Donkey Kong Racing

Donkey Kong Racing is a cancelled Donkey Kong game for the Nintendo GameCube which serves as a follow-up game of Diddy Kong Racing.

History
The game was first announced at E3 2001, with a pre-rendered trailer showing the game's concept. However, the trailer and a press release (which stated that the game was set for release in 2002) made in anticipation of Space World 2001 ended up being the only public media shown for the game, as Rare was purchased by Microsoft in 2002, which caused the company to lose the rights to Donkey Kong characters, before the game's completion. The game was considered cancelled due to the buyout and a lack of information for several years, as well as the fact that it was going to be released for the now-defunct Nintendo GameCube; unlike Diddy Kong Pilot and Donkey Kong Coconut Crackers, however, Donkey Kong Racing was never formally confirmed as such.

After the buyout, the game was heavily reworked to be Sabreman Stampede and set for release on the Xbox 360. However, this iteration of the game also ended up being cancelled.

Features
Confirmed characters in the game included Donkey Kong, Tiny Kong, Diddy Kong, Taj the Genie and Kiddy Kong (with an internal render also featuring Lanky Kong and Cranky Kong). Rideable creatures seen were Rambi, a gigantic sized Rambi, a small red Rambi, a small Rambi, Enguarde the Swordfish, a purple Enguarde, Ellie the Elephant and some Zingers. Creatures rumored to be rideable include Expresso the Ostrich, a Chomps shark, a Necky and an Army. It is unknown if all the characters from Diddy Kong Racing were going to reappear in this game, but with the inclusion of Taj, it seemed likely. It is also unknown if any other character from the Donkey Kong Country/Land series or Donkey Kong 64 would appear.

According to the Spaceworld press release, the game would have featured the ability to "upgrade" the animal rides by collecting foods and prizes during the races. Multiplayer for up to four players was planned, as were "real world phenomenas" happening during the races, such as swaying trees and fading sunlight. The player could switch between animals during the races and it was possible for the rider to fall from its ride, forcing it to run on foot in order to catch up with the animal.

The slogan for Donkey Kong Racing is "LET'S RIDE" as it is seen at the end of the trailer. Taj can be seen riding on a Zinger while passing it.