History of Donkey Kong (1981 - 2020) | Documentary
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- Опубликовано: 24 авг 2024
- Please support this channel on Patreon: / nick930
A full history of the Donkey Kong franchise - with a heavy focus on the DK Country titles. From the origins of Nintendo as a video game company in the 1980s through to the most recent Switch remaster of Tropical Freeze, this documentary covers it all!
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Donkey Kong Country 2 by learning about how this incredible franchise came to be!
This video details each and every mainline entry, breaking down their development history, gameplay features, visual design, critical reception, all backed with each game's original soundtrack and sound effects.
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#DonkeyKong #Nintendo #Documentary
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This one took a lot of time to put together. Lots of really cool information about this franchise that just couldn't be neglected. Donkey Kong Country 2 is actually my first video game I've ever owned - and so I felt this franchise deserved to be spotlighted this month. Thanks for tuning in on Twitch as I recorded all the footage for these games. If you missed out - no worries! I'm going to start recording my next documentary Tuesday!
www.twitch.tv/nick930
Just sayin i think Nintendo had a sex hotel in the 60s but idk
"Love hotel"
And yes, this is mentioned
This deserves far more views. Thanks for this video I am a huge DK fan 😊
I'm in
What is with DKC on Gameboy Color?
I wish Nintendo made one for the Switch with King K. Rool returning.
Tell Microsoft and Rareware that.
@RayMinishi What's that supposed to mean?
Militant Pacifist I KNOW RIGHT
@@TRQDude I believe Microsoft and Rare own the "non Donkey Kong" stuff that was added to the games... or that would be my guess. Donkey Kong and his direct relatives are probably owned by Nintendo since all the Kong family are derivative works of the original, but K. Rool and the Kremlings are wholly original creations.
@@cartoonistaaronhazouri K. Rool and the Kremlins are owned by Nintendo. They appeared in several games since Rares departure and K.Rool just recently was added to Smash Bros. K.Rool being copyrighted by Rare is a myth.
Fantastic video! It’s about time somebody gave the series the respect it deserves. We need a new Donkey Kong Country game for Switch.
Remasters of the original trilogy would work with better visuals and sound.
@@MoviesNGames007uk this needs to happen NOW!!!
I say slap the DKC Trilogy on Switch SNES online and put out a new game or 3quel to DKC Tropical Freeze... it's been 6 years since that came out. 😡😡
I feel like we should get a Donkey Kong collection for switch all these games we're iconic in there own way
im so glad DKC has finally come to the switch SNEs thing. Its is much fun!
Let's be honest: if it weren't for DKC, donkey kong would only be remembered as ''that old arcade game mario was introduced''.
Unless something else took over the spot that DKC had.
@@MegaFinalRound unlikely
I think the point was supposed to be, that if the original Donkey Kong arcade game never had some sort of sequel (DKC), instead DK would've just been a historical game that created a legacy for the Mario games. Fortunately we remember Donkey Kong for it's own legacy of side-scrolling games and it's very unique 3D spin-off and lesser bongo spin-off.
He showed up in the original Mario Kart before this. But you're right, most people wouldn't have cared about him if he hadn't had his own wildly successful franchise.
That was Donkey Kong Jr in the original Mario Kart on the SNES.
Donkey Kong was in Mario Kart 64!
Donkey kong country returns will always be the most nostalgic, underrated and fun donkey kong country games ever. Such a fun game honestly, I remember always asking my younger brother if he would want to play on my phone and I would play on the DS.
I still listen to the Donkey Kong Country music tracks to this day.
I have such fond memories playing the SNES game, unfortunately I never owned a Wii.
DKCR was released on the 2ds/3ds too. They are fairly cheap now!
