Donkey Kong Country (SNES)

Pub: Nintendo | Dev: Rare | November 1994 | 32 MEGS
Pub: Nintendo | Dev: Rare | November 1994 | 32 MEGS

Released on November 21, 1994 — the four year anniversary of the Super Famicom — Donkey Kong Country ushered in a new era of SNES gaming. Using pre-rendered 3D graphics and a technique known as ACM (Advanced Computer Modeling), Nintendo pushed DKC as an answer to the 32-bit war machines looming over the horizon. Nintendo’s message was loud and clear: 16-bit ain’t dead yet. No, as a matter of fact, 16-bit has a lot left in the tank. Donkey Kong Country is arguably the most hyped game to ever come out on the SNES. One thing is for sure: it’s the second best selling game on the system. Moving NINE MILLION copies, it’s second in sales only to Super Mario World. So whether you love DKC or find it overrated, there’s no denying the game was a commercial smash hit in every respect of the word. Let us return to the jungle…

HOW RARE REINVENTED 16-BITS

Hard to believe this was running on our SNES!
Hard to believe this was running on our SNES!

In the fall of 1994, Donkey Kong Country dominated the gaming press. You couldn’t pick up a video game magazine without seeing DKC on the front cover. It was a revolutionary effort set to redefine 16-bit gaming as we knew it. Magazines like EGM and GameFan hyped it beyond the moon. The screenshots looked absolutely amazing. We never thought such visuals were possible on the SNES and nearly crapped our pants the first time we saw it live in the flesh. It’s one of those moments in your gaming fandom that you never forget.

Here's to 10 more years! :D
DKC was simply breathtaking

One of my favorite memories with this game came over 20 years ago. My old best friend Nelson was in love with Donkey Kong Country. I vividly remember one frosty Friday morning Nelson and I were chatting on the playground before school. Nelly said, “I’m buying Donkey Kong Country after school. I’ve been dying to play a good adventure game!” For some reason that always stuck with me. When I think about Donkey Kong Country, the very first word that comes to mind is adventure. From snowy mountains to lush treetops to shark-infested waters, this game exudes ADVENTURE. Whether you control Donkey or Diddy Kong, one thing is for sure… it’s going to be one hell of an adventure. At the end of the day, isn’t that what video games are all about?

And what an adventure it was
And what an adventure it was  :)

IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT…

Looks like EGM got wasted on the "waisted" part there...
Looks like EGM got wasted on the waisted part there
Thankfully, you rescue and play as Diddy Kong early on
Thankfully, you rescue and play as Diddy early on

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The dynamic duo!
The dynamic duo!

OTHER KONGS IN THE JUNGLE

Funky cornered the market. That's a dude I'd trust...
Funky cornered the market. That’s a dude I’d trust…
Candy, a sweetie, will save your game free of charge
Candy, a sweetie, will save your game free of charge
Cranky is the original Donkey Kong now aged
Cranky is the original Donkey Kong now aged
He's Cranky all right. Pal, try nearly 10 MILLION sold!
He’s Cranky all right. Pal, try nearly 10 million sold!
"Yo Cranky, UP YOURS!" I'd say these guys did alright
“Yo Cranky, UP YOURS!”  I’d say these guys did alright

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LEVEL 1: JUNGLE HI-JINXS

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I love having multiple ways to kill an enemy
I love having multiple ways to kill an enemy
A sight for sore eyes!
A sight for sore eyes!

Barrels featuring the letters DK unlocks your partner (if necessary). These barrels somehow always seem to be positioned just right on most stages. A job well done by Rare who clearly thought out each centimeter of their game with meticulous care.

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Break the barrel to free a young and vibrant sidekick by the name of Diddy Kong. Now you can switch off to play as either Diddy or Donkey. Diddy is faster and can jump a bit farther than Donkey, but Donkey has the power advantage. Donkey can kill certain enemies that Diddy can’t. The differences in the two add to the fun and strategy of the game.

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Rescue animal friends throughout the levels to assist you in your quest. The first being Rambi the raging Rhino! These animal friends each have their own pros and cons. Rambi is one of my favorites. It’s tough to beat riding a rhino and goring the hell out of anything that gets in your way.

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Hidden bonus rooms are scattered throughout. Try to find them all.

