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"WE HAVE A WINNER"!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 56 / 63
Date: January 03, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I'm sure you've read all the maligned reviews against Donkey Kong 64; now, here's a worthwhile opinion. First of all, this is probably the hardest and most frustrating platform game I have ever enjoyed. Several of the mini games had me shouting obscenities throughout the entire gameplay. There are gamers who complain about the repetetiveness of DK64--I don't think so. Yes, some of the mini games and bosses do repeat themselves, but they get more difficult as the game progresses. For instance, some mini games may add more challenge by limiting the amount of time you have to complete the given task and increasing the amount of enemies per level. Don't be fooled by people who swear this game is sooo easy. If you like fun and challenging platform games, then Donkey Kong 64 is the perfect choice. Remember, this is by no means a Mario 64 clone. DK64 is definitely one of the best games on the N64 system. My only reason for giving it 4 stars is the often troublesome camera angles.....arrrgh. Anyway, I see no earthly justification for not adding this to your collection of greats. HAVE LOADS OF FUN!

The monkey comes on a little too strong

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 37 / 43
Date: December 20, 1999
Author: Amazon User

Because this game was heralded as the second coming, I was excited to get my hands on it to say the least. Unfortunately, while not a bad game, it doesn't live up to my expectations. First things first, the graphics are gorgeous. Not only does the expansion pak use the extra 4 MB for advanced lighting effects, it allows for a bigger game. Geometry-wise this game dwarfs Nintendo's last mega hit The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The problem is, this game is too big for it's own good. There are five playable monkeys (I never thought I'd ever say that) in this game and you've got to scour each and every single level for each and every single banana, blueprint and coconut with each and every single monkey. To those who thought that Banjo-Kazooie offered a lot of gameplay hours, you're gonna pass out just trying to beat DK64. This form of gameplay (Get everything with DK in one level, get everything with Diddy in the same level, etc.) gets very old after a while and that hurts DK a lot. But then again if you go for that kind of thing you've got quite a bit to be thankful for. It all comes down to your tastes. If you loved Banjo-Kazooie and want another gigantic 3-D adventure, DK will float your boat. If you cursed B-K due to it's massive size midway through the game, steer clear of DK64.

I had a life before I got this game...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 23 / 23
Date: November 16, 1999
Author: Amazon User

Just got my hands on a pre-release version of this amazing game...all I can say is "WoW!"...This game definitely lives up to the hype. From the opening Donkey Kong hip hop music video to the multiple 3D worlds -- this game will hook you from the moment you plug this puppy in. The sheer amount of multiple mini-quests is dizzying. Get several keys to unlock your caged buddy...collect numerous gold bananas...rescue a trapped llama...yada yada yada...there is just too much to mention here. This game uses an expansion RAM pack (included) -- and it shows! Great fun that will drive you (pardon the pun) bananas!

This ain't no Mario clone

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 23 / 24
Date: November 20, 1999
Author: Amazon User

I was skeptical at first, but after getting an import of the game, but after playing the game all I can say is, "Awesome!" With the 4 Mb Expansion Pak in place the game in evry way is amazing. And the number of characters and secrets boost the replayability up tremendously. N64 owners should NOT be without this.

Kong is the ultimate King!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 24 / 26
Date: November 25, 1999
Author: Amazon User

Oh my! I can't believe how great this game is! I love Mario 64, and Banjo Kazooie is a definate favorite, but I think That DK 64 is going to be my all time most cherished 3-D Platformer. It doesn't get better than this (yet). A challenging, beautiful looking and fun filled game that I highly recommend to all! You now get the expansion pak free (I already had one so I guess I have a spare now)! Buy DK, you will love it!

The Biggest and Best Platform game for the N64

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 20 / 21
Date: December 01, 1999
Author: Amazon User

Some say the graphics are not as good as Banjo-Kazooie. I own both, and I think that DK64 looks better in every way except for the under water areas. Some say that this game is too huge, but that's good because there is soo much more to do. I have played for over 34 hours and I am only 47% done with the game (I am usually a fast player too). There are tons of tasks to do, and this game never gets boring. Like Banjo-Kazooie improved upon the Super Mario 64 formula, DK64 improves this formula also by providing better play control and much bigger worlds. The music in this game is really cool because it changes tempo when you walk to a different area like Banjo-Kazooie. The coolest thing about this game is being able to control 5 different characters with different abilities and the mine cart levels.

Frustrating, But a Lot of Fun

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 25 / 29
Date: June 15, 2001
Author: Amazon User

For me, DK64 was worth the price of the Nintendo 64. Don't get me wrong, I'm not totally happy. Gameplay is extremely frustrating at times (I have yet to master a sadistic bonus game known as "Beaver Bother"), and forced camera angles during portions of the game seem to have been deliberately designed to make play even harder (such as the overhead view in a "collect the coins while swimming" mini-game).

