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Donkey Kong Land review

Game: Donkey Kong Land
Platform: Game Boy
Genre: Action (Platformer)
Developer: Rare
AKA: Super Donkey Kong GB (JP)

Reader review by ratking

August 14, 2002

Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong had hit the scene in Donkey Kong Country, and the world loved it. So quickly a gameboy game was created with the same characters and the same idea as Donkey Kong Country. Surprisingly enough, however, it was not a complete port of the SNES version, and actually it was a completely different game. That is for better of for worse, for Donkey Kong Country was a better game, but that is because there was so much more put into it. However this was the original gameboy, and with that fact included this is definitely one of the better games for the system.

STORY (2/5): Banana horde has been stolen again by K. Rool. Ok, the story is identical to Donkey Kong Country, but nothing is perfect. It isn't original, but the story does not always make the game (although sometimes it helps)

GRAPHICS (10/15): They are not colorful, but that is impossible on the Gameboy, however it does show. Donkey Kong should be placed in lush and colorful environments, and although impossible you will notice the fact that that detail is missing. Of course, for the gameboy, the backgrounds are very nice and clear, and the Kongs look almost identical to their SNES counterparts without color. They are nice, but leave alot to desire.

SOUND (7/10): Once again, a great game hampered by the gameboy hardware. The music is nice, but leaves much to be desired. Their are little to no sound effects, except the little squish as barrels break open, and the Kongs growling while they are in a barrel. Once again it does the job, but leaves much to be desired.

GAMEPLAY (40/55): Well, it's just like Donkey Kong Country, just to a lesser scale. You jump from platforms to platforms, shoot out of barrels and climb up and down vines to get through four large worlds, with many levels scattered within. It is a simple platformer, that can be intriguing and fun when you first purchase it, and it really doesn't wear down. However it is not without weakness. You will do the same things over and over, and it will get repetitive as you work your way through the levels. It's alot of platform jumping, which can be entertaining but also a nuissance at the same time. You still go by the same thing, that one hit will take care of Donkey Kong, but if you have your partner near by you he will replace you. Speaking of partners, this game has Co Op play, if you have a link cable of course, which although few will use it is a nice add on. This game is fun, but it's not an instand classic like Donkey Kong Country.

REPLAYABILITY (4/10): This game is shorter than Donkey Kong Country fairly significantly, and it also doesn't have that lasting appeal. Sure you will probably play through it once or twice, but after that will you really be playing it over and over like Donkey Kong Country. I deem it not likely.

DIFFICULTY (4/5): This game definitely has it's difficult parts. Some of it is very annoying, and only a bit of luck will pull you through. The third world is all lucky jumps, and hope for it is one of the most annoying worlds ever. However with a strong difficulty comes a stronger feel of victory. Everything is beatable, and that is what is important. The final boss is fairly easy, as are all the bosses in this game.

OVERALL (70/100): It is a Donkey Kong game, which maybe makes its expectations so much higher, but why shouldn't they be. This was released after the major hit known as Donkey Kong Country, and because of the hardware it was a major step backward. If you are a fan of Donkey Kong, you should buy this game, for it is a completely different game, to a popular series. However in my mind it is the worst game, for this popular series.

Rating: 7.0/10

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