Donkey Kong 64

 Nintendo 64
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 319 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 260 out of 319
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 319
  3. Negative: 14 out of 319
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  1. GameMan2005
    Aug 22, 2023
    8
    Really ambitious and fun game but some QoL like being able to swap Kongs on the fly would make it amazing.
  2. 113
    Apr 27, 2023
    8
    Mario 64 has aged incredibly well. This game revolutionised gaming: the first Mario 3d platformer. And what a good game it was! I really enjoyed getting all 128 stars (twice because I loved the game so much). Despite the n64's controller (remember it?) The controls were actually good, and the different levels are varied have just the right difficulty. Although my favorite game is Dead orMario 64 has aged incredibly well. This game revolutionised gaming: the first Mario 3d platformer. And what a good game it was! I really enjoyed getting all 128 stars (twice because I loved the game so much). Despite the n64's controller (remember it?) The controls were actually good, and the different levels are varied have just the right difficulty. Although my favorite game is Dead or Alive Paradise (which I have finished 4 times due to the hot girls playing volleyball and incredible and realistic Boob jiggle physics...) this game is the best n64 game and an incredible Mario game.… Expand
  3. LFG199YT
    Feb 3, 2023
    8
    Absolutely beautiful music and storytelling, but the gameplay gets really tedious really fast. Once you unlock all the kongs, you may as well call it. Still love the game though.
  4. smahlt
    Sep 7, 2022
    8
    Very good and not flawless. If you could change kongs at any time, and if they fixed some of the more annoying minigames, this would be an easy 9/10,
  5. LuckyLever
    Aug 22, 2022
    8
    Good game with an awesome soundtrack and funny characters but Beaver Bother and the beetle races are painful
  6. floofdog124
    Apr 1, 2022
    10
    Honestly this is the best Donkey Kong game in the series.
    It's art style and the way its played reminds me of a series call Banjo Kazooie. (former title of n64)
    Fun collectibles, honesty when I found the golden bananas, or the banana fairies i felt a fun sense of accomplishment! My personal favorite part is when your in the boxing ring with King k rool. Over all one of my favorite n64    Honestly this is the best Donkey Kong game in the series.
    It's art style and the way its played reminds me of a series call Banjo Kazooie. (former title of n64)
    Fun collectibles, honesty when I found the golden bananas, or the banana fairies i felt a fun sense of accomplishment!
    My personal favorite part is when your in the boxing ring with King k rool.
    Over all one of my favorite n64 games would 99% recommend this game!
    One little nitpick of mine with this game would be the 3d platforming could be a little tricky with the standard n64 joystick.    … Expand
  7. superlakitu64
    Mar 20, 2022
    10
    Ich denke, wer dieses Spiel jemals gespielt hat, der kann auf dieses Spiel nicht mehr ganz objektiv schauen. Es wirft mich zurück in so viele wundervolle Erinnerungen heiteren Spielspaßes.
    ich kann nicht anders als diesem Spiel eine 10/10 zu geben!
  8. Azaiku
    Nov 29, 2021
    10
    The Donkey Kong series is one of the most different adventure video games! The characters, the action, and the sure thrill of adventure makes this game a fun non-stop playing time! Below is a brief look how I think the game is!

    Game Play: The game play is very good. There is really basic controls here and is easy to perform. Novice gamers should have a good time here! Graphics: The    The Donkey Kong series is one of the most different adventure video games! The characters, the action, and the sure thrill of adventure makes this game a fun non-stop playing time! Below is a brief look how I think the game is!

    Game Play: The game play is very good. There is really basic controls here and is easy to perform. Novice gamers should have a good time here!

    Graphics: The graphics are wonderful especially for the N64! The backgrounds are really beautiful!

    Difficulty: The game is easy but as it goes on you find out that it will become more difficult!

    Music: The music is great! Just fantastic catchy tunes through out the game! In My opinion its some of the best music ever in a video game!

    Sound: The sound is great. Nuff said!