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Cranky Kong interjects with his classic “back in MY day” spiel. I love how he breaks the fourth wall. Back in 1994 this blew my 11-year-old mind.

LEVEL 2: ROPEY RAMPAGE

A tropical thunderstorm has turned into a downpour
A tropical thunderstorm made this level atmospheric
The sound effect upon impact is just the best
The sound effect upon impact is just the best

LEVEL 3: REPTILE RUMBLE

Slippas are satisfying to kill due to the sound effect
Slippas are satisfying to kill due to the sound effect
Break the barrel to free Diddy AND kill a bad guy
Break the barrel to free Diddy AND kill a bad guy
Being a sidekick isn't always great, as seen here...
Being a sidekick isn’t always great, as seen here…

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Barrels can be used to find hidden bonus rooms. Be experimental!

LEVEL 4: CORAL CAPERS

Thanks, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES! (NES)
Thanks, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (NES)

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Where's Cranky Kong when you need him?
Where’s Cranky Kong when you need him?
Not to mention the soundtrack as well. Ahhh
Not to mention the soundtrack as well. Ahhhh
No wonder he's such a fan favorite
No wonder he’s such a fan favorite
This level restores my faith in water-based stages
This level restores my faith in water-based stages

STAGE 5: BARREL CANNON CANYON

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Barrel Cannon Canyon (try saying that fast five times) is, as one might expect, littered with a classic Donkey Kong Country staple: barrel cannons. Some spit you out instantly while others rotate continuously, forcing you to manually leap out. Timing is everything!

You get a bonus life if you clear eight in a row
You get a bonus life if you clear eight in a row
Barrel cannons were to DKC á la shells and Mario
Barrel cannons were to DKC á la shells to Mario

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Zingers made going from one barrel to the next a bit more difficult. Laugh it up while you still can. Because later on you won’t be laughing so much…

LEVEL 6: VERY GNAWTY’S LAIR

Oh, Rare. You witty little chaps, you!
Oh, Rare. You witty little chaps, you!
You almost feel bad hurting the poor guy. Almost
You almost feel bad hurting the poor guy. Almost

LEVEL 7: WINKY’S WALKWAY

It's a small detail but it sticks in my mind 20+ years later
It’s a small detail but I remember it 20+ years later

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LEVEL 8: MINE CART CARNAGE

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It claimed many lives, and even some controllers...
It claimed many lives, and even some controllers…

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LEVEL 9: BOUNCY BONANZA

Diddy is just loaded with charm and personality
Diddy is just loaded with charm and personality
I like how he holds the barrel out instead of over
I like how he holds the barrel out instead of over
[Hey, I'm just returning the favor from earlier! -Diddy]
[Hey, I’m just returning the favor from earlier! -Diddy]
He's loaded with charm, but not so much brains...
He’s loaded with charm, but not so much brains…
Small gimmick here and there helps keep DKC fresh
Small gimmicks here and there helps keep DKC fresh
[Only reason I've kept you around all these years -Ed.]
[Only reason I’ve kept you around all these years -Ed.]

LEVEL 10: STOP & GO STATION

[On second thought, perhaps longevity IS overrated! -Ed.]
[On second thought, perhaps longevity is overrated -Ed.]
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Interesting gimmick here. The rock-like monsters with red glowing eyes cannot be killed. You have no choice but to skillfully avoid them. Do this by touching the various barrels carefully positioned throughout. When you touch a barrel to stop, Rockkrocs assume the fetal position, allowing you just enough time to safely pass by. It’s a nice change of pace.

DKC has a decent deal of variety to spice things up
DKC has a decent deal of variety to spice things up

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LEVEL 11: MILLSTONE MAYHEM

Diddy is too weak to kill Krusha. But TNT barrels will
Diddy is too weak to kill Krusha. But TNT barrels will

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[Diddy's facial expression there matches mine -Ed.]
[Diddy’s facial expression there matches mine -Ed.]

LEVEL 12: NECKY’S NUTS

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LEVEL 13: VULTURE CULTURE

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[The Tammy twins beg to differ... -Ed.]
[The Tammy twins beg to differ… -Ed.]
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LEVEL 14: TREE TOP TOWN

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Someone at Rare was a huge fan of Ewok Village...
Someone at Rare was a huge fan of Ewok Village…

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Barrel cannons galore — only the boldest of adventurers will pass.

