Donkey Kong 1994
Game by Nintendo
Reviewed by The Avardancer
Size: 4 Megabits
Save: Battery, three slots
Released: 1994
Works with: Any version of Gameboy
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Opening Snide Remarks: I was looking around my collection and then I realised
the awful truth. I had NOT reviewed Donkey Kong 1994!! Here's the review of
the ground-braking title that breathed new life into Gameboy and held it over
until Gameboy Color appeared four years later. This is the game that launched
the Super Gameboy Device. The Super Gameboy was showcased and presented by
this title. This was the first SGB title; and it still is one of the better
titles released that took advantage of the device. This was also the very
first title that showed me that there was life beyond black and white. It was
my first taste of true color. A vision of things to come. A bright and shiny
star that lit the way for me and I almost didn't buy it.

You see; when it was announced; I was still hooked on Legend of Zelda 4. (I
still am.) I looked at my collection and thought: "Hey, I have Legend of
Zelda 4, Metroid 2, Super Mario Land 1 & 2, Tetris, Wario Land, et cetra. Why
would I buy a remake of an old game I have on the NES?) Than when the Super
Gameboy was announced and this title was announced as the first one to make
use of the "amazing" colors; I thought to myself. Well, those four levels in
full color? Cool. I might just get it. Then it was announced that the game
had 100+ levels. I just sneered and said that the NES game had the same
amount as well. I was expecting the levels to repeat. I saw the game and had
$20 to spend; so I got it and played it for the first time on my way to the
Darmstadt Theater Group rehearsal for "Oliver!" (Which I was an extra in.)
Anyways, I put the game in my Gameboy and started thinking about meeting my
favorite person in the whole world: "Janna Clore". Yeah, I had it pretty bad
back then. Still do. Than I turned on the game and my "Gameboy Mind" took
over.

You know what I mean. That "Gameboy Mind" that you get when you are "In the
zone". That place that lies between normal and brilliant. The place where
records are broken, great hits are composed, and reviews like this are
devised. The place you are when you catch your first Pokémon; or beat Bowser
for the very first time. The place you are when you face Kefka, or defeat
Ganon for the very first time. That place where you find your way around that
puzzle; that feeling as you watch the ending play. The way you are; the real
reason you play games. That feeling as you slide the "long block" in for a
Tetris; or deal that final blow to the Mother Brain. The place where you are
one with the game; where YOU make the touchdown, where YOU beat Trevalyn. Any
ways; I think I will start the review now.

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Gameplay Descripion: The game starts out innocent enough; the first level
starts just like the arcade version. You get to the top of the level and
Donkey Kong climbs up to the next level holding Pauline. The game contains
the infamous "Pie" level which was strangely missing from the original NES
version. After you get to that fourth level. You beat Donkey Kong by knocking
out the screws that hold up his platform. Then DOnkey Kong falls to his doom
and Mario and Pauline are reunited. Aww. That's the end. Oh, wait... Donkey
Kong is twitching a little. He's just gotten this really sour expression on
his face. What the? Donkey Kong flips back to his feet with a resounding
crash and the platform Mario and Pauline are on crumbles to the ground! Mario
is stunned! Donkey Kong nabs Pauline and runs away! Now, Mario must chase the
old DK through 100 levels of mayhem!

What type of mayhem? Well, you will go from the city to a glacier and more
locals! The levels consist of either getting to the top; beating Donkey Kong
by throwing a barrel or enemy at him; or by finding a key and taking it to a
door. The levels get harder as more and more skills, items, etc are needed to
find our obtain the keys. The game no longer is confined to one-screen play.
The levels scroll; the level design gets more nasty. Donkey Kong is joined by
Donkey Kong Jr. and more! There are spikes, jumps, lava, etc! One-hit will
kill you. You could get crushed, flattened, eaten, shot, burned, frozen, and
even more! So be careful! The game never lets up; the game levels are well
balanced by giving you an easy level after a few hard ones and not letting
the answer to a level be too obvious. There is more than one way to beat a
level; so it is open-ended enough for novice players.

The game draws many references to the Donkey Kong and Mario Bros games. Which
makes it even more fun to play. Some level designs are updated versions of
Donkey Kong Jr. levels! Which is VERY cool. You will spend a lot of time in
this game as it is tricky. After you beat a level why not go back and see if
you can beat it faster. Because the game saves your best times. Oh, inside
the game are a few little bonus areas between levels that you must earn. The
bonus games get you lives. They are mainly a slot machine and a roullette
game.