    Overall: I have always loved Donkey Kong 64! If you like excellent adventure up games then I strongly recommend you play this game!    … Expand
  9. Jahir22
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    Kkkkjkjjkjkkkkkkkkkjjkjkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
  10. 2bitplayss
    Apr 12, 2021
    10
    one of my favorite games ever. yes this game has problems. camera sucks everything is seperated between kongs.
    but i think in order to enjoy this game today you need a form of nostalgia for it
    if u play a level one kong at a time its a blast.
    bosses are great.
    and donkey kong says OK so its an automatic 10/10
    ans also there is the dk rap that makes it 20/10
  11. mannamaker
    Mar 8, 2021
    10
    It's a must have, must play n64 title, the expansion pak usage was an issue with de devs team, so it doesn't use it as intended. Anyway, excelent title!
  12. neojotic
    Aug 27, 2020
    10
    This game is a prime example of Rareware's dominance in N64 development. This game puts DK and all his friends into a 3D world carrying on the tradition from DKC. The levels are fantastic and controlling DK and his friends in an open 3D world is an exciting experience.

    There has not been a DK game since that has really made a mark like this one and the one's released before this one.    This game is a prime example of Rareware's dominance in N64 development. This game puts DK and all his friends into a 3D world carrying on the tradition from DKC. The levels are fantastic and controlling DK and his friends in an open 3D world is an exciting experience.

    There has not been a DK game since that has really made a mark like this one and the one's released before this one.

    A must have for any Nintendo fan and could be named a top 5 game for the console.    … Expand
  13. KowieT
    Aug 19, 2020
    9
    I busted out the Wii U to play this game again.
    The music, the collecting, the primates, everything about this game oozes nostalgia for me. I was finally able to play this game to completion now that I'm older and more patient.
    The idea to change characters mid level is neat, but I have always hated when I find a small hoard of bananas that belong to a monkey I haven't traversed that far    I busted out the Wii U to play this game again.
    The music, the collecting, the primates, everything about this game oozes nostalgia for me. I was finally able to play this game to completion now that I'm older and more patient.
    The idea to change characters mid level is neat, but I have always hated when I find a small hoard of bananas that belong to a monkey I haven't traversed that far with yet, but they had to pad the game out a little to give us more meat.
    My biggest gripe with this game has to be the mini games. At first they aren't that bad, but by the time you get to the 3rd world the mini games start to repeat themselves. The mini games are exactly the same but now you have more items to collect in a lesser amount of time. I know the N64 had limitations, but variety would've been nice.
    And holy mother of pearl do I HATE the mine cart levels in this game! I'll take the hardest kart ride or barrel rocket from the new Donkey Kong Country game by Retro Studios tenfold over this **** These were the most anger inducing portions of DK64 and made me question if 101% is worth it. In the end, I'm glad I stuck to it and finished the game.
    This could have been the Wii U version not being optimized, but once I got to 150+ golden bananas I had several game crashes. I was worried that my obsessive "collect everything before progressing to the next level" mentality was breaking the game.
    For a great blast to the past, boot this game up, but 101% completion wasn't as rewarding as I'd hoped. I the words of The Completionist, "I give this game my Completionist rating of 'Finish it'."    … Expand
  14. TheBeast11
    Jun 15, 2020
    9
    One of the best Nintendo 64 games, providing fun that lasts many hours (a point that many complain about, for a variety of collectibles that tire), in addition to a problematic camera, which does not diminish the fun that Donkey Kong 64 provided at the time. Very beautiful graphics, spectacular soundtrack, gameplay that flows smoothly, making the game one of the best of its generation.
  15. ChesterField
    May 1, 2020
    9
    Platform game that despite being quite expensive at that time (about € 80 today) and needing a transfer pack (included in the game) is still a jewel of the Nintendo 64. Personally one of my donkey kong preferred.
  16. GeoKaiser
    Jan 14, 2020
    10
    The best 3d platform game along with super mario 64,excellent graphics and variety in gameplay
  17. Zeldafan81
    Sep 18, 2019
    10
    It holds up. You can't play this game and not laugh, smile and have a good time
  18. siphus007
    Jul 11, 2019
    9
    Donkey Kong 64 is a shockingly impressive and good-looking collectible-based adventure platformer of the 90s. It gets a bad rap simply because several video game commentators choose to target this game as the point where "collectibles went horribly wrong". This is confusing to me, because collectibles were a part of nearly all N64 platformers, as well as many current gen and recent games,Donkey Kong 64 is a shockingly impressive and good-looking collectible-based adventure platformer of the 90s. It gets a bad rap simply because several video game commentators choose to target this game as the point where "collectibles went horribly wrong". This is confusing to me, because collectibles were a part of nearly all N64 platformers, as well as many current gen and recent games, which provides the classic *100% completion* hunt for players who enjoy that sort of thing.

