For the longest time Jungle Beat was my favorite DK game
(I put him even over DKC2, though I find this take to be a bit of a blasphemy).

And there is a reason for it: in my opinion, it's one of the only title in the series that makes you FEEL like you play as the OP gorilla Donkey Kong, if that makes any sense.
Like... in other games, DK's main method of attack is jumping over enemies. And while it works, I feel like punching a projectile back or killing a phoenix with only headbutts fits his physique and overall nature way more. I kinda wish this bombastic and exaggerated vibe can be seen more often in the regular Country adventures. This, unitied with thecontrols of the bongos, really leads to one of your most animalistic gaming sessions, that can literally make you RETURN TO MONKE.

That said, the game lacks a lot of the charm of the other series titles: the lack of the rest of the kong family, kremlins and classic animal buddies hurts a bit, ad the new villains and allies, while original, can feel a bit off sometimes.

That said, I still really like this one. It sort of a black sheep in the DK franchise, but it's a really fun and charming sheep.