Liked: The twists, turns, etc. I loved the references to the old games and
that last area is awesome! The last boss battle is very cool. The game is
full of false stops to make you think you beat it; but it isn't over yet.

Hated: Some players could get frustrated? The game is pretty long.

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Graphics Description: On a Gameboy Color; the game looks okay. The game has
no Color Gameboy Enchancements. On a Gameboy, Gameboy Pocket, etc. The game
looks nice and clear. Mario is a bit small on the screen; but he has tons of
animations and so does Donkey Kong. The levels have little "cinema cartoons"
after some of them. The game is okay on Gameboy; but you need to play it on a
Super Gameboy just once. I'm talking really good color graphics! An excellent
Super Gameboy Frame is added that looks like an arcade cabinet. There are a
ton of different animations. Every level looks different from the last. The
main screens are full color and gorgeous. This game is excellent in this
department. The enemies are fairly detailed and there is a sense of humour
that seeps and flows through out the entire game. Very well done.

Liked: The color graphics, the border, the animation, the detail, the colors,
that last boss battle is awesome looking.

Hated: That stiupid animation that Donkey Kong does as he squeezes into a
door. That ape has a HUGE butt.

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Sound/Music Description: The music is excellent! There are remixed tunes from
the arcade and all the original sounds are intact too; but they are pretty
clear now. When you play it on a Super Gameboy; the music is enchanced and
more channels are added to the sound. Not to mention taht Pauline screams
"Help! Help!" in a high distinctly femenine voice. Very cool.

Liked: Voice, excellent music, excellent sounds. :)

Hated: That Pauline is annoying! I should just let Donkey Kong keep her; but
if I did... what type of hero would I be anyways? I gotta set a good example
and save her; no matter how annoying her voice is.

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Play Control/Game Design: This is one of those games that Nintendo makes when
they want to tell all theirs fans that they love them Nintendo is the only
company that does this a lot. Sega tries a little; Sony rarely does, Bandai
and Neo Geo don't at all. The play control is concrete. There are a TON of
new moves for plumber boy to do. He does backflips, handstands, he can do a
ton of things like spring vault off of wires. HE twirls about and does an
amazing number of aerial feats. Let's see that "Bandicoot" do what Mario can
on the un-parallel bars.

This is one of Nintendo's "Otaku" games. Otaku is pronunced "Oh-Tah-Koo" and
means: "Super Fan". (IMHO.) This is one of those "Thank you for buying our
products; here is a game we made because we know you will like it and you
were not expecting it." Fans of the original Arcade game MUST have this game.
The game is amazing. There's tons of neat references to other games. The game
goes all out and takes so many risks. The risks work and you are given a game
that you will appreciate. It may introduce new players to the Donkey Kong
series; but it those of us who played the original Arcade game that will
really understand the game. It is a perfect version of an excellent game. The
game shows you that Nintendo may seem stubborn at times; but when they feel
good.... they will surprise you with excellent games like this. To any true
video game player; this is like winning the lottery. This is the equivalent
of a "nostalgia gift". You know the kind. For example; you take the one you
love to the resturant you too first met; or you give your love a framed copy
of your first love letter to her. Or you bronze your son/daughters baby shoes
and give them to them. Or you present a photo album to your best friend and
spend hours talking about the good times so long ago. This is Nintendo's gift
to us.

Liked: EVERYTHING! Excellent game!
Hated: Umm... nothing, actually.

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Improve: Make a Gameboy Color version. No need to add levels; just make it in
color. If you want to add some new features; sure go ahead!

RIYL: Platform games; the original games for the NES, Arcade, etc. 

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Final Words: The game is amazing. A true bout with perfection. Although the
game does have a few qualms in Pauline's voice, and some of the levels are a
bit frustrating. This is an excellent game to have and to hold. I suggest you
get yourself a copy. It may not be a Gameboy Color game; but it is a game you
deserve to own. If it was anymore of a "We love you" game from Nintendo; they
would have sent everyone a copy. This game is a gift for all of us; I suggest
you pick up your copy of the gift right away. :)

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Score
Gameplay: *****
Graphics: ****
Sound/Music: *****
Play Control/Game Design: *****
Personal Opinion: *****
Total: 24 out of 25


Final Score: 96%

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Currently Known Codes:
NONE.