12 December 2007 - Everybody’s favourite ape is back and this time he’s jet powered! Donkey Kong Jet Race sees Donkey Kong and friends racing against each other in a series of frenetic and fun races through the jungle, the ocean and deep space to name but a few! Featuring classic Donkey Kong characters for the ultimate multi-player party racing adventure, Donkey Kong Jet Race speeds across Europe when it launches on 25 January 2008 on Wii.
Races take place on 16 tracks set over seven different terrains; Jungle, Ocean, Mount Dynamite, Desert, Glacier, Temple and Space. With three difficulty levels and with a four-player option to keep you on your toes, Donkey Kong Jet Race can turn into the ultimate social event, as you try to outpace and outwit your friends and family.
Each player takes on a character and travels using ‘barrel rocket’ engines that propel the characters forward when hit like a drum. Using the Wii Remote in innovative and different ways, each character picks up speed by alternately shaking both the Wii Remote and Nunchuk until maximum speed is reached. As soon as the jets are up to speed, shaking either the Wii Remote or the Nunchuk moves the character left or right. Characters can jump over obstacles by lifting up both controllers sharply, and shaking controllers whilst in the air allows the character to hover.
Collecting bananas enables characters to perform ‘wild moves’ – temporary boosts of power and skill, which can be combined into wild move combos that make a player’s success as much about strategy and timing as it is about speed. The banana gauge on the right hand side of the screen shows how many bananas need to be collected for the next wild move. Using the Nunchuk, wild moves are triggered by pulling the analogue stick back and releasing it, testing your precision and timing to hit the breakable objects scattered along the track. Players can also punch enemies and obstacles, as well as using the items they have collected, using the A and B buttons.
Donkey Kong Jet Race is filled with surprises including the availability of alternative vehicles like the rhino and Candy’s Challenges. In Candy’s Challenges, players must compete in normal races…but with a twist! The object of the race is not necessarily to be first across the line, but to fulfill a number of other feats, such as collecting a certain number of bananas, performing a number of wild moves, hitting a given number of enemies or beating a particular opponent in a head to head race in order to please Candy and win the contest.
Donkey Kong Jet Race features eight favourite characters from the Kong family along with eight from the Kremling Krew. Three characters from each side are available at the start, while the others are unlocked through the Grand Prix mode and Candy’s Challenges, each with different abilities and skills. The game includes familiar characters such as Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong and Kritter, as well as lesser known racers like Lanky Kong, Kas and Kip, some appearing for the first time in a Donkey Kong game. There are eight colour coded items to be collected for each side throughout the game. All characters can pick up the items along the way but picking up the correct colour for your side enhances the item’s effect on the character… so aim carefully!
Bringing chaotic fun and party elements for all the family this new year, Donkey Kong Jet Race launches across Europe on Wii on 25 January 2008 for an estimated retail price of £36 / €50.
