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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Feel the beat of a completely new gaming experience as you drum through an incredible jungle adventure with Donkey Kong. DK has to brave the dangers of the jungle to rescue his simian pals. Grab a set of DK Bongos and use them to guide Donkey Kong through wild jungle environments brimming with ravenous enemies and challenging obstacles. The control is in the bongos -- tap the bongos, do a drum roll, or even clap to control DK on the screen as you battle enormous beasts, collect bananas, get in boxing matches with rivals and ride animals and vehicles. [Nintendo]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 92
Nintendo Power
It's so intuitive, it's like your brain is moving the big ape directly. [May 2005, p.88]
92
Nintendo Insider
Every once in a while, a game or system comes along that redefines gaming in some small way, and DKJB proudly stands in this category.
 90
GameShark
Sadly it just misses true greatness because its benefit to cost ratio just does not balance. At half its price I’d give it the big five sharks without hesitation.
90
NTSC-uk
Jungle Beat was never going to be a bad game but the innovative control scheme and the deep combo-mechanic have elevated it to a genuinely excellent one.
90
AceGamez
A very polished, well made game that breaks new ground in platforming; I highly recommend this game for anyone seeking a change from the traditional platformer or anyone who doesn't have a great interest in video games to begin with.
90
Nintendojo
The game is one of Nintendo’s many hits, if not a masterpiece.
90
Armchair Empire
Find out what Fun is again.
90
Siliconera
An extremely entertaining game from start to finish with enough creativity to make this game stand out from other platform titles.
89
Kombo
A truly refreshing and innovative experience.
88
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is ituitive, addictive and amazingly good fun. It's a shame it is so short - we completed it in four hours - but it is perfectly formed. [GamesMaster: JPN Import]
88
Next Level Gaming
The fact that you use Bongos as the controller may seem very weird at first, but once you get the hang of it, the game is extremely fun and also very addictive.
88
IGN
A surprisingly addictive and well-made platformer with a unique control twist. Anybody who says differently either didn't take the time to really play it or has no business playing games.
86
GameCube Europe
A new style of platforming that may catch on, but since it is so short I would suggest a rental only for this one.
85
PALGN
Jungle Beat's only main fault is its length... for people who simply want to play it from start to finish they're going to feel a little short changed as you'll see the end credits in only about 3-4hrs.
85
NintendoWorldReport
Gripes aside, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is a fantastic platforming game with plenty of new ideas and a great style to call its own. The game also features beautiful graphics which are reminiscent of the technical qualities of Rare's "Star Fox Adventures."
85
eToychest
Without the bongos, the game is a by-the-numbers action platformer, but it’s amazing what such a simple change can mean for the overall experience.
85
Da Gameboyz
With great graphics, quirky sound and a very innovative use of the bongos, this game goes to show you that Nintendo still has great minds creating original and great games.
85
Play Magazine
It's one of the prettiest and exciting-to-watch games I've ever seen. [May 2005, p.52]
84
The New York Times
Wildly entertaining.
83
Gaming Age
It’s a game that allows non-gamers to take part in the action. People simply want to try the game because the controller is so inviting to them. For the hardcore gamers out there, the game is a bit short and tad easy.
83
Nintendophiles
Though the enemies are very repetitive, you’ll at least let off some stress while you literally beat the stuffing out them.
83
Pelit (Finland)
Nintendo really makes the most out of the bongos controller. A fun platform adventure. [Apr. 05]
82
N-Insanity
This game is unbelievably fun, despite certain longevity issues along with recycled boss levels.
80
Sydney Morning Herald
It is a charming romp through dazzling jungle environments via glistening ice chambers, volcanic caverns and aquatic wonderlands. But sadly, many players will complete Jungle Beat in just a few hours.
80
Yahoo! Games
Like "Samba De Amigo," and countless other monkey games with silly controllers before it, Jungle Beat's a winner, albeit a short-lived one.
80
Gamestyle
Gamestyle can't recall any similar title that has been created for a peripheral so obviously detached from the maker's intent. If Nintendo really do want to concentrate on innovation moving forward, Jungle Beat is a most promising start.
80
1UP
It would be nice if the game included some of these types of events as mini-games that players could jump to at any point instead of only making them available in the middle of levels, but there are enough memorable moments in here to overshadow that.
