Legit the first ever game I have ever have memory played. While I am pretty sure I trued other titles before this, Donkey Kong was the first one where I went "I like this one! HE monke!"... so much so that when I saw him in games like Mario Kart, I thought Mario was not the protagonist and it looked weird.
Eheheh funny that this is where it all started for me, because King of Swing is a weird one: it takes the Donkey Kong world in a moment in time where the series didn't really knew what it was, and turns into a... Clu Clu Land sequel? (Bubbles from Clu CLu Land is even playable)
First of, the best thing: the artstyle: in an era where most of the Dk characters and villains got removed off the scene, King of Swings brings back every major character with an incredible pixel-art, that makes everyone shine with personality and charm... even K. Rool, which looks fantastic in 2D. Even classic enemies are all here after being shafted in titles like Jungle Beat, and they are adapted pretty well to fit the new gameplay formula.
The graphics and music is also really memorable, and accompany really well the level themes: its start with classic jungle levels, but you are soon sent to travel pirate ports, menacing ice castles, mazes of giant cactus, and THE INSIDE OF A TORNADO IN THE DESERT.
Now the gameplay is.... divisive for sure: it's a puzzle platformer, where you use the side buttons of the GBA to control, DK's hands and climb dozens and dozens of platforms. While the idea is weird, especially for a DK title, this formula is used really well: every level has a cool gimmick that is introduced and evolved fairly well for most of the adventure. Once you will see yourself holding a platform with hone hand while throwing a rock or a bomb with the other, then using a similar movement to pull leers, then chasing Kritters that climb and move exactly like you. Even the bosses uses specific interesting gimmicks (except the first one that is a literal nothing) that plays really well and makes for really cool encounters.
The moveset can be clunky for a lot of people, and especially the final levels can require you too much, but overall I will suggest this short but sweet DK spinoff to all the fans of the series.... or at least look for the sprite work, it's really great!
Eheheh funny that this is where it all started for me, because King of Swing is a weird one: it takes the Donkey Kong world in a moment in time where the series didn't really knew what it was, and turns into a... Clu Clu Land sequel? (Bubbles from Clu CLu Land is even playable)
First of, the best thing: the artstyle: in an era where most of the Dk characters and villains got removed off the scene, King of Swings brings back every major character with an incredible pixel-art, that makes everyone shine with personality and charm... even K. Rool, which looks fantastic in 2D. Even classic enemies are all here after being shafted in titles like Jungle Beat, and they are adapted pretty well to fit the new gameplay formula.
The graphics and music is also really memorable, and accompany really well the level themes: its start with classic jungle levels, but you are soon sent to travel pirate ports, menacing ice castles, mazes of giant cactus, and THE INSIDE OF A TORNADO IN THE DESERT.
Now the gameplay is.... divisive for sure: it's a puzzle platformer, where you use the side buttons of the GBA to control, DK's hands and climb dozens and dozens of platforms. While the idea is weird, especially for a DK title, this formula is used really well: every level has a cool gimmick that is introduced and evolved fairly well for most of the adventure. Once you will see yourself holding a platform with hone hand while throwing a rock or a bomb with the other, then using a similar movement to pull leers, then chasing Kritters that climb and move exactly like you. Even the bosses uses specific interesting gimmicks (except the first one that is a literal nothing) that plays really well and makes for really cool encounters.
The moveset can be clunky for a lot of people, and especially the final levels can require you too much, but overall I will suggest this short but sweet DK spinoff to all the fans of the series.... or at least look for the sprite work, it's really great!