Graphics

First off, unlike the majority of people who (still) visit this site, my experience with the trilogy was on the Game Boy Advance. Despite the negative comments I've read about the graphics not being up to par on the GBA, I enjoyed them. With that being said, you can pretty much imagine how I felt when I saw the game for myself on the Virtual Console. I believe I thought something along the lines of, "Holy shit, this still looks great." Because even after 15 years, this game, graphically, can still stand up to games released today (especially if said games are on the Wii). ACM, indeed.

9

Sound

If there's another reason why this game is fondly remembered besides the graphics, it's definitely the music. Both aspects compliment the game wonderfully. David Wise is to not only be commended for the quality of his work, but the quantity. From the main title screen to hearing Aquatic Ambiance in the water levels, the music and the level design go together wonderfully. No song feels out of place, no matter what the situation calls for. Even the Game Over music in particular can hit that feeling of failure. Excellent soundtrack all around.

10

Play Control

Most VC games say, before the game starts, "You Will Need The Classic Controller." In the case of this game, that's not a lie. Definitely get the Classic Controller if you actually want to enjoy playing the game. That being said, the controls are easy enough. You press B to jump, Y to run and attack, and Select to change your Kong. That's...pretty much it. I can't complain about the controls; they're simple to use and to the point. If one were to complain, however, it'd be about the controls being a bit floaty. Yet that's an issue that was thankfully fixed in the Game Boy Advance version, anyway.

9

Originality

Donkey Kong Country's often criticized for being a ripoff of Mario games, despite the fact that DKC is owned by the same company that produces Mario platformers. True, they share some similarities, but there are also a few differences. DKC expands upon the animal riding concept by having more animals to use. Not only can they help you get across terrain faster, but in some scenarios, they can help you swim faster and fly. The concept of a buddy system in terms of having your partner continue where you left off instead of going back to the menu select screen is different, as well as changing your Kong at will. And that's not mentioning how creative some of the levels are in terms of appearance and execution. Is it entirely original? No. Does it have semblances of originality? Yes.

8

Final Word

Despite the fact that I got the chance to play the original a good 13 years after everyone else has, I really felt like I was six years old again upon playing it. I'm also glad I got to play it at the age I did, because, at the time as well as a recent playthrough, I could really appreciate this game for what it not only did as a video game, but for the video game industry and this site. While its sequel is, in my opinion, much better, one can't deny the impact that this game had at the time for both Rareware and Nintendo. If you have a Wii and haven't played it yet, I have one question for you: what the heck are you waiting for?

10

Overall Score: 9/10