Donkey Konga 2 is a good sequel, but there is almost nothing new and a lot of the songs can't be called classics.
First off, I am going to describe the price. At Gamestop or EB, they expect you to fork over $50, full price for this game and the bongos. Well, if you already have a pair of bongos then you can probably pick this game for around $20 and then buy a pair of third party bongos for $9.99 if you want to have two sets. If you don't have bongos that means that you probably have not played this game yet. Then go ahead and buy the first party bongos because for plastic drums, they're actually pretty sturdy.
The graphics are not up to Gamecube's potential but what can you judge in a rythem game? Well I would've liked to see those crazy backgrounds like the backgrounds in DDR however, Namco picked generic backgrounds and only a handful of them to last. The new soundlist, I can't say is better but it does the job done. But one thing I noticed is that the songs don't sound like their by the original singers. Oh yeah, and Anthem by Good Charlotte is in here so that gives it an instant 1. Not really.
Donkey Konga 2 is newbie friendly in case you've never played the first one. It still plays the same, nothing is new except a few new modes like concert, and some others some new minigames and drum sets and songs. If you have a save of DK1 on your memory card then you'll have unlocked all of its sound sets on your DK2 file. To control DK2 you press "start" on the bongos to select something. The left/right bongos will cycle through songs, modes, etc. and pressing both bongos down at the same time will take you back.
The in game control work well. There is this see through circle on the screen and whenever a beat passes that you need ot hit it right and the exact time it passes through that clear circle. For example, a yellow circle, or the beat comes by and right as it passes the clear circle you need to press the bongo. Yellow circles are left bongos, red circles are right bongos, pink circle are for when you press both bongos at the same time and bloue starbursts mean you have to clap. There is a motion sensor that detects claps but you can also hit the side of the bongos or yell something and that works too.
There are three difficulty settings, Monkey as in the easiest which is perfect for newcomers but way to easy for DK veterans. Chimp is for average people and a good practice for the last setting. Gorilla is the hardest and it can be extremely hard if you're new. When you play songs if you get your beat right on par with the clear circle you'll get a "great." If you get it close but no cigar, an "ok." And if you miss completely you'll get a "bad." Getting bads deduct from your meter at the top which you're supposed to fill to pass the song. Getting greats and oks adds to the meter. If you get the meter all the way full you'll get a gold on the song which is what you're aiming for.
Overall, Donkey Konga is a very fun game that packs some replay value even though it's an easy and short game. The replay is basically most found in the 4 player jam sessions, trying to see which is the best drummer of your friends. The gameplay is fun but it feels like a big expansion. Worth $20 anyday though.