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. Beastprogamer
    Oct 23, 2015
    7
    This game is decent. It's not my favourite Donkey Kong game in the series; however this game is the most unique from others: It's the first 3D Donkey Kong game. The story and controls are fine. King K. Rool is awesome. The character models look good. The Graphics are okay. The Intro is so awesome, it's DK Rap. I like the Smash Bros. Remix slightly better though. Great game though, and youThis game is decent. It's not my favourite Donkey Kong game in the series; however this game is the most unique from others: It's the first 3D Donkey Kong game. The story and controls are fine. King K. Rool is awesome. The character models look good. The Graphics are okay. The Intro is so awesome, it's DK Rap. I like the Smash Bros. Remix slightly better though. Great game though, and you should either pick it up, or download it.… Expand
  2. BillS.
    Oct 20, 2005
    10
    This is da best game ever.You suck rustys for given it a 3.if you had a mind you would realize it is 1 of da best n64 games.
  3. SilentNinja
    Sep 3, 2005
    10
    This game is so cool it reminds me of my old friends. he he . . .i still have the rap memorized!
  4. AlyssaW.
    Jul 24, 2006
    10
    This is a wicked awesome game! Rusty you are SOO stupid if you hate this game. I think this game has alot to it and can be challengeing and fun! Me and my brother play it all the time and my brother had this game since he has been 6 and now he's 18 and still hasn't beaten it!
  5. JonathanG.
    May 21, 2006
    10
    Freakn awesome game. Rusty just does not have his head screwed on right. DK all the way.
  6. RobertA.
    Feb 21, 2004
    7
    I completely demolished this game when it came out....about 2 months after i got it i had it beatin 100%.
  7. Daggdroppen
    Jan 4, 2016
    6
    Im playing this game on my Wii U with HDMI 55" TV!

    Graphics: 9/10
    Sound: 6/10
    Controls: 3/10
    Overall: 6/10

    I never played it back in the days. Sure it looks very nice, but it has aged for worse than Mario 64.

