In the tradition of the original Donkey Konga comes another rhythm-based game from Nintendo. The aptly named Donkey Konga 2 comes with a slew of new songs and modes and improves on its predecessor in almost every respect.
Aesthetics:
The graphics in Donkey Konga 2 are average at best. While the new backgrounds are inventive and colorful, they are in bland and lacking any detailed textures. For example, there is a fishing village background that parades past the screen while you are playing. The houses in this village are pretty, but they really don't look like real houses. Their appearance is more comparable to a painting of houses than anything. However, there is a nice jungle background with flowing rivers and full lush trees to balance this out.
The characters in Donkey Konga 2 are the exact same models used in the first game. Donkey Kong looks as fuzzy as ever, and Diddy Kong still has that banana-eating grin on his face. (It's part of his charm.) The newest member of the Konga krew is Dixie from the Super Nes games, and she appears just as you remember her. It's a shame she can't whip that ponytail of hers around anymore. That was great fun.
Sound:
The sound in a rhythm-based game is what defines it, and in this case Donkey Konga stands out. With thirty-two new songs that range from modern pop to classical music, Donkey Konga 2 has a little of everything. The music genres are far more limited compared to the previous game though. This sequel focuses on more mainstream music and bubble-gum rock and pop. To that end if you are into that sort of thing you will love this game. Being the older fart that I am, I would have liked the game to have the artist listed next to the song so I could know who wrote and or performed it originally. I say originally, because just like the last game, all the songs are covers. The ones I recognize are extremely well done, with similar voice and instrumentals. Nintendo sure knows how to pick cover bands.
Gameplay:
There should be a disclaimer on the box of Donkey Konga 2. Something along the lines of "Warning: Not for the rhythmically challenged." If this is you, the game will still hold enjoyment, but might prove to be a bit embarrassing in the end. On the flip side, if you find yourself tapping along with every repetitive sound you hear, then this game will prove to be an absolute blast.
Like the game before it, you hit the left drum when you see a yellow circle, the right drum for a red, and purple demands both. The little explosion icon expects a clap, but to save your hands, some have found that tapping the side of the bongos or shouting real loud will do the trick. I don't recommend doing the latter, as it makes your neighbors... less friendly.
With 2 new modes to choose from over the original, Donkey Konga 2 offers more ways to make your hands hurt than the last version. Let's face it. Who doesn't like playing a game until they cause themselves pain?
Control:
The DK Bongo accessory controls Donkey Konga 2, and it works surprisingly well. During the gameplay the controls respond as described above. In menu screens, hitting the left bongo moves the cursor left; hitting the right does the inverse. Nintendo designed the menu screens to be compatible with the bongo controllers, so no regular controller is needed to enjoy the experience.
Multiplayer:
Like most Nintendo games before it, the multiplayer aspect is the most fun. With two or more people playing at once, the game becomes extremely enjoyable. Depending on the crowd you play with the explecetives can get rather colorful when someone misses a note or loses their place. In fact, many a person has been beaten severely with the bongo controllers due to a sore loser and lived to tell the tale. If your crowd is more lighthearted simply being knocked senseless with a pillow is the worst you will experience.
OVERALL:
Donkey Konga 2 is an excellent game, and while the music selection isn't as solid as the last title, it proves Nintendo still knows how to make a fun and engaging rhythm-based game.
Highly recommended. Pick it up now!
The Lowdown on  Donkey Konga 2
| Aesthetics: Average |
Control: Awesome |
| Gameplay: Awesome |
Multiplayer: Awesome |
| Sound: Very Good |
Innovation: 3/6 |
| Lasting Appeal: 6/6 |
|
Overall: Awesome!
"Top of the Genre"
|
Donkey Konga 2
