Donkey Kong Country

 Game Boy Advance
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
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  1. Gamestyle
    70
    A game of this overall technical sheen that can really make you smile and take notice, doesn't come along every day... in fact it comes along every nine years. If you've not sampled it before, now is the time.
  2. GamePro
    70
    Though not quite a substitute for the SNES version, DKC is still higher quality than 90 percent of the GBA's action lineup right now.
  3. All Game Guide
    70
    Despite a distinct lack of impressive new features, Donkey Kong Country is nonetheless an enjoyable platform game offering around 10-15 hours of play (expect to devote even more time to get a 101% completion rate) and generally pleasing visuals and sound even if they aren't up to the level of the Super NES version.
  5. Gaming Age
    67
    While Donkey Kong Country doesn’t have the ageless appeal of say, "Super Mario World," it still holds its own. The game would have scored higher had Nintendo added more new features to the game.
  6. GameSpy
    65
    On GBA, the second verse is the same as the first -- just a little bit smaller and it seems a bit worse.
  7. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    60
    Besides the graphics, which still look good, the game has not held up well. [July 2003, p.118]
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Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
14
#14 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
34
#34 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 89 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 78 out of 89
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 89
  3. Negative: 3 out of 89
  1. rapidrack
    Sep 23, 2012
    4
    I never really liked this game, and I don't understand why it was so popular. The first few worlds are okay, and they have a certain originalI never really liked this game, and I don't understand why it was so popular. The first few worlds are okay, and they have a certain original charm about them, but from about halfway on, the level design takes a turn for the abysmal. I found myself experiencing not fun, but mostly frustration, just like I did when this first came out on the SNES. There were countless times when I put my whole heart into getting through a tough portion of a level, only to get killed by a tiny projectile rocketing into the screen too fast to react to. It seems to be a theme throughout the game, and it gives the feeling that the developers just don't like you. On top of that, you may find like I did that the levels become too long, and it is no fun playing a good while getting through one part, dying because of one tiny mistake, and having to repeat a huge portion all over again. I frequently found myself edging along slowly and carefully through a level because there is no way of reacting to some of the things that are thrown at you apart from memorizing them. I don't think Rare playtested these levels with a normal audience.

    Play the first three worlds and you've essentially seen everything you're going to see in this game of heavily recycled graphics. It is just aesthetic, but I have an aesthetic side I can't ignore, and it does affect me when the first level feels extremely similar to the fifteenth, or the fiftieth. Even the bosses suffer from recycling, and they're not that interesting to begin with.

    Aside from that, the hitboxes aren't clear. The shape of the characters and level elements makes it very hard to tell exactly where you'll get hit, or where you can stand. It may sound minor, but for me it was a constant annoyance throughout the game. I can't count the times I was hit or missed a platform because I wrongly estimated the position of hitboxes

    The bright patch in the game for me was figuring out the "puzzle" like elements in the levels. They really do require you to think and act carefully, and it feels great when you overcome an obstacle. Unfortunately, the very un-puzzle-like deaths you usually suffer afterwards overshadow it with a feeling of being cheated, losing progress through no fault of your own, and then having to redo the puzzles you already solved. This could have been avoided with more checkpoints, and less reflex-based obstacles.

    Rare to me has always seemed like that developer who is convinced in his own mind that he's just as good or better than all the others, and you feel bad for them because they're embarrassing themselves without knowing it. Rare games have every appearance of being good, but look a little deeper and you usually find they're just mimicing other good games

    I do feel very negatively about DKC games, and I'm not being hateful, I really do just think they're bad, and I can't see how anyone could enjoy them for any considerable amount of time.    … Full Review »
  2. chronoT
    Sep 5, 2012
    9
    A true gaming classic, a title that introduced the best 3D platforming available. This game is where it all began, an epic quest for stolenA true gaming classic, a title that introduced the best 3D platforming available. This game is where it all began, an epic quest for stolen bananas! What I like best about the original compared to 2 and 3 is the world. Even though it is more basic, it is a treat to look at and I get a special feeling inside every time I think of the rainy jungle or snowy mountain levels. Another great aspect is the difficulty, which is definitely there and collecting all the extras such as DK coins was extremely challenging. Some of the boss fights were a bit too easy but King K. will challenge you at the end. Overall I have great feelings about this and the second, Diddy Kong's Quest.… Full Review »
  3. Smg7
    Jun 29, 2023
    7
    Fun game, the controls feel responsive, and the levels are fun. Secrets can be a bit cryptic at times though, and the bosses kinda suck. IFun game, the controls feel responsive, and the levels are fun. Secrets can be a bit cryptic at times though, and the bosses kinda suck. I like the gba sountrack tho… Full Review »
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