Donkey Kong Barrel Blast

Last updated

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast.JPG
North American box art
Developer(s) Paon
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Director(s) Kenichi Imaeda
Producer(s)
  • Kentaro Nishimura
  • Toshiharu Izuno
  • Rikiya Nakagawa
Composer(s) Takashi Kouga
Series Donkey Kong
Platform(s) Wii
Release
  • JP: June 28, 2007
  • NA: October 8, 2007
  • EU: January 25, 2008
  • AU: February 7, 2008
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast [a] is a 2007 racing game developed by Paon and published by Nintendo for the Wii. The game was shown at the E3 convention in May 2006 for the GameCube under the title of DK: Bongo Blast, but this version was ultimately cancelled in favor of a Wii release. It was released for the Wii in Japan and the United States in 2007, [1] [2] and in PAL regions in 2008 with the title Donkey Kong Jet Race.

Contents

The game was originally developed to be controlled using the DK Bongos for the GameCube. Barrel Blast was faced with generally negative reviews after its release, with critics criticizing the replaced bongo control scheme with that using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, as well as the last-generation visuals. [3]

Gameplay

Funky Kong racing on the DK Jungle Sunset course. Players race in the air instead of on the ground like in other racing games. BarrelBlastScreenshot.png
Funky Kong racing on the DK Jungle Sunset course. Players race in the air instead of on the ground like in other racing games.

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast is a racing game where the player can handle the selected character using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, replacing the DK Bongos that initially were to be used. To accelerate, the player must shake the Wii Remote and Nunchuk alternatively, lift them simultaneously to jump and use the motion sensor to beat rivals and obstacles using items, while the character will be guided by the route of the tracks, including automatically travelling around curves. Players can learn to race at Cranky's flight school where Cranky gives eight lessons on how to play the game, acceleration, use of elements and Wild Moves.

The main mode of play is a Grand Prix similar to that of Mario Kart . Also, like Mario Kart Arcade GP , more than one track will take place in a given area with three courses in DK Jungle, three of the sea, three from the mountain, two of the Desert, two from the snow, two of the Temple of Heaven, and one in outer space. Like other racing games, Barrel Blast includes a Time Trial Mode where players can choose this race on one track for the best time, and have save ghost data stats. [4]

There are 16 characters to choose from in total; eight members of the Kong family, and eight Kremlings. These include Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, Lanky Kong, Tiny Kong, Funky Kong, Wrinkly Kong, and Cranky Kong representing the Kong side, with Kritter, Kip, Kass, Klump, Kalypso, Kludge, Kopter, and King K. Rool representing the Kremling side. Additional Donkey Kong series characters, such as Rambi the Rhino, Enguarde the Swordfish, Zinger, and Necky, make cameo appearances as items.

Development

The game was intended to be controlled with the DK Bongos before it was delayed and released as a Wii title in 2007. DK-Bongos.JPG
The game was intended to be controlled with the DK Bongos before it was delayed and released as a Wii title in 2007.

Barrel Blast was developed by Paon who previously worked on DK: King of Swing and DK: Jungle Climber in the Donkey Kong series.

In June 2005, an issue of Famitsu reported that Nintendo was in development with a Wii-bound sequel to the Donkey Kong franchise. The publication offered no details on the next-generation title. Nintendo appeared to be drawing on the majority of its big licenses to lure in next-generation gamers. Lending credibility to its Kong news, Famitsu also reported that new versions of Super Smash Bros. , Super Mario , The Legend of Zelda , Metroid , and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles were in development for Revolution, all of which were confirmed by Nintendo at E3 2005 before that month. [5] The game was announced at Nintendo's Japanese conference in 2006. [6] The game was later shown to the public at E3 2007 as named Donkey Jet and DK: Bongo Blast. [7]

The game was originally developed to be controlled using the DK Bongos for the GameCube; the left and right drums would steer in their respective directions, and rolling both drums accelerated movement. When the game was moved to the Wii, the DK Bongos were replaced with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, having the player shake the controller in place of hitting the drums. The player can also raise the remote and Nunchuk to jump, and use the motion sensing to punch opponents and obstacles, and to use items.

Reception

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast received "generally unfavorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic. [9] GameSpot and IGN gave it 4.5 out of 10 each, and GamePro was the harshest by calling it "the worst game of 2007". [24] Based on 34 reviews, Barrel Blast garnered a metascore of 46 out of 100 according to Metacritic, [9] making it the lowest-rated Donkey Kong game on the site. [25] A number of reviews lamented the decision to replace the bongo control scheme with that using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, as well as the dated visuals.

