Donkey Kong 64 Review: Rare's Ambitious Platformer

Donkey Kong 64 is the game that required the Expansion Pak. When it launched, you had to buy extra hardware just to play it. That's commitment. But here's the thing: it was worth it.

This is Rare at their most ambitious. Five playable characters, massive levels, hundreds of collectibles—Donkey Kong 64 is huge. It's almost too big. But that's part of its charm.

Five Characters, Five Playstyles

Donkey Kong 64 lets you play as five different Kongs: Donkey, Diddy, Lanky, Tiny, and Chunky. Each has their own abilities, their own weapons, and their own personality.

Donkey shoots coconuts. Diddy has peanut popguns. Lanky can stretch his arms. Tiny can shrink. Chunky can punch through walls. The variety keeps things fresh, even when you're collecting the same things over and over.

The Levels Are Massive

Every level in Donkey Kong 64 is huge. Jungle Japes, Angry Aztec, Frantic Factory—they're all massive playgrounds filled with secrets. You'll spend hours in each level, and you'll still miss things.

The level design is impressive. Each area has multiple paths, hidden areas, and secrets. Exploring these levels is a joy, even when you're not sure what you're looking for.

The Collecting is... Extensive

Donkey Kong 64 has a lot of collectibles. Golden Bananas, Banana Coins, Blueprints, Fairies—there's a lot to collect. Some people love this. Some people find it tedious.

I'm in the "love it" camp. There's something satisfying about finding every collectible, unlocking every area, and completing everything. It's a completionist's dream.

The Expansion Pak Showcase

Donkey Kong 64 was designed to showcase the Expansion Pak. The graphics are impressive, the levels are massive, and the draw distance is incredible. This is what the N64 could do with extra RAM.

The game looks great, even today. The character models are detailed, the environments are lush, and the effects are impressive. It's a technical showcase.

The Music is Catchy

Grant Kirkhope's soundtrack is perfect. Every level has its own theme, and they're all catchy. The DK Rap is iconic (whether you love it or hate it), and the level themes are memorable.

The music enhances every moment. It's upbeat, it's catchy, and it fits the game perfectly.

Why It's Still Great

Donkey Kong 64 holds up because it's ambitious. It's a game that tries to do everything, and it mostly succeeds. The collecting might be excessive, but the gameplay is solid, and the levels are impressive.

Modern games might be more focused, but Donkey Kong 64's ambition is admirable. It's a game that goes big, and that's why it's memorable.

For Collectors

Donkey Kong 64 is essential for N64 collectors. It's not rare (loose $30-$50, CIB $80-$150), but it's one of the most ambitious games on the system. Every N64 collection needs this game.

The Expansion Pak requirement makes it special. It's a game that pushed the hardware, and that's worth preserving.

Final Thoughts

Donkey Kong 64 is ambitious, excessive, and absolutely brilliant. It's a game that tries to do everything, and it mostly succeeds. If you love collecting and exploring, this is the game for you.

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