#32: Donkey Kong Country
I was a Nintendo Power subscriber in the 90s so I received a VHS promo tape for Donkey Kong Country (you can find it on YouTube nowadays), it promoted it's state of the art graphics made the latest 3D rendering techniques. Today, of course, there's nothing impressive about DKC's graphics (although it still looks great) but what is still remains is how fun the game is to play.
The game can be quite challenging at times but you also get plenty of lives thanks to the many bonus areas giving out bananas and balloons and the KONG letters scattered in each level. Each of the Kongs plays slightly differently with Diddy Kong being faster and Donkey Kong stronger. DKC was an effort by Nintendo to revitalize a forgotten mascot and they've done quite a fantastic job mixing the old and the new. Barrels are a recurring theme throughout the game allowing you to throw them at enemies (like DK did to Mario all those years ago), find your missing companion, unlock bonus areas, launch you in the air (or down a pit). The Kremlings (the game's enemies) have a lot of personality and each provide their own challenge.
All of this is accompanied by a wonderful soundtrack from David Wise which is among my favorites.
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