LEVEL 15: FOREST FRENZY

The screen scrolls automatically here
The screen scrolls automatically here
Collision detection is fairly generous
Collision detection is fairly generous

LEVEL 16: TEMPLE TEMPEST

Some break dance but only one can do it with a millstone
Only Diddy can break dance with a millstone
Some clichés never get old
Some clichés never get old

LEVEL 17: ORANG-UTAN GANG

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At five, this level has the most hidden bonus rooms
At five, this level has the most hidden bonus rooms
Such a gorgeous level!
Such a gorgeous level — love it!

LEVEL 18: CLAM CITY

Who could forget the music for these underwater levels?
The underwater levels had such soothing music

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The sound effect is perfect, too. It's the little things!
The sound effect is perfect, too. It’s the little things!

LEVEL 19: BUMBLE B. RUMBLE

B stands for Bee? [I was thinking something else... -Ed.]
B stands for bee [I was thinking something else… -Ed.]
[Like my ex-wife -Ed.] Which one? [You got jokes -Ed.]
[Like my ex-wife -Ed.]  Which one?  [You got jokes -Ed.]

More bosses await...
More bosses await…

LEVEL 20: SNOW BARREL BLAST

Particularly if you try to beat it without the shortcut
Particularly if you try to beat it without the shortcut

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... and then SHIT JUST GOT REAL. Bless that shortcut...
… and then SHIT JUST GOT REAL. Bless that shortcut…

EXTRA EXTRA — READ ALL ABOUT IT!

33 levels + 67 bonus rooms + one final boss = 101%
33 levels + 67 bonus rooms + one final boss = 101%
Can you find all 67 bonus rooms?
Can you find all 67 bonus rooms?

“B-B-BUT IT’S TOO EASY!”

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Many found Donkey Kong Country to be too easy. Rare probably knew that as well, because they weren’t afraid to poke fun at themselves. While I do agree it was easy on the whole, there are a few levels sure to kick your ass.

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Cranky breaks the fourth wall, AGAIN. What an endearing character!

Amazingly prophetic, I now understand how he feels
Amazingly prophetic, I now understand how he feels

WHAT THE CRITICS SAID

Donkey Kong Country quickly developed a mystique
Donkey Kong Country quickly developed a mystique

Donkey Kong Country was a critical and commercial success. Prior to its release, the hype surrounding it was off the charts. It graced endless gaming magazine covers. And not surprisingly, Donkey Kong Country was met with rave reviews. EGM awarded it Game of the Month with scores of 10, 9, 9 and 9. GameFan gave it a perfect trifecta. It scored 100, 100 and 100%. Super Play was a bit less than overly impressed, but still gave it a robust 90%. The hype for Donkey Kong Country stirred much gaming discourse, lifting the game to nearly mythic proportions even before it could reach gaming stores worldwide.

Yup, the hype was MASSSIVE. King Kong proportions!
Yup, the hype was MASSIVE. King Kong proportions!
EGM didn't hand out 10s too often...
EGM was stingy with their 10s…
But not so much GameFan. Still, impressive
Not so much GameFan. Impressive, nevertheless

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American magazines loved it. Let's see if Super Play did
DKC was EVERYWHERE in late 1994. What a time…
Classic Super Play: praising while pumping the brakes
Vintage Super Play: praise while pumping the brakes
EGM and GameFan were easier to please than SPLAY
EGM and GameFan were easier to please than SPLAY
Nintendo Power rated it #39 in its Top 100
Nintendo Power rated it #39 in its Top 100

WHAT *YOU* SAID

Whichever your favorite, you can't go wrong with any
Really can’t go wrong with any of them

Curious as to see what my readers consider to be their favorite DKC game, I put it to the test with a survey years ago. The results of the poll were pretty much what I expected, and matched overall online consensus. Donkey Kong Country received the most votes at 39.3%. Diddy’s Kong Quest finished just a hair behind with 37.5%. And Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble came in last, with a respectable 23.2%. From my online travels over the years across various retro gaming forums, when discussion of the DKC trilogy pops up, it seems to be a dead even tie between the first and second games as people’s favorite. Those who prefer the first game find it to be most “pure” of all, plus the nostalgia never hurts.

