The original Donkey Kong Country is an enjoyable SNES 2D platformer but its gameplay wasn’t anything too unique. Luckily, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest improves on nearly every aspect of the 1st entry to create a truly special experience.
When I played DKC1, I rarely ever chose Donkey Kong due to Diddy having a massive advantage in agility. In DKC2, the characters Diddy and Dixie are given much more distinctive abilities and are well balanced between speed and gliding. I really appreciate the team-up throws in the sequel as well. It’s a risk throwing around the equivalent of your healthbar, but the possibilities for shortcuts and hitting distant enemies make it worth learning how to nail the move. Even the level endings have been enhanced. Instead of simply walking off screen, the barrel strength tester offers one more trial in timing.
About halfway through DKC2’s world, the difficulty increase became one of the most apparent changes. The game has a huge amount of variety in level design, especially when you throw in all the new animal buddies. For every new game mechanic like balloons, wind, or honey, there’s always a gradual learning curve to familiarize the player. However, every level continuously combines the challenges with previous threats in a way that always keeps you prepared yet in suspense for what’s to come. With the addition of the DK and Kremcoins, the player needs to be especially attentive to notice the hidden areas and bonus barrels as well if they want to get 102%. Aside from some unclear hitboxes as a result of the pre-rendered graphics on a 2D plane, everything here is a perfect challenge.
Of course, I have to give a shoutout to David Wise’s soundtrack for this game. The songs here go beyond just setting the ambiance for the levels and overworld, and are incredible to listen to in any setting. Stickerbush Symphony and Snow Bound Land are some of my favorite themes from any game, and the credits music made me want to start playing the game all over again. Even if someone hasn’t touched the first entry or even a platformer in general, I’d recommend Diddy’s Kong Quest to anyone looking for a game that exemplifies satisfaction in skill and creativity.
Part of the Glitchwave Top 100 Project (#88/100)
When I played DKC1, I rarely ever chose Donkey Kong due to Diddy having a massive advantage in agility. In DKC2, the characters Diddy and Dixie are given much more distinctive abilities and are well balanced between speed and gliding. I really appreciate the team-up throws in the sequel as well. It’s a risk throwing around the equivalent of your healthbar, but the possibilities for shortcuts and hitting distant enemies make it worth learning how to nail the move. Even the level endings have been enhanced. Instead of simply walking off screen, the barrel strength tester offers one more trial in timing.
About halfway through DKC2’s world, the difficulty increase became one of the most apparent changes. The game has a huge amount of variety in level design, especially when you throw in all the new animal buddies. For every new game mechanic like balloons, wind, or honey, there’s always a gradual learning curve to familiarize the player. However, every level continuously combines the challenges with previous threats in a way that always keeps you prepared yet in suspense for what’s to come. With the addition of the DK and Kremcoins, the player needs to be especially attentive to notice the hidden areas and bonus barrels as well if they want to get 102%. Aside from some unclear hitboxes as a result of the pre-rendered graphics on a 2D plane, everything here is a perfect challenge.
Of course, I have to give a shoutout to David Wise’s soundtrack for this game. The songs here go beyond just setting the ambiance for the levels and overworld, and are incredible to listen to in any setting. Stickerbush Symphony and Snow Bound Land are some of my favorite themes from any game, and the credits music made me want to start playing the game all over again. Even if someone hasn’t touched the first entry or even a platformer in general, I’d recommend Diddy’s Kong Quest to anyone looking for a game that exemplifies satisfaction in skill and creativity.
Part of the Glitchwave Top 100 Project (#88/100)
Reviewed on Feb 01, 2023