us away in his 3D rendered Donkey Kong Country, this monkey is one of the most cherished characters of the Nintendo franchise. It was not long after he rocked the SNES that Rare decided he would be suited for the slightly less advanced Land of the Nintendo Gameboy. The game would appropriately be called Donkey Kong Land in homage to it's older brother on the SNES. Would the gorilla fare as well in the handheld as he did on the console?

When you first get to the opening title screen, one of the first things you should notice is the incredibly outdone photo of Donkey, Diddy, and Rambi. Just from this opening alone, you should be able to tell that this isn't your average Game Boy game. Detail is bountiful in every last level from the luscious jungles to the snowy mountains. You would be very hard pressed to find another game that surpasses the incredible detail put into this one. Animation in Donkey Kong Land is second to none on the Game Boy. You actually feel as though you may be playing the SNES on a portable television. Truly, the graphics are one of the great aspects of this classic.

Yet another thing that should be immediately taken into account while playing is the pleasing arrangement of music scoured throughout the game. Light years ahead of other games on the Game Boy with their tinny NES-esqe bleeps and buzzes, the tunes in Donkey Kong Land will undoubtfully stick inside your head like glue. Sound effects, too, are far superior than those of most other Game Boy games. When a barrel explodes, it does in fact sound like the barrel exploded. Not surprisingly, some of the songs and most of the effects from this game were actually ripped directly from the game and put into the Game Boy Color rehash of Donkey Kong Country.

"Sure" you are probably thinking by now "you made your point about the least important part of the game: the cosmetics. Just how well does it actually play?" Well, my friends, the easiest way to describe it is to say that it plays just like the original SNES Donkey Kong Country you all know and love (though it is not a rehash in any form.) You must run through jungles, snowy mountains, aincent temples and much much more in order to stop the devious plots of the diabolical K. Rool. Together, once again, Donkey and his pal Diddy make worthy adversaries to the countless henchman of K. Rool. With almost fifty levels of increasingly difficult play, this game is bound to keep you busy for at least a few days the first time around (and this is assuming you've already played through the original Donkey Kong Country.")

So, if it is not yet apparent that you should pick this game up if ever you should find it around, please see a specialist because you're brain has malfunctioned. With it's innovative graphics and well thought out game play, this game is truly a classic among classics.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/11/07