Been a while since I played it but I remember this game being really sick
Unironically one of the best dk games. My hands hurt though
Secretly the best Donkey Kong platformer?
Actually one of the greatest games ever made.
Amazingly paced. All you need for a breakneck platformer are two drums and a clap.
This was my favorite Dk spin off, you feel so powerful beating the crap put of other apes.
i can't believe my parents put up with me and my brother slapping the bongos all day for weeks on end
It's weird realizing how important this game ended up being in Nintendo's history. The first game developed by Nintendo EAD Tokyo, the team that would go on to develop Super Mario Galaxy and every following 3D Mario until Odyssey (and even then Odyssey's team features most of if not all of the most prominent Tokyo EAD members). It features many mechanics that would end up in Galaxy, like the dandelions you spin off of, the clap in this game having a lot of the functionality of the spin jump, the look and feel of the 2D sections in Galaxy, and a lot of other little things that ended up in Galaxy, even some sound effects.
This game is also significant in terms of Donkey Kong's characterization in future games. With Rare no longer working on DK, this really feels like Nintendo going "Alright let's make him an angry fucking gorilla again". Donkey Kong is out for fucking blood now, no sight of any of the other DKC characters, just him rampaging through different kingdoms to overthrow their leaders and eventually conquer the entire jungle world. Diddy isn't here to be his conscience, he's going to kill until there's nothing left. Definitely a weird move, but honestly very entertaining, and while his more bloodthirsty side has been toned down since, this game did basically create DK's personality, mannerisms, and the general look of the enemies and characters of the world for future DK games. Not only that, but there are a lot of similarities between the enemy and character designs in this game and what would show up in Galaxy as well. Again, just really surreal to realize this game is kind of the beginning of an era for Nintendo.
As for the game itself, this is easily the best use of the DK Bongos. The bongos are kind of lousy as rhythm game peripherals, but as big ass buttons to slap the shit out of in order to beat up a boss, they honestly work really well. At first I was kind of unsure how platforming would feel with these, but this game really encourages a flow in your movement, doing your best to keep yourself off the ground, clapping to interact with objects that'll help you do that, wall jumping and bouncing off enemies and doing your best to keep a combo up. Running and jumping with the bongos ends up feeling completely intuitive, to the point where after playing this game for an extended period of time I was watching someone stream Sonic Generations and when they moved to the right I was like "oh, they hit the right drum on their bongo", like this game is so much better at putting you in a rhythm trance than the actual fucking rhythm game that uses the same peripheral.
Bosses are also good here, they require good reflexes and movement but never demand too much out of the limited options. The Kong bosses end up not being great though because the timing on dodging is really weird and delayed, but it's still cool that they have a sort of Punch-Out type feel to them.
My biggest gripe though is that, well, the bongos never really prove themselves to be an ideal way to play any game, for a couple reasons. First of all, this game gets tiring very easily, and getting tired leads to weaker claps, which the game definitely has trouble picking up. It's funny, Donkey Konga had the exact opposite problem, where the mic basically picked up any sound of any volume made near it as a clap, but here I found myself repeatedly clapping in order to make sure I hit something on time, and as I got more tired that problem got a lot more frustrating. Water levels are really annoying to navigate with the movement options given, and there are a bit too many moments of trying to figure out how to pull off a certain move or jump that aren't really fun, especially in a game that's all about keeping up a combo in order to get the best score needed to progress further in the game. Anytime the game wanted me to do a slam I struggled to do it in one try, for some reason the input for it is really picky, even though it's the same input for jumping but just in midair.
After 12 levels, the game plays credits and then tells you there are four more levels, but in order to unlock all of them you need to go back and get gold medals on every previous level. This involves keeping the best combos possible and having the least amount of errors when it comes to boss fights, and while I could see myself having fun perfecting these levels, I am not a child in the year 2005, I am an adult in the year 2021 and I don't feel like devoting the time that Donkey Kong is demanding of me. But this is definitely the game to get the DK Bongos for, no contest, and it's a really fun thing that I'm glad I got to finally play.