    Donkey Kong 64 didnt survive the test of time :/
  8. CesarG.
    May 8, 2005
    9
    My daughter loves this game.
  9. J.M.
    Jun 20, 2005
    9
    I thought this was a cool game, I may not play it anymore but I remembered how cool it was, the sound, the graphics for it's time. The only problem is that there could have been more challenge because there could have been more moves and more minigames and stuff.
  10. Whatsyourtipple?....apintthereof
    Apr 12, 2004
    10
    Oh come on! this game is a god damn classic!
  11. BrandenL
    Jul 10, 2008
    9
    Hmm. well for one thing, DK64 came out in 1999, and it hasn't even been 10 years since release, so if your brother was 6 when it came out, wouldn't he be about 16-17 by then? And by the way, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that goes for all of you below me, so he can give the game the score whatever he wants. i give the game a 8. it was fun, it wasn't perfect, Hmm. well for one thing, DK64 came out in 1999, and it hasn't even been 10 years since release, so if your brother was 6 when it came out, wouldn't he be about 16-17 by then? And by the way, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that goes for all of you below me, so he can give the game the score whatever he wants. i give the game a 8. it was fun, it wasn't perfect, it was fun while it lasted, but i consider even DKC2 a better game (obviously).… Expand
  12. SamH.
    May 28, 2006
    9
    There are WAY too many collectibles in this game but the gameplay, graphics, and most of all, the music makes up for the game.
  13. ALMSOUD94
    Jun 15, 2016
    5
    The Game was innovated And Great Back in The Old Days, But Time Past and The Game started to Aged not in Good Way, Constastly Backtracking, Bad Game Design, Forced Mini Games, but The Game still have DK Charm
  14. 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
  15. 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.
  16. mr123
    May 21, 2018
    6
    OK I think this game is good but not 10/10 good. I think this because the game has lots of things to do but I think those tasks are just not all that fun. For example you need to switch characters while playing but only certain kongs can do certain things making you go back to the tag barrel every time you need to do something new. Which can make the game tedious and boring at times. ButOK I think this game is good but not 10/10 good. I think this because the game has lots of things to do but I think those tasks are just not all that fun. For example you need to switch characters while playing but only certain kongs can do certain things making you go back to the tag barrel every time you need to do something new. Which can make the game tedious and boring at times. But the bosses are great and they wanted me to come back to the main game. And the minecart sections are fun and provide a fair challenge. But it is only these things and the music that make me not want to give this game a 4/10 so with those in mind dk64 gets 6/10… Expand
  17. YoloDuckTV
    Dec 30, 2018
    6
    Dinkey Kong 64 is a stupid game. Its a 3D platformer on the n64 with bad platforming. its a collectathon with too many collectibles. Its a game with a lot of **** moments, and yet i still kinda like it. When I first played this game I thought it was a 4/5 really good game, but after looking back at my experience, and watching videos on it. I realized how stupid a lot of **** in this gameDinkey Kong 64 is a stupid game. Its a 3D platformer on the n64 with bad platforming. its a collectathon with too many collectibles. Its a game with a lot of **** moments, and yet i still kinda like it. When I first played this game I thought it was a 4/5 really good game, but after looking back at my experience, and watching videos on it. I realized how stupid a lot of **** in this game is. But before I talk about the **** in this game. Lets talk about what I really like in this game. I love the soundtrack. Grant Kirkhope is a genius and he nails the soundtrack, he really does a good job giving atmosphere to these levels with the music alone. Like frantic factory the dark gloomy sounding music is a perfect representation of the theme of the level and the dark factory setting. The music is incredible. Also I love the DK Rap. I always really like the level design. Yes. I know that each level involves constant back tracking and character specific areas. But the overall level designs themselves are really cool. The Crystal Caves look beautiful for n64, Fungi Forest you get to climb a giant mushroom, and travels to different parts of the forest, and creepy castle. Which is probably my favorite level in the whole game. For some reason the last 3 levels are like the best levels in the game. I also like some of the boss fights. The second dogaddon fight where you turn giant with chunky and punch him. The jack n the box boss fight is pretty cool. And one of the best fights on the n64, King K. Rool. This fight is so god damn good that I wish all the boss fights were like this. Honestly I've been sitting here trying to think of something else I really liked about the game and I just can't, the different characters all have kinda unique personalities I guess. Their different abilities are pretty cool. It's satisfying when you get a banana, or overcome some challenge. OK lets get to the **** 1. BACKTRACKING. When I first played the game I didn't really mind all the backtracking and running through enormous levels just trying to figure out whats going on. But looking back I realize how boring and tedious it actually is. And this could of easily been fixed if you could just push a button, it brings up a screen with all the kongs, and you could just pick one. Why do you have to go back to the barrel so many god damn times. I swear this game has more backtracking than any other damn game. 2. ABSOLUTE ASSETRY. This game pissed me off so much when I played it, that I still writhe whenever i think about these parts in the game. Every single barrel mini game is **** Beaver Bother makes me wanna burn an orphanage down. The slot machine game makes me wanna commit a felony. And all the others suck too. The race with the dune bug in the desert, is suppose to be cool, but it sucks complete ass. All the mine cart segments are ass. The arcade donkey kong mini game isn't that fun, and is also mandatory to beat the game. AND THE WORST SECTION IN ANY GAME EVER MADE. A CHALLENGE THAT WAS DESIGNED BY SATAN HIMSELF TO BE THE WORST **** STAIN ON AN OTHERWISE DECENT GAME. A SECTION SO FOUL THAT SADDAM HUSSEIN WOULD LOOK AT IT AND SAY "THAT'S EVIL." The god damn second rabbit race is the worst section in any video game ever made. I'd rather beat dark souls with key board controls, than ever experience this abomination of video game design. This race demands perfection with every god damn hop with every turn, with everything in general. Not only do you have experience the worst thing in video games. Period. But you have to revisit the level after you get an ability for lanky. And now that I realized I could've cheesed it with a simple glitch. Just makes me livid. Anyway donkey kong 64 is alright. 6/10… Expand
  18. Leontorres7
    Nov 15, 2018
    9
    This is really a great game, there is so much to love about it, must play for sure!
  19. Zeldafan81
    Sep 18, 2019
    10
    It holds up. You can't play this game and not laugh, smile and have a good time
  20. GeoKaiser
    Jan 14, 2020
    10
    The best 3d platform game along with super mario 64,excellent graphics and variety in gameplay
  21. 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
  22. ShawnL
    Dec 8, 2008
    10
    The best game I will ever play! The collectibles, the music, everything in this is perfect. I will remember it forever.
  23. asggamefan
    Jun 18, 2011
    9
    Still worth playing today! I loved the Donkey Kong Country series but this took it and advanced it to a whole new level. I still enjoy playing Donkey Kong Country 2 and Donkey Kong 64 today. This is a great franchise that I hope can continue to put good games together.
  24. javier_2998
    Nov 23, 2011
    9
    This game is the best game of all! I have an old Nintendo 64, my parents gave it to me as a Christmas gift when I was just 3 years old, and this game is the first video game I played in my life. Of course I could not beat this game when I was 3 years old, but recently I decided to try to beat this game and I finally did it. The Music in this game is the best game music ever. An interestingThis game is the best game of all! I have an old Nintendo 64, my parents gave it to me as a Christmas gift when I was just 3 years old, and this game is the first video game I played in my life. Of course I could not beat this game when I was 3 years old, but recently I decided to try to beat this game and I finally did it. The Music in this game is the best game music ever. An interesting plot, some levels are quite hard, but all you need to beat this game is perseverance. Best game ever!… Expand
  25. MichaeI
    Dec 21, 2010
    10
    There is no game I know of in the last few years that match up to this masterpiece. The music is memorable and catchy, the characters varied, the collectibles in large number and a joy to collect (especially when you feel like a god when you know where everything is on familiar levels). The graphics were great for the time and really there needs to be more games like it - a horde ofThere is no game I know of in the last few years that match up to this masterpiece. The music is memorable and catchy, the characters varied, the collectibles in large number and a joy to collect (especially when you feel like a god when you know where everything is on familiar levels). The graphics were great for the time and really there needs to be more games like it - a horde of collectibles that you can take your time with and enjoy instead of rushing to get to the top of a leaderboard and not truly taking in the sensation.… Expand
  26. zkonedog
    Mar 5, 2017
    4
    For the Nintendo '64 gaming system, the two pre-eminent adventure games were Mario and Zelda. Those games enthralled players with their tight gameplay and interesting stories. Unfortunately, DK '64 doesn't have that same tight gameplay, and the story was never the strong suit of the series.

