Diddy Kong Racing

 Nintendo 64
Diddy Kong Racing Image
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 215 Ratings

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  • Summary: Timber the Tiger's parents picked a fine time to go on vacation. When they come back, they're going to be faced with an island trashed by the spiteful space bully Wizpig - unless the local animals can do something about it! So join Diddy Kong as he teams up with Timber the Tiger, Pipsy theTimber the Tiger's parents picked a fine time to go on vacation. When they come back, they're going to be faced with an island trashed by the spiteful space bully Wizpig - unless the local animals can do something about it! So join Diddy Kong as he teams up with Timber the Tiger, Pipsy the Mouse and Taj the Genie in an epic racing adventure unlike anything you've ever experienced before!… Expand
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Diddy Kong Racing DS Gameplay Movie 1

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Electric Playground
    100
    Diddy Kong Racing is almost too good to be true. It is an exquisitely animated, color-rich racing game that bubbles over with character and charm. A triumph.
  2. GamePro
    100
    Take Diddy for a test drive and you'll be hooked. It's the smoothest ride you can buy this holiday season.
  3. Hot Games
    100
    "Mario Kart's" (at least the original one, anyway) biggest strength was its multiplayer mode and of course DKR does what Nintendo did but better.
  4. All Game Guide
    90
    Buy Diddy Kong Racing for the very good Adventure mode, but don't expect multiplayer action on the same level as the Mario Kart series.
  5. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    90
    DKR looks better than "Mario Kart," but it's a little too cutesy for us. [Jan 2004, p.189]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. IGN
    84
    Diddy Kong Racing is an excellent follow-up to the somewhat controversial "Mario Kart," improving on all of the game's weaknesses and inventing a few new additions of its own. It's the best kart game we've ever seen.
  7. GameSpot
    66
    Artificially lengthening games by making you do the same thing over and over again is my vote for the worst trend in gaming … even though this is a much better game than Kart 64 ever was.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 49
  3. Negative: 0 out of 49
  1. jacob4
    Jun 6, 2015
    10
    Who knew that racing and a fun campaign mixed so well together! That's exactly what Diddy Kong Racing did. Full of fun and iconic charactersWho knew that racing and a fun campaign mixed so well together! That's exactly what Diddy Kong Racing did. Full of fun and iconic characters from different games, challenging race tracks and challenges, crazy bosses, and even a good time racing. This isn't your typical racing game. If you like Mario Kart you'll like this game as well.… Expand
  2. Barnes1987
    Mar 6, 2017
    10
    This game was way better than anything i was expecting. I personally prefer this over Mario Kart 64. It's an amazing game and Diddy Kong'sThis game was way better than anything i was expecting. I personally prefer this over Mario Kart 64. It's an amazing game and Diddy Kong's finest hour in video games.… Expand
  4. Okevin212
    Jul 19, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game was fun I finished the story many times. After the first play through you have to collect coins then the maps get inverted it's like a different game. Multiplayer is super fun too.… Expand
  5. bestbloodyday
    May 29, 2012
    9
    Mario Kart-style racer with the characters from Donkey Kong. Long and funny game, very addictive. Although it copies Mario Kart, also DKRMario Kart-style racer with the characters from Donkey Kong. Long and funny game, very addictive. Although it copies Mario Kart, also DKR knows how to bring some new ideas like planes (so you can fly instead of just drive). Very good game in general terms.… Expand
  6. thealexmott
    Mar 27, 2017
    9
    This game gets compared to Mario Kart 64 a lot, but there are things that each game does better (and differently) than each other. While MK64This game gets compared to Mario Kart 64 a lot, but there are things that each game does better (and differently) than each other. While MK64 has better Battle Mode and the multiplayer racing is pretty equally good between them, the Adventure Mode in DKR is phenomenal. Alone or with a friend, you navigate the overworld and complete races and challenges and even fight bosses. MK64 is for multiplayer.

    DKR is for adventure.    … Expand
  7. ChesterField
    May 1, 2020
    9
    A great karting game although comparisons are inevitable with mario kart. In my opinion it is superior to its direct competition as it addedA great karting game although comparisons are inevitable with mario kart. In my opinion it is superior to its direct competition as it added new features like airplanes or ships. Good soundtrack. Essential.… Expand
  8. Yojimbo2015
    Apr 26, 2023
    6
    One of the better Mario Kart clones out there but the single player game lacks challenge and it's just not as good as its inspiration.

See all 49 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best N64 Game of 1997
4
#4 Most Discussed N64 Game of 1997
4
#4 Most Shared N64 Game of 1997