Donkey Konga 2
The original Donkey Konga, to refer to it for a moment as if it were in any way old, was a rough and ready rhythmfest which gave to the gaming world a pair of barrel-themed plastic bongos and an excuse to clap along to cheesy pop. And lo, it was good. As long as you didn't look too close.
Shockingly, it has produced a sequel. Sequels, actually, if you count those yet to be released to the western world. Even more surprisingly, the sequel is almost exactly the same as the original. In the comfortable world of the PC it would be an expansion pack, but the nature of things has dictated that the Gamecube can only take one disc at a time.
So, with the novelty factor of the bongo action used up, Donkey Konga 2 has to parade its wares under a more objective light. Drumming and clapping is the domain of the prequel; Now it is time for a game.
Fortunately for DK2, the objective light is just dim enough to disguise the cracks while showing off the shimmer of its new adornments. The changes are generally minor but are signs of genuine improvement. Challenge mode no longer asks you to sit through around an hour of constant drumming, offering shorter sessions for those wanting to try their hand without trying their hands. Two or more players can co-operate to complete a stage, judged on their synchronicity as well as individual skills. Battles have a few extra little features for scoring the big points. Even the backgrounds are prettier, giving gentle 3D fly-bys as you drum.
Solo play has also benefited with the addition of Beat Mix mode. Complete a song, and you unlock it for a special challenge in which the beats are randomised, meaning you can no longer rely on pure muscle memory. The minigames, so pointless in the original, now provide the opportunity to use your coins to win collectible badges.
With all these pleasant tweaks, it is a shame that the songs have fallen by the wayside. There are a few gems, including the William Tell Overture and a Parodius-style Nutcracker piece in the classical section, and a high-octane rendition of the Mute City theme in the Nintendo corner. Pleasant surprises are also in store in the form of All Star and That's the Way among others. Things even get a little adventurous with trancey Contact offering repetitive drum loops. Others entries are not so lucky, with the Mozart-on-a-wurlitzer being a particular low point. The overall ambience is an unsettling "bottom of the barrel" theme not helped by the fact that each track is a cover.
In Conclusion
The weakened playlist is a letdown, but everything else is a gentle improvement on the original. The tweaked play modes and minigames offer a nice break from constant battle/street performance.
| Beats |
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| Losses |
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| Final Score |
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| Lord of the Bongos |
| Like a cheap CD in an exploding non-shatterproof case, it hurts, it doesn't sound too great, and everyone will laugh when you try to play it. In a good way. |