Overall though, Donkey Kong 64 is a lot of fun, if you give it a chance. Graphics are colorful and absorbing (though not much better than its Super Nintendo predecessors), and gameplay is addictive. I'm going through the game for the fourth time now, just to see how much time can be shaved off before completion.

This isn't a shoot-em-up, thrill-a-minute title. Exploring, collecting, and puzzle solving is involved. Enemies must be defeated, but not every five seconds. Each Kong has a different weapon to dispense with baddies when needed, using such offbeat ammo as coconuts, grapes, feathers, even peanuts!

Cranky is back to taunt the Kong family once again, but you won't get very far in the game without his "potions." Each one provides a Kong member with a new capability, such as temporary invincibility. As usual, though, Cranky offers little praise. Defeat the "Jetpac" game on his computer, for instance, and he'll swear that you must have cheated. Collect 15 banana medallions as he dictated at the game's start, and Cranky will accuse you of making them yourself.

Candy Kong re-emerges, for the first time since the original Donkey Kong Country, providing the Kongs with extra "melons" (insert your own joke here) and baddie-defeating musical instruments. Between her rather healthy appearance and double-entendres, one can't help but wonder how this game received an "E" rating!

Funky is back as well, to provide the Kongs with their whacky arsenal of weapons.

The final battle against K-Rool, a bizarre boxing match, is by far the funniest and most off-the-wall of the Donkey Kong series. It's not often that I'm laughing and frustrated at the same time, but Rare has managed to accomplish that difficult task. How many other games give you the chance to beat up on your enemy while he has an arena lighting fixture stuck on top of his head?

All in all, a lot of fun to play, despite its shortcomings.

7/3/2008--Re-reading this review tonight, I stared in disbelief. I actually managed to go through this title FOUR TIMES within a two month period, in 2001??? Was I heavily into self abuse at the time?

Just kidding--but only partway. DK64 has received a workout, once again, during the past three weeks. Perhaps it's a question of being out of practice, or simply the curse of being seven years older now, but my completion time so far is pathetic when compared to that fourth game in 2001, whose score still taunts me on that very same cartridge.

Age aside, I still love this title, even though it may never be completely beaten by this frustrated reviewer. I can take comfort, however, in one recent turn of events. An elusive golden banana that belongs to Diddy, in the Fungi Forest level, was finally won and collected in this most recent game. The speed demon who played this title four times in 2001 could NEVER collect that banana--which is only earned after a sadistic match with a smart aleck owl, who challenges Diddy to fly, using his jet pack, through a seemingly endless maze of rings around a monstrous tree. HA! Score one for being a bit older. : )

Nintendo and RARE--I alternately love you and hate you both for this title...but thank you for releasing it.

fun rating

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 29 / 36
Date: November 29, 1999
Author: Amazon User

this game is the coolest game that i ever played. it is a lot like super mario 64 and like banjo kazooie, so if you liked those games im sure that you will like this one. the included expansion pack gives the game great graphics and fast game play. hope you enjoy!

Great game with tons of replay value

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 25 / 30
Date: September 09, 2000
Author: Amazon User

It's hard to believe that a lot of people didn't think that "Donkey Kong 64" deserved all the hype that it got. It's one of the best 3D action/adventure games for the Nintendo 64 and I didn't see anything bad about it. Of course, the graphics are the best part of it, but the sound, control, and fun factor are also top notch. Best of all, the game has great replay value. It's not that easy of a game to beat, especially if you're trying to get every single banana in the game. But when you finally beat it, it's still a fun game to play because you can play it with a few of your friends or family in battle mode. Plus, if you find enough of the pieces for the fox, you'll be able to play all the bonus levels anytime you want.

"Donkey Kong 64" is a game that takes a long time to beat, but it doesn't get old or repetitive in my opinion. Also included are the original "Donkey Kong" game that used to be an arcade favorite that you can find and play anytime, and another cool arcade classic from Midway. Not to mention that the Expansion Pak is included with the game, so you won't have to get one separately if you want it later on. Bottom line, this game has tons of replay value and it will never get old.

All I can say is "WoW"

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 17 / 18
Date: November 30, 1999
Author: Amazon User

I was a little hesitant about ordering this game, never-the-less pre-order it. Now that I have received it, I'm thrilled that I did. I bought it, not knowing whether to expect another cheap Mario64 cop-out, or maybe even a repeat of the SNES DK game, Donkey Kong Country. DK64 is one of the most original games ever! It takes a little time to get used to the gameplay, as did Zelda64, and both games were well worth it. The most exciting thing about this game is the fact that it includes 3 totally original, playable characters, and it includes a number of multi-player arenas. This was very exciting to me, because I always have friends over. An added bonus is that there are a number of "secret" characters which are always fun to find. The one complaint...if I had to make one...is that you do not start off with the multi-player option, it must first be won.

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