Donkey Kong Thread

[Crystalbear]

Hey we have threads for Mario, Pokemon, Zelda and Final Fantasy, why not one for the big ape that used to be such a hit from the SNES and 64 days?

I've always liked Donkey Kong, the ones by the old Rare actually. I remember my first DKC game being DKC3 for the SNES, the one with Dixie and Kiddy. And oh, I sucked royally at it, and I mostly replayed (and died) in the levels that others had already played (my copy was used). I liked playing the game that way because it felt more like I was exploring the game, and not so much trying to complete it. But I really quite grew to like it, it was just so fun, the graphics were neat, and the music especially. I still feel nostalgic when I hear the soundtracks. Now my SNES is kind of busted up now, can really only play the GBA remakes, but it's just not quite the same you know? The changed graphics, backgrounds and music, though I guess I can understand why with the music because of the GBA's limited sound card.

Then there was DK64 that I once rented from the video store... And it was so damn good... In fact, I cried because I didn't wanted to give it back. It was like a Banjo-Kazooie, a game that defined my childhood, only a lot more interesting and fun. Now sadly the actual cartridge I eventually got doesn't work anymore, corrupted, and as there is no way it'll be added to the VC, and the chances of a remake slim, I won't be able to play it anymore. It's quite sad actually...

Rare's departure from Nintendo marked the period where I started to lose some interest in Donkey Kong, only becoming interested again at certain periods when I felt nostalgic for the old games. Games such as Jungle Beat, King of Swing, DK vs Mario and all that just weren't the same. They didn't have the same charm or style that Rare had perfected with their titles. The only good DK things we got were their GBA remakes, and even then, they weren't that too great. With the addition of Barrel Blast for the Wii, I had just about lost all hope for DK in Nintendo's hands... That is until DK Country Returns came out. Sure it doesn't look perfect, but it's the kind of DK game that we should have gotten years ago. <_< Retro Studio did it right, in comparison to Nintendo's other attempts in the past. I've actually been wondering if I should buy it...

Right so, I'm feeling nostalgic for DK again, would play it again if I could, but cannot really... Anyone else?

[Seven Rain]

All day err day. Country 2 and LttP were the very first Video Games I ever played. I played both on the same day but I'm pretty sure I played DKC2 before LttP. So yeah, it's a notch above most other SNES games in terms of nostalgia.

And dat music, DAT MUSIC.

But yeah, I'm with you. I really don't care about any non-Rare DK games. (Except ones where it's not strictly a DK game, like the Donkey Kong games where you play as Mario.)
They really set the bar incredibly high for future DK games, and I'm sorry but that bar hasn't been touched since Rare left as far as I'm concerned.

[Butterscotch]

One of the first video games I ever played was Donkey Kong Jr. It was also the first game I ever beat.

I really liked the Donkey Kong Country games; at least, I liked the SNES ones, I don't remember liking Donkey Kong 64 that much. I didn't really follow the series after that.

[RyoSoulreaper]

I owned Donkey Kong Country 1-3 and that's it.

I played DKC2 a lot though.

Quick question, Anyone watch the TV show?

I found it mildly entertaining.

[Seven Rain]

Quick question, Anyone watch the TV show?

I saw it a couple times but the only entertainment I ever got out of it was of the "So bad it's funny" variety, haha.
Especially the voices. Just hearing DK with an average dude voice was hilarious.

[trenton_dawn]

The singing! The singing!!!

DKC2 is probably my third-most-played SNES game. I liked it better than 1 or 3, although those games were very good as well. I second Seven Rain's comments on the music—I have the whole soundtrack on my iPod.

Donkey Kong 64 was pretty good, but it was a really different kind of game. If you liked Rare's other N64 platformers, the Banjo-Kazooie series, DK64 felt right at home, but if you compared it to the SNES iterations it was a stretch.

[TerminalMontage]

Everything about DKC1,2 and 64 were great.

DKC3 was awful, and without (the original) RARE the franchise has gone way down.

[Mr Aids]

I owned Donkey Kong Country 1-3 and that's it.

I played DKC2 a lot though.

Yeah those are what I had, I think I played DKC2 the most as well. As a kid I really liked 3 because YOU WERE ON A MOTHER FUCKIN' BOAT (I seem to recall).

I replayed a bit of the first one a little while ago and I found I still remembered where some of the secret areas and shit are.

[RyoSoulreaper]

I found a Copy of DKC2 for the GBA in my sister's room.