This game is also significant in terms of Donkey Kong's characterization in future games. With Rare no longer working on DK, this really feels like Nintendo going "Alright let's make him an angry fucking gorilla again". Donkey Kong is out for fucking blood now, no sight of any of the other DKC characters, just him rampaging through different kingdoms to overthrow their leaders and eventually conquer the entire jungle world. Diddy isn't here to be his conscience, he's going to kill until there's nothing left. Definitely a weird move, but honestly very entertaining, and while his more bloodthirsty side has been toned down since, this game did basically create DK's personality, mannerisms, and the general look of the enemies and characters of the world for future DK games. Not only that, but there are a lot of similarities between the enemy and character designs in this game and what would show up in Galaxy as well. Again, just really surreal to realize this game is kind of the beginning of an era for Nintendo.
As for the game itself, this is easily the best use of the DK Bongos. The bongos are kind of lousy as rhythm game peripherals, but as big ass buttons to slap the shit out of in order to beat up a boss, they honestly work really well. At first I was kind of unsure how platforming would feel with these, but this game really encourages a flow in your movement, doing your best to keep yourself off the ground, clapping to interact with objects that'll help you do that, wall jumping and bouncing off enemies and doing your best to keep a combo up. Running and jumping with the bongos ends up feeling completely intuitive, to the point where after playing this game for an extended period of time I was watching someone stream Sonic Generations and when they moved to the right I was like "oh, they hit the right drum on their bongo", like this game is so much better at putting you in a rhythm trance than the actual fucking rhythm game that uses the same peripheral.
Bosses are also good here, they require good reflexes and movement but never demand too much out of the limited options. The Kong bosses end up not being great though because the timing on dodging is really weird and delayed, but it's still cool that they have a sort of Punch-Out type feel to them.
My biggest gripe though is that, well, the bongos never really prove themselves to be an ideal way to play any game, for a couple reasons. First of all, this game gets tiring very easily, and getting tired leads to weaker claps, which the game definitely has trouble picking up. It's funny, Donkey Konga had the exact opposite problem, where the mic basically picked up any sound of any volume made near it as a clap, but here I found myself repeatedly clapping in order to make sure I hit something on time, and as I got more tired that problem got a lot more frustrating. Water levels are really annoying to navigate with the movement options given, and there are a bit too many moments of trying to figure out how to pull off a certain move or jump that aren't really fun, especially in a game that's all about keeping up a combo in order to get the best score needed to progress further in the game. Anytime the game wanted me to do a slam I struggled to do it in one try, for some reason the input for it is really picky, even though it's the same input for jumping but just in midair.
After 12 levels, the game plays credits and then tells you there are four more levels, but in order to unlock all of them you need to go back and get gold medals on every previous level. This involves keeping the best combos possible and having the least amount of errors when it comes to boss fights, and while I could see myself having fun perfecting these levels, I am not a child in the year 2005, I am an adult in the year 2021 and I don't feel like devoting the time that Donkey Kong is demanding of me. But this is definitely the game to get the DK Bongos for, no contest, and it's a really fun thing that I'm glad I got to finally play.
Don't play this in front of a girl you like if you're high on weed.
This game is.... genuinely amazing??? It's a 2D platformer you play with the DK BONGOS, for god's sake! How can it be so good? (also if you play this and can afford to do so please play it on the Bongos, I swear it adds a lot to the experience)
It's so creative and fun, DK feels great to control and the movement is so fast and intense. DK's abilities are put to great use, they squeeze so much out of such a simple control scheme and it feels great to hammer on the bongos.
The boss fights are also great, just being able to go as fast as you possibly can on the bongos feels incredible and DK feels so powerful. I definitely recommend this game to anyone who loves unique control schemes, Donkey Kong, or 2D platformers! It's one of my favorite GameCube games, and I love it so much.
It's so creative and fun, DK feels great to control and the movement is so fast and intense. DK's abilities are put to great use, they squeeze so much out of such a simple control scheme and it feels great to hammer on the bongos.
