Donkey Konga 2 > Reviews > Donkey Konga 2

Author's product rating:   

Playability & Enjoyment
Addictiveness
Graphics
Difficulty & Complexity
Value for money

Advantages:	More of that rhythm beating goodness
Disadvantages:	none unless you hate music !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Those of you who still aren't getting enough use of your Nintendo bongo controller with Donkey Konga and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat will be giddy with anticipation for the arrival Donkey Konga 2. With new tunes to select from, items that can be purchased from a virtual shopping mall, and a couple of new modes that look to be solid additions, it looks to be a very appealing sequel.

The history of rhythm-based music games is a fascinating one. Thus far, we've seen games where you can use your feet to match dance patterns, sing to your heart's content in karaoke competitions, shake digital maracas, and even wave your hands over sensors in a beat-fuelled frenzy. Nintendo joined the fracas last year with their own entry, Donkey Konga, a game that uses a unique bongo-shaped controller that put your hands to work. Now Nintendo's back again in 2005 with the follow-up, and Donkey Konga 2 doesn't look to be letting up in terms of fun.

The sequel picks up right where the original left off, with the Kongs once again trying to prove amongst one another who's the best when it comes to playing the bongos. Donkey Kong, the star of the game, insists he's the master, but his nephew Diddy Kong, along with Dixie Kong and the original Cranky Kong, are objecting, insisting they're the best of the bunch. And, thus, the competition begins between the kongs to see who can bang out the best tunes.

But story's just a basic piece of information hung along the back wall, allowing the action of the game to step into the spotlight. You can beat the left drum, right drum, both drums together, or clap above the sensor to keep up with the song at hand, some of which are faster than others. Konga 2 features 25 selections to choose from, ranging from old-school favorites like Los Lobos' "La Bamba" and REM's "Shiny Happy People" to new favorites like "Hit 'Em Up Style" and "Headstrong". This is what led to the game getting slapped with a Teen rating, as some of the lyrics may be objectionable. The game play, however, is not, as it's suitable for fans of all ages.

Donkey Konga 2 wisely returns the Jam Session into the game, allowing up to four players to grab their bongo controllers and just jam out against friends. It's a perfect little time waster and a lot of fun. For those looking for something more competitive, however, you might want to give Battle Mode a try, where you face off against a friend to try and perform better than him (or her) at a particular song.

Those playing through the game solo will also find a lot to explore here. The game contains a Street Performance Mode, which allows you to earn coins based on your performance. These coins can be taken to the virtual Shopping Mall to purchase higher levels of music, as well as other mini-games that look to be rather interesting. A Challenge Mode comes into play that will test your skills, by having you meet a certain criteria with your performance in order to proceed to the next song. This mixed with the goodness from the first game will keep you banging the drums until your hands become raw slabs of meat. (Just kidding, you should stop when your hands get sore.)

Finally, we come to Freestyle Plaza, a mode where you can play along to your own beat and create some excellent rhythms all your own, saving them to the memory card for play later on. This is a great tool that allows you to put creativity into play, along with the skills you've already earned on the bongos in the other modes. It's always good to see invention come around in a game that normally has you follow pre-set rhythms.

Donkey Konga 2 pounds its way to store shelves, before E3 arrives and takes the world by storm. Those who got a kick out of the first game will obviously want to line up now and go bananas, while newcomers may want to take a look and see what all the fuss is about. After all, everyone should try Jam Session at least once. It's more fun than a barrel of...nope, won't say it.