80
Edge Magazine
Game designers talk of emphasising character through dialogue or animation, but his may be the first incidence of a game emphasising it through a control method. Its immediacy means you’ll share every inch of his swaggering, gleeful, unstoppable violence. [Feb 2005, p.78]
80
TotalGames.net
Nintendo obviously spent a lot of time on enemy and level design so would it really have hurt to delay the game for a few months and stick some more levels in?
80
Total Video Games
It’s been awhile since their was a 2D platformer to shout about, and in some way DK: Jungle Beat represents something of a renaissance for the genre, fusing next-gen qualities such as delicious visuals to hopefully ensure it’s not just the older gamers clamouring after them bongos.
80
EuroGamer
Becomes so compelling that you're rarely at a loss for motivation. If you're not simply revelling in the design or your own massive combos, you're hopelessly addicted to securing the requisite number of bananas and coming through unscathed against the boss.
80
GameSpy
Pass the bongos back and forth between stages and have a blast drumming Donkey Kong on his journey.
80
GamerFeed
While it conceptually doesn't offer anything new (because it is at heart just another Donkey Kong Country title), it's the innovative controls that set it apart from the me-too titles that clog its respective genre, and although it's a little on the easy side, the game has plenty of replay value.
80
AltGaming
We know it’s not for everyone, and we know it’s short, but in the end we find it hard to fault a game that not only makes a mockery of standard gaming conventions, but delivers one of the most unique and entertaining (albeit tiring) experiences on the GameCube.
80
GamePro
If you can get past its gimmicky aspect, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat becomes an interesting spin on the side-scrolling hop-n-bop action genre that ultimately relies on endurance as much as reflexes. [Apr 2005, p.82]
80
Games Radar
Jungle Beat may be the only game to make good use of the bongos, but it does one hell of a job.
80
G4 TV
Deserves a look. Not only because the control scheme is something completely new and surprisingly effective, but because the game wrapped around the gimmick is the type of quality stuff we've come to expect from Nintendo's best games.
77
Electronic Gaming Monthly
It's just a shame the bosses don't reflect the creativity of the controls and level design - you'll face the same four foes, and as you progress, each one makes minimal alterations to its fighting style. [Apr 2005, p.134]
75
Detroit Free Press
But the bongos are, indeed, special. They mean the difference between a predictable game and one that marches to a different drummer.
75
Game Informer
A gorgeous game with a couple examples of spectacular level design, but it doesn't have any tricks up its sleeve once the novelty wears off. [Apr 2005, p.130]
75
GameBiz
The swimming is clunky, and the game is way too easy, and hence, short. Ultimately, it's the perfect rental.
72
Inside Gamer Online
You’re sure to have a lot of fun the first hour or through the first ten levels, but after that, things just start to repeat themselves way too much.
70
netjak
If only the game weren’t so expensive, the added cost of the bongos notwithstanding, I’d be able to recommend it in a heartbeat, but the relative brevity and light difficulty keep me from being able to recommend Jungle Beat as anything other than a solid rental.
70
GameSpot
A very inventive, unique game that has a ton of charm and is a blast the first time you play it. But don't blink, because the bad news is that this is also a game that you'll probably finish in three or four hours.
70
games(TM)
Though the platforming doesn’t push any boundaries and the game is rather short, it will put a smile on your face. [Feb 2005, p.102]
70
Cheat Code Central
Some may consider this a novelty but the gameplay is really tightly aligned with the bongo drums. To play it without the drums would be like going to a 3D movie without the 3D glasses.
70
GameCritics
Fun, but has only whetted my appetite for more bongo-compatible games. With time and resources, the bongo controllers can be used in better and cleverer ways as time goes on.
67
Game Revolution
Yet despite its innovation, the game gets old quickly and simply doesn’t have enough depth to warrant much replay, turning the once-proud ape into just another goofy monkey.
60
DarkStation
The game lacks depth, and is just too short to be enjoyed.
Fergus P. gave it an8: Mas H. gave it a10: happy pappy gave it a10: Gherty gave it a10: Sam gave it an8: Eds C. gave it a9: Supersean gave it a9: |
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