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| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: Music Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo |
Nearly four years after “Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat” was released for GameCube, the game has made its way to the Nintendo Wii. The
game was innovative for its time due to the unique control method that had players plug in a pair of bongos and hit them to a beat to
move through each level. The game received praise from the critics and then didn’t do so well at retail. Now, though the game is
getting a second chance on the Nintendo Wii, “New Play Control! Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat” is essentially the same game without the
bongos, which were replaces with the Wii remote and nunchuk. The game has a new control scheme, some minor level tweaks and
an awesome widescreen mode, all with a reduced price tag as well. For those who have never played the game before, this is an
innovative platform style game that should be in any game collection.
This time around players will notice that the game, though being a remake of a previous release, has paid more attention to details with
fur shaded characters, defined multilayered three dimensional backdrops, fluid animation, amazing art and scenery, robust particle and
lightning engines, heat distortion, reflections, transparencies and the frame rate remains smooth through the entire game. Even the
scale and variety of levels will leave players amazing. Players will go from speeding across an icy chasm to dodging flames and lava
so that Kong doesn’t get burned. “New Play Control! Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat” is proof that the Wii is capable of so much more in the
graphics department than what developers are doing.
“Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat” is a three dimensional platform game that is inspired by the Donkey Kong Country games. Players move
the overgrown ape through obstacle filled levels, running, jumping and pounding, a very classic control style, especially since players
now control Kong with the nunchuk’s analog stick and not a pair of bongos. The loss of the bongos will cause some fans of the original
game feel a little betrayed. Overall, there is something gained and something lost with this new version of the game. The direct analog
input adds precision to the controls and makes level progression a lot easier. Players will probably feel more confident in the actions
compared to the GameCube version. However, certain challenges are less intense because of the controls. Previously, Kong’s
punches were tied to the bongos and player literally smashed the bongos to fight; now players make the motions with the Wii remote
and nunchuk which isn’t as satisfying.
The idea of a bongo controlled platform game seemed to be a gimmick, but for those who played the game it was understood that it not
only worked, but it was highly addictive. The game really shined on GameCube when players had to pound on the bongos in order to
generate speed on downhill slides, during the enemy duels and even the traveling back and forth back and forth between walls in
platform filled areas. With all of that said, there were definitely times in the game when players wished that they could play the game
with a regular controller. The new analog controls lose the tactile controls that made the game so addicting, but the game controls
become more accuracy and familiarity. It is a lot easier to pick up a nunchuk than to try to learn how to control the game with bongos.
Also, for those who are new to the series, the controls will probably feel perfect.
“New Play Control! Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat” remains as enjoyable today as it was when it was first released on the GameCube
thanks to the excellent and polished presentation, but the level designs and great combo system helped make the game great as well.
Nintendo made some changes to the levels in order to better accommodate the easier controls, but the variety, smart challenges and
banana collection system are all still intact. As players take control of Kong and explore, they must collect bananas in order to earn
crowns at the end of each stage. The more bananas collected the better. The trick is that be gains multipliers for grabbing bananas
mid-air and for linking together combos without touching the ground. While novices to the game will be able to move from left to right to
reach the finish of each stage, those that are experienced in the game will set themselves apart by getting large combos while flying
between trees, bouncing off of walls and catching an occasional ride from a passing bird, all while multiplying their banana bonus. The
system works very well and engages the player in the game.
It would be a lie to say that the bongo support once used in the game isn’t missed in this once unique three dimensional platform
game. Those who still have the bongo controller from the original game won’t be able to plug in them in and play with it on this new
version of the game. The “New Play Controls” work well and they do sometimes add welcomed precision and response. The amazing
graphics hold up great over the years. The engaging level designs will still draw in many players and the combo system will keep them
coming back for more. With the reduced price tag, “New Play Control! Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat” is a fantastic platform game that all
Nintendo fans shouldn’t be without.
game was innovative for its time due to the unique control method that had players plug in a pair of bongos and hit them to a beat to
move through each level. The game received praise from the critics and then didn’t do so well at retail. Now, though the game is
getting a second chance on the Nintendo Wii, “New Play Control! Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat” is essentially the same game without the
bongos, which were replaces with the Wii remote and nunchuk. The game has a new control scheme, some minor level tweaks and
an awesome widescreen mode, all with a reduced price tag as well. For those who have never played the game before, this is an
innovative platform style game that should be in any game collection.
This time around players will notice that the game, though being a remake of a previous release, has paid more attention to details with
fur shaded characters, defined multilayered three dimensional backdrops, fluid animation, amazing art and scenery, robust particle and
lightning engines, heat distortion, reflections, transparencies and the frame rate remains smooth through the entire game. Even the
scale and variety of levels will leave players amazing. Players will go from speeding across an icy chasm to dodging flames and lava
so that Kong doesn’t get burned. “New Play Control! Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat” is proof that the Wii is capable of so much more in the
graphics department than what developers are doing.
“Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat” is a three dimensional platform game that is inspired by the Donkey Kong Country games. Players move
the overgrown ape through obstacle filled levels, running, jumping and pounding, a very classic control style, especially since players
now control Kong with the nunchuk’s analog stick and not a pair of bongos. The loss of the bongos will cause some fans of the original
game feel a little betrayed. Overall, there is something gained and something lost with this new version of the game. The direct analog
input adds precision to the controls and makes level progression a lot easier. Players will probably feel more confident in the actions
compared to the GameCube version. However, certain challenges are less intense because of the controls. Previously, Kong’s
punches were tied to the bongos and player literally smashed the bongos to fight; now players make the motions with the Wii remote
and nunchuk which isn’t as satisfying.
The idea of a bongo controlled platform game seemed to be a gimmick, but for those who played the game it was understood that it not
only worked, but it was highly addictive. The game really shined on GameCube when players had to pound on the bongos in order to
generate speed on downhill slides, during the enemy duels and even the traveling back and forth back and forth between walls in
platform filled areas. With all of that said, there were definitely times in the game when players wished that they could play the game
with a regular controller. The new analog controls lose the tactile controls that made the game so addicting, but the game controls
become more accuracy and familiarity. It is a lot easier to pick up a nunchuk than to try to learn how to control the game with bongos.
Also, for those who are new to the series, the controls will probably feel perfect.
“New Play Control! Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat” remains as enjoyable today as it was when it was first released on the GameCube
thanks to the excellent and polished presentation, but the level designs and great combo system helped make the game great as well.
Nintendo made some changes to the levels in order to better accommodate the easier controls, but the variety, smart challenges and
banana collection system are all still intact. As players take control of Kong and explore, they must collect bananas in order to earn
crowns at the end of each stage. The more bananas collected the better. The trick is that be gains multipliers for grabbing bananas
mid-air and for linking together combos without touching the ground. While novices to the game will be able to move from left to right to
reach the finish of each stage, those that are experienced in the game will set themselves apart by getting large combos while flying
between trees, bouncing off of walls and catching an occasional ride from a passing bird, all while multiplying their banana bonus. The
system works very well and engages the player in the game.
It would be a lie to say that the bongo support once used in the game isn’t missed in this once unique three dimensional platform
game. Those who still have the bongo controller from the original game won’t be able to plug in them in and play with it on this new
version of the game. The “New Play Controls” work well and they do sometimes add welcomed precision and response. The amazing
graphics hold up great over the years. The engaging level designs will still draw in many players and the combo system will keep them
coming back for more. With the reduced price tag, “New Play Control! Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat” is a fantastic platform game that all
Nintendo fans shouldn’t be without.
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