Feat. Game 03.20.2005 - Donkey Konga

[Lord Nepenthean]

Donkey Konga

[img width=145 align=right]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/games/U-076/bf/U-076-S-03350-A.jpg[/img]Week: 2005.03.20 - 2005.03.26
Game: Donkey Konga
Console: Nintendo GameCube
Year: 2004
RFG ID #: U-076-S-03350-A
Part #: DL-DOL-GKGE-USA
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Namco
Genre: Unique
Sub-Genre: Music Simulator
Players: 1-4

Game page address: http://www.rfgeneration.c...l?ID=U-076-S-03350-A&
Screenshots: http://www.rfgeneration.c...hot.pl?ID=U-076-S-03350-A

For the first time in three weeks, our featured game is a game that actually doesn't completely suck.  In fact, it's generally regarded as one of the best games on GameCube.  According to our collection script data, it seems that quite a few of you own this game, so perhaps this is at least a little bit of evidence to support the high ratings Donkey Konga has received in so many reviews.

Are you all hooked?  Gotten others hooked too?  Any thoughts on how this game compares to other similar rhythm games (like Samba de Amigo and Taiko: Drum Master)?  Whatever your thoughts are on Donkey Konga are, we'd like to hear them right here.

[CatchFiveBats]

I bought Donkey Konga at release, and although I loved it at first, I just couldn't get hooked on it.  Don't get me wrong, it's a great game, and I can definitely see how it would get addictive.  I just couldn't get into it for some reason.  Either way, I still give it a 9.5/10 simply because when I did play it, I had a great time.

-CFB

[Izret101]

Same as CFB It is a really good game.

Lots of great songs too.
I ranked it high because it was very enjoyable to play but it didn't addict me nearly as much as many other games did.

Th bongos were a cool controller idea.
The mini games were kind of lacking though. And the challenge mode where you had to memorise the notes for every song in order to win was pretty hadcore as was much of the gorrilla mode.
It allows for real skill to emerge rather than repetition and memorizatio.
Even in a light hearted game like this.

I never did get to play it multiplayer it is supposed to be alot of fun but i can't see it being any different than other rythem games in this aspect. DDR and its PC counter part StepMania(which i played much much more)

[tholly]

Finally, a featured game that I own.....and I loved it.  I bought it the day that it came out...I wasn't even planning on getting it.  I went to the store, the EB guy asked if I wanted it (I guess they were pushing a new game) and I said sure.

It's a great game...gets you addicted very quickly and is fun to play with a bunch of people....but, I'm just happy I've actually played a featured game.

[TraderJake]

I own the game and I love it, I didn't buy the game the day it came out, but I will be getting volume two the day it comes out. Donkey Konga is extremely addictive and a fun game for anyone.  Who ever thought that playing with bongos could be fun? Fact is that it is extremely fun, and it has spent the most time in the Gamecube since I bought it.  It does feel weird playing classical songs on the bongos though, but I can get over it really quick.

As for its relation to other rhythm games, I would say that it is similar most to Taiko Drum Master. While the controller is different there still are four basic notes that you can hit, and the structure of the songs are set up exactly the same way that they are in Donkey Konga. Taiko does have an extra difficulty level though, and it does have a crazy Japanese charm that does not exist in Donkey Konga. But then Donkey Konga has Donkey Kong, and who doesn't love Donkey Kong?

There is also that other game that uses the DK Bongos, but that is a whole other ball park and a whole other discussion, all I can say is that what I have played of it kicks major butt so far.

[Sauza12]

A great game indeed.  I bought this game a few weeks after it came out and brought it over to a friends house.  Within 2 hours three other people ran out to get it.  The multiplayer is the most fun I've had since Super Smash Bros. Melee.  It's just a shame that it has taken so long to get more volumes to play on.

[Lord Nepenthean]

There is a sequel already out in Japan, isn't there?  I can't say I know for sure, but I seem to remember having read that somewhere.

[Sauza12]

They are already up to volume 3 in Japan.  

[den68]

This is one of the very few games I paid full price for. I believe it's also the only game I've ever pre-ordered.

My daughter was the reason I bought it. We played the demo at Toys R Us and she had such a blast that I had to get it for her. As it turns out I love it too. My wife, daughter and I will all take turns playing. So far I've only managed to beat 2 songs in Gorilla difficulty, it's pretty tough.

Great game though, looking forward to the sequel with more tunes to play.