It was criticized for "slow racing, shallow gameplay, and an overall boring experience" by IGN. [18] GameSpot labeled the game a fifth-rate Mario Kart clone. [15] The second-highest rated Metacritic review, by Nintendo Power , called it a "mundane racer". GameTrailers criticized the game for its imprecise controls, lack of online mode, and the fact that the Bongo Controls were left out of the game.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Europe and Australia as Donkey Kong Jet Race, and in Japan as Donkey Kong Barrel Jet Race (ドンキーコング たるジェットレース, Donkī Kongu Taru Jetto Rēsu).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donkey Kong (character)</span> Video game character

Donkey Kong, also shortened to DK, is a fictional gorilla-like character in the Donkey Kong and Mario franchise, created by Shigeru Miyamoto. The original Donkey Kong first appeared as the title character and antagonist of the eponymous 1981 game, a platformer by Nintendo, which would lead to the Donkey Kong series. The Donkey Kong Country series was launched in 1994 with a new Donkey Kong as the protagonist. This version of the character persists as the main one up to today. While the 1980s games' Donkey Kong and the modern Donkey Kong share the same name, the manual for Donkey Kong Country and subsequent games portray the former as Cranky Kong, the latter's grandfather, with the exception of Donkey Kong 64 and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, in which Cranky is depicted as his father, alternatively portraying the modern Donkey Kong as the original Donkey Kong Jr. from the titular game. Donkey Kong is considered one of the most popular and iconic characters in video game history.

<i>Donkey Kong Country 2</i> 1995 video game

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest  is a 1995 platform game developed by Rare and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It was released on 21 November 1995 in Japan, 4 December in North America, and 14 December in Europe. It is the second installment of the Donkey Kong Country series and the sequel to Donkey Kong Country (1994).

<i>Donkey Kong 64</i> 1999 video game

Donkey Kong 64 is a 1999 platform game developed by Rare and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It is the only Donkey Kong game to feature 3D gameplay. As the gorilla Donkey Kong, the player explores themed levels to collect items and rescue his kidnapped family members from King K. Rool who seeks to destroy DK Isles. The player completes minigames and puzzles as five playable Kong characters—each with their own special abilities—to receive bananas and other collectibles. In multiplayer modes, up to four players can compete in deathmatch and last man standing games.

<i>Donkey Konga</i> Donkey Kong spin-off video game series

Donkey Konga is a series of rhythm video games developed by Namco and published by Nintendo for the GameCube. A spin-off of the Donkey Kong series, they are played with a special controller called the DK Bongos that resemble two small bongo drums, but can optionally be played with the standard GameCube controllers.

<i>Donkey Kong Jungle Beat</i> 2004 video game

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is a 2004 platform and score-attack game developed and published by Nintendo for the GameCube. It follows the gorilla Donkey Kong as he sets out to defeat a series of evil kings to conquer the jungle. Jungle Beat is designed for use with the DK Bongos, a bongo drum-style GameCube controller created for the Donkey Konga (2003) rhythm game. The player controls Donkey Kong through various side-scrolling levels as he collects bananas, swings on vines, chains combos, rides animals, and defeats enemies and bosses.

<i>Excite Truck</i> 2006 video game

Excite Truck is a racing video game developed by Monster Games and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It features malleable environments and tilt-based motion controls. The game was one of the Wii launch titles in North America. It is the third main game in the Excite series and the first to feature vehicles other than motorbikes.

<i>Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber</i> 2007 platform video game

Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber, also stylised as DK: Jungle Climber, is a 2007 puzzle-platform game developed by Paon and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. It was released in Japan on August 9, 2007, and in western territories later that year. It was re-released for the Wii U's Virtual Console in Japan and North America in July 2015 and in Europe and Australia in August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wii Remote</span> Primary game controller for the Nintendo Wii

The Wii Remote, informally referred to with the portmanteau Wiimote, is the primary game controller for Nintendo's Wii home video game console. An essential capability of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via motion sensing, gesture recognition, and pointing using an accelerometer and optical sensor technology. It is expandable by adding attachments. The attachment bundled with the Wii console is the Nunchuk, which complements the Wii Remote by providing functions similar to those in gamepad controllers. Some other attachments include the Classic Controller, Wii Zapper, and the Wii Wheel, which was originally released with the racing game, Mario Kart Wii.

<i>Samurai Warriors: Katana</i> 2007 video game

Samurai Warriors: Katana is an action video game set in feudal Japan and is based upon the Samurai Warriors series by Koei and Omega Force, a spin-off of the Dynasty Warriors series. The game was revealed for the Wii at Nintendo's pre-E3 conference under the name "Sengoku Action".

