NESpresso: Game Reviews \ GCN \ Donkey Konga

Game Stats
System: Gamecube
Genre: Music / Rhythm
Players: 1-4 Simultaneously
Memory used: 3 Blocks
Playtime: 00:05 - 01:30 / 20:00
ESRB Rating: Everybody (6+)

Note: "DK Bongo" controller required for maximum enjoyment

One of the most innovative Gamecube games of 2004, Donkey Konga really does ask "Is it in you?" (referring to rhythm, you pervert!) With songs varying between kiddy to modern, it'll definately keep you drumming along.

Donkey Konga's background story is pretty cheesy. Donkey Kong finds these wierd pair of barrels, which Cranky tells them is a legendary bongo drum set. Donkey calls them the "DK Bongos" & hatches a plan to become rich by becoming a famous bongo drum player. This way he'll have all the bananas he can eat.

The graphics in Donkey Konga vary from simple to beautifully rendered on the same screen. Even though you won't be looking at the eye-candy on the screen so you can concentrate on the actual game, practically everything on the screen, except for the track-bar is fully rendered to look like the spectacular graphics that were used in Donkey Kong Country (& probably Donkey Kong 64 as well). The track-bar, which you'll be focusing most of your attention at is simple, but effective with simple-to-read symbols for you to follow.

It would be a crime against this game if you didn't play with the sound turned up. Each track is enjoyable to listen to, with the possible exception of the "kiddy tracks" (Diddy's Ditties & Campfire Tunes) because most players haven't sang or listened to such sugary songs since they were young. The "Kirby: Right Back at Ya!" track could have used the complete lyrics to be totally enjoyable. Even with these complaints, it's only 3 of the 33 tracks that are included in this game.

The controls would have to be simple if you can play the game with the DK Bongos (which is included in the $50 starter kit), granted you have your Bongos oriented the right way. Here's a tip: The Start Button & the DK logo should be facing you. To navigate the menus, you just tap the left or right drum & hit start to select the item. After you start a song, there's only 4 things you need to remember: Hit left drum, Hit right drum, Hit both drums & Clap your hands. If you're wondering how the Bongos know when you clap, there's a microphone in the center.

For those who don't have a set of DK Bongo (if you didn't pick it up with the game, shame on you!), the controller equivelence is the D-pad (below the control stick) for the left drum, A (& other face buttons) for the right drum & L/R/Z for claps.

When you get to a song, you just follow the patterns as they scroll across the screen as they reach your "strike zone". If you hit it well enough, you'll either get a "Great!" (on time) or "OK" (slightly off). You'll want to avoid getting a "Bad!" (really off) or "Miss" a beat (failed to hit). Performing well will fill up the phonograph while performing badly will drain it. If you can fill the phonograph past the "clear" mark (Note: The part beyond the clear mark will be in yellow & a solid yellow light will turn on), you've cleared the song. If you can max out the phonograph (also denoted by a flash yellow light on top), you've practically mastered the song. Mastering the song will place a gold "DK" symbol by that song instead of a silver symbol.

Donkey Konga is set up with 2 difficulty levels right out of the box. With the coins you earn by clearing the songs, you can buy extras like different bongo sounds, the mini games & the hard level songs to play. If you think you've got all 33 songs down, try the Challenge Mode & see if you can play all 33 songs without killing the phonograph. I should warn you that it'll take you around 90 minutes to play all 33 songs. If you REALLY think you've gotten the songs down at a certain difficulty, try Jam Mode & see if you can remember the patterns.

Got friends (preferrably with bongos), there's multiplayer modes to enjoy including Jam Sessions, where up to 4 players can play together on all the songs & each player will have their own part to play. All you have to wonder is "Is it in you?"