Game Review: Donkey Kong Jungle Beat

New Play Control: Donkey Kong Jungle Beat

For: Nintendo Wii

From: Nintendo

Classification: G

Score: * * * * 1/2

If you're a long-term gamer you'll have realised that New Play Control Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is a remake of the classic GameCube game to make the most of the Wii's motion sensitive controls - and what a joy it is to play.

And like the recently re-released Pikmin 2, DK: Jungle Beat is one game that you should add to your Wii game collection - it really is that good.

All is not well in the land of Donkey Kong. A group of baddies (the game manual's own wording) have stolen all the bananas and proclaimed themselves kings. DK has to travel a variety of fruit- themed worlds to get his bananas back and restore peace to the jungle.

Although I never played the GameCube original, part of the appeal was the bongo drum controller. You hit each drum skin to control movement while a slap on both caused DK to jump in the air. A clap activated a microphone in the drums causing DK's clap attack, a move that stunned enemies.

While the bongo drum isn't compatible with this new version, nothing seems to have been lost, with the Wii remote and nunchuck working perfectly. Within minutes you'll be bouncing, air clapping and platforming to your heart's content.

You shake the Wii remote or nunchuk to perform DK's clap attack - which sends out sound waves that knock down enemies or temporarily turn fireflies into walkable platforms - and pressing the A button (used to jump) mid- jump will do an air grab, causing DK to pluck all the nearby bananas out of the air around him.

DK can also slap the ground, causing subterranean plants to sprout and provide extra lives and other bonus items.

I had a ball seeing how many bananas I could collect each round to taking on the giant bosses.

One of my favourite levels was when DK rode a creature called a Hoofer (it looks like a buffalo on steroids) along an icy course, avoiding rocks, pits, and at one stage a giant snake-like creature that was pursuing him relentlessly.

At times, you'll have to vigorously shake both the remote and the nunchuck together during an end- of-section mini-game (or when attacking an end-of-level boss) where DK has to collect as many bananas he can within a time limit.

Shaking the remote other times will cause DK to bounce off bubbles, swing from vines and punch enemies. The controls just feel right and bounding around the game world feels fluid and natural.

The graphics are an integral part of why Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is so good. They are crisp, vibrant and have a superb level of attention to detail. Donkey Kong is animated superbly and it complements a wonderful package.

While the game isn't hard, I can't praise this game enough. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is a game that no Wii owner should be without.

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