Mechanically, not the best game of its time but the nostalgia it holds is suffocating and it will always be special to me because of it. Also DK rap.

i can confirm that you need to dedicate your life to this game to get to the credits
i am typing this from my grave

Donkey Kong 64 is one of those love it or hate it classics. It's massive, the amount of collectibles is honestly insane, and the characters feel a little clunky to control compared to modern games. But man, the world is so colorful and fun, the soundtrack is a banger, and finding every little secret is strangely satisfying. It's a product of its time though, and if you don't have nostalgia glasses on, be prepared for some frustration along the way.