    DK64 is a masterpiece in doing what it intends to do -- provide 30-45 hours of engaging platforming (and very, very light "third person shooter") gameplay with various characters who learn multiple unique abilities over time. Because of this gameplay style, you are opening up new areas constantly -- with a nearly Metroidvania feel -- while exploring dynamically lit, animated, and rendered, giant group of worlds.

    The biggest frustration may come in the fact that you often have to switch between characters at confusing or inopportune times to use one of their abilities to solve a puzzle or reach the next banana. But I love it. There are 201 bananas spread out through gorgeous and expansive levels, and the fact that you are often switching between characters keeps the gameplay fresh, and gives many new ways for them to throw puzzles at you. By the time you've found ~90% of the collectibles, the hunt may get stale, but at that point, you are entering completionist-only territory, which means that you know what you're getting yourself into.

    While Mario 64 revolutionized 3D platforming, DK64 took everything that Nintendo had built, and added more variety, options, abilities, and even a fun multiplayer mode... well... at least for 1999. The graphics were excellent for the time, but I will admit that the textures start to look pretty bland, and the framerate often drops. The game does so much with lighting that the system can't always handle it, but thankfully it never crashes (with help from the memory expansion pack). The camera does have some issues, but it's a rare annoyance. The music is pleasant, and the game has a ton of heart, humor and silliness that is ridiculously endearing. It doesn't have much of a story, but cutscenes and sequences and the developing dynamic and structure of the island, and routes that are opened up, do give it the slightest story-like feel to it, even if this part is a bit lacking.

    I'm not sure why this game gets the brunt of collectible-rage (other than holding a collectible world record), as I could give dozens of examples of games that take far more than 40 or so hours to collect all the nonsense, and at least DK64 keeps it extremely fresh as you tackle each banana. Give it a shot, and soak up one of the last versions of pure Nintendo 64 platformer brilliance.    … Expand
  19. not-john-locke
    Feb 19, 2019
    10
    One of the great N64 games. The game looks fantastic-- especially considering the limitations on the console-- with vivid colors, cool lighting effects, and lively character designs and animations. And the sounds of this game are something else-- the music is absolutely brilliant, and the sound effects really help bring the world to live, being just cartoony enough without goingOne of the great N64 games. The game looks fantastic-- especially considering the limitations on the console-- with vivid colors, cool lighting effects, and lively character designs and animations. And the sounds of this game are something else-- the music is absolutely brilliant, and the sound effects really help bring the world to live, being just cartoony enough without going overboard. The controls are smooth and responsive, with each character having it's own set of specialized moves. And the world is fun to explore, with some of the best level design the N64 ever saw. I know this game gets a lot of grief for taking the 'collectathon' concept too far, but i always found it fun figuring out how to get those last bananas in each level. It's my opinion that this is the best 3D platformer Rare ever made.… Expand
  20. gamecatz
    Jan 28, 2019
    10
