Donkey Kong Jungle Beat Comments by Tom Bramwell

Is today National Donkey Kong day, or something?

Me want bad. *glances at hyo*

Sounds great! Not really room in my house for any more space-consuming peripherals though...

Pfft.
Worst. Idea. Ever.

And before you start flaming, bear in mind that I'm a miserable goit.

Great game... a bit short and basic... but an example of a perfectly executed idea IMO.

I officially name February 15th 2005 *National Donkey Kong day*!

A very entertaining game, I simply cant stop grinning like an idiot when playing this. Beautifuly crafted, gorgeous visuals with superb level design. Whilst I agree its easy to work through, its not easy to master. I wouldnt call finishing all the levels finishing the game. Different people have different ways of looking at this, but I think theres plenty of replay value, going for platinums and then personal bests, learning new combos etc.

Infact learning new combos is great, its the first time I can think of in ages where I have replayed a level and really stopped to think if that one little section could have been done better. The way the end of level video hints slowly increases your skill are superb, how you did in a level effects which tip your shown (ie you nearly reach a place you haven't before and you'll be shown a hint how to get that bit closer). The combos arent really about bananas, but not touching the ground. So doing a backflip, onto a wall, bouncing to the opposite wall, onto a trampoline, swing on a vine then ground pounding will give you a 6 combo and any bananas collected during this time will be worth more.

Overall id have to say this is a 9 for me, even though it could be called short, its given me some of the best FUN from a game in ages.

I'm having a hard time finding this game without the bongos?! I got them with Konga, i don't need 2 sets.

Yes you do. Yes. You do. Very much so.

Multiplayer Konga = t3h w1n

I want this. I also want Donkey Konga a lot... just haven't been brave enough to make the purchase. And Pan-European National Snake Day is coming up in three weeks. ;)

So was this game done in-house by Nintendo and not Namco or anyone?

>So was this game done in-house by Nintendo and not Namco or anyone?

Pretty sure it was the new EAD that N created a year or two ago. 50 person team, or sthg.

Nice review, although is it possible to go into more detail on the developer. Yes it's Nintendo, but doesn't really narrow it down much.

From IGN:

Taking the production role for Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is Takao Shimizu. Direction is being handled by Yoshiaki Koizumi. Koizumi was director on Mario Sunshine while Shimizu served as an assistant director on the title. Now, the two are in charge of Nintendo's Tokyo development studio.

You see I'd like this - but I wish it was a REAL ordinary controller based DK game than a bongo drum thing....

ST.. if you like any of the DKC games you will like this. The bongos really arent a gimmick and getting into a rythm helps with your timing, your not just bashing randomly.

The game is great. You get sore hands though.

I was looking at the box for this at lunchtime. Nice idea and great to see Nintendo continuing to do things differently. I still can't quite see myself bongo-ing my way through a platform game though...

I would say if you own a Gamecube and like any kind of platform game Get this game. Absolutely superb!! This is the reason I got into games in the first place FUN all the way..
Even my 56 year old father in law bought a gamecube this week due to this game.Lets hope there's a sequel in the pipeline

Is it Freeloader compatible for people who own US/JPN cubes?

Will N5 ditch the standard controllers altogether in favour of bongos?

EDIT: You'll need the very latest version of Freeloader (1.06B) to run it - it's not compatible with 1.06b (as I discovered today...). No word as yet on the second question.

'kay. Looks like it's just me who thinks it looks shit, then.

:-)

Must admit that I really didn't care about this game. The more I hear of it the more I want it and this review has probably pushed me over the edge. heh.

Just got to finish off Paper Mario first though.

I got Donkey Konga from Game last week for £20 and love it. If I can get this for a bargain price it looks like a must buy. 2 player bongo fun would be great.

I love this game, the only problem I have.... Is I'm knackered after half an hours play. I paid £32.00 for it and the enjoyment that everyone's had playing the game, has made it a worthy purchase.

I'm considering buying this with a set of bongos and Donkey Konga with a set of bongos.

2 Games, 2 Sets of Bongos job done!

Can someone e-mail me any decent offers to blizeh (at) gmail (dot) com

Thanks :)

"As good as halo then?"

Oh yes. In fact, the control method is so good that I'm going to propose using it for the next Halo game! Shit, it should be adapted for use with ALL GAMES FROM NOW ON. It'll be a bongo revolution!

ooooo been waiting for this review! (shreaks in joy)

Blerk you misery, how can bongo's ever be a bad idea?!?!?

Hyo, I only stay in Karlstad during the weeks. Normally I try to work my 40 hours during monday-thursday and take the fridays off (or atleast "work" from home). I don't like Karlstad and the hamsters need company you know (ok ok, my gf as well).

I'd rather have new ideas (even if they're bad) than an endless parade of games where the only differences are cosmetic.

Doubt the neighbours would be impressed

I would love to rent this game, but considering the state of cube sales in Australia, not many video stores are increasing their Gamecube stock, so if I want to play it I will have to buy it.....damn, damn, damn.

Yey, I own this game and it is GREAT, truly excellent and some parts are difficult so it won't just last for a couple of hours.

BONGOS RULE!!!

Having sampled the game in a store, I bought this for my wife for Christmas. She actually screamed out in joy. The next night, she was clapping in her sleep.

I also think it's ace. It may look like a gimmick, but it really isn't. The only thing that makes me go "I dunno" is that now I have a peripheral about twice the size of the Gamecube, which is only used to play one game.