One of the Best Platformers Ever Made.
-I first noticed a keen attention to detail. When you are at an edge of a platform on your rhino, he have a semi-panicked look to his eyes, as he scrambles to get up. When you just stand there, Donkey Kong will pull out a Nintendo DS and start playing. When you pound on a mushroom, there will be a little puff of pollen that disperses in the air. These little things may not sound like much, but it goes a long way in making the game feel much more alive.
-The level design is some of the greatest in platforming history and it never lets up, in difficulty or quality. You'll be walking in a cave, then you'll jump on a mine cart and start speeding down a slope. Then a mole will come out of nowhere and start throwing explosives at you. Then, ice spikes start falling from the ceiling and the rail you where on breaks off and bends into a ball, sending you careening towards a bottomless pit. Which brings me to..
- The difficultly in this game will always sadistically mock you. If you think that beating the game isn't too hard, then try getting all the KONG and puzzle pieces. Oh, and you will want to, because getting them will unlock even harder levels. Once you complete all there is, you unlock a 'Alternate Dimension'. You must replay all the levels, backwards, and with only one piece of health. This game is the 'Dark Souls' of platformers.
- Lastly, the music is divine. While 90% of the tracks are remastered versions of the original songs form DKC, that's not a bad thing. Hearing those retro themes with real instruments is incredible. The game also has a few new tracks, and all of them are great. Two major stand outs are 'Sloppy Sands' and 'Rocket Barrel'. Google them. Seriously.
-People say the game has two flaws. One being the motion controls, and another being the boss fights. I played the game with the nunchuk and stick, and never once did I have a unfair death caused by the motion controls. As for the bosses, they aren't bad at all. They are varying and entertaining, and that's really all you can ask for in a good boss encounter.
- This game is so great, I actually got every game in the series for my SNES.
And that's about that. A fantastic game in every way, and one of the best 2D platformers ever made. If you have any doubts, go and play it. You will not be disappointed.
SCORE: 10/10