GENRE
	Platformer
	DEVELOPER
	Rare
	PUBLISHER
	Nintendo
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1
	CONNECTIVITY
	No
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The original Donkey Kong Country was, and still is, regarded as one of the most memorable platforming games of all time. With Rare already revolutionising the platforming genre combining new and refreshing elements of gameplay with stunning rendered graphics, creating a sequel which not only meets, but exceeds the original is no easy task. Amazingly, Donkey Kong Country 2 manages to hit the bullseye, serving gamers with a refreshing take on the gameplay gamers couldn't get enough of, and even improving on the formula by adding new challenges, new characters and a pirate ship full of new abilities.

visuals

The graphics were the original's main attraction, and many were disappointed with the original DKC for GBA’s washed out presentation. Does DKC2 offer more of the same? For the most part, DKC2’s graphics appear to be far less washed out, with most levels appearing almost exactly as they did on the SNES. Unfortunately, a few of the backdrops in some of the darker levels have been made brighter and as a result don’t quite compare to the original. In the case of the most darkest levels, the roller coaster levels in Krazy Kremland, the backdrop has been completely redrawn, replacing the original’s dark starry night sky with a orange sunset background instead. As you can expect, this revamped backdrop doesn’t quite carry the same effect as the original. In fact, it looks quite terrible when compared to the SNES version. But why such a drastic change when the GBA is supposed to be a more powerful system than the 15-year-old SNES? While the GBA’s internal hardware is technically superior, it's budget, low resolution, front-lit screen can in no way compete with even the screen of the most standard of television sets, and with the DKC series containing so many dark-ish themed worlds, altering the brightness and redrawing entire backdrops is obviously something that just had to be done in order for sprites to be seen clearly on the GBA’s inferior screen.

But setting aside comparisons with the original, DKC2's graphics are still easily among the best the GBA has ever produced. In fact, you'll still be hard pressed to find a GBA game that looks better.

audio

Audio wise, DKC2 features one of the most stunning soundtracks to ever be heard in a videogame. These tracks have been written so beautifully, they’ll be implanted in your brain for a long, long time to come, making the experience even more enjoyable and memorable than you ever thought possible. Of course, the GBA’s budget mono speaker can in no way compare with even the most standard of television speaker systems, so while the soundtrack is amazingly catchy, it inevitably sounds a little cheap and tinny when compared to the SNES version. Again, this is no fault of Rare’s, in fact it’s quite a testament that Rare were able to retain much of the original score’s effect despite the GBA’s inferior speakers. And hey, if you’ve never had the chance to listen to the original game’s soundtrack, you won’t notice a thing.

Most of the original’s sound effects were also ported over perfectly, however a few enemy sound bites have either been replaced, or in the case of the Klobber, removed entirely. But aside from comparisons to the original, DKC2 for GBA features one of the most amazing, dynamic and enjoyable soundtracks ever presented on the Game Boy Advance.

gameplay

Storywise, DKC2 picks up right where the original left off. Except this time around, the stolen treasure isn't Donkey Kong's Banana Horde, it's the big gorilla himself. So, Diddy, and his new gal Dixie, set out for Crocodile Isle, to rescue their primate pal. As with the original, DKC2 takes us through several uniquely themed worlds, both in terms of gameplay and visuals, starting from the bottom of the bay on K.Rool's abandoned ship, trick track trecking through volcanos, haunted forests, swamps, beehives, castles, and even an amusement park. What's so refreshing about each world is each is completely different from not only the original game, but also from each other. Each world presents it's own series of different challenges and gameplay mechanics to become accustomed to, constantly challenging gamers through the entire adventure.

In addition to the main game, Rare have included a few brand new side challenges, all of which are instantly accessable from the game’s main menu. First up is Diddy’s Dash, which challenges you to finish any level you’ve already conquered as quickly as possible. Unlike the DK Attack mode in the original DKC, there’s no time limit this time round. Instead, the timer counts upwards, presenting a much easier challenge than the original.

multiplayer

Accessible from the main menu are several all-new multiplayer mini-games:

• Expresso’s Racing
• Funky’s Flights
• Bag a Bug

Expresso’s Racing is a single or multiplayer side scrolling race playing as Expresso, against several over Expresso-esq creatures.

Funky’s Flights puts Diddy Kong in Pilot Mode as you navigate Funky’s gyrocopter through several unique challenges, all of which are multiplayer enhanced.

And finally there’s Bag a Bug, presenting an overhead challenge as Diddy must capture as many bugs as possible without being caught by Klubba.

These side challenges are fun alternatives from the main adventure, and while they don’t have much long-term appeal, it’s really great to see Rare go all the way in adding some challenging new content.

overall

So what's not to like? Besides the very minor graphical and sound issues, even Simon Cowell would struggle to find any major faults with this performance. DKC2 improves upon an already amazing platforming formula, adding elements that make you wonder how on Earth we ever did without them in the prequel. The only thing that's really noticeably absent from the game is the big cheese, or in this case, banana himself. Donkey Kong isn't featured as a playable character at all, which may come as a shock to anyone expecting to be able to play as Donkey Kong in a Donkey Kong game. And interestingly, unlike most GBA games these days, DKC2 isn’t rumble enhanced.

While DKC2 for GBA doesn’t quite meet it’s SNES counterpart in terms of visuals and audio, at the end of the day it doesn’t matter. Why? Because ten years on, DKC2 is still one of the most enjoyable and memorable gaming experiences you’ll ever have, presenting pure platforming goodness from top to bottom, surpassing the original DKC (and pretty much every 2D platformer that has succeeded it) in almost every way imaginable. If you’ve got the original, you’ll no doubt know what it’s all about, and if you’re new to DKC2, needless to say, it’s a must-own. Bring on DKC3!

9.5/10