Donkey Kong 64
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| Donkey Kong 64 | |
| Missing image DonkeyKong64CoverArt.jpg Donkey Kong 64 game cover | |
| Developer(s) | Rareware |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Release date(s) | November 22 1999 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single player, 2-4 Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone (E) |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 |
Donkey Kong 64 is an adventure/platform video game developed by Rareware for the Nintendo 64. DK64 was published by Nintendo and released on November 22, 1999. The game is one of two for the Nintendo 64 that require the use of the Expansion Pak in order to function. The initial release of Donkey Kong 64 included the Expansion Pak with the game for free. Donkey Kong 64 would later become a Nintendo 64 Player's Choice. This game is a follow up to the Donkey Kong Country (Super Donkey Kong) trilogy on the Super Famicom/SNES.
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Plot
The plot is a continuation from the DKC series, with many jokes (as is typical of Rareware). King K. Rool is trying to destroy the Kong's island with a large laser (revenge for his island's destruction in Donkey Kong Country 2), but it's malfunctioning. To buy some time, he captures a handful of Kongs and locks them up. Donkey Kong is the first to escape, and he sets off to rescue the others. He also must recover his stolen golden bananas. Together they try to defeat K. Rool, each using their special abilities.
Characters
DonkeyKong64ConceptArt.jpg
Other NPCs include:
Levels
There are 8 large levels, as well as the massive overworld. Each level has 5 golden bananas and 100 regular bananas to collect for each of the 5 characters. They also each have their own boss to fight at the end. This means to complete the game 100% requires many hours.
The levels are:
- DK Isle - Overworld
- Jungle Japes
- Angry Aztec
- Frantic Factory
- Gloomy Galleon
- Fungi Forest
- Crystal Caves
- Creepy Castle
- Hideout Helm
Gameplay
The main section of the game is the single-player experience, but there is also a multi-player mode.
Single-player
The game is a 3D adventure with strong platforming linkes, similar to that of Banjo Kazooie or Super Mario 64. Much of the gameplay involves collecting various items, such as coins, bananas, weapons, keys, fruits, and more. IGN described it as the most "collecting-ist" game ever. Thematically, Donkey Kong 64 is most like the original Donkey Kong Country, with the Sci-Fi and Pirate settings of the second and third games being largely omitted.
Unusual for its genre is the ability to buy, and upgrade, weapons for each character. They are able to fire both regular and homing ammo, and to throw orange grenades.
There are two unlockable mini-games - the Rambi Arena (a rhino) and the Enguarde Arena (a swordfish). There are also two unlockable arcade games - the original Donkey Kong and Jetpac.
Multi-player
This can be played by up to 4 players at one time. It features 3 arenas (and one special one) and 6 gameplay modes. The 5 playable characters from the single-player adventure are also used in the multi-player mode, along with one secret character, Krusha.
Game Modes
- Survival: Each player has a set amount of lives. Play continues until all players but one have been eliminated.
- Coin Hoard: Each player must collect coins from set locations. The player with the most coins at the end of the time limit wins.
- Wins: Similiar to Survival, except that winning is based upon scoring a set amount of kills.
- Timer: Similar to Wins, except instead of a set amount of kills, a time limit is placed. The player with the most kills by the end of the match wins.
- Capture: A single coin is placed in the middle of the arena. Players gain points for holding the coin. The player with the most points at the end of the time limit wins.
- Capture Pads: Similiar to Capture, except players must carry the coin over pads to gain points.
Mysteries
Donkey Kong 64 has several seemingly pointless features, which sparked rumours of secret extra modes when it came out. The most famous is a useless monkeyport linking to a pillar, but there are also unopenable doors and out-of-place pictures. Typically Rareware have refused to comment, but they have a history of putting in these features to amuse and intrigue the gamer, for instance the cheese in Perfect Dark.
Sequels
Rareware was purchased by Microsoft in 2002, meaning they can no longer develop original games with the Donkey Kong franchise (although beginning in 2003 they began to port the Donkey Kong Country games over to the Game Boy Advance). Following this, the franchise branched off in multiple directions.
- Nintendo teamed up with Namco to make the musical drumming games Donkey Konga, Donkey Konga 2, and Donkey Konga 3 for the GameCube.
- Using the DK Bongos created for Donkey Konga, Nintendo's own NCL team created the GameCube's Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, a more Japanese take on the Donkey Kong Country series. While it was loosely based on the style of the DKC trilogy, Donkey Kong was the only character from those games to appear. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat was released in 2004.
- Japanese developer PAON created DK King of Swing for the Game Boy Advance, a more direct storyline sequel to Donkey Kong 64 and the titles that came before it. Instead of being a platformer, King of Swing involved jumping and swinging across hooks to advance through stages. King of Swing was released in 2005.
External links
- IGN (http://ign64.ign.com/objects/000/000607.html?ui=gamefinder)
- DK64 Central (http://www.totalgaming.com/dk64/)