The boss fights are also great, just being able to go as fast as you possibly can on the bongos feels incredible and DK feels so powerful. I definitely recommend this game to anyone who loves unique control schemes, Donkey Kong, or 2D platformers! It's one of my favorite GameCube games, and I love it so much.
those bongos turn me into something im not. qtes release urge to kill that was already only barely restrained in the volatile preteen brain
My arms fucking hurt holy shit.
The game is incredible but the bongos always made my hands hurt. Would love for them to properly revisit this one day.
ooh ooh ahh ahh monkey monkey gorilla donkey kong
Once I brought my DK Bongos through airport security and they didn’t even check it or question me
The most effective use of an alternate controller to create a frenzy of tactile hyperviolence.
fuck them up donkey
Hands hurt a lot :(
I still have my bongos from when I was a kid in my room and man this game was something. Really unique, really fun, good music. Just super nostalgic for this game. As I'm typing this my palms are suddenly sore
Pretty decent game all things considered. I liked it quite a bit when I was a kid. That being said it's pretty gimmicky
For some reason, people don't like this game as much for its absurd direction in the DKC lineage.
For me, I'm all "bongos go brrr" over this but it's probably because I used to play this game growing up and nowadays I'm a drummer who practices to badshit experimental music on the regular so weird tempos and mechanics like these in games are a cakewalk for me.
For me, I'm all "bongos go brrr" over this but it's probably because I used to play this game growing up and nowadays I'm a drummer who practices to badshit experimental music on the regular so weird tempos and mechanics like these in games are a cakewalk for me.
This game is stupid and I don't want to do things that hurt my hands anymore, but it's also kinda sick.
Shoutouts to whoever thought "yeah let's make a platformer that uses the DK bongos you're and absolute madman
Absolute classic game in the DK series. Although it was in one of the weirdest times for him, it's still so unique and memorable to me. Also, the boss fights against the other Kongs were so sick.
Surprisingly competent and unique platformer. The controls are weird, but the game is pretty badass
i never thought i would see dk beat the absolute shit out of enemies but here we are
An execution heavy combo based platformer that, if you wrap your head around it, is pretty rewarding fun. The bongo controls are a bit of work to get down, but they work well enough once you do. The actual platforming might seem basic at first, but if you're trying to chain together super long combos throughout the levels it can be pretty satisfying. Last note, it's a shame the game didn't use any of the DKC cast besides DK. The replacements just don't compare.
sleeper best gamecube game #imprisonmelee
ME PUTO ENCANTA GOLPEAR MONOS
The only game that lets you beat up animals by actually hitting something IRL
DK Jungle Beat is my favorite use of a weird controller. It hearkens back to the simplicity of the two-button NES controller while simultaneously feeling ABSOLUTELY NOTHING like an NES controller.
You tap one Bongo to run in that direction, tap both to jump, and clap to attack. Once you've latched onto any enemy by clapping, you start pounding away like your 5th grade teacher just asked for a "drum roll" on your desks.
Simple. Visceral. Percussive.
The boss fights are awfully similar to classic samurai battles. The principle of these showdowns is to wait for the right opportunity to strike, and to not jump the gun. The boss battles have a real dramatic weight and tension to them, and they're a highlight.
Like Ōdama, this is weird Gamecube-era Nintendo at its finest.
DK Jungle Beat is my favorite use of a weird controller. It hearkens back to the simplicity of the two-button NES controller while simultaneously feeling ABSOLUTELY NOTHING like an NES controller.
You tap one Bongo to run in that direction, tap both to jump, and clap to attack. Once you've latched onto any enemy by clapping, you start pounding away like your 5th grade teacher just asked for a "drum roll" on your desks.
Simple. Visceral. Percussive.
The boss fights are awfully similar to classic samurai battles. The principle of these showdowns is to wait for the right opportunity to strike, and to not jump the gun. The boss battles have a real dramatic weight and tension to them, and they're a highlight.
Like Ōdama, this is weird Gamecube-era Nintendo at its finest.