OVERALL {83%} ---> (VIP Entertainment 2004)
Donkey Kong comes to the GameCube for the first time in a strong way as a rhythm based game dealing with something new. The double N relationship is growing stronger with this as the game is developed by non other than Namco and published by Nintendo. The game doesn't use a mat, but can be played with a controller. However, the main device used is the Bongo Drums that fortunately comes bundled with the game for the same price. So you don't pay extra to get the drums. Let's go through the game step by step starting with the story. So we switch on the GC (for PAL territories, the game will ask them if the TV supports 50 Hz or 60 Hz), and the main screen comes out. Don't press start and the story will show up in a lame yet not bad power point presentation! Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are at the beach side in their quite island when they find two barrels and wonder what they are! So they take it to Crunk, the islands wise old ape who explains to them that this is a musical instrument so Donkey Kong decides to call them DK Bongos! Then they make fun of each others drumming and Donkey claps then suddenly the Bongos glows! Yes, it is responsive to sound! Then their aim is to become famous. A so-so story with a lame presentation. If you leave it at the main menu, a short tutorial will show up. The game is all about gameplay and you won't even notice that there is a story here.
Gameplay (8/10):
We enter the menu of the game and there 6 options to choose from. The Street Performance is the games main story mode (single player) where you will have to complete songs to earn coins. We enter the Street Performance and we have different levels of difficulties to choose from including Monkey (easy), Chimp (medium), and Gorilla (hard). Tracks are the same in all, but you will have to unlock the Gorilla difficulty tracks by buying them. The game also offer a nice Jam feature where three extra difficulties are added! The Jam mode will show you barrels and you will have to memorize the beats from the normal difficulties to perform well. In other words, it won't tell you if you will have to hit the red or yellow drum, it depends on your memory.
Note: There is a start/pause button in between both drums and when it faces you, the left drum acts as left (yellow) and the right drum acts as right (red). Holding them both together acts as back. The sound censor is available in between.
Now entering one of the difficulties, a list of songs shows up and you can scroll up or down using the bonjos. In each box, the title of the song is there with a number of drums. The higher the drums are the more difficult the song is to play. You select the song you want by the start button and box will show asking you how would you like the tones to be. First there are only two, Bongo and NES (which sounds like retro Mario jumping). After confirming, the game starts. There will be a transparent but clear circle to show you when to hit. The icons come from right to left and there are 5 types, yellow (hit left drum), red (hit right drum), pink (hit both drums), star like icon is for clapping or since the sensor are bad, they'll pick any noise even if you laugh or your mom is shouting at you to study in the room. Personally, I prefer hitting the side of the drum for easier and more convenient control. There is also the roll icon that shows up as one of the four previous icons with a tail. Here you'll have to hit the appropriate drum rapidly. There is a bar on the top right corner that will show you your progress and how good you are playing. There is also a money meter at the bottom left corner. After finishing the song, a list will appear showing you how you did in this song. It will show you how many times you have got Great, OK, Bad, and Miss and what is you maximum Combo. Unfortunately, it doesn't show a grading mark or letter like S, A, B, etc. You will see how much money you have collected then you will exit.
We then have the Challenge mode, which is basically a side-story mode for co-operative (duet) play or single play as you will immediately transfer to another random song after you complete the first. Our third mode is called Battle or in other words vs. mode. It doesn't have a difficulty level as the icons are different for each player. The fourth mode is a neat one, Jam Session allows you to play from one to 4 players using drums or controllers in a co-operative play where you will have to work together. You can put computer controlled partners with you if you alone so you can play it co-operative alone.
Then comes the Ape Arcade option where you can play purchased mini-games. There are four mini-games including Bash K. Rool and Banana Juggle where can either use the controller or the bongos and some of them are actually easier to play with a controller. Finally, DK Town or the shop where you can buy loads of unlockables including mini-games, alternative hits, etc. You can also adjust the sound here as it also acts as the options for the game. Hall of Records is available here were you can view you best three scores in any mode. Awesome gameplay and reactive action makes the drums a cool rhythm tool. The drums are even covered with a smooth layer to add to the play and prevent shock.
Overall, the idea of the drums totally fit's the game and they are actually very interactive, except for the mic which is more than interactive to any sound!
Graphics (6/10):
Nothing much to talk about in a rhythm game but it does feature some colourful backgrounds and the screen is clear to play so you won't get mixed up. However, the lack of FMV story at the beginning is lame there isn't much detail to talk about. You will notice that most of your favourite DK characters are here in the game but they either dance stupidly or do some limited animations. The characters are in 3D off course with 2D backgrounds, but this game can be a N64 game as well. That still doesn't make the game bad as the last part to think about in a rhythm based game are the graphics. They don't make much difference!
Sound (9/10):
This is the first Donkey Konga game in the series and it is starting off well with 31 tracks including many famous music like DK Rap, SSBM Theme, Zelda Theme, Super Mario Bros. Theme, Lady Marmalade, All The Small Things, and more. The game has various tracks also including rock music, dance, punk, rap, and some African drumming genre. The game has the variety and popular songs so you will definitely find your taste here. But that's not all! You also have the hitting beats (sound that comes out when you hit the drum), this includes the normal Bongo beats and the NES beats for starters. You can also unlock many others including Car which sounds like engines. The Donkey Konga Theme is cool as well and you can actually play it.
Life-Span (8.5/10):
The game does offer an acceptable amount of songs (31 songs in total), including popular hits. It also has it's own version of created songs like the games theme. The amount of money you receive varies as you get more money from more difficult stages with more drumming to do. Even if you don't complete the song, you get money since the money bar only increases unlike the score that decreases if you miss. What do you do by the money? You use them to unlock features like drumming sounds and mini-games from the shop. There are many modes in the game that will keep you going for a long time. The multiplayer is superb! Either team up with your friend or battle him down to see who is the better chimp! The mini-games while not outstanding, are still fun to play especially the Banana Juggle. There are 6 difficulties for the game so it'll take you are really long time to master it. Even then, you will still return to the game as the multiplayer is hilarious and very fun to play!
Overall (83%):
The game is developed by an experienced company in the rhythm area so what would you expect? Especially when we add Donkey Kong and a new way of playing, the Bongo Dums?! Entertainment! There is a good amount of tracks here and well varied, but gamers may have expected to see more. Let me remind you that this is the first instalment. This being said, it's a pretty good game. Many options and modes in the game will keep you occupied. However, with other big hit titles out already, this will be a perfect game for a break and when you want to rest from all the action. With friends, it's worth gold! And the Bongos come free with the game!
Advice:
Personally, I'm not a fan of rhythm based games and I sucked in the arcade versions of guitar games and so, but this game really got me! It's suitable for long play time, short ones, and appropriate for multiplayer fun! And with the Bongo Drums free, it's even more suitable.
Good Points:
1- Addictive gameplay.
2- Free Bongos with the game.
3- Many options and modes to choose from.
4- Includes great titles like Lady Marmalade and Super Mario Bros. Theme.
5- Unbeatable entertainment for 2004 with friends.
Bad Points:
1- Lame story that you won't even notice it.
2- No graphical powers to show off.
3- A friend will have to play by the controller (which isn't bad) if you can't afford another drum only for multiplayer gaming!
*Bongo Maniacs*
This game can put a smile on your face easily! I was playing with a friend once when he started slapping himself in a funny way to hit the clap icons. Creating such playing positions and actions is so much fun!
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