While the general concensus that Quest 64 is not a good RPG may be true, its flaws stood out more than normal considering this was one of the very few jRPGs released for the Nintendo 64 and all eyes were on this game.

A lot of the game components were average such as graphics, presentation, and soundtrack but the game did shine in trying to provide fresh ideas such as having limited movement within each battle to dodge attacks. Some of the early parts of the game were laid out nicely and presented charming areas to explores such as towns.

At the time of its release, NBA Courtside was easily the best N64 basketball game. Compared to the typical basketball games of its time, Courtside had a steeper learning curve as a result of its emphasis on simulation over arcade gameplay. Learning controls and movements was a bit frustrating early on but worth it once the player knew what to do since it added realism to the games.

It was interesting how Nintendo decided to go with Kobe Bryant as the face of the game/series considering he was just getting started in his NBA career. As we all know, Kobe went on to become one of the best players in NBA history so I guess Nintendo and Left Field Studios had a good foresight on Kobe's potential. Because of him being featured in this game, he became one of my favorite players to follow even though I've been an Orlando Magic fan through and through (RIP Kobe).

DKC3 had a number of things against upon release in late 1996: the Nintendo 64 was already out, 3D games were all the buzz then, overall interest in side-scrolling platforming was very low, and this was the third entry in the DKC series (5th if the Game Boy DK Land games are counted) so there was a bit of burnout among fans of the series.

Even with so many things against it, I had a good time playing this back in the day (rented it from Blockbuster) but it was clear to me that this game was nowhere near the masterpiece levels that (IMO) DKC and DKC2 achieved earlier. DKC3 didn't really do anything wrong but at the same time it didn't really do anything new. Sure, the setting was different (focus on a northwestern forestry setting but with diverse climates and themes sprinkled throughout the worlds), new enemies and characters were introduced (beginning with Kiddy Kong), and gameplay variety between levels is probably the highest in the series, yet the game felt very familiar in a been-there-done way. Not necessarily a bad thing considering the quality of previous games but definitely not good enough to propel this game into the same level of appreciation.

Graphics, gameplay, and sound are all very familiar and based in previous games for the most part with new collectables, mascots, and some level design ideas that were fairly interesting but not mindblowing.

All in all, DKC3 is a very solid platforming game that was released perhaps a bit too late in the SNES life cycle and therefore lost the spotlight and interest that the other games carried.

DKC3 had a number of things against upon release in late 1996: the Nintendo 64 was already out, 3D games were all the buzz then, overall interest in side-scrolling platforming was very low, and this was the third entry in the DKC series (5th if the Game Boy DK Land games are counted) so there was a bit of burnout among fans of the series.

Even with so many things against it, I had a good time playing this back in the day (rented it from Blockbuster) but it was clear to me that this game was nowhere near the masterpiece levels that (IMO) DKC and DKC2 achieved earlier. DKC3 didn't really do anything wrong but at the same time it didn't really do anything new. Sure, the setting was different (focus on a northwestern forestry setting but with diverse climates and themes sprinkled throughout the worlds), new enemies and characters were introduced (beginning with Kiddy Kong), and gameplay variety between levels is probably the highest in the series, yet the game felt very familiar in a been-there-done way. Not necessarily a bad thing considering the quality of previous games but definitely not good enough to propel this game into the same level of appreciation.

Graphics, gameplay, and sound are all very familiar and based in previous games for the most part with new collectables, mascots, and some level design ideas that were fairly interesting but not mindblowing.

All in all, DKC3 is a very solid platforming game that was released perhaps a bit too late in the SNES life cycle and therefore lost the spotlight and interest that the other games carried.