The Super Nintendo had been a massive success. Boasting 16 bit graphics and a new series of games, it had led the way in the continuing console wars with Sega. Three years after it’s release in North America, it faced the possibility that it’s place at the top was coming to an end. Sony had released the Playstation and Sega had the Saturn. Nintendo needed something to renew interest. Rare, a company that had Nintendo backing, looked to the company’s past to create something new. The result was Donkey Kong Country, considered to be one of the best video games. of all time.
Doneky lives on a island with various members of his family. One day, he and Diddy Kong find that their banana stash has been taken. The culprit is King K Droll and his army of Kremlings. Donkey and Diddy will have to traverse the entire island to get back their bananas from the creatures that have taken them.
Donkey Kong Country is at it’s heart a fun and fast platformer. You control Donkey or Diddy as the jump, spin and dash all around the map. The action is fast and the creatures range from swordfish to giant bees. The characters are fun, suck as Funky Kong, who gives you rides around the island. The breakout was Cranky Kong, a old Kong he gives out advice and insults. You start to understand that Cranky Kong is the original Donkey Kong who threw barrels at Mario once upon a time.
The design of Donkey Kong Country was new at that time. Rare always had a talent for creating interesting environments. The 3D quality shows an island that is just bursting with life. Everything has a some weight to it. Levels flow from a tropical jungles to a deep dark mine shaft. Sometimes you are swimming, other times you are jumping over pits in a runnaway cart. There is so much variety that you never get bored with the gameplay.
Donkey Kong Country was a massive success for both Rare and Nintendo. Donkey Kong would have many other adventures with his family at his side. The design choice would be the standard in any games featuring the great ape. This was a game that took a minor character and made him a full blown star. If you have not play this classic, jump in a barrel and head on over.