Donkey Kong is a video game series and media franchise created by the Japanese game designer Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo. It follows the adventures of Donkey Kong, a large, powerful gorilla, and other members of the Kong family of apes. Donkey Kong games include the original arcade game trilogy by Nintendo R&D1; the Donkey Kong Country series by Rare and Retro Studios; and the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series by Nintendo Software Technology. Various studios have developed spin-offs in genres such as edutainment, puzzle, racing, and rhythm. The franchise also incorporates animation, printed media, theme parks, and merchandise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wii Zapper</span> Video game accessory

The Wii Zapper is a gun shell peripheral for the Wii Remote. The name is a reference to and successor of the NES Zapper light gun for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It is mainly used to enhance controls for shooter games, including light gun shooters, first-person shooters, and third-person shooters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Classic Controller</span> Game controller for the Wii by Nintendo

The Classic Controller is a game controller produced by Nintendo for the Wii home video game console. While it later featured some compatibility with the Wii U console, the controller was ultimately succeeded by the Wii U Pro Controller. In April 2014, Nintendo discontinued production of both the Classic Controller and Classic Controller Pro.

<i>Boogie</i> (video game) 2008 video game by EA

Boogie is a music video game developed by Electronic Arts for the Wii, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS. Being touted as a party-game, it enables players to create their character, then use the Wii Remote and a microphone to sing and dance through it. Each song within the game can be performed either as a karaoke or as a dancing game. The game is based around an alien theme. It was one of the first games released in Brazil for the Wii. Although anticipation was high for the game, it received mixed reviews.

<i>Mario Super Sluggers</i> 2008 video game

Mario Super Sluggers is a 2008 sports game developed by Namco Bandai Games and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It is part of the Mario Sports series, and the sequel to Mario Superstar Baseball for the GameCube.

GameCube accessories include first-party releases from Nintendo, and third-party devices, since the GameCube's launch in 2001.

<i>Donkey Kong Country Returns</i> 2010 platform video game

Donkey Kong Country Returns is a 2010 platform game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the Wii console. The game was released first in North America in November 2010, and in PAL regions and Japan the following month. The game's story focuses on an evil group of Tiki-like creatures known as the Tiki Tak Tribe that are unleashed on Donkey Kong Island and hypnotize the island's animals into stealing Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong's banana hoard, prompting the two to traverse the island to reclaim it.

<i>Nintendo Land</i> 2012 video game

Nintendo Land is a party video game developed and published by Nintendo as a pack-in launch title for the Wii U home video game console in 2012. The game was first announced at E3 2012 during Nintendo's press conference.

<i>Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze</i> 2014 video game

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a 2014 platform game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the Wii U console. The fifth installment in the Donkey Kong Country series, Tropical Freeze is a direct sequel to the 2010 Wii game Donkey Kong Country Returns and was released in February 2014. An enhanced port for the Nintendo Switch was released in May 2018.

References

  1. ↑ "Nintendo makes their 2007 Wii lineup official". May 30, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2007.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. ↑ "Third party Wii, DS titles". July 11, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2007.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ "The 20 Worst Nintendo Games Of All Time According To Metacritic (And The 10 Best)". Pokemonwe. September 8, 2022. Archived from the original on September 8, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  4. ↑ Nintendo (2007) Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Manual
  5. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (June 6, 2005). "Nintendo's Big Ape Returns". IGN . Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  6. ↑ Schneider, Peer (September 13, 2006). "New Wii Titles Announced". IGN. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  7. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (July 11, 2007). "E3 2007: DK Barrel Blast Named, Dated". IGN. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast for Wii". GameRankings. Archived from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  9. 1 2 3 "Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast Critic Reviews for Wii". Metacritic . Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  10. ↑ Kennedy, Sam (October 16, 2007). "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Review". 1UP.com . Archived from the original on December 26, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  11. ↑ MacDonald, Keza (December 12, 2007). "Donkey Kong: Jet Race Review". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  12. ↑ Vore, Bryan (December 2007). "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast". Game Informer . No. 176. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  13. ↑ Rudden, Dave (October 9, 2007). "Review: Donkey Kong Barrel Blast". GamePro . Archived from the original on October 5, 2007. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  14. ↑ Constantino, Jesse (October 18, 2007). "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Review". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  15. 1 2 Navarro, Alex (October 8, 2007). "Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast Review". GameSpot . Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  16. ↑ Leahy, Daniel (October 16, 2007). "GameSpy: Donkey Kong Barrel Blast". GameSpy. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast, Review". GameTrailers. November 13, 2007. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  18. 1 2 Bozon, Mark (October 15, 2007). "DK Barrel Blast Review". IGN . Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  19. ↑ Shea, Cam (January 31, 2008). "Donkey Kong: Jet Race AU Review". IGN. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  20. ↑ "DK Barrel Blast review". March 23, 2009. Archived from the original on March 25, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
  21. ↑ "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast". Nintendo Power . Vol. 221. November 2007. p. 99.
  22. ↑ "DK Barrel Blast review". Archived from the original on April 13, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2007.
  23. ↑ "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast ONM Review". Archived from the original on October 7, 2014.
  24. ↑ The Worst Games of 2007: Part 2 - GamePro
  25. ↑ Langston, Keith (March 11, 2021). "Every Donkey Kong Console Game, Ranked According To Metacritic". Screen Rant . Retrieved October 4, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.