    A lot of people have negative opinions about this game because of it massive amount of collectibles, but AlyssaW is right. This is still an AMAZING game. This is the kind of game that really challenges you. It has got some flat out nice worlds. Jungle Japes, Crystal Caves, Creepy Castle, Frantic Factory, Fungi Forest, they're very neat. Sure the graphics aren't the best, but the game stillA lot of people have negative opinions about this game because of it massive amount of collectibles, but AlyssaW is right. This is still an AMAZING game. This is the kind of game that really challenges you. It has got some flat out nice worlds. Jungle Japes, Crystal Caves, Creepy Castle, Frantic Factory, Fungi Forest, they're very neat. Sure the graphics aren't the best, but the game still has some great level design and gameplay. If anyone was to ask me what world I think would most likely be poorly designed I would probably just say Gloomy Galleon. Even though it seemed like inside the giant mushroom of Fungi Forest that Rare was being lazy and putting the color-coated bananas everywhere so they could cut the players some slack. Although, This issue still does not affect the game. I for one think this game in my opinion is even better than Banjo-Tooie. Metacritic, you MUST rate this a Must-Play. I don't care what people say about this game. It's great, fun, amazing, and the only thing Donkey Kong got close to having a 3D Platformer. If anything, the game that fans should really give Rare a hard time for making is Jet Force Gemini. Though, it doesn't have as many collectibles as Donkey Kong 64, but its intense difficulty would really make it seem that way.… Expand
  21. Leontorres7
    Nov 15, 2018
    9
    This is really a great game, there is so much to love about it, must play for sure!
  22. Amora
    Apr 2, 2018
    9
    Donkey Kong 64 is an amazing game, but a few things stopped me from making this a perfect 10. The game feels a little clunky sometimes and the amount of collectables confuses the player, but besides that it is a fun platformer that gave a good name to the Donkey Kong series and a good name to Rareware.
  23. wegie125
    Dec 3, 2017
    10
    What else can be said about this game? Everyone knows that it was amazing and still is amazing to this day. This is one of the main things that makes me so sad when I am reminded that Microsoft now owns rareware. They made amazing games like this that we will never see remastered. I would like Nintendo to try to get some of those rights though for them to remake this game. It was trulyWhat else can be said about this game? Everyone knows that it was amazing and still is amazing to this day. This is one of the main things that makes me so sad when I am reminded that Microsoft now owns rareware. They made amazing games like this that we will never see remastered. I would like Nintendo to try to get some of those rights though for them to remake this game. It was truly amazing and can't ever be replicated the same way. This game would be awesome on the switch though and I know for a fact that almost everyone that owned a switch would get one and people who didn't have a switch would run to the store to get one because this game is just that good. Platforming that is just perfect, music that is just magical, and the level design is just breathtaking. They did so much right here and this stands as one of my highest rated games of all time… Expand
  24. FromKanga
    May 1, 2017
    9
    One of my favourite 3D platformers, I grew up with donkey kong so being able to play a game like this was truly magical.
    The story is like a normal donkey kong game, the villain is back so you are going to beat bosses until you meet the final boss, it's simple but funny enough.
    A lot of people said it's a collectathon and it wasn't enjoyable, as someone who likes exploring, I didn't    One of my favourite 3D platformers, I grew up with donkey kong so being able to play a game like this was truly magical.
    The story is like a normal donkey kong game, the villain is back so you are going to beat bosses until you meet the final boss, it's simple but funny enough.

