After 9 years, Donkey Kong Country 3 is still a solid title, but it hasn't changed much since 1996.
Kong Country 3 does little wandering from the first two, sticking to its platforming roots. Kong Country 2 has the player using both Dixie Kong and Kiddy Kong to defeat the evil KOAS and save DK Country. As far as story goes, DKC3 isn’t very deep. It focuses mostly on gameplay, which is where the game really shines. Much like the first two DKC’s, DKC3 consists of jumping and attacking through differently themed levels to complete the different worlds. The worlds are varied very well, as one minute the player will be using simple platforming skills, and the next they’ll be jumping up a tree to run away from a giant saw, or flying down a giant pipe in a cart. This mixes up the gameplay so it’s not all just simple platforming.
As mentioned above, the player does two actions throughout the majority of the game; jumping and attacking. Jumping will either be between simple platforms, or from rope to rope, rope to platform, etc. It really is very generic, although Rare has added some elements to keep it from being too bland. There are enemies abound. On the ropes, on the ground, in the sky, etc, the enemies are everywhere, and they’re also very varied. Between bees, crocs, fish, and spikey things, there’s lots of variety, although some enemies are only seen a few times, while others are scattered numerous times throughout each level.
To kill the enemies, the player can either attack them or jump on top of them in true Mario style. Since attacking them with the B button can cause some problems, jumping on enemies is not only easier, but less stressful. Not only does the B button make Dixie or Kiddy attack, but it also makes them run faster, which is crucial on many levels. Not only will players be running through each level, but as they progress they’ll collect 4 letters, K O N and G. Of course, this spells Kong, and obtaining it will add an extra life to the players collection. This is one of those steps to 100% that second time through players will have fun with. It’s not difficult by any means, and most players will find themselves doing it anyway.
The layout and look of each level is rather amazing. Even though the game is almost ten years old, it still looks great on the GBA hardware and is a sight to behold. As far as GBA graphics go, these aren’t the best, but their pretty darn good. Bubbling lava and air bubbles make the game just that much more alive, surrounding the player in a living jungle, factory or mountain, among other things. The levels aren’t very atmospheric though, as the player will only concentrate on jumping from one platform to the next. The levels range from fun and bright to dark and gloomy. They’re very well done, but not quite the best on the GBA.
In-between levels and worlds, there are a few mini-games. While fun, they’re a lot of the same. The player can either fend off porcupines as Kranky Kong or collect stars in a silver tube. This will gain the player extra lives, money, bananas, or rare Banana Birds. If it’s 100% the player is looking to accomplish, than the mini-games are a must. But if it’s just a quick play through, the mini-games can be ignored or played simply for fun or extra stuff.
Another new addition is the ninth world, Pacifica. Really, it does nothing more than add a few hours of gameplay to the games rough 12-15 hour span. The game is rather lengthy for a GBA game, and to take partial credit for that is the biggest drawback the game has; frustrating levels and sequences. For the most part, the levels are easy enough to play through without dying. Although, some entire levels are downright frustrating, while other levels are easy part of the way through, while the rest of it is enough to send even the best players to a Game Over. One example, entitled Riverside Race, has Dixie and Kiddy Kong racing through a jungle. Sounds simple? Hardly. They’re followed by a pack of bees that are right on their tales. But the bees can’t be lost. Not to mention the bees are faster than the Kongs and the only way to outrun them is to have Kiddy Kong roll. Not to mention there are other obstacles in the way, so that gives the bees yet another edge. Again, this is just one example, and there are many more, but most of them are on the racing levels.
Another complaint is that Donkey Kong Country 3 is basically the same as Donkey Kong Country. Yes, it has mini-games and an extra level, but it’s just…the same. It feels, looks, sounds, play, smells the same as Donkey Kong Country 3 for SNES. This can be a plus if the player is looking for an exact port, but if they’re looking to pick up an old game with a new feel, than this game might not be for them.
Yet another complaint are some of the weird things that happenin this game. Not bugs, just weird things that happen. For example, most of the time when Dixie or Kiddy hits an enemy, it will die. But occasionally this doesn’t happen. This is most likely because it’s close to the beginning of the attack, but it should still kill the enemy. There are a few more bugs and glitches, but they’re so tiny they don’t need to be mentioned.
Speaking of enemies, accompanying every world is a boss. The boss fits in with the theme very well, and is generally just the right difficulty. As the battle progresses, it will get harder and harder until eventually the boss is defeated. Unlike a lot of the levels, the boss fights aren’t that frustrating, but they can take a while depending on the players’ skill level. It will either take 1-2 tries or a whole bunch. It’s not frustrating, just lengthy at times.
Dixie and Kiddy Kong aren’t just there for kicks and giggles, they can team up and take out obstacles or tackle puzzles. Dixie can throw Kiddy down to break weak floors, and Kiddy can throw Dixie around to cross caps or jump higher. Although this isn’t a tactic used that often, it’s used every now-and-again, and is a nice way to mix up the gameplay and it doesn’t feel tacked on. Another way that DKC3 keeps the gameplay fresh is with barrels. There are 13 different barrels in this game, 14 if the generic one is counted. These barrels range from checkpoints to mini-games. If one of the Kongs die, they can be revived via the DK barrel. Also, if a terrain is unmanageable for the Kongs, certain barrels can turn them into fish, spiders, rhinos, etc, much like in the previous games. The barrels are strewn about the levels, and depending on what type they are, they can be harder to find.
Since the player will be staring at a lot of the same enemies and items a lot, it’s good that they look good and that the animations are smooth. Dixie and Kiddy haven’t changed much at all since 1996, but none the less, they still look good. The explosions and particles still aren’t that amazing, and they don’t need to be, as it is a 2D title. As far as GBA games go, DCK3 look rather good. It’s nothing amazing, and it hasn’t changed a bit since its SNES days.
The same can be said about the sound. If the player is traversing the jungles of Kremwood Forest, or swimming in Cotton-Top Cave, the game does of nice job of fitting the music with the surroundings. The music feel right at home, and generally sounds very good, only sound weird if the volume is turned up all the way (this is only true about the higher pitched noises.)
The sound effects in the game are also very well done. The Kongs yelps and noises are very kiddy, and even some of the enemies sound rather good. The interface also sounds very good. Needless to say, there’s no voice work, and the sound isn’t exactly amazing. As far as Gameboy games go, DKC3 sound pretty good, just not the best.
At the end of the day, Donkey Kong Country 3 is essentially Donkey Kong Country 3. There are a few added bonuses to attract new players. It does these thing very well, and has a nice presentation, but once again, if it’s a nostalgia trip you’re looking for, you’ve found it, because Donkey Kong Country 3 is basically the same as it was almost 10 years ago. Nothing has been taken away, yet a few elements have been added. As far as GBA games go, Donkey Kong Country 3 is fairly good and if it’s a solid platforming game the player is looking for, there are few finds better than this.