DK and Diddy are out to see who’s the funkier monkey in this musical adventure!
- EU release: 15th October 2004
- JP release: N/A
- NA release: N/A
- Developer: Namco
- Publisher: Nintendo
- NGC Magazine Score: 88%
- Mods Used: None
When it comes to regional versions of Donkey Konga, it was the North American and European versions of the games. Or, to be more precise, the British version – it’s very much made with the UK in mind. Songs popular in the USA also tend to be popular over here, and I knew and liked most songs in the NA version of the game. Some songs are the same between the both, but there are some interesting differences.
The key one being difficulty. The UK version mod Donkey Konga feels like the hardest version, with a lot more fast paced songs and even ones that significantly change tempo part way through. While We Will Rock You was a great example of how the NA game worked, a different Queen song is key here – Don’t Stop Me Now.
As everyone knows, the song is slow to start, then suddenly speeds up. I didn’t even realise barrels moved at different speeds until this song. 99 Red Balloons and Tubthumping are other fast based songs and I’m also surprised they picked a song that references alcohol so much. Especially when you consider that Nintendo had to commission someone to perform it.
There’s also no simpler nursery rhyme songs to ease you and your friends into the game, the learning curve is much steeper and I found songs to be difficult even in the easy difficulty. It’s still a ton of fun, though.
Fun
You’ll be hooked on Donkey Konga before you’ve made it to the end of your first song, and one you get a few other players involved, this will be the first thing you want to load up after and evening at the pub, or the one and only thing you’ll be asked to load up during a civilised family gathering.
Martin Kitts, NGC Magazine #99
Remake or remaster?
It would be nice for a new Donkey Konga, even if it was just Nintendo owned songs.
Official Ways to get the game
There’s no official way to get Donkey Konga.
Europe
Japan
North America
GameCube Games by Date
2002: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2003: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2004: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2005: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2006: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
