DK: King of Swing

 Game Boy Advance
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 30
  3. Negative: 3 out of 30
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. NintendoWorldReport
    95
    It's so good, in fact, that even if you stripped away the DK license and made it, oh, I don't know, "Raven's That's SO Swinging", you'd still have a great game. Donkey Kong is just the icing on the cake. You want innovation, but still want a full game? It's right here.
  2. eToychest
    86
    With crisp visuals, pleasant audio and lots of content, it will likely find an audience, but those looking for the next great Donkey Kong game aren't going to find it here.
  3. Nintendo Power
    80
    Daring DK fans should give the game a spin; old-schoolers may want to wait for "DKC3." [Nov 2005, p.118]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Adrenaline Vault
    80
    A great new twist on a genre that I have a hard time classifying, using an established and mature backdrop.
  6. GameSpy
    80
    It's a fantastic game that's unlike anything you've played before (except maybe Clu Clu Land on NES). Pick it up and give those shoulder buttons a workout!
  7. IGN
    78
    Simple L and R gameplay isn't enough to keep interest high all the way through, so it works best as a quick-shot experience.
  8. Game Informer
    78
    The only downside is the sometimes-frustrating level of difficulty and obtuse level design. [Nov 2005, p.182]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. N-Insanity
    76
    Donkey Kong has never been more unique and ingenious in terms of gameplay. However, ridiculous difficulty, less-than-stellar multiplayer games, boring graphics, and level design that borders on the atrocious makes King of Swing seem more like Peasant of Swing.
  10. GameZone
    75
    Even though the action does get a little repetitive, DK King of Swing is a worthy play if you're looking for something a little different.
  11. 1UP
    75
    It's almost becoming a cliché to wrap up reviews of Nintendo games with statements like, "It's not quite a complete and satisfying experience, but fans of novel gameplay should give it a try" -- unfortunately, though, there's not much else to say about Swing.

Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2005
37
#37 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 3 out of 9
  1. Supersean
    Jan 28, 2006
    8
    Lots of fun, each level has cool new tricks, and there is stuff to unlock, the R and L control is so cool. Great Music, i got it on sale for Lots of fun, each level has cool new tricks, and there is stuff to unlock, the R and L control is so cool. Great Music, i got it on sale for 20 dollars and I couldn't be more satisfied, it has multi-player! 8.5.… Full Review »
  2. RyanB.
    Oct 18, 2005
    6
    A nice try from Nintendo at trying something new, King of Swing plows into new territory with fresh game mechanics centered around the A nice try from Nintendo at trying something new, King of Swing plows into new territory with fresh game mechanics centered around the familiar Donkey Kong Universe. Unfortunately as the game goes on, the challenge spikes far faster than the player has time to keep up with; The typical old Nintendo "show them how to play through creative gameplay" is missing. After learning the basic mechanics of how to control DK, you're tossed out into the cold, where the difficulty wastes no time in ramping way up, wether you're ready for it or not. Bland, washed-out visual design and dull music only helps take this game down a few more notches.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »