As a gamer who grew up in the ’90s, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when it comes to Donkey Kong. The character was a staple of my childhood, from the thrilling 2D sidescrollers of the original Donkey Kong Country trilogy to the more… questionable 3D adventures in games like Donkey Kong 64.
In the time of the Nintendo Switch, it’s clear that Donkey Kong has taken a backseat in terms of prominent roles in new games. Despite being one of Nintendo’s most famous characters, he hasn’t starred in an original game for over a decade now. A new Donkey Kong game was initially planned for the Switch by Vicarious Visions, but unfortunately, this project was eventually scrapped by the developer’s parent company Activision. Lately, fans have been given a sneak peek at concept art from the game, revealing it would have been a 3D platformer rather than the traditional 2D side-scrolling format. This change could have brought a fresh perspective, and perhaps Nintendo should consider this direction for future Donkey Kong games.
Back in the ’90s, it was Rare that gave us the original Donkey Kong Country trilogy on the Super Nintendo, a set of 2D side-scrolling games that brought a new lease of life to our beloved ape. The series introduced fresh companions, sinister adversaries, and a whole new world for DK to navigate. It wasn’t just an icon from the arcade era; it felt fresh again, captivating a brand-new fanbase. Then came the Nintendo 64, where most of Nintendo’s mascots transitioned from the 2D realm to the thrilling world of 3D gaming, with games like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time leading the charge. Donkey Kong was not left behind; in 1999, Rare released Donkey Kong 64, a testament to the versatility of this timeless character.
Initially, Mario and Link’s debuts in 3D gaming were triumphant, but Donkey Kong’s entry had a mixed reception. Rare skillfully incorporated key aspects from the SNES games, such as animal allies like Enguarde and Rambi, along with the memorable minecart levels. However, the game was marred by certain elements that haven’t held up well over time; primarily, players needed an excessive amount of items to finish the game. The “collectathon” challenges and the infamously criticized DK Rap have largely overshadowed the aspects that were done well.
Following that one 3D adventure, Donkey Kong primarily starred in 2-dimensional side-scrollers like “Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat” and “Donkey Kong Country Returns”. However, he also made a few exceptions, such as his appearance in “Skylanders SuperChargers”, which seemed to pave the way for Vicarious Visions’ Donkey Kong game. Despite that project not materializing, it seems like it’s high time for Donkey Kong to return to 3D games. After all, “Donkey Kong 64” was a significant release for Nintendo and was one of their biggest games during the 1999 holiday season. Although another 2D platformer would still be delightful after years of remakes and remasters, it just doesn’t seem grand enough. A new 3D game could truly make a mark and potentially boost the character’s status once more.
To make this game successful, Nintendo must simplify it by focusing on the aspects that truly shine. The primary issue with “Donkey Kong 64” was its excessive content, including an overabundance of in-game items and characters to control, with a total of five playable characters. Overcrowding the cast can make Donkey Kong himself seem insignificant. Even games like “Tropical Freeze” often found me favoring Dixie and Cranky Kong. While these characters are essential to the franchise, the next 3D Donkey Kong game should be centered around Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong only. Adding more protagonists dilutes the appeal of the Donkey Kong name. Making Donkey Kong the main focus will help reestablish him as a Nintendo icon. The latest “Super Mario Bros. Movie” handled this well, as other Kongs were present but never overshadowed the main character.
Simplifying things to their core essence involves reintroducing what worked exceptionally well initially, like the original Donkey Kong Country. This game is brimming with fantastic features that deserve a comeback, and they’d fit perfectly in a 3D environment. The animal companions and minecart areas should make their return, much like they did in Donkey Kong 64. The series’ music has been a significant strength for years, making it prudent to welcome back composer David Wise once more. These elements will help maintain the essence of the 2D games while pushing forward into new territory. By blending the old and the new, we can give fans a reason to trust in a fresh 3D journey.
In order for Donkey Kong to complete his puzzle, an engaging adversary is essential, and that’s why it’s high time to reintroduce the Kremlings and King K. Rool. However, Nintendo has seldom utilized these characters outside of the Super Smash Bros. series in recent years. The Donkey Kong Country games from Retro Studios aimed to provide Donkey Kong with fresh enemies, but neither the Tiki Tak Tribe nor the Snowmads managed to make a lasting impact. These newcomers seemed rather ordinary and lacked the charm of the familiar Kremlings and King K. Rool. We’ve already witnessed their potential in three-dimensional environments, as demonstrated once before.
For several years now, Nintendo and Shigeru Miyamoto have emphasized that Donkey Kong is a key figure in the company’s history and future. Although he might not be as prevalent in video games, his significant presence in projects like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and dedicated areas within Super Nintendo World demonstrate Nintendo’s efforts to boost Donkey Kong’s profile. With this momentum, it seems opportune for Nintendo to develop a major, AAA Donkey Kong game – one that recaptures the excitement of exploring his jungle setting as we experienced in 1994. To achieve this, Nintendo should provide Donkey Kong with another opportunity to shine in 3D gaming environments.
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2024-10-27 22:40