Customer Reviews

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Now if only this game will be popular enough to produce a sequel. It should be, for how good it is.

This game is the most innovative game I have seen since Katamari Damacy for PS2, innovation including but not limited to the cool bongo controller. As for me I don't have the bongos, but even with a standard controller the controls feel fresh. The game only uses four buttons, and that includes directions. And it works. Its control is spot-on, and is just a joy to play.

To advance in this game you collect crests of multiple colors, and before long you will find that to advance you need to take advantage of one of this game's biggest assets - its beat system. The 'beats' you collect work as both your score and your life meter. The cool thing about them is the combo system. Combos multiply the beats you pick up by how many tricks you have done, and a combo doesn't end until DK lands his feet firmly on the ground. Many of the stages are designed so DK doesn't have to land for a long time, making for some thrilling combos. Just pick up a banana and you earn 1 beat, but pick it up along with other bananas as part of a combo, and you may earn much more.

Using combos to earn the most beats you can in each stage, and the crests you earn for doing so, are what give this game tons of replay value. And using the combo system is just so fun that it keeps you wanting to come back for more. Some of the stages (maybe all of them, I don't know) let an expert earn many, many more beats even than you need for the best crest, while some stages are challenging enough that I, having played the game A LOT, still have not come close to the best crests.

I want to but I can't complain about the length; there are 32 platforming levels and 18 bosses. Actually those 18 bosses are 5 different bosses that repeat a lot, but that's alright; each time you meet one it has new moves to throw at you. The bosses are worth mentioning and were quite fun to learn, though only 1 of the 18 seemed difficult even at first. As for the length I want more, but this game's length is average or better; there is a lot to this game. But it is so good that I have played it tons, and now I want more. I beg Nintendo for a sequel. :)

The graphics are beautiful, and seamless as they switch modes and distances. The challenge isn't that great until you earn your way into the tougher stages, but the challenge of earning every crest has some very tough spots, and is still out of my reach (a good thing). I would say, with or without the bongos (your choice), buy this game.

Donkey Kong has been one of those very few characters that has really brought down the house so much since his beginnings from Nintendo. Nevertheless, he keeps coming back for more, and even better too. When Donkey Konga came out for the Gamecube last year, it was alright, but not nothing to rave about. But so many, just missed a return to his classic era from the Donkey Kong Country days for the Super Nintendo. Yet, that was captured awhile ago, but there just wasn't anything for Gamecube owners to beat on. However, that has definitely all changed with the pounding of the bongo drums.

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, is a wild and wooly game, where Kong must try to collect bananas and beats to unlock new worlds and challenges. The game features over 40 different levels to unleash, including boss levels with Hogs, Kongs, and gigantic birds. The graphics are amazing, and really portraited as a return to the style that made Donkey Kong Country a sensation. The control however is a mixed point for some. You can actually play the game without the bongos, by using the regular Gamecube controller. But, that really is a little more difficult to manuever Donkey Kong around. The specialty bongos from the Donkey Konga game, really hit the spot to control our hero around. It is much easiier to use those against so many bosses and wild nutty characters in the jungle. The music is also very upbeat, and definitely makes you want to go ape over.

Although you can get the game seperately, I really suggest you buy the game with the packaged bongo controllers. Unless you have either one of the Donkey Konga games that included those bongos, then this would be alright. This game right now is arguably one of the most innovative games ever developed by Nintendo. For anybody who happens to be a Gamecube owner, add Donkey Kong Jungle Beat to your collection and bongo the night away.

Graphics: B+

Sound: B

Control: C+ for using the Gamecube controller: A- for the specialty bongo controller

Fun & Enjoyment: B 1/2+

Overall: B+

So we've entered a whole new genre of game play. One that throws out the hand-held controller and replaces it with...BONGOS. I first heard Nintendo was making this game and laughed about it. Well, my mind was changed once I played the game. No, this isn't a game with an in-depth story, or any story for that matter. No, it's not a difficult game you will spend hours upon hours before defeating. This game is one thing and one thing only, fun. And you will have fun playing it, I promise you that. It takes a bit to get used to this Bongo style of game control, but how original.

If you're looking for a game that you can lock yourself up in your room and not return for a few days until you have defeated it, look elsewhere. But, if you're looking for a game that you and all your friends (if you have any) can pull out for a good laugh and a few hours of fun. This game will deffinitely accomplish that much. As I said before, this game isn't difficult...game play wise, but it does take some skill and coordination.

