Donkey Kong Country

"A solid platform game for Game Boy Color"

Donkey Kong Country is yet another port of a game from another system. This time, the game comes from the Super Nintendo where it wowed players with the outstanding graphics and many levels. The graphics might not be as good, but all the gameplay is still here, packed into a 32 megabit Game Pak. All the platform action remains the same, with few differences from the SNES ones, with the differences actually being good. A two player mode is here, and there are a few minigames to play that are fun. This game is yet another solid adventure game for the Game Boy Color and is definitely worth a purchase. Anyway…

Graphics: 92/100
The graphics are outstanding. The backgrounds have excellent detail, and the characters look amazing themselves. Rare spent a lot of effort on the graphics and it really paid off. This is close to the best that GBC can offer. Although not as good as the original’s visuals, the graphics for the handheld version are bright, colorful, and detailed. The backgrounds of every level are stunning. The characters and enemies look remarkable. Is this Game Boy Color? Overall, an excellent job by the developers.

Play Control: 48/100
This game stumbles a little bit when it comes to controls. A is to jump, which is simple enough, except when judging how to jump from a tire (which gives you a higher and longer jump), because sometimes the game messes up in that you “accidentally” don’t jump high or far. What’s worse, is that the B button is to roll/cartwheel, yet you must hold it down if you want to run. Furthermore, sometimes you roll/cartwheel more than once, and it’s hard to figure out how many times you’ll perform that action until you start running. This was the biggest mistake by the developers, so the control department gets an average score, because the controls are average.

Music/Sound: 45/100
The sound isn’t special at all. You’ll hear relatively basic stuff, for example, whenever an enemy is defeated, the exact same sound is made. However, that can be forgiven because this is only the GBC. However, the music can get really annoying, although there are one or two cool themes. Usually, I end up turning down the sound.

Gameplay: 75/100
Basically, you’re on a mission to stop the evil King K. Rool. You must get past 6 worlds, 33 or so levels, and 7 boss battles to win the game. That’s a lot of gameplay for a Game Boy game. Even better, the levels are very large, which adds to the depth of this game. Plus, there are a few minigames, and you can link up with a friend to play them. There are also a bunch of hidden items to find. So, overall, there’s a lot to do in DKC. However, frustration can get in the way of fun. These levels aren’t a cakewalk; on the contrary, many are extremely difficult. Since this is a platform game, you must practice over and over to get past the most challenging areas, which can get repetitive and annoying. Of course, if you’re up to the challenge, this complaint won’t matter anyway, but for those of you easily frustrated, be warned. However, the levels are very well designed, and large, and many are fun, which will keep you coming back for more. The number of levels plus the quality of the levels adds up to lots of gameplay, which is definitely a good thing. The levels themselves are big, well designed, and have plenty of enemies to try to stop you from beating it. There’s also cool little bonus areas to go to so that you can get extra lives, or tokens to go to another bonus stage in which you can become animals and try to gain extra lives. Wait, I forgot, there’s animal transformations, each with different characteristics! The ostrich can float in air, the fish/shark can swim fast, the frog can jump high, and the rhino can charge through enemies and sometimes into hidden bonus areas. The good definitely outweighs the bad in this game.

Replay Value: Medium
The replay value of this game is pretty good. Since there are so many levels, you’ll probably want to come back for another go at the adventure. Plus, there are plenty of minigames and bonus areas to find.

Challenge: High
The challenge of this game, as mentioned before, is pretty high. Practicing the levels over and over is the only way you’ll clear them so be prepared to spend a lot of time trying to pass through these levels.

Good Points:
Stunning GBC graphics.
Excellent levels/level design.
Good challenge.
Cool animal transformations.

Bad Points:
Play control is mediocre.
Replay value is limited.

Overall: 70/100
This is an above average game and if you’re an adventure or platform fan, should not be passed up. However, it’s not recommended for the easily frustrated, because you might just break your Game Boy. Otherwise, it’s a barrel full of fun! (yes, I had to use the world barrel once!)

Rounded to fit GameFaqs score: 7/10

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 02/24/01, Updated 02/24/01