Donkey Kong 64
Reviewed by Danielle L.
Who could forget Donkey Kong? That lovable monkey with the weird
name who terrorized Mario back in the old days of Atari. Aahhh, the
nostalgia. Anyway, Donkey Kong is back, but this time its not to hurl
miscellaneous objects at a plumber, oh no! This time, he has to rescue
his monkey buddies from the evil King K. Rool, and recover his stolen
bananas (natch). DK has his work cut out for him!
Graphics: 10 out of 10
These graphics make excellent use of the expansion pack. The colors
are clear and bright, there's no fram-skipping, and there are many
wonderful visual treats. Even though he's supposed to be a cartoony
monkey, Donkey Kong and his friends are captured in rather striking
visual detail. Other nice touches include the water effects: you can
actually see the little splashes and ripples as the monkeys swim, and
the gorgeous landscapes that are included in each level. Truly a visual
treat, this game.
Music and Sound: 8 out of 10
I can't really complain, this music is pretty good. The music tends to
fit the environments and mood of the levels. Its sharp and clear, and I
absolutely loved the Donkey Kong rap at the beginning of the game.
However, there aren't too many songs that will get stuck in your head,
and that's why this game only gets an 8 for sound.
Game Challenge: 10 out of 10
Very, VERY, challenging! This game will keep you on your toes! At first
glance, a game about a bunch of monkeys doesn't seem to be too intimidating,
but don't be fooled! The bosses are a force to be reckoned with, and there
are some tasks that are way too hard for their own good. The fact that
this game is very difficult tends to take something away from it.
Game Play-Fun: 7 out of 10
There are many fun puzzles, interesting moves, awesome weapons, etc.,
but sometimes the fact that this game is so hard actually kills a lot of
the fun. You may be having a great time in a particular level, but then
you have to face up against a boss who is a real pain in the... well, lets
just say he's too hard for him to be fun.
Frustration
This game had some moments where I was definitely banging my head
up against a wall! Though the puzzles are only semi-obscure, once you
figure out what to do, you're going to have an extremely hard time doing
it. Some of the tasks are nearly impossible! This ain't your little baby
brother's Donkey Kong, Be prepared to be ripping your hair out.
Replayability: 10 out of 10
There's so much to do! You have to rescue your friends, get all of the
golden bananas, get all of the medals, beat all of the bosses, get all
of your weapons, and then play the game all over again just for good
measure. This is one game that will keep you occupied for a long, LONG time.
Game Value: 10 out of 10
Definitely. Its $40 at most stores and is so worth it for two reasons.
1: It offers so much replayability that you won't have to buy another
game for awhile, Donkey Kong will keep you busy for a long time.
2: It comes with an expansion pack! JOY! That alone makes it worth it.
Its like getting the game for 10-15, or the expansion pack for free. If
you ever get sick of Donkey Kong, just buy Perfect Dark or Mask of Majora,
now that you have the included expansion pack.
Other Monkey Usefulness : 10 out of 10
In order to get all 200 (I think that's how many there are) golden bananas,
you need to use Donkey Kong and his four monkey friends: Tiny, Lanky,
Chunky, and Diddy. Some tasks may be impossible for the enormous
Chunky Kong, but Tiny Kong is just perfect for the job. Plus, each ape
has their own special weapons, musical instruments, and special moves
to help you. A lot of fun!
Overall: 8 out of 10
A pretty good game. Great storyline, great replayability, free expansion
pack... basically, my only complaint is that this game is a bit too hard for
its own good. Its a good thing when a game is challenging, but when
collecting dumb items (that are nearly impossible to get) is the main
focus of your mission, it just gets dull and/or frustrating. Donkey Kong
was too hard, and that's why many people, particularly younger gamers may
not like it. I hated it the first time I played it, but after awhile it got a
little better. It takes some practice and getting used to, but its still a great game.