Donkey Kong Review - Arc

With Microsoft and Sony battling it out for the heart and mind of the core gamer, Nintendo is a company struggling to maintain its identity as the game publisher that offers unique, engaging experiences you simply can't find anywhere else. It's lead to a reputation of innovation for the sake of innovation, something that Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat represents perfectly.

Feelin' the Beat

At first glance, Jungle Beat looks like your average--albeit very good looking--platformer. Donkey Kong runs through one level after another, defeating baddies, collecting bananas, and fighting giant boss characters. It's a very by-the-numbers setup.

That is until you realize the only way to play Jungle Beat is by using the Donkey Konga bongo controller. Sure, the game's compatible with your regular GameCube controller as well, but using it is a chore, since the game clumsily tries to emulate the bongo control scheme.

Here's how it works. Bang on the left or right bongo to move in that direction. Tap both bongos together in order to jump. And clap (or otherwise trip the controller's sound sensor) to perform actions such as ducking or grabbing objects based on the situation.

It's surprisingly easy to master, and you'll have DK running and bouncing through each level in no time flat. Sure, it's a gimmick. But it works, and it's so refreshing to be playing something that feels so different.

Variety, Spice, and All That

Even without the funky control scheme, though, Jungle Beat would make it as a top-tier platformer. The beautiful, vibrant graphics are some of the best you'll find on the GameCube, and each level is constantly offering up something new.

Sometimes DK will simply be jumping from vine to vine, others he'll be racing through the mountains astride some horned beast of burden, or he might even be catching rides on the backs of killer whales as they navigate underwater currents and ancient shipwrecks.

And then there are the boss battles, which is where Donkey Kong's uniqueness really shines. Almost every showdown is completely different than the last, requiring you to quickly learn each boss's weakness and adapt accordingly. It all feels very much like the classic Nintendo games of yesteryear, which is a good thing.

One-Trick Pony

The problem, though, is that the wonderfully interesting standoffs with the huge bosses of each level start to repeat themselves about halfway through the game. In fact, the entire game can be completed in one or two sittings--though your arms will be pretty sore should you go that route. And once you reach the end, there's very little compelling enough to make you return. You can run through the game again in order to collect more bananas and get a better ranking on each level, but that's about it.

The Rhythm'll Getcha

Despite its lack of replay value and the fact that you'll look absolutely ridiculous while playing this game, Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat deserves a look. Not only because the control scheme is something completely new and surprisingly effective, but because the game wrapped around the gimmick is the type of quality stuff we've come to expect from Nintendo's best games.