Donkey Kong Country

Donkey Kong Country is a game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Released in 1994, it is known for being the first game to use pre-rendered sprites, creating a 3D effect throughout the game. It is the first game in the Donkey Kong Country series, with three sequels, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, and Donkey Kong Country Returns. It also has a similar semi-sequel, titled Donkey Kong Land. The game stars Donkey Kong, along with his buddy, Diddy Kong, in his debut, as the two travel across Donkey Kong Island in search for the Banana Hoard.

The game was remade for the Game Boy Color in 2000, and was also remade again for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. The two remakes feature some new Bonus Games, the ability to save in the overworld, and several more new elements. Donkey Kong Country was also released on the Wii's Virtual Console in 2006, being the same as the original version.

Storyline
During a stormy night on Donkey Kong Island, Diddy Kong is sent out to guard Donkey Kong's precious Banana Hoard for his "hero training" until midnight, when Donkey Kong takes over his job. While watching for predators beneath the darkness, the young ape is attacked by Klump, an enormous Kremling. The villain traps the ape inside of a barrel, and then steals the Banana Hoard with other Kremlings, dropping a trail of fruit on the way. In the morning of the next day, Donkey Kong is woken up by the loud calling of his name. Realizing that he had slept through his watch, the big ape quickly exits his treehouse, only to find Cranky Kong, who tells hints him about the Kremlings stealing the hoard. Donkey Kong soon realizes the both his Banana Hoard and Diddy Kong are missing, and sets out to find them. After finding Diddy in a barrel, both Donkey and Diddy head out to find the stolen Banana Hoard.

On their travels, the two heroes tread through deep jungles, mines, forests, temples, snowy mountains, caves, and several other regions of the island, fighting many enemies and bosses on the way. With assistance from Cranky Kong, Funky Kong, and even Candy Kong, the monkeys eventually reach a large ship known as the Gangplank Galleon, where they meet the Kremling leader, King K. Rool. The apes soon "defeat" the foe, only to find the king to get back up and fight with a new set of attacks. However, the duo manages to bring him down a second time, this time defeating the crocodile once and for all. After King K. Rool's defeat, the heroes are congratulated by Cranky Kong, who then tells them to check the Banana Hoard. They do so, finding that the bananas have been returned.

In the Game Boy Advance remake of the game, a short cutscene is seen after King K. Rool's defeat, where Cranky, Funky, and Candy Kong congratulate the apes on their victory. King K. Rool soon recovers and forces them off the ship, sailing away.

Gameplay
The game introduces the "tag-team" system, where Diddy and Donkey Kong follow each other throughout each level. However, the monkey in the front of the group is the Kong in play, so the other monkey simply follows behind him. If the monkey in play is injured, he quickly runs off the screen, and the Kong behind him takes his place as the monkey in play. In cases like this, only one ape is on the screen at the time, as the other is defeated. If the lone monkey is injured by an enemy, the player loses an Extra Life and must start the level over from the beginning or by the Star Barrel. Fortunately, any Kong that is missing can be recovered by breaking open a DK Barrel, however, these special barrels do not appear many times in most levels. When an ape is freed from a DK Barrel, he heads to the back of the group behind the monkey in play, and is not able to be controlled until the monkey in the lead is injured, or if the player hits the SELECT button to switch characters.

It should be noted that only one Kong appears on the screen at a time in the Game Boy Color version of the game, and a DK Barrel appears at the corner of the screen instead when there is more than one Kong in the group.

Kong Abilities
While both Kongs have different abilities, they have the same basic moves. Both Donkey and Diddy are able to jump, cartwheel (or roll), climb, and swim to pass through levels. The most commonly used basic abilities are the jump and cartwheel moves, which help the monkeys cross gaps and defeat enemies. While cartwheeling is often used to pummel into weaker foes, it can also be used as part of the super-jump technique. Both monkeys can use this move by simply cartwheeling off of a cliff and jumping while in mid-air. This can give them both a longer jump to cross wider abysses.

Other than jumping and cartwheeling, the apes can also use their climbing and swimming abilities to traverse levels. Climbing can only be done on ropes, which can swing the apes over gaps if they cling onto them. Some ropes are stationary, so the apes can take advantage of their climbing abilities on them to head up the rope to a higher area. Another move both monkeys can perform is their swimming ability. They can swim easily through the water, however, this can only be done in underwater levels.

