Donkey Kong Country

"Return to the Country!"

Some games never get old. You can play them for years, and they still seem fresh. A great example would have to be Donkey Kong Country. Originally released in 1994 for the Super NES, it has since then been reborn on the Game Boy Color and now, on the Game Boy Advance. And each time, something new has been added. The latest version of DKC is the best yet!

Story 8/10- Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are on a quest to recapture their stolen bananas from the wicked Kremling crew. Along the way, they must brave tough challenges, face impossible odds, and even go head-to-head with the mastermind himself, King K. Rool!

Graphics 10/10- This was the game that started the pre-rendered 3D graphics craze. That's right; no game before this one even dared try it. And the GBA did a flawless reproduction of the original graphics. That's right; all the graphics from the Super NES version have been reborn perfectly onto the GBA. They look twice as good on the GBA as compared to their look on the GBC.

Gameplay 10/10- Hasn't changed a bit. You still have all of that great platforming action! Basically, DKC plays out like Super Mario Bros., monkey style. Instead of collecting coins, you collect bananas. Every 100 bananas gives you an extra life. Instead of item blocks, you have item barrels. Instead of checkpoint flags, you have checkpoint barrels. And, despite where this is going, the game is quite original and refreshing.

At the end of each long level, you will fight a Kremling boss. After the boss fight, you will gain a Golden Banana and move on to the next level. Each progressive level is harder than the last, either by increasing the enemy count or by increasing the gappage between platforms.

New to the GBA version of DKC is the DK Attack! Mode. If you have ever played the Challenge Mode on Super Mario Bros. DX, then you will know what to do. Basically, you pick any cleared level, and rush through it as fast as you can. However, you also want to collect every last item so you can rack in a huge score.

Also new to the GBA version of DKC is the camera. In each level, you just may find a well-hidden camera. While they don't necessarily enhance your adventure, they do help you to achieve a 101% completion rating, which may just do something extra-special...

And, best of all, DKC has a cooperative mode! One player can control Donkey Kong, while the other player can control Diddy Kong! The two of you would then go through each level working together. Having cooperative mode only adds even more replay value to Donkey Kong Country.

But, if you are playing the game solo, you'll be happy to know that you can play as either Donkey Kong or Diddy Kong. Plus, in select levels, you will be aided by an animal friend, such as Enguarde the Shark, for example.

Sound 8/10- Great sound effects from a great port! Every sound, from the dying of enemies to the the launching of bananas has been faithfully recreated on the GBA. In fact, the sound effects are even better on the GBA!

Music 10/10- Gotta love those jungle beats! Just like the sound, all the music from the Super NES version has been recreated wonderfully on the GBA! The music rox the badmonkey's house!

Verdict-

Story 8/10
Graphics 10/10
Gameplay 10/10
Sound 8/10
Music 10/10
Multiplayer 7/10
Replay Value 9/10

PROS:
-Great graphics and gameplay
-Great sound and music

CONS:
-Multiplayer could have been expanded

Final Word: If you own a GBA, you need to own this game. It is definitely worth your money. Returning to the country is as fun as ever with Donkey Kong Country for the GBA!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/10/03, Updated 06/10/03