Or a wii is dirt cheap rn
@@85fabricio, I recommend you to listen to DKC soundrack in 8D. Loved it! There's even a chillout version of the soundtrack on youtube. Both are excellent additions to the brilliant soundtrack that I also listen to every now and then. Also, you can easily skip pretty much all other editions of DK games until the reboot on Switch. Tried all of them that's worth to try, and this one gives the best feel compared to its original DKC-games. :)
Check put jammin sam Miller. He plans to restore all soundtracks of the trilogy and already has restored the big bulk of em. He restores the soundtracks with the original samples to show how it would sound like in studio quality. He yesterday released the biggest anticipated request on his channel ever since he decided to restore them: mining melancholy. It's just wonderful.
Wii / Wii U was Nintendos dark ages.
What a wonderful documentary! I'm a huge fan of DK. For me, DKC 2 is the best game of all time and its OST is speechless. I wish Kremlins could return. Nintendo shouldn't sell the best studio we've seen in the gaming industry. Thank you for this video, it's really important for us fans to keep the franchise alive.
brings back alot of childhood memories I used to play these games as a kid. Thanks for the trip
down memory lane.
RARE is to the Donkey Kong franchise like Retro Studios is to the Metroid Prime franchise. They were both made for each other.
Funny enough Retro studios made a better success with DKC Returns and Tropical Freeze than Metroid.
They are now the Retro to Rareware for DKC games.
So true, and that's why a 3rd DKC game should have happened by now or may be in development... who knows?! Its like Nintendo is ignoring the DK IP and fanbase for not revealing a new game in development.
Joshua Ayers sadly it’s really probable that it isn’t being developed by Retro Studios because of Metroid Prime 4. I wonder what was RS doing between the release of DK:TF and their inclusion on Metroid Prime 4
Joshua Ayers uh, dkc 3 is already a thing, I hate when people hate on 3 for no good reason
Country and Prime were amazing trilogies!! Now Nintendo has another trilogy this time with Legend Of Zelda's Breath Of The Wild timeline.
I always loved the ambience of DKC3. There was something so atmospheric about the alpine setting combined with the game's OST.
Yeah screw the haters
Do more videos like this.
Big thumbs up
History of halo
History of Banjo Kazooie would be interesting
This was my First Nintendo game series i ever own and i will continue supporting the series even the other games.
Thank you for giving us an extensive insight not only into the history of DK, but also into the history of Nintendo. I wish they would make a new 3-D Donkey Kong as the new installment for Nintendo Switch, given the recent 20th anniversary of DK64.
Not only is Kirby saving the dream land.. but he saves Nintendo's too.
Man thanks for this video, so many memories ... nostalgia is on.. 😭
The third Country game was my childhood... I was hooked on Donkey Kong and Kirby!
I always loved the original DCK games, they were often weekend rentals for me as a kid, but I have the most fond memories for DK64. I had an aunt and uncle who had a N64 Me, my siblings and our uncle would player the split-screen battle arena mode until our thumbs ached. I am always baffled to see that mode never mentioned. It was basically a DK themed Quake clone.
don't know why Retro couldn't have Enguarde the Swordfish in Tropical Freeze
for constientacy.
It's such a stupidly missed opportunity. It would've been fun blowing through the water stages with Enguarde, charging like Rambi does but just underwater. Also, it would've been really cool to perform some wicked high jumps out of the water, like a dolphin.
@@k-leb4671 I agree. Enguarde is just as important as Rambi and Squawks.
DKC3 is so underrated...the most polished game in the whole series.
I remember when me and my best friend used to play Donkey Kong Country Returns. We were both like 7. That was my favorite memory with him, I haven't seen him since the beginning of 2015. I wonder if my mom is friends with his mom on Facebook, but I don't think so. I think about him alot.
I know how that feels bro. I wish the best for you, and hey.. you can do anything! 😉
What timing, I just pulled out my n64 to play donkey Kong yesterday
Tropical Freeze's under water levels are so under rated... perhaps the absolute best water levels ever created in a platformer.
Very nostalgic seeing the early games of Donkey Kong
You’re right up there with Christopher Moon
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is literally my FAVORITE game of all time!!! Never has any game been able to trigger each one of my emotions. This game is a true work of art from its beautiful graphics and fantastic platforming game play to its tear inducing music from legendary David Wise. I was pissed that it didn't get any GOTY Awards in 2014 and appalled that it still isn't being recognized in the recent Game of the Decade discussions.
