A bit confused here… what’s DK: Jungle Beat? The sequel?
More like another Donkey Kong-related spinoff. It’s a two-and-a-half-D platformer that uses the bongo as a controller. It looks pretty damn good.
/tangent
I have decided that Donkey Kong is one of those classic arcade games that don’t hold up too well. The historical importance as a pioneering platformer is noted, but the gameplay is pretty weak. I think the problem is Mario’s agonizingly slow walking speed and those dinky little jumps he takes. The graphics are pretty charming, though.
Another classic arcade game that has clearly been eclipsed is Space Invaders. So many subsequent clones (starting with Galaxian and Galaga) completely blew it away.
On the other hand, Asteroids and Ms. Pac Man are IMO as fun to play as ever. Their gameplay potential is pretty well realized, and it’s not clear that they were ever exactly improved upon (i.e. I can’t think of a better “maze/dot” game than Ms. Pac Man. It’s sort of a dead end genre anyway).
I wanted to love this game but the music really killed it for me. I will try it again, though.
I think that’s a risk with any music game; people can be very particular about music and it can be a big obstacle to enjoying the game.
Where Donkey Kong has a “oldies station” soundtrack, I think Samba De Amigo got a lot of mileage out of its latin dominated soundtrack. Most of the songs are excellent tunes from an era I don’t recall, and they lacked the cultural baggage that something like “Wild Thing” has. I hear the song, not all the social context that comes with it. In an increasingly segmented music market, maybe that is an advantage.
Then again, I find DDR’s selection of trendy selection of JPop and techno grating. On any given DDR disk, I can only enjoy 10-20% of the music.
-Scott-
/tangent off a tangent
If you’re interested, Nintendo released a Donkey Kong game for the original GameBoy that includes the original levels (along with 96 others) but includes Mario 64-style moves for Mario. As a result, the game is drastically improved (and much easier). The game is obviously technologically dated but it is one of Nintendo’s finest moments and well worth picking it up for $5.
-Scott-
It’s because Nintendo is the only company that would make this.
Except they’re not. Donkey Konga was developed by Namco, the maker of the hugely successful Taiko no Tatsujin for the PS2 - we’re talking millions of sales of PS2 bongo drums just like the DK ones but for the PS2 with a big range of games + addon packs.
Nintendo saw the success of it, asked Namco to do a GameCube version, and Donkey Konga is the result.
It’s coming out for the PS2 in the US later this year and here’s a song list.
Yeah, Nintendo’s not the only company that could make this. If MS was willing to give Steel Battalion a shot, anything’s possible.
Well, for one thing, Sony is letting Namco put out drums for the PS2 with that Drum Master game. Oh and SEGA made maracas for Pete’s sake. Sony put out Eye Toy. Konami pioneered DDR pads and Karaoke. Someone mentioned Steel Battalion. Um, I don’t think Bongos are really a stretch at this point, Whitta.
Its also worth mentioning that taiko are far removed from bongos, Mr. dogbert. :evil:
As well, the first drum-based rhythm game was Drum-mania by Konami, as part of their huge Bemani line of games, which I’m sure you all know all sorts of things like para para dancing, dj scratching, guitars, etc. in the later 90s. Taiko is the best though, insanely fun and very long-lasting. Plus, the best visuals of the three. If you’re into rhythm games, you might also read up on Technic Beat, which is currently in taking-a-while-to-get-translated-limbo like Chulip, Shin Megami Tensei and Taiko were. (The version you’ll get of Taiko is a conglomeration of nearly four years worth of arcade games.)
Lately sword controllers and using medals to play games (or medal games) have been all the rage. And I think Sony continues to support their range of voice-activated games (only Lifeline was translated) but I haven’t checked on that for a while.
And what does Microsoft have to do with Steel Batallion?
Of all the original control-scheme games, I’m looking most forward to Mawaru Made in Wario since I the idea of tilting the Gameboy to play something was used so damn well in Koro Koro Kirby and I’ve been waiting for it to make another showing.
-Kitsune
[quote=“Bub_Andrew”]
Well, for one thing, Sony is letting Namco put out drums for the PS2 with that Drum Master game. Oh and SEGA made maracas for Pete’s sake. Sony put out Eye Toy. Konami pioneered DDR pads and Karaoke. Someone mentioned Steel Battalion. Um, I don’t think Bongos are really a stretch at this point, Whitta.[/quote]
To clarify, I should have said first-party company, which is why I used the Microsoft-bongos analogy.
I have no interest in this but I’m DYING for the bongo-controlled DK sidescroller. Which looks like it’s coming in May? MAY? ARGH…
Did Eidos make a GameCube version of Athens 2004? Any sort of Track and Field remake with the bongos would be a blast.
I have no interest in this but I’m DYING for the bongo-controlled DK sidescroller. Which looks like it’s coming in May? MAY? ARGH…[/quote]
I’m intrigued to see how they make a platformer work with only two controls (unless the bongos are directionally-sensititive, which I don’t think they are.)
Clapping and hitting both bongos at the same time are two more.
I have no interest in this but I’m DYING for the bongo-controlled DK sidescroller. Which looks like it’s coming in May? MAY? ARGH…[/quote]
I’m intrigued to see how they make a platformer work with only two controls (unless the bongos are directionally-sensititive, which I don’t think they are.)[/quote]
I thought it was the dumbest thing ever until I actually played it. It is GREAT. You feel like an ass for about a minute, and then the gameplay sucks you in and gets frantic. I was stunned, it was my fav of e3 this year (and I spent the first 2 days making bad jokes about it before trying it on day 3)
I have a Gamecube and ZERO intention of ever buying this game. It’s right between a Shenmue sequel and Xenosaga 2 in the NEVER BUY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES category.
I did, however, buy Mega Man X Command Mission (GC version) and F-Zero GP Legend.
(For the record, I hated the Namco drum game, and this looks to have shittier musak – never really had a liking for the Hyrule theme, for example – and those hideous Donkety Kong characters.)
Some of the music in Donkey Konga, to be fair, is pretty good. Whoever got the rights to Oye Como Va for a bongo game was pretty smart. Even Crystal Method’s “Busy Child” is included, which feels contrary to anything you’d ever expect in a Nintendo game. It would be nice if it was the original music and not remakes, but I’ve heard far worse remakes than what’s in the game.
You say that now… but when your youngster is able to play these kinds of games you’re going to be singing a different song, Erickson.
You’ll be bongoing right along with that tune too. :)
–Dave
The daughter will ONLY be allowed to play Panzer General until she’s 13.