A platformer that was so puritanical on the sense of adventure and visual flair that it didn't even include a score counter! The first example of such I ever experienced, and I played a shitton of platformers back in the day. There is a completion rate, though, which marks all the secrets and collectables throughout each stage.
The developers behind the game designed all of its visuals in a 3D program, then rendered all of the animation into 2D sprites, and it works very well for the art style. They really depicted this world--or should I say, 'country'--with a sense of perspective. It was a very ambitious way to provide a sense of depth and distance in a 2D video game never seen before. So, visually speaking, it was awesome! Gameplay-wise, it was a bit of a bother because it numbed the sense of knowing where you can land on trees, cliffs, etc.
I wouldn't call that detriment to the game, though. It never blended background artifacts with actual platforms, so it's not like the game ever played any nasty tricks on you by accident. One thing I do find a bit detrimental--especially for completionists--is the method of "100%"ing the game. Like I said, that completion rate is added by finding all the collectables and secrets, but the game does not indicate in any sort of way what exactly you're missing. No way to tell what stages you haven't plundered of their secrets or collectables.
Not only that, but some of these secrets are kind of bullshit and even require a complete leap of faith! Some have posited that this was done in order to encourage sales of strategy guides that told all, or even the latest Nintendo Power magazine that featured Donkey Kong Country. I don't know how true that is, but I'm pretty sure Nintendo has pulled stuff like that before.
Anyway, one last nitpick is the difference in playing between Donkey Kong, or his species neighbor and best friend, Diddy Kong. Donkey Kong was able to easily defeat certain enemies that Diddy would have more trouble. Diddy Kong, however, was faster and slightly more agile. As someone that favored speed over strength in this kind of game, Diddy Kong was a no-brainer choice that I stuck with, as I always felt there wasn't enough leaning towards Donkey Kong to make him worthy of playing. Maybe if he at least was able to take down the bosses more quickly by requiring less hits to defeat them?
Either way, I loved this game as a kid, and it's still fun to go back to now. The music is especially a gem, really making that sound chip sing. Donkey Kong Country was one of the first (if not THE first) gambles Nintendo took on a Western company handling an original IP by them, and I think it paid off extremely well.
The developers behind the game designed all of its visuals in a 3D program, then rendered all of the animation into 2D sprites, and it works very well for the art style. They really depicted this world--or should I say, 'country'--with a sense of perspective. It was a very ambitious way to provide a sense of depth and distance in a 2D video game never seen before. So, visually speaking, it was awesome! Gameplay-wise, it was a bit of a bother because it numbed the sense of knowing where you can land on trees, cliffs, etc.
I wouldn't call that detriment to the game, though. It never blended background artifacts with actual platforms, so it's not like the game ever played any nasty tricks on you by accident. One thing I do find a bit detrimental--especially for completionists--is the method of "100%"ing the game. Like I said, that completion rate is added by finding all the collectables and secrets, but the game does not indicate in any sort of way what exactly you're missing. No way to tell what stages you haven't plundered of their secrets or collectables.
Not only that, but some of these secrets are kind of bullshit and even require a complete leap of faith! Some have posited that this was done in order to encourage sales of strategy guides that told all, or even the latest Nintendo Power magazine that featured Donkey Kong Country. I don't know how true that is, but I'm pretty sure Nintendo has pulled stuff like that before.
Anyway, one last nitpick is the difference in playing between Donkey Kong, or his species neighbor and best friend, Diddy Kong. Donkey Kong was able to easily defeat certain enemies that Diddy would have more trouble. Diddy Kong, however, was faster and slightly more agile. As someone that favored speed over strength in this kind of game, Diddy Kong was a no-brainer choice that I stuck with, as I always felt there wasn't enough leaning towards Donkey Kong to make him worthy of playing. Maybe if he at least was able to take down the bosses more quickly by requiring less hits to defeat them?
Either way, I loved this game as a kid, and it's still fun to go back to now. The music is especially a gem, really making that sound chip sing. Donkey Kong Country was one of the first (if not THE first) gambles Nintendo took on a Western company handling an original IP by them, and I think it paid off extremely well.