Excellent video. Very detailed and in-depth on its history
DKC2 was one of my only SNES cartridges at the time because they were so expensive (in my country), it quickly became a huge part of my childhood. So nostalgic!
The score to these games is amazing and definitely dkc3 I loved the rpg aspects
What a great tribute to the DK seris one of my favorite franchise cant wait for the next DK game
At 34:01 you said Returns introduced pounding on the ground, but I'm pretty sure that was in the first Donkey Kong Country. You could get bananas or barrels in certain dark spots on the ground. I love the first game, so I'm really glad you made this.
Only if you jump on them. Not really the same type of mechanic but i get what you mean
@@Nick930 actually you could pound in between trees and other areas in dkc
@@Nick930 nope, DK has a special attack in the original DKC that makes him do a ground pound similar to the one in DKCR
For the next game I want the return of the original baddies, King K.Rool and his Kremlings.
I prefered him as Kaptain K.Rool in Donkey Kong Country 2.
Donkey Kong Country 2 is my favorite and was imo the best in the series and the best of all 3 of the Donkey Kong Country games.
My second favorite was of course it's prequel, Donkey Kong Country leaving Donkey Kong Country 3 as my least favorite out of the S.N.E.S Donkey Kong Country Trilogy.
Why? Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest was everything Donkey Kong Country was only with a lot of extra hype and amped the fuck up!
I loved it's level backgrounds, the whole pirate theme was neatly done and it was just like a massively upgraded version of Donkey Kong Country and in my opinion featured the best soundtrack and game story line.
That's what makes it better than Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest was also a lot "cooler" than it's sequel, Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble as well.
Omg man thank you for these series! Gaming history is so timeless, the innovations year by year are mind blowing
Tropical Freeze changed my life
My favorites are: DKC3, DKC: Returns, DKC: Tropical Freeze and last but not least - Barrel Blast (really had a lot of fun with this one and it was properly challenging).
if only history class could be like this. you're really passionate about it all and really provide the entire history in regards to legalities and company decisions, etc. i was hooked. those 43 minutes flew right by. this must've taken ages to research/edit.
The Donkey Kong Country soundtrack is epically perfect!!
I'm ready for a DK country returns 3!!!
An informative video about my best and long forgotten boi Donkey in these days? God bless you.
You should also check the recent videos from gamexplain - they celebrated 25 years of dkc with a whole bunch of great interviews with the original team including David wise
@@christianstenger7280 Thanks, that is way beyond my expectation.
They should remaster the first Donkey kong country, or make a new 3D adventure more in line with something like Super Mario Odyssey or Galaxy
THIS.
Nick930 all Donkey Kong Country video games is my favorite
I’d love a sequel to DK64. Mario Odyssey and Breath of the Wild were so good, I’d love to see DK brought back to 3D space
We need a Super Mario Sunshine remaster
Breath of the Donkey, Kong of the Wild?
Finally a review who did justice to DK3. Most people usually hate it from no reason! It is good as the second one.
The music 💜
i didn't know i wanted this but now i do
DKC Tropical Freeze definitely has deserved more praise. I loved the game and share the opinion, that this is one of the best platformers of all time.
I've always enjoyed DKC over Mario and LoZ. At first when Returns came out on the Wii, I was disappointed because K. Rool was nowhere to be found but I went ahead and purchased it anyway and tried it. I ended up falling in love with it. I hope Nintendo brings K. Rool back as the final boss in a future DKC game. I'm sort of hopeful since they brought him back in Smash for the Switch 🤞🏻
You did such an amazing job covering the history and including many fascinating facts outside the realm that somehow blended in just perfect
The birth of N64 did overshadow DKC3’s release.
I just could never get into the 3rd one.i didnt like the main characters
Brilliant video! My favourite is still Donkey Long Country 2. Tropical Freeze is brilliant but 2 still has the best variety and feel of it’s platforming/ levels.
I love Donkey Kong
(1/20/20)
Great vid. Thanks!
