Donkey Kong Country (series)
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The Donkey Kong Country series is a video game sub-series of the Donkey Kong series. It usually stars Donkey Kong and his pal, Diddy Kong, but Donkey Kong also ends up as a damsel in distress. The series are a platformer-type; levels are shown in a sidescrolling perspective and the heroes must jump and avoid obstacles in order to clear levels. The series was started by Rare, Ltd., until they were bought by Microsoft. Remakes are included in the Game Boy and the Game Boy Advance. The series were later revived by Retro Studios and their upcoming game, Donkey Kong Country Returns. The Donkey Kong Country series also has well-received reviews and has greatly impacted future titles.
List of Games in the Series
Original Titles
Donkey Kong Country
- Year Released – 1994
- System – Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The first installment in the Donkey Kong Country series was Donkey Kong Country. Here, Donkey Kong is portrayed differently as he did in the past games and it was mentioned that it was Cranky Kong who caused trouble for Mario. This time, Donkey Kong was a carefree monkey who spends his time in the jungle, until a villain named King K. Rool steals his bananas. Donkey Kong takes his nephew and dependable buddy, Diddy Kong along to stop King K. Rool and get his bananas back.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
- Year Released – 1995
- System – Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Donkey Kong Country 2 is the second installment of the Donkey Kong Country series. As Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong were the primary heroes of Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong gets kidnapped by King K. Rool (under the alias Kaptain K. Rool). Diddy Kong takes his partner, Dixie Kong along to save Donkey Kong from Kaptain K. Rool. This game plays similarly to Donkey Kong Country, but also has a ton of new gameplay elements and new enemies added.
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble
- Year Released – 1996
- System – Super Nintendo Entertainment System
In the third installment of the Donkey Kong Country series, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong both end up getting kidnapped by KAOS, a new leader from the Kremling Krew. Dixie Kong, taking her little cousin Kiddy Kong with her, sets out to save Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong from KAOS, who turns out to be King K. Krool, under the alias Baron K. Roolenstein. Like Donkey Kong Country 2, this game plays similarly to Donkey Kong Country, but has a lot of new elements added not seen before in the series.
Donkey Kong Country Returns
- Release Date – 2010
- System – Nintendo Wii
After Microsoft bought out Rare, the Donkey Kong Country a drought of new games followed, with several remakes for the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance. Retro Studios revived the Donkey Kong Country series by developing Donkey Kong Country Returns. A new villain, called the Tikis, raid Donkey Kong's banana stash. As a reaction, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong sets out to retrieve the lost bananas. Not much else is known about the game regarding gameplay elements, though it has been confirmed that no Kremlings or underwater levels will be present in this game. There will also be some mechanics from the past Donkey Kong Country games that will return in this game, such as Animal Buddies.
Remakes/Ports
Donkey Kong Country
- Year Released – 2000
- System – Game Boy Color
Donkey Kong Country was ported to the Game Boy Color in the year 2000. Although it was a port, there were several significant differences such as having only one Kong appearing at a time, extended levels, new levels, new minigames, and more. It still has the same gameplay mechanics and the same story as the original.
Donkey Kong Country
- Year Released – 2003
- System – Game Boy Advance
Donkey Kong Country was, again, ported to the Game Boy Advance. This particular port features new changes not seen in the Game Boy Color port. Changes include bosses becoming harder, redesigned graphics, replaced order of levels, new modes, a scrapbook, and much more.
Donkey Kong Country 2
- Year Released – 2004
- System – Game Boy Advance
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest also receives a port for the Game Boy Advance, however, no port for the Game Boy Color. Like most ports, Donkey Kong Country 2 features significant changes such as a new boss, graphical makeovers, more DK Coins to collect, altered levels, replaced levels, and much more.
Donkey Kong Country 3
- Year Released – 2005
- System – Game Boy Advance
The Game Boy Advance also received a port of Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!. Like the preceding ports, major changes has been added, but not so major that it changes the game itself. Such changes include graphical makeovers, exclusive boss fights, a new soundtrack, new and different methods of trading items, new areas, and much more.