    The problem with this game is obvious after about 30 minutes: It's all about collecting items,    For the Nintendo '64 gaming system, the two pre-eminent adventure games were Mario and Zelda. Those games enthralled players with their tight gameplay and interesting stories. Unfortunately, DK '64 doesn't have that same tight gameplay, and the story was never the strong suit of the series.

    The problem with this game is obvious after about 30 minutes: It's all about collecting items, and very little else. Whether it is coins, tokens, or bananas, this game quickly devolves into little more than a scavenger hunt for miscellaneous items. Making matters worse is the fact that EACH CHARACTER needs to collect each item to unlock certain features. The game is tedious enough playing just as a single character, but add in the four others and it becomes ridiculous.

    The music in this game is engaging (the DK Rap might just be the highlight of the whole experience!), but other than that nothing really stands out. If you don't mind collecting item after item, you'll like this game more than I. If you prefer a developed plot, however, than stay away at all costs.    … Expand
  27. sampearl
    Sep 23, 2011
    10
    I do agree trying to collect everything and be a completionist is VERY OVERWHELMING. I never knew where to start. BUT it is self awarding. The game is very nostalgic (at least for me) I remember watching my nephew play it when I was little and having a blast. A couple flaws, the camera is frustrating, and hard to get used to, plus, I felt the combat wasn't as good as it could be, thingsI do agree trying to collect everything and be a completionist is VERY OVERWHELMING. I never knew where to start. BUT it is self awarding. The game is very nostalgic (at least for me) I remember watching my nephew play it when I was little and having a blast. A couple flaws, the camera is frustrating, and hard to get used to, plus, I felt the combat wasn't as good as it could be, things re-spawned 5 seconds after you kill them, so there's no point to killing enemies, really.… Expand
  28. Zilcell
    Nov 8, 2011
    9
    So many items to collect in the game. You play as 5 different DK crew characters: Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Tiny Kong, Lanky Kong, and Chunky Kong. There are a lot of fun places in the game and the missions add even more fun to the game, especially the bosses.
  29. BlackPriest
    Mar 31, 2012
    10
    This is the best game ever
    I love Collecting everything and the music is awesome
  30. [Anonymous]
    Feb 12, 2005
    9
    Good but the mechanical fish is to hard it took me 5 years to beat it. also gets boring.
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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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