TONIGHT IS GONNA BE A GOOD NIGHT.

[Crystalbear]

I owned Donkey Kong Country 1-3 and that's it.

I played DKC2 a lot though.

Quick question, Anyone watch the TV show?

I found it mildly entertaining.

I used to watch the TV show quite a bit when I was a kid. In fact, I think I was introduced to the TV series before the games.

Now that I look back at it, it was kinda stupid, the songs mostly, but it was still good in its own right.

[xkrazydog]

The Most visually gorgeous games on the SNES ever. With graphics way ahead of its time. and some of the most nightmare fuel levels. (polluted piranha infested water and inside killer bee hives? INSANE)
When it hit the N64 and 3D, it was very interactive, but horribly polygonal. I weeped.

[H0lyhandgrenade]

Donkey Kong Country 1 is a great game. Donkey Kong Country 2 is one of the best games ever made. No seriously, I love it. The right amount of challenge, creativity, variety, amazing graphics for its time and fantastic music. Awesome game.

And then there's... Things like Donkey Kong Country Returns. I HATE THAT GAME. Pointless motion controls slowing you down, no other monkey following you that you can switch to but multiple hit points instead, and that damn, DAMN 'you died three times, would you like Super Kong to complete the level for you?' FUCK SUPER KONG. I switched it off when I saw that... I think that game demonstrates everything wrong with the Wii.

[Crystalbear]

Donkey Kong Country 1 is a great game. Donkey Kong Country 2 is one of the best games ever made. No seriously, I love it. The right amount of challenge, creativity, variety, amazing graphics for its time and fantastic music. Awesome game.

And then there's... Things like Donkey Kong Country Returns. I HATE THAT GAME. Pointless motion controls slowing you down, no other monkey following you that you can switch to but multiple hit points instead, and that damn, DAMN 'you died three times, would you like Super Kong to complete the level for you?' FUCK SUPER KONG. I switched it off when I saw that... I think that game demonstrates everything wrong with the Wii.

I don't see why Super Kong has to be complained about when it is entirely optional.

[RyoSoulreaper]

Donkey Kong Country 1 is a great game. Donkey Kong Country 2 is one of the best games ever made. No seriously, I love it. The right amount of challenge, creativity, variety, amazing graphics for its time and fantastic music. Awesome game.

And then there's... Things like Donkey Kong Country Returns. I HATE THAT GAME. Pointless motion controls slowing you down, no other monkey following you that you can switch to but multiple hit points instead, and that damn, DAMN 'you died three times, would you like Super Kong to complete the level for you?' FUCK SUPER KONG. I switched it off when I saw that... I think that game demonstrates everything wrong with the Wii.

I don't see why Super Kong has to be complained about when it is entirely optional.

I think it's more of the fact they had the Gull to even add the option at all. As if they knew that he might be needed.

[Crystalbear]

Donkey Kong Country 1 is a great game. Donkey Kong Country 2 is one of the best games ever made. No seriously, I love it. The right amount of challenge, creativity, variety, amazing graphics for its time and fantastic music. Awesome game.

And then there's... Things like Donkey Kong Country Returns. I HATE THAT GAME. Pointless motion controls slowing you down, no other monkey following you that you can switch to but multiple hit points instead, and that damn, DAMN 'you died three times, would you like Super Kong to complete the level for you?' FUCK SUPER KONG. I switched it off when I saw that... I think that game demonstrates everything wrong with the Wii.

I don't see why Super Kong has to be complained about when it is entirely optional.

I think it's more of the fact they had the Gull to even add the option at all. As if they knew that he might be needed.

But why should that matter when it's completely optional?

They added it for the young kids and casual players. So what, it doesn't mean we have to use it when we die three times. Like sure I can get why some dislike DKCR because of the changes in the gameplay formula that Rare had perfected, but dislike it solely because of Super Kong when that mode is completely optional and doesn't have to be used? Seriously?

It's difficult to get a good balance between the thin line between casual and hardcore. That's why I feel that optional modes and difficulty settings work best.

Keep in mind that, at one time, video games were mostly a 'fad' of sorts that could appeal to only a few. Thus no one really had to care so much about difficulty, because the appealed group was more or less forced to suck it up and adapt to whatever difficulty was thrown at them. But in this day and age, more and more casuals are getting into the video game scene, and that's when you have to try to make a balance, as difficult as it is. We no longer live in a world where you can only appeal to one group of people.