Excelent video. You shoud show this to the fine folks at DK vine, if you havent already, keep up the graet work
DKC2 has one of the best soundtracks of the series.
“To start the year off right....”
Such innocence, if only we knew
that was really nice
I have been playing the DKC trilogy on Snes ever since I was a young child and I continue to do so with devices like Retroduo and Retron 2. I also have DKC 2 and Tropical Freeze as my favorite Dkc games.
Tropical Freeze on Switch is amazing 👍
Lol some levels are hard
Awesome video, Nick! Donkey Kong is pure art!
A full reboot of 1,2 and 3 with modern graphics
Thank you. One of my fav characters ever
This game is basically Nintendo & Rare's answer to Sonic the Hedgehog, which was Sega's answer to Super Mario World.
You're absolutely right. Nintendo couldn't pull another Super Mario Bros Trilogy for the Super NES against Sega's Sonic so the famed plumber took a step back for a bit and let his former enemy's grandson take the lead in the 90s against the Blue Blur.
Babes let's watch something quick like a documentary...
Me: Say no more.. *puts on nick's video game franchise history* 😏
how many women do you have?!
@@criznittle968 the question is - how many does he not have?
@@criznittle968 No it was the woman saying babes. The question is - how many men does she have?
@@k-leb4671 *katerino has entered the chat*
This was a very fun watch thank you.
The music was so gud !
All Nintendo music is good!!
oh man the nostalgia , i played all these from the beginning of the franchise, a pleasure
Missing information:
-Shigeru Miyamoto give the red tie to Donkey Kong.
-There was a remake of the original arcade for the Game Boy aka "Donkey Kong 94" and a follow puzzle platformer series of games "Mario vs Donkey Kong" across multiple platforms.
-Donkey Kong Country returns 3DS port.
Good video as always
Love the whole DKC series, but especially DKC2. The music by David is incredible, some songs immediatelly bring me back in time. In that time I've never seen a game with such good graphics and for a kid of 10 years old it is insanely difficult. Also, for me, the game was somewhat of a 2 player game. I was always Dixie while my brother was always Diddy.
One of my fondest memory’s of my father is how we would play DK games on our SNES when I was young…one day I hope to do the same with my future children
Donkey Kong Country 2 & 3 were the only games anyone would ever play back in the early 2000’s at after school school care. Everyone would sign up and take turns playing as teams. Still own the three classic DKC games.
Donkey Kong Country 3 was my favorite, I loved the tent and beating Kranky
Donkey Kong (and the Entire Mario Franchise due to Mario's first appearance in Donkey Kong in 1981) turns 40 in 2021!
Been a video game fanatic for most of my 30 years, and only now learned that Donkey Kong 3 was a thing.
I'm definitely going to super Nintendo world this summer when it opens I wonder what the donkey Kong stuff will be especially rides I want a remake to donkey Kong from the 90s all classics good video 💯
It's not going to be open. Thank the Wuhan Virus...
@@gookawild5543 🤨
@@toooydoeur My comment was from a year ago. Thankfully times are somewhat changing
Why didn't you mention the 3DS remaster of the Wii game, but mention the Switch game that adds nothing? The 3DS game added several new levels, a new mode for newcomers, removed the motion controls that were heavily criticized, and added 3D.
Such great documentaries, Nick. Even though I've seen a dozen on every game, I prefer your takes. You're not obnoxious, knowledgeable and professional. Thank you, for making these.
I love a lot of things about the DKC games, but my favorite part by far is that underwater theme from the first game. Instant zen.
Great Retrospective, DKC was my childhood
id prob rank them as
DKC 2
DKC Tropical Freeze
DKC 1
DKC 3
DKC Returns
DK64
Amazing video...its 3:44 AM and I am watching this. Well done!
Wow that was extremely well done, thank you for making this!
There were a couple of games missing on this history lesson. A GB Color version of Donkey Kong Land 3 that never left Japan, and also a distinct GB Color version of the original Donkey Kong Country that had the same level layout as the original SNES version, plus a new level that wasn't used in the later GBA remake.
