Gaming Target - News: Donkey Konga E3 Fact Sheet

Written by John Scalzo on May 14, 2004

News: Drumming makes the monkey happy.

Everyone knows about those little monkeys with the cymbals. They're everyone and that video box for Monkey Shines cared the crap out of my seven year old self. So it makes perfect sense when Nintendo teamed with Namco to create a Donkey Kong bongo game. Using the special DK Bongo controller players will clap and slap their way to greatness. It sounds crazy, but it may also be brilliant. The full details from Nintendo:

Format: Nintendo GameCube
Launch Date: 09/27/04
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Game Type: Rhythm/Action
Accessories: Memory Card; DK Bongo controller (one included)
Players: 1-4
MSRP: $49.99

Developed by Namco Limited

KEY INFORMATION

Feel the beat! Join Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as they drum and clap their way through hits old and new on a musical adventure that's more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

Play along with your favorite tunes using the all-new DK Bongo controller. The simple controls incorporate both drumming and clapping for a unique experience that will appeal to gamers of all ages.

Multiplayer musical mayhem! Connect up to four DK Bongos for rollicking jam sessions or match your rhythmic prowess against a rival in the two-player Vs. mode.

More than 30 familiar songs, ranging from kids' medleys to classical to pop favorites! With three difficulty levels and five modes of play, Donkey Konga will have gamers everywhere drumming, clapping and dreaming of musical fame and fortune. (Note: Song versions have been remade for the game - no original artists are used.)

Game Storyline: One day, Donkey Kong and Diddy discover a pair of odd barrels on a deserted beach. After showing the barrels to Cranky Kong, they learn the barrels are really a legendary musical instrument that plays music not only when you drum on it, but also when you clap. Donkey Kong christens the instrument the DK Bongo, and he and Diddy decide that they will become famous musicians, get rich and buy all the bananas they could ever want.

Characters: The ever-popular Donkey Kong holds center stage, and he's joined by his little pal Diddy Kong. Also making appearances are Cranky Kong and King K. Rool.

How to progress through the game: In every mode, performances are graded by how accurately players drum along to the rhythms shown on screen. In Street Performance mode, players play for DK Coins. The better their performances, the more coins they earn. Coins are used to purchase expert-level music, alternate sound sets for the DK Bongo and mini-games too. In Challenge mode, players must match a set performance score to move on to the next song, with the ultimate goal of playing every song in the game in one sitting. Vs. mode pits two players against each other to see who can achieve the higher score. Hitting strategically placed POW blocks will lower opponents' scores, and there's a drumroll contest for bonus points as well. When making music, the more the merrier, and in Jam Session up to four players can grab a bongo and go bananas! No matter the mode, no matter the numbers, Donkey Konga is musical fun that's sure to challenge and entertain gamers everywhere!

Special powers/weapons/moves/features: Donkey Konga uses a new, unique controller, the DK Bongo. It has a left drum, right drum and a microphone that picks up the sound of clapping. The rhythms players must follow range from simple left, right, left, right, clap to intricate arrangements.