Both Kongs also have some different abilities, as well as different stats. Diddy is faster and more agile than Donkey Kong, however, he is not as strong as him and has difficulty defeating stronger enemies such as Krushas. Donkey Kong is stronger and slower than him, and he also has his own unique move called Hand Slap. The Hand Slap move can allow him to defeat enemies and find hidden objects in the ground or on treetops.

Another difference between the two apes is how they pick up and throw barrels. When Diddy Kong picks up barrels, he holds them in from of his body, protecting him from any enemies in his way. However, Donkey Kong holds barrels above his head, leaving his whole body vulnerable to enemy attacks. Additionally, Donkey Kong throws his barrels slightly farther than Diddy, making him more likely to hit enemies. If one of the apes throw a Steel Keg against a wall, they are able to jump on the barrel as it rolls back and balance on it.

Special Areas
During their adventure, Donkey and Diddy are helped by the other members of the Kong clan in these special areas.


 * Cranky's Cabin: This area is run by Cranky Kong, who the apes meet here to hear random hints. There is one Cranky's Cabin in every world.
 * Candy's Save Point: This area is run by Candy Kong. The Kongs can travel here in any world to save their game for free. In the Game Boy Advance remake of the game, the area is replaced by Candy's Dance Studio, where Candy hosts a dance mini-game, which can be won to earn collectibles.
 * Funky's Flights: In this special area, the apes can meet Funky Kong and use his Jumbo Barrel to travel to any unlocked world. In the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance remakes, the area is replaced by Funky's Fishing, where Funky hosts a fishing mini-game. In the game, the apes must catch fish while riding on Enguarde to win prizes.

Collectibles and Mechanisms
During their adventure, Diddy and Donkey run in a variety of collectibles and objects, some helpful, and some harmful. Many of these objects are listed below.

Barrels
The most common objects in Donkey Kong Country and its series are barrels. Many different barrels appear throughout this game, each having a different purpose and use. Below shows these uses on the barrels.

Levels
Donkey Kong Country features many levels in which the Kongs must successfully complete in order to reach the final boss, including boss levels. The levels are separated into worlds, such as the Kongo Jungle, and each world features five to six levels and one boss stage. Every non-boss level is home to five or less Bonus Levels, which can optionally be found to finish the game 100%, or to simply collect extra goodies such as Banana Bunches. Every level also has its own theme, or "environment." For example, levels such as Barrel Cannon Canyon are marked as "Jungle" levels, as they take place in a jungle.

Note that the following table lists the levels in the original order on the SNES version of the game.

Playable Characters
The game features two playable characters who try to return the Banana Hoard. Below are these two characters and a description on them.

Supporting Characters
With the two playable to Kongs, there are also some non-playable apes who help them out in the game's special areas. The table below describes these helpers and names them.

Animal Buddies
The Kongs are not the only ones to aid Donkey and Diddy in their quest, the wildlife also help. Each Animal Buddy is prisoner in a crate with their likeness on it. The Kongs can only use the Animal Buddies in certain levels, meaning that the apes leave their helpers once they leave a level. Each buddy has different abilities, as shown below.

Normal Enemies
As with all other Donkey Kong platformers, Donkey Kong Country features many different kinds of enemies, who try to defeat the Kongs throughout every level. Below shows the enemies' names, descriptions, and first and last level appearances.

Bosses
A boss is found at the end of every world and guards a portion of Donkey Kong's Banana Hoard. Each boss (excluding King K. Rool) is a bigger version of a generic enemy and requires more work to defeat. Below lists these bosses in order of appearance and gives a brief description on them.

Game Boy Color
The game was ported to the Game Boy Color in 2000. While it's a faithful conversion, there are still a few differences:
 * There are three different title screens.
 * Much like Donkey Kong Land, only one Kong appears at time.
 * The Game Boy printer can be used.
 * The level, Winky's Walkway, is extended.
 * A new level called Necky Nutmare has been added in Chimp Caverns.
 * The Kongs don't ride the Animal Buddies; rather, they become them.
 * Two mini-games have been added: Funky hosts a fishing game known as Funky's Fishing (which would be later reprized in the GBA port) and Cranky oversees a shooting game.
 * Two additional difficulties have been added: the first one removes DK Barrels and the second one removes Star Barrels.
 * Some of the music in Donkey Kong Land is reused, replacing the original themes from the Super Nintendo version.