I will warn those who will play though, this game requires a lot of clapping that makes your hands sore, and at points you are to hit the bongos as fast as you can, which will make your shoulders and arms very tired. Needless to say it is all worth it. One other thing, this game is quite beautiful graphically and has some very well done levels and environments.

So go ahead, try something new, play the bongos, play donkey kong, laugh, play, live, and most of all, don't be so skeptical about these silly new gaming ideas.

It's rare that something this different comes along. There was Track and Field for the NES, the first to use a floor mat. There was the DS, which opened up a whole new world with the touch screen. Now there's Jungle Beat, a game which is truly innovative in every way.

Jungle Beat is a standard Donkey Kong platformer. It's side scrolling, and the goal is to finish the levels with the most banannas (referred to as "beats" in this title). Here's the twist: you control DK with the bongos.

The controls, strange as they may sound, are exceptionally intuitive. Left bongo moves left, right moves right, both top jump, clap to interact with the environment. Every stage has 2 "levels" and a boss fight. Once you beat that, your total remaining beats are measured, and you earn medals. the more beats, the more medals (with a possible 3 for each stage). As you earn more medals, you get more stages to play.

The concept is simple, but it is so much fun. If you already have Donkey Konga and the bongos, this is what you want.

The only down side to this title is it's only single player. A multi-player mode would have really enriched the experience.

GameCube owners should buy this game. There's nothing like it on any other system, and I doubt there ever will be.

I eagerly purchased Donkey Kong Jungle Beat with the Bongos as soon as it was released. After a few minutes of tinkering with the bongo based controls, I found myself happily adventuring through another great Donkey Kong title. As strange as playing a Donkey Kong Country style game with bongos sounds, controlling Mr. Kong is a fairly intuitive and very fun experience. With a rhythmic tap to the right bongo the character runs to the right. With a tap to the left bongo, Donkey Kong runs to the left. Hit both bongos simultaneously and he leaps into the air. Hit both bongos while in the air and Donkey Kong will quickly slam to the ground. Add a clap or a tap to the side of the bongos and a shock wave radiates from Donkey Kong, which stuns enemies, allows Donkey Kong to grab any near by bananas, or causes Donkey Kong to swing from the hands of friendly monkeys hidden in cleverly placed floating bushes.

Even if it does take you a bit longer than others to become comfortable playing a videogame with a set of bongos, the game is very forgiving for the first few levels. The level system in place uses barrels as worlds. Each barrel that you unlock holds four levels named after various fruits. A level will include two sub levels and a boss encounter. The sub levels end when you bite into an over sized fruit at the end of the level. Once you bite into the fruit, Donkey Kong enters the fruit and collects as many beats as you can quickly beat on the bongos in a period of five to ten seconds.

The boss encounters range anywhere between a boxing match with a fellow primate, to a pineapple throwing contest with a robotic elephant with a cannon for a trunk. There are 18 levels in all to unlock, and from what I noticed the levels progressively increase in difficulty throughout the game. In order to unlock every level, you will have to collect medals that can be acquired with an average or amazing score after each level. In order to receive medals, it is up to your bongo slapping hands to get the highest possible banana, or beat score for each level, so that you may unlock the bronze, silver, gold and platinum medals needed to complete the game.

A beginner will most likely achieve scores around 300 to 500 beats, which will earn a bronze or a silver medal depending on the score. In order to earn the gold and platinum medals you will have to get beat scores of 800 to 1,200 beats. So, to boost those beat scores through the roof you will have to take advantage of the very cool combo system available. Basically, the longer you keep Mr. Kong off of the ground, the higher your combo will get. Run straight ahead, jump off of a ledge, bounce off of a wall and grab onto a vine, swing off of the vine and catch a near by hovering bird and you will be up to a combo of four. The higher your combo is, the more the beats are worth. Since this game is all about collecting the highest beat score for each level, you will definitely want to learn how to rack up those beefy combos of ten or higher. The higher the combo, the better the score. In my opinion, this aspect of Donkey Kong Jungle beat is the reason I love this game. It is incredibly rewarding to play through each level, finding ways to earn those high combos.