It also omitted the 3DS version of Returns, which also had extra levels.
Amazing take on the DK series, not many people know that the series experienced more ups and downs as expected.
However, you have forgotten one game, that is always overlooked - Donkey Kong, released on the Game Boy on 1994, months before the release of DKC.
Many people thought that this game was just a GB port of the 1981 arcade game, but after playing like 2 stages, the game opened into a multi-world vertical scrolling platformer. The game was developed by R&D1 I think, and this was Nintendo's own take for the reboot of the series, alongside Rare's DKC.
OMG SO MUCH MEMORIES when I had an game boy when I was young 😭😭😭
Greate proffecionaly done episode.
I've played first ones on snes, still remember Diddy's squealing while he's sitting in a barrel))
I feel like no other game deserves a remaster more than Donkey Kong Country
It still throws me a bit being reminded that Kirby a living vacuum was named the same as a brand of vacuum cleaners by complete coincidence.
I love this,
I wish it came back :(
"In order to avoid another recession, Nintendo only focused on approving the best quality of games on the NES"
AVGN would like to ask why would that explain all of the shitty LJN games that were also on the NES at the time.
LJN is a subsidiaries of Acclaim and Williams, in able to counter Nintendo's restriction of releasing only 4 games per year on the NES, third party companies like Acclaim and Konami created secondary branches (LJN for Acclaim and Ultra for Konami) which would allow them to make double the number of games for the company per one year. This is why Konami was able to get 8 games per year and why there are a lot of LJN and Acclaim games released in one year. Also Nintendo's approval of games is not about quality but more about accessibility. The videogame crash happen cause there are more bad games than good but also because since consumer could not tell the good games from the bad resuting in them refusing to buy any more thus with too many games on store shelves not sold, store refuse to restock anymore games therefore companies whose games aren't selling don't make money and left the industry.
So the crash happen because of too many bad games, too many games available at store shelves that aren't selling, too many companies who make games but can't sell them cause store had no space for those and thus those companies went out of business. What Nintendo did was limit the release to 4 games per year so customers had a chance to try the games and so store had more space to restock them. Releasing too many games that may or may not be good through this help both store and companies improve on the product. Bad games being at store shelves mean the company needs to aim for better quality and the better selling games are the ones that get the better promotion at retail stores over those that aren't selling which could be tie to their quality.
The video game crash didn't happen because of bad games. The main factors were Atari not having control over third parties, thus damaging them and Warner Communication financially, over ordered quantities of popular games, as well as an undercooked retail system that was allowed to return all of the unsold copies if they didn't meet expectations. This resulted in so many games ending up in bargain bins, a great chunk were still more or less good or even decent, and thus many game companies fell apart really quickly. While Nintendo didn't necessarily save the American industry like many would say, they did play a significantly important part into helping that side of the industry grow and improve.
I regretfully have never played any of these games. This video has me wanting to buy them all.
This game is a timeless classic.
i hope the villian of the next donkey kong country game is king K rool and the enemies are kremlings
Here's an idea for new DKC games: a trilogy for the Switch focusing on the Great Ape War. In terms of tone, it's more along the lines of Metroid Prime meets Game of Thrones meets Inglorious Bastards. The game titles are as follows: Rise of the Planet of the Kongs, Dawn of the Planet of the Kongs and War for the Planet of the Kongs.
That giant octopus was triggering my megalaphobia. Other than that excellent video!
