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. Game Informer
    90
    There's a certain intensity of action and sense of urgency that only a 2D platformer can deliver. This game is a great way to rediscover that feeling for yourself. [June 2003, p.118]
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  2. Deeko
    90
    Though some of the graphics have been given a downgrade and the soundtrack itself is a bit lacking, the overall quality of the game hasn't changed a bit.
  3. Play Magazine
    90
    The music in Coral Capers remains every bit as magical as it was the first time around, the new mini games are actually fun, you can now save anywhere, and Cranky's still the coolest ape on the planet. [June 2003, p.56]
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  5. Cheat Code Central
    90
    Not only is DKC a triumph graphically, but the audio is simply superb, even through the tiny speakers of the GBA (and GBA SP).
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  6. GameZone
    88
    Like an Eggo Waffle, this game is just too good to leggo.
  7. Nintendophiles
    85
    As I got more into it, the game hooked me more with deeper, more challenging levels. It also has me coming back trying to find all the bonus levels and scrapbook shots. Another great platformer for the GBA.
  8. Cinescape
    83
    While the gameplay is still fairly solid, it just isn’t quite as fun as it used to be. It didn’t blow me away and make me want to play for hour after hour.
  9. Eurogamer
    80
    Fun though DKC is, it is - as many have said in the past - rather on the short side. Stumbling through the game with a fairly good idea of where everything was, it took us about four hours to get to the final boss and dispatch him, picking up some 70 per cent of the game's secrets along the way.
  10. IGN
    80
    The gameplay is perfectly intact and the GBA version even has more stuff to do than the SNES original. But it's just disappointing to see the same environments and character art lose their detail in the move to the handheld.
  11. Gamezilla!
    80
    Worth buying to relive the fun of the original SNES game but don’t expect a whole lot more.
  12. netjak
    80
    Probably my favorite "new" feature is the DK Attack mode. This allows you to pick a level and try to complete it as fast as you can. DKC keeps track of scores of statistics, so it's nice to see if you (or someone else) can beat your time/score.
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  13. NintendoWorldReport
    80
    First-time platform gamers will enjoy this, but veterans expecting a perfect port may feel a little cheated at first.
  14. Pocket Games
    80
    DKC has staying power. Even at nearly 10-years old, it looks like it was made for the GBA. [Fall 2003, p.44]
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  15. Yahoo!
    80
    [Its] overall gameplay is nothing new and even the "extra" modes seem pretty desperate... but the base mechanics look terrific and ultra-smooth on the tiny GBA screen, and both newcomers and old-school fans alike will have something to go ape about.
  16. GamerFeed
    80
    The complete package has a bit of a sour aftertaste because of the great potential the visuals failed to reach. DKC is a perfect example where gameplay triumphs over graphics, but it's a shame that the capability was there but not taken advantage of.
  17. GameSpot
    79
    The major aspect that sets Donkey Kong Country apart from similar games is the amount of variety present in each level.
  18. Nintendo Power
    78
    Monkeys by the barrel, a five-pack of zoo chums, sprawling levels and lotsa minigames - a trip to the Country still packs in tons of gameplay. [June 2003, p.136]
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  19. Armchair Empire
    77
    The standards are accounted for: jumping, things to collect, different environment, secrets to find and bosses to defeat. But jumpin’ monkeys is this game hard!
  20. Nintendojo
    75
    The graphics are technically inferior to the original, the level design and difficulty are very inconsistent, and the attempts to add replay value are downright laughable. Still, the impressive aural elements, delightful personality, and generally fun gameplay make DKC an entertaining video game.
  21. GameNow
    75
    Blasting out of barrels, hopping onto the backs of wild animals, and swinging from vines never gets old. [July 2003, p.52]
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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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