OK I like the first DKC best
OK so I like the first DKC best

Folks who prefer Donkey Kong Country 2 love it for its refined and more difficult gameplay. They tend to also prefer controlling Dixie (with her smooth hair spinning ways) over the bigger and more cumbersome Donkey Kong. Last but not least, there’s even a small pocket of fans who claim Donkey Kong Country 3 to be the best of the trilogy. They often cite it as having the best graphics and the most satisfying level design.

This game is on fire [You're fired -Ed]
DKC is on fire… [You’re fired -Ed]
I can see the argument for all three games — it’s just a matter of personal taste. There’s no right or wrong answer. Myself, I agree with the majority. The first game is my favorite in the series. I concede that perhaps Donkey Kong Country 2 does play a bit better overall, but for pure fun and enjoyment there’s nothing like the original. The first one has a special spot in my heart and that will never change.

None of them however can touch Super Mario World
None of them however can touch Super Mario World

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Donkey Kong Country ended 1994 with a bang
Donkey Kong Country ended 1994 with a bang

Donkey Kong Country isn’t the mega epic adventure it was hyped up to be back in ’94, but it’s definitely a great overall package. I love the sense of adventure that it exudes — lush jungles, snow-capped mountains, mining caverns and more bring the action to vibrant life. The game’s adventurous atmosphere resonates deeply with me. The journey that Donkey and Diddy Kong embarked on left an indelible mark on countless gaming hearts. Rare did wonders on the Super Nintendo that few thought was even possible. By the end of 1994, with the 32-bit era looming, Donkey Kong Country stood as a proud testament to the power and potential still remaining in Nintendo’s trusty old 16-bit wonder. Do not go gentle into that good night. Your time is no doubt coming soon, 32-bit, but DAMNIT — NOT TODAY!!

You had to be there back in '94 to fully appreciate it
You had to be there back in 1994 to fully appreciate it

Some complain that the game is too easy. I’ve always cared more about how fun a game is rather than its difficulty. Whether it’s easy or hard, if it’s fun then I’m sure to play it. And do so with a big fat grin on my face. I love romping through the diverse world of Donkey Kong Country. It’s one of those games where you can race straight to the exit or you can take your sweet time carefully uncovering all of the secrets. It’s as basic or complex as you want it to be. The game has a lot more depth than one might initially think. DKC has layers of substance behind the style and to me that’s the mark of a great game. The visuals were revolutionary for its time (hell, I still think it looks awesome today) but more importantly the gameplay holds up to this very day. It may not be one of the top 10 greatest Super Nintendo games but it’s certainly a bonafide SNES classic.

A thumping adventure!
It’s worth beating your chest for

The additions of Diddy Kong and a fun diverse group of animal allies round out a remarkable adventure. Diddy was an instant star. Switching between Donkey or Diddy was seamless and smooth, helping to make Donkey Kong Country feel different from other platformers of its era. And of course, that soundtrack. Some of the most memorable tunes in all of SNES lore. While not a flawless masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, Donkey Kong Country is a fantastic game that has stood the test of time. Even more than 20 years later it’s still as fun to play today as it was back in the fall of 1994. Well done, Rare. Well done.

Graphics: 10
Sound: 9
Gameplay: 9
Longevity: 8

Overall: 9.0

Gold Award
Gold Award

 

 

A shining example of greatness
A shining example of greatness

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DKC 2: Diddy's Kong Quest review coming soon(-ish)...
DKC 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest review coming soon(-ish)…
DKC has a track that reminds me of Field of Dreams
DKC has a track that reminds me of Field of Dreams

Give both a listen for yourself…

Listen to the first 10 seconds in particular…

Pretty similar, right? I love both tracks. They’re so whimsical and fun ^_^

See you in the sequel!
The tree stooges strikes again  ;)

2 thoughts on “Donkey Kong Country (SNES)”

  1. Enjoyed reading the review, especially all the clippings from the old gaming magazine. Just started playing it again recently. I think the music easily deserves a 10.

    1. Glad you enjoyed it, Jon. I enjoy adding in the clippings from old gaming magazines — something about that really takes me back. And I figure if it takes me back then maybe it will be a fond trip down memory lane for others as well. And hindsight being 20/20, my original “9” rating for DKC’s sound might be too low indeed. I actually agree with you as I listened to the soundtrack not long ago and it really is 10/10 worthy stuff. I’ll probably edit it one of these days. Cheers!

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