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Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber (Nintendo DS)
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5/5 |
Brillant 2D platformer which I highly recomended
(April 14, 2008) |
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I have no previous experience with Donkey Kong so I wouldn't know what's missing or what has been improved upon from earlier titles but hopefully that offers a fresh perspective as the earlier reviews here seem to be under rating what is as a fantastic gaming experience. I award this title 5 stars. The graphics, game play and difficulty curve are all well above par creating quite the addictive 2d platformer.
The controls are unique. Using the L and R buttons you control which hand DK grabs with, grabbing either places to climb and swing from or rocks to hold and release at your enemies. Also, to add another dimension to the game play DK partners up Diddy Kong who for most of the time rides on your back but is ready to jump off to attack enemies or collect items that you couldn't normally reach. The levels are well designed, with places and bonuses to find and the end of level bosses are both fittingly challenging and interesting to beat.
It might seem easy at first however getting use to DK's climbing and swinging skills to a proficient level takes a little while to master and you will soon be grateful for this because it does get more difficult later on. Progressing through the game also unlocks little mini games which have provided hours of fun just on their own, adding additional value for your money.
What can I say, I don't usually feel compelled to write a review but I haven't had this much fun with a platform game since Metroid Prime (GBA), Commander Keen (PC) or Wonder Boy III (Sega Master System)!!! If you looking for a good 2d platform game then what are you waiting for? |
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4/5 |
An Fun Outing for DK on the DS
(January 16, 2008) |
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This game seemed a bit strange at first as it is not just a normal platform game. But the more you play, the more you get used to the innovative control method and the more fun the game becomes. Rather than jumping from platform to platform, you swing DK by using the L and R buttons to grab onto pegs and leap around the levels. Diddy Kong also tags along for the ride acting like a little assistant who allows you to get hit without losing a life.
There are the usual collectibles, secret rooms and mini-games that you'd expect in a Nintendo game and these become more challenging to find and unlock. As is the norm, some of the mini-games are great fun, but some are a bit dull and pointless. The control system is great once you get used to it - it uses the L and R buttons almost exclusively and thankfully doesn't use the stylus for a change.
My first thoughts were that this game was far too easy as I quickly amassed over 20 lives and never seemed to die. But the levels soon get more difficult and the lives were soon being lost quickly. The later levels get very challenging and are all the more fun for it.
There are a couple of niggles that stop this game achieving 5 stars. Firstly, the action can seem bit slow at times and lacks the flow of some of the best platform games. Secondly, the attack function is a bit flawed and can be difficult to carry out accurately at times.
This game should keep you busy for a long time as the levels are large and varied (there's usually a new skill to learn in each section) and finding all the pickups and secrets will add to its longevity. Then there are also the mini games to keep you entertained. |
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5/5 |
Classic Platform Game
(January 08, 2008) |
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If you love platform games then this is a classic, Ive not completed it yet, its entertaining the graphics and controlling moves are cool. Over all great game (: |
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4/5 |
Much Bigger Sequel
(October 08, 2007) |
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For anyone a bit confuzzled, this is the sequel to 2005's King of Swing for the Gameboy Advance. The original game was based around a gameplay mechanic in which you swung Donkey Kong from peg to peg to reach level goals.
To swing on pegs, all you'll need are the L and R buttons on the top left and right of the DS - holding the left button will make Donkey Kong grab and hold on to a peg with his left hand, and the right button his right hand. It's simply a case of using the hand closest to a peg, after which DK will rotate in a clockwise or anti-clockwise way, until you can latch onto another peg. Those are the basics, but you'll soon learn how to use pegs to turn levers and flick switches.
It's not really a platformer like the Donkey Kong Country series, but levels are structured in a similar way, usually scrolling in an upward fashion to an end goal, and sprinkled with obstacles. You'll sometimes land on ledges, but you'll spend most of the time off the ground, and swinging around. But there's plenty of DKC elements, such as:
- Barrel Cannons. These send you rocketing in set or chosen directions.
- Bonus Rooms hidden throughout stages.
- Hidden trinkets - DK Coins and Banana Coins. These get particularly hard to find in later levels.
Much appreciated improvements over the original game are much bigger levels (and more of them), and Donkey Kong's friend Diddy Kong, who follows DK around and can be used as a projectile, or to reach coins that're a bit out of reach. Plus you get bigger views of levels thanks to the second screen, and bosses that fill BOTH screens! You'll also solve several challenges that involve careful studying of both screens, which is nice. And the visuals are very pretty - just as nice looking as the rendering in the SNES Donkey Kong Country games.
But why 3 stars for fun? The game gets very frustrating later on, particularly if you're picking up coins along the way. Sometimes you find yourself having to swing off pegs at pinpoint precise angles to reach coins, which to me seems like bad game design. Bosses are also placed at the end of whole levels, so if you lose a boss battle, you'll be right back at the start of a whole stage. You'll be needing to keep stocked up on lives on earlier levels a lot.
I was actually tempted to give this a 3 out of 5 overall score, but I thought that might've been too low for a game that's great fun outside of a few select situations later on in the game. But you'll certainly get a challenge here, and the bosses are all rock hard in a good way. The last boss is a great laugh in particular! Even after seeing him off, you should have a load of extras and hidden levels to find if you haven't collected everything on your first playthrough.
So if you can excuse a few niggly bits in the latter half of the game, and would like to try something a bit different, this is well worth picking up - especially second hand. And there's buckets of challenge - a rarity these days.
And there's STILL no minecart rides or animal buddies for old time Donkey Kong Country fans! But I really did enjoy this, and would love to see a sequel. Perhaps even a platformer with DK: Jungle Climber/King of Swing elements in it! |
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