Graphically, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is definitely a beautiful game. Each level is bright and colorful, which fits into the whole jungle theme that Nintendo was going for here. The game runs at a solid 60 frames per second which keeps everything running nice and smooth. All of the characters are very detailed and animated realistically. As for the audio, each level has a unique tune playing in the background that you may not notice due to the non-stop bongo slapping. The sound affects are also spot on. This game does not compare to the brilliant sound tracks and effects of Donkey Kong Country 1 and 2, but it certainly is good enough.

My only complaint with this game is the fact that it takes roughly seven to ten hours to complete the first time through, quite possibly less than this for seasoned gamers. Once you get the bronze through platinum medals for each of the eighteen levels, the game is over. There is no hidden content to be found, and there are no mini games or anything of that nature available after the game is completed. However, the developers have hidden enough combo possibilities in each level to keep high score enthusiasts busy for quite a while. This game is always fun to pick up and play, especially with friends and family.

Beginners enjoy Donkey Kong Jungle Beat because it is easy to pick up the bongos and jump right into the action. Advanced players will find interest in this game due to the rewarding combo system that can easily bring your beat scores well beyond the 1,200 mark. I personally enjoy this game because at a basic level, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is intuitive and fun to play. It is an off the wall, odd little game that only Nintendo could come up with, and I must honestly say that it does the trick. I have already gotten the bronze through platinum medals on each of the 18 levels and I do believe that I will continue to play this game, simply because it is so much fun. I would recommend picking Donkey Kong Jungle Beat up for yourself or anyone who enjoys video games in general. It is a blast to play!

When I got to play this game, I thought to myself, "Wow!" Basically you use a controller that looks like a bongo and you have to skillfully "play" the bongos to get through the levels. It's pretty fun and its funny when you get to the end of the levels, before the boss, and you have to eat the bananas (If you hit the bongos fast enough, it looks really funny IMO). But anyway, the game also looks nice to the eyes and for all the GCN owners out there, I recommend buying this game. It's really enjoyable and will keep you playing for a while.

The reviews here are pretty right on. I must say, there are not many things I take time to write a detailed review on, but this one had to be done.

If you are like me, you buy or rent many games that are whipped within a week. My kids are 13, 6 and 4 and all of them love this game equally as much, AND -- it has so many new levels that it has yet to be boring and we've had it over 6 months. Even the levels they've already beat are fun to go back to and play all over again - to try to beat the high banana score or beat a time limit. Bottom line - WELL WORTH THE MONEY.

So Donkey Kong Country Returns came out back in November of 2010, a game I had waited on since this game. And since I very much enjoy DKCR, I thought I'd write a review for the the game I also loved that would be come next or should be played after Donkey Kong 64 (not to knock off those other games because Donkey Konga was a nice game).

The game play is great for all the folk who loved Donkey Kong Country 1, 2, 3, DKCR, and are looking for a DK64 adventure. However, it's unique game play makes it enjoyable. You don't have to run through the levels as fast as you can, rather you progress by getting as many points or beats as possible by collecting bananas and avoiding getting hurt to keep them. At the end of each kingdom you battle a boss who may appear difficult but quite easy to beat once you see the pattern.

This version uses the bongo drums (ones you would have received in the Donkey Konga 1 and 2 game bundle) as well as the GC controller. The graphic are stunning for a GC, and looks very nice. I was actually surprised that the little cube could pull it off, and it almost felt dynamic to just look at. The music is also a nice throwback to the same music Dave Wise did for the Country series. Remember the water level. It's here, and the music is quite similar.

All in all this is a good buy. I have yet to play the Wii version, which I hear is a good remake for the game and includes a few new features. My only disappoint is that the Wii version doesn't use bongos and after 2 maybe 3 plays on the GC version there isn't much to play for.

If you like the bongos and really wanna use then, then this is a good version to get. Otherwise, if you have a Wii and want a few new levels buy the Wii version. In fact, I recommend buying the Wii version overall since new levels add more game hours total. For those who waited on Donkey Kong Country Returns without playing this you missed out on a great tie over and DK64 sequel.

I paid 2.00 for this game and got the drums from a local gamestop store for 1.99! This game is a work out on your arms want a easy way to work the arms without getting out of the chair? Play this game!

Fun game that can help to include more than one person when extra sets of drums are purchased