parent nodes: Donkey Kong | Donkey Kong 64 | Jack Judah | Mario | Nintendo 64
Donkey Kong 64 is an adventure/platform video game developed by Rareware for the Nintendo 64. DK64 was published by Nintendo and released on November 22, 1999. The game is one of two for the Nintendo 64 that require the use of the Expansion Pak in order to function. The initial release of Donkey Kong 64 included the Expansion Pak with the game for free. Donkey Kong 64 would later become a Nintendo 64 Player's Choice. This game is a follow up to the Donkey Kong Country (Super Donkey Kong) trilogy on the Super Famicom/SNES.
Plot
The plot is simple, with many jokes (as is typical of Rareware). King K. Rool is trying to destroy the Kong's island with a large laser, but it is broken. He captures the Kongs and locks them up, but Donkey Kong escapes and then must rescue the others. He also must recover his stolen golden bananas. They can then together try to defeat K. Rool, each using their special abilities
Characters
Concept art for Donkey Kong 64 that illustrates the game's protagonists.
There are 5 playable characters, which come available after being rescued:
Donkey Kong
Diddy Kong
Tiny Kong
Lanky Kong
Chunky Kong
Other NPCs include:
Cranky Kong
Wrinkly Kong
Funky Kong
Candy Kong
Levels
There are 8 large levels, as well as the massive overworld. Each level has 5 golden bananas and 100 regular bananas to collect for each of the 5 characters. They also each have their own boss to fight at the end. This means to complete the game 100% requires many hours.
The levels are:
DK Isle - Overworld
Jungle Japes
Angry Aztec
Frantic Factory
Gloomy Galleon
Fungi Forest
Crystal Caves
Creepy Castle
Hideout Helm
Gameplay
The main section of the game is thesingle-player experience, but there is also a multi-player mode.
Single-player
The game is a 3D adventure with strong platforming linkes, similar to that of Banjo Kazooie or Super Mario 64. Much of the gameplay involves collecting various items, such as coins, bananas, weapons, keys, fruits, and more. IGN described it as the most "collecting-ist" game ever. Thematically, Donkey Kong 64 is most like the original Donkey Kong Country, with the Sci-Fi and Pirate settings of the second and third games being largely ommitted.
Unusual for its genre is the ability to buy, and upgrade, weapons for each character. They are able to fire both regular and homing ammo, and to throw orange grenades.
There are two unlockable mini-games - the Rambi Arena (a rhino) and the Enguarde Arena (a swordfish). There are also two unlockable arcade games - the original Donkey Kong and Jetpac.
Multi-player
This can be played by up to 4 players at one time. It features 3 arenas (and one special one) and 6 gameplay modes. The 5 playable characters from the single-player adventure are also used in the multi-player mode, along with one secret character, Krusha.
Game Modes
Survival: Each player has a set amount of lives. Play continues until all players but one have been eliminated.
Coin Hoard: Each player must collect coins from set locations. The player with the most coins at the end of the time limit wins.
Wins: Similiar to Survival, except that winning is based upon scoring a set amount of kills.
Timer: Similar to Wins, except instead of a set amount of kills, a time limit is placed. The player with the most kills by the end of the match wins.
Capture: A single coin is placed in the middle of the arena. Players gain points for holding the coin. The player with the most points at the end of the time limit wins.
Capture Pads: Similiar to Capture, except players must carry the coin over pads to gain points.
Mysteries
Donkey Kong 64 has several seemingly pointless features, which sparked rumours of secret extra modes when it came out. The most famous is a useless monkeyport linking to a pillar, but there are also unopenable doors and out-of-place pictures. Typically Rareware have refused to comment, but they have a history of putting in these features to amuse and intrigue the gamer, for instance the cheese in Perfect Dark
Sequels
Rareware were taken over by Microsoft, and no longer have the Donkey Kong license. Nintendo teamed up with Namco to make Donkey Konga and its sequel. There has been no information about whether there will be a new platforming game using the Donkey Kong theme.