After six weeks on sale, it had sold a record-breaking 6 million copies worldwide. The hugely influential Time Magazine rated it the second most innovative product - not just videogame, but - of the year. Donkey Kong Country was the Super Nintendo platformer that the whole world fell in love with - and now you can, too. First, a quick swing around the Donkey Kong family tree.
Donkey Kong Country, originally released in 1994, stars Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. But 1994's Donkey Kong is actually 1982's Donkey Kong Jr., all grown up, while the original Donkey Kong from 1981 has aged into grumpy pensioner Cranky Kong, who also cameos in this jungle-based runaround. Confused? No need. All you need to know is that this Game Pak is positively stuffed with nigh-on perfect platforming, loaded with bananas and barrels, frogs and fish, and jogging and jumping. Knuckle-drag your way around eight huge worlds, from jungle to snow-coated mountain to factory to glistening underwater wonderland, and discover more secret bits and unexpected extras than a three-layered box of chocolates.
In the quest to rescue their banana hoard from evil croc monarch King K. Rool, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong work as a team - only one is under your control at any one time, but you can switch whenever you like (or, swap turns with a friend). Donkey is the big guy - big fists, high-jumping muscle-packed legs, and able to fling big old barrels around like so many coconuts. Diddy is smaller, faster, a better swimmer and a longer jumper, and carries barrels in front of him to protect himself from the king's Kremling hordes. Exploiting the simians' strengths is the name of the game.
Donkey can use his Ground Slap to upturn pesky Klaptrap baby alligators and piledrive along platforms with the terrifying Roll move. Diddy can duck underneath giant bees, use Cartwheel Jumps to reach bonus life balloons, and avoid enemy-colliding catastrophe during minecart rides thanks to his endearing lack of height. Staying aware of each monkey's weaknesses is crucial, too - because if either Donkey or Diddy slips up, you're stuck with the other until you can resurrect his furry counterpart by tracking down a DK barrel. The visuals blew everyone away back in 1994, and they're still remarkable enough to send you flying across the room in century number 21.
Torrential rain, blizzards and lightning tear across the screen; beautiful multi-layered backgrounds are as colourful as a baboon's behind; and the monkeys and their foes possess a meatily realistic 3D look. And there's more to it all than initially meets the eye. When one of your five jungle friends - from the wall-crushing Rambi the Rhino to the gently gliding Espresso the Ostrich - arrives to lend a hand/claw/tusk/fin/etc., they'll help you access a plethora of secret areas.
Great value cameos from surf dude Funky Kong and kissing cousin Candy Kong, some splendid sonics (including a fine remix of the 1981's original Donkey Kong theme) and fishing and dancing minigames for one or two players make Donkey Kong Country a run-'n'-jump marathon that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Which reminds us: when a monkey smiles, he's about to attack. Remember that.
This description was provided by the publisher.
What you need to know
This content is sold by Nintendo of Europe AG. The payment will be made with Nintendo eShop funds usable through the Nintendo Account used to complete the purchase.
This content is sold by Nintendo of Europe AG, payable with Nintendo eShop funds usable through your Nintendo Account. The Nintendo Account Agreement applies to the purchase of this content.
This content may be purchased by users who have registered a Nintendo Account and accepted the respective legal terms. To be able to purchase content for Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family systems, a Nintendo Network ID is also required and your funds usable through the Nintendo Account must be merged with the funds tied to your Nintendo Network ID. If the funds have not yet been merged, you will have the option to do so during the purchase process. To start the purchasing process, it is necessary to sign in with the Nintendo Account and the Nintendo Network ID. After signing in it will be possible to review the details and complete the purchase.
To be able to purchase content for Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family systems, your funds usable through the Nintendo Account must be merged with the funds tied to your Nintendo Network ID. If the funds have not yet been merged, you will have the option to do so during the purchase process. You will be able to review the details and complete the purchase on the next screen.
The details of this offer apply to users who sign in using a Nintendo Account with the country setting corresponding to the country setting of this website. If the country setting of a Nintendo Account is different, the details of this offer may be adjusted (for example, the price will be displayed in the respective local currency).
After your payment has been processed, the content will be downloaded to the applicable system linked to the respective Nintendo Account, or respective Nintendo Network ID in the case of Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family systems. This system must be updated to the latest system software and connected to the internet with automatic downloads enabled, and it must have enough storage to complete the download. Depending on the system/console/hardware model you own and your use of it, an additional storage device may be required to download software from Nintendo eShop. Please visit our Support section for more information.
In the case of games that use cloud streaming technology, only the free launcher application can be downloaded.
Please make sure you have enough storage to complete the download.
After your payment has been processed, the content will be downloaded to the applicable system linked to your Nintendo Account, or your Nintendo Network ID in the case of Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family systems. This system must be updated to the latest system software and connected to the internet with automatic downloads enabled, and it must have enough storage to complete the download. Depending on the system/console/hardware model you own and your use of it, an additional storage device may be required to download software from Nintendo eShop. Please visit our Support section for more information.
In the case of games that use cloud streaming technology, only the free launcher application can be downloaded.
Please make sure you have enough storage to complete the download.
The details of the offer are displayed based on the country settings of your Nintendo Account.
The Nintendo Account Agreement applies to the purchase of this content.
The use of an unauthorised device or software that enables technical modification of the Nintendo console or software may render this game unplayable.
This product contains technological protection measures.
Content not playable before the release date: {{releaseDate}} . For pre-orders, payments will be taken automatically starting from 7 days before the release date. If you pre-order less than 7 days before the release date, payment will be taken immediately upon purchase.
