Topic: IMPRESSIONS: DK: King of Swing DS

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Swing with Donkey and Diddy in this sequel to last year’s GBA puzzle-platformer.

Donkey Kong: King of Swing for GBA was among the most surprising puzzle games for the GBA.  Its clever and