    A lot of people said it's a collectathon and it wasn't enjoyable, as someone who likes exploring, I didn't mind, I actually really enjoyed it and I love the variety of characters, you have 5 different characters with great personnalities, that's the game's greatest strenght it's personnality.
    It's full of comedic moments which makes this game a blast to play throught.

    I love this game and I highly recommend it    … Expand
  25. thealexmott
    Mar 27, 2017
    8
    I have 100%-ed this game on three different occasions (2000, 2008 and 2016). As a kid 17 years ago, I was enamored with everything about this game. Every single music track stuck with me, courtesy of the incredible Grant Kirkhope. The level designs were so unique and thought-out that I could still remember where everything was years later. The characters are endearing and now my toddler isI have 100%-ed this game on three different occasions (2000, 2008 and 2016). As a kid 17 years ago, I was enamored with everything about this game. Every single music track stuck with me, courtesy of the incredible Grant Kirkhope. The level designs were so unique and thought-out that I could still remember where everything was years later. The characters are endearing and now my toddler is obsessed with Chunky and Tiny Kong.

    This game mostly holds up, but assigning 100 bananas and tons of coins to specific Kongs does lead to some annoying backtracking. Creepy Castle does the best job with colored bananas by mainly using them as paths to Golden Bananas, instead of scattered randomly through the level. Some of the barrel minigames are pretty brutal (I'm looking at you, Beaver Bother) but all in all, the game is a success.    … Expand
  26. robertogallo
    Sep 20, 2016
    8
    Rare's collecting might went a bit too far. The game is loaded with content, but collecting five hundred bananas with five different characters, having to go through the levels again and again made this the least fun of the big-named Mario 64 rip-offs.
  27. DrDoom64
    Sep 7, 2016
    10
    A true grand adventure. DK64 is one of the most beautiful, large, and fun games to play. The soundtrack fits in with one of the greatest video game soundtracks of all time, most of the tunes will 99.999999999% be stuck in your head for years to come. This is a game you TRULY feel like you on a quest/adventure, sure the 1st world may throw you off and you may think "oh just another 3DA true grand adventure. DK64 is one of the most beautiful, large, and fun games to play. The soundtrack fits in with one of the greatest video game soundtracks of all time, most of the tunes will 99.999999999% be stuck in your head for years to come. This is a game you TRULY feel like you on a quest/adventure, sure the 1st world may throw you off and you may think "oh just another 3D platform game with a jungle world" but after world 1 the rest of the worlds are pure, true, and creative worlds masterly crafted. The game controls great(that is if your playing the N64 version, and other version is a different story), the gameplay is fine if you liked games such ad Banjo Kazooie and Tooie, but if your not in to collecting stuff then this isn't the game for you. The only flaw in this game are the mini games that are sometimes VERY unfair, but many people fail to realize YOU DON'T NEED TO DO THEM unless it's a mandatory mini game. You see in DK64 some people believe you need to collect all 200 golden bananas to beat the game, hence them believing you have to do all the unfair mini games but thats not the case AT ALL, I beat this game only getting about 145-160 golden bananas, I think you can even get less to beat this game. The graphics are one of the unquestionable absolute best on the N64, better than Banjo Kazooie but not better than Tooies. The multiplayer mode is also a good time(if you have 4 people) where you and you're friends are in 1 of 3 maps seeking each other to murder one another with combat,fruit guns, and grenades. If the one friend gets the heat seeking ammo it's all over(unless you as well have some heat seeking ammo). At the end of the day DK64 is definitely one of the greatest N64 games period, you certainly get a lot of content for the money you spent to buy this game, heck it has MUCH MORE content then most games today(as well as better music,charm, and adventure). DK64 is about $15-$20 online and in retro stores.… Expand
  28. AGK
    Aug 23, 2016
    8
    This game was magnificently well done and well thought out. Nicely designed levels and game-play, challenging boss battles, combine all that and you got yourself fun all around for ages.
  29. GoodGameAnyway
    Jul 29, 2016
    10
    A good old classic that somehow managed to be full of modern stuff! With multiple characters, huge levels and a great variety of modes, this game really stands out of the N64 crew. Unlike Mario, exploration on exciting levels instead of doing missions is a huge part of the game and unlike Banjo, no, you don't really need to collect everything, at least not at once.

    And if that didn't    A good old classic that somehow managed to be full of modern stuff! With multiple characters, huge levels and a great variety of modes, this game really stands out of the N64 crew. Unlike Mario, exploration on exciting levels instead of doing missions is a huge part of the game and unlike Banjo, no, you don't really need to collect everything, at least not at once.

    And if that didn't sound good enough, there are also tons of minigames. Some of them can be tricky, but you can skip most if not all of them if you aren't going for 100% completion. Hey, not everyone of them is like Beaver Bother: races and mine cart rides are fun!

    If you somehow do manage to reach the 100% completion, that does NOT mean the fun ends! With multiplayer up to 4 players, you can go competitive with the Kongs. Being a good mix of fighting, shooters and platformers, the multiplayer mode is truly beautiful with all of its modes. Trust me: it's better than Super Mario 64 DS. A LOT better.    … Expand
  30. GamecubeLover
    Jul 2, 2016
    10
    I spent hours on this game and this game is an endless pool of fun. I love the variety this wonderful game has. The graphics are great and the game is enjoyable with great fun times. I recommend it.
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best N64 Game of 1999
2
#2 Most Discussed N64 Game of 1999
1
#1 Most Shared N64 Game of 1999

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Nintendorks
    90
    Rewarding gameplay, extremely deep control mechanics, beautiful graphics and sheer gameplay variety are just some of the elements that make this game a triumph.
    Read full review
  2. Gaming Maxx
    98
    Though some view this as just Banjo-Kazooie with some minor improvements, take it from me, it is far from that. Definitely a candidate that is well deserving of being this years "Game of the Year".
    Read full review
  3. TotalGames.net
    95
    There is so much to do in this enormous, indepth game that you could get sucked into its fantastically animated absorbing world and stay there for weeks. Donkey Kong 64 deseves the fanfare of being the most eagerly-awaited game since Zelda.
    Read full review
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