Aquatic ambience still is one of the greatest game tracks and instrumentals period
Donkey Kong Country was my life. I got into gaming mainly because of Donkey Kong Country. I grew up playing the first 2 DKC games on the SNES and I would still be playing them to this day if I didn't donate my SNES years ago. Years later, I found a website online to allowed me to play DKC 1, 2 and 3 all online for free. So I used this opportunity to try out DKC3 for the first time. It wasn't as much fun as the first 2 DKC games, but I still enjoyed it. I haven't own another game console since, until King K. Rool was announced as a playable character for Smash Bros. Ultimate. After that, I decided to get a Nintendo Switch just for that reason alone. The first games I bought with my Switch were Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and DKC Tropical Freeze (both of which had Donkey Kong in it). Tropical Freeze was the hardest DKC game I have ever played. I've managed to 100% the game, but I still haven't managed to 200% the game yet. It is the first DKC game that actually turned my fun into frustration. DKC2 had better gameplay and music while Tropical Freeze has better visuals, designs, and platforming. Out of all the DK games I've played, here are my rankings:
1. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
2. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
3. Donkey Kong Country
4. Diddy Kong Racing
5. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie's Kong Double Trouble
6. Donkey Kong 64
Other games I've played just because Donkey Kong is in it are:
Mario Tennis Aces
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart Tour
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Super Mario Kart
Super Smash Bros 64
Mario Tennis 64
33:17 Are you kidding me ?!
I’ve ran into at least 40 Gave over screens in that God forsaken game
I really wish Sony had bought out Rare Microsoft wasted their talent and potential.
Also as always keep up the good work Nick.
chris ortiz still doesn’t defeat the fact that they wasted good talent for years and rare is a former shell of what it use to be.
@chris ortiz Now sea of thieves is doint really well, but the release version wasnt that well received.
just to correct that point a little.
People blame Microsoft, but it's Nintendo who is the responsible of they're demise.
Sea of Thieves is on Xbox Game Pass and I still have no interest in playing it.
Did Nintendo really lose Rare, or did they give them away willingly?
After watching a certain documentary, I've kind of come to realize why Nintendo didn't put up much of a fight when Microsoft was buying Rare out. Nintendo and Rare's relationship was rock solid throughout the SNES and early N64 era I'll give them that, but then after employees started leaving Rare during the mid to late N64 era it caused them to slowly loose control and crumble internally. Their magnum opus Banjo Kazooie was incredibly successful, but keep in mind that that game had been in development since the SNES era - before Rare started to fall apart.
Though I will not ignore games like Banjo Tooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day. Those are great games, but I'd say it's more on the timing that brought those games down. However Rare's situation in the console space was still becoming dire, with more employees - especially key employees like the top developers of Goldeneye 007 - leaving the company as time went on.
By the time the GameCube era rolled around, Rare was becoming a shell of it's former self because of the above listed points. So when Nintendo chose to not fight for Rare when they were being bought out, it must have been because they saw the situation Rare was in and just thought that Rare could no longer be of a benefit to them.
To back my point lemme explain: Rare complained that rising costs in game development was making it hard to develop games. But the games they pushed out for the Xbox just weren't as successful as before - and this was with the bigger budget they now had from Microsoft that they were looking for. I'm not saying they had no reason to complain about not having enough of a budget, but I'm just pointing out that money may not have been the primary issue and that Rare was in an increasingly unstable position.
I now think that rather Microsoft stole Rare from Nintendo, Nintendo gave Rare away willingly, knowing the British based company's position.
What a trip down memory lane I loved the Donkey Kong series my favorite games on SNES along with Aladdin 🎮
Truth is, those days are long gone! I would give everything to have 5 years again when i got my super nintendo. That year, christmas was so true, so beatiful, thank you nintendo. This was very emotional for me!
If it wasn’t for Retro Studios creating DKCR I probably wouldn’t have dived into this series
The 2000’s really messed with how DK was seen to the general audience, as the character who hung out with Mario & crew and while having smaller spinoff games on the side
I now see this series as a beautiful yet challenging platformer with an amazing score each game, if it weren’t for Rare we would only remember DK as that arcade gorilla villain who mario faced off with in the 80’s
Thanks for this video! Donkey Kong Country was my favorite SNES game, and it still feels like "comfort food" every once and a while when I want to play through it. I'm glad the last couple games have returned to form. Mario Super Sluggers on Wii featured Kremlings and King K Rool which was amazing--I hope that returns as well in a future Mario Baseball!
Did some looking into it because I was like, "There is absolutely no way..." As much as I have played the series, not once did I realize that was Squawks first featured in Torchlight Trouble. He was already my favorite buddy, and that just gives me that much more reason. XD