Conclusion, final thoughts and awards.
But ultimately you may find that despite the variety Nintendo have crammed in here, the basic gameplay and the fact that you’re pummelling the shoulder buttons all the time, Donkey Kong Jungle Climber will start to feel repetitive. And it’s not from the game itself being overly long, just that there’s not enough variety in what you actually do. Whether it’s a mist shrouded, ghost ridden map or a superbly innovative hall of mirrors, the basic gameplay is still you clambering around on pegs trying to make the fling to catch the next peg at just the right time. And this is the problem, although the levels are varied, the gameplay doesn’t change and so, when you start losing lives in a vain attempt to get that elusive collectable, you start to wonder why you’re bothering.
It’s bit like having the world’s tastiest cake in unlimited supply… after a while you’ll become bored of cake and hanker for something else, and this is what happened with Donkey Kong Jungle Climber… although the difficulty curve is set just right, the attraction of seeing what’s next pales once you reach the later levels, not through lack of variety in the levels but through lack of variety in the gameplay.
But I do find myself loading up Donkey Kong Jungle Climber even though, as far as playing it for review purposes, I’ve seen enough. There’s something that keeps tugging me back, perhaps that usual Nintendo hint of being able to progress just that bit further or maybe it’s because the whole swing and fling thing is so well done? Whatever, Donkey Kong Jungle Climber doesn’t quite make an Editor’s Choice because of the repetitive nature of the gameplay… but it earns a Recommended Award easily… even if some of the levels are so bloody hard I can spank 18 lives in less than 5 minutes.
Pros
Innovative controls and gameplay
Loads of variety in the levels and puzzles
Plenty of collectables and extras
Cons
Gameplay becomes stale after a while
Some levels fiendishly difficult
Childish storyline will put off those able to actually do the tougher levels
Donkey Kong Jungle Climber is a swinger of a game but proves too much of a good thing is bad for you.
HEXUS Awards
Donkey Kong Jungle Climber