Game Boy Advance
Another port of the game was made for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. The changes in this game include:


 * Candy now hosts a dancing mini-game at Candy's Dance Studio.
 * A "Time Attack" mode has been added, where players must collect objects and complete the level in a certain amount of time.
 * The Rockkroc enemy can now be defeated by using Donkey Kong's Hand Slap move.
 * Some enemies come in different colors.
 * Some boss battles are slightly different: Queen B. now has three Zingers surrounding her, Really Gnawty can make stalactites fall from the ceiling, Dumb Drum must have a few TNT Barrels thrown at it, and the battle against Master Necky Snr. is against both him and Master Necky the younger simultaneously.
 * The game can be saved at any time on a map screen.
 * After meeting Funky once, he can be summoned anytime on the world map.
 * The maps have been slightly redesigned. The world maps are also zoomed in more.
 * Starting from Vine Valley onwards, a few of the levels have been placed in a different order; for instance, Temple Tempest has become the sixth level in Vine Valley, rather than the fourth.
 * The credits take place in Donkey Kong's Treehouse in the original; they now take place on the Gangplank Galleon.
 * A new mode called "Videogame Hero" has been added. In this mode, the player controls a yellow-clad Diddy, who must complete every level without the help of Star Barrels or DK Barrels.
 * The game keeps track of the number of lives the Kongs have when saved, unlike in the original, which puts the apes back at five lives every time the game is reset.
 * The Barrel Cannons that send the apes to Bonus Levels are replaced by the Bonus Barrels used in the sequel.
 * The game has more voice acting.
 * A scrapbook was added, in which the apes have to collect photographs throughout the game in order to add pictures to it.

Reaction and sales
At the time of its release, Donkey Kong Country was extremely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. According to Gamespot, Donkey Kong Country has a critic score of 9.1, having over 85% from every critic. The game was also placed 39th in the 100th issue of Nintendo Power's "100 best Nintendo games of all time" in 1997 , and it was rated the 90th best game on a Nintendo system in their top 200 games list in 2006. Praise went to its graphics, music, and overall fun and addictive game-play.

Sales were more than expected, since the game was released at the peak of the 16-bit era. The game had an extremely successful first day at the stores, and sold 8.5 million copies worldwide, making it the second best selling game on the Super Nintendo, following Super Mario World. To date, it is the best selling Donkey Kong game and the best seller by Rare.

Although it won 1994's game of the year by Electronic Gaming Monthly, it was later placed on their top 10 overrated games, as well as on Gamespy's overrated games of all time list. It has mixed reactions today, but is still well-received by fans.

References to Other Games

 * Donkey Kong - Cranky Kong is said to be the Donkey Kong from this game who fought Mario in some of his own games. The Oil Drums from the first stage were also featured in this game at Oil Drum Alley.
 * Donkey Kong Jr. - The Donkey Kong featured in this game is actually Cranky Kong from Donkey Kong Country.
 * Donkey Kong II - As with the above games, the Donkey Kong featured in this game is said to be Cranky Kong from Donkey Kong Country.

References in Later Games

 * Donkey Kong Land: The semi-sequel of Donkey Kong Country, which contains gameplay elements and music remixes from its prequel.
 * Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest: The direct sequel, which contains many gameplay elements from its predecessor. Also, in the Game Boy Advance remake, Diddy makes a reference to the first game in the intro, stating that he did not want to surrender the Banana Hoard to Kaptain K. Rool after all that he and Donkey Kong went through to get it last time. Additionally, Winky can be seen in the background of Cranky's Monkey Museum.
 * Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!: As with Donkey Kong Country 2, many gameplay elements are reused (including the return of being able to balance the Kongs on Steel Barrels, which is absent in Donkey Kong Country 2).
 * Conker's Pocket Tales: When Conker stands still for a moment, he starts playing a Game Boy. The music that is heard while he is playing is the title theme of Donkey Kong Country.
 * Super Smash Bros.: Barrel Cannons seen in Donkey Kong Country appear here.
 * Donkey Kong 64: Another installment in the series with many similarities to Donkey Kong Country. It features the entire non-playable Kong cast, as well as another Jungle Hijinxs remix.

Trivia

 * Although the Gnawties seen in-game are gray, the Gnawty on the game's boxart is blue. The species eventually became blue in Donkey Kong 64 and in the Game Boy Advance port.
 * This game has an adaptation in the Super Mario-Kun manga with some changes. Mario and Yoshi land in the Donkey Kong Country by mistake, and Cranky Kong asks to them help Donkey and Diddy in their task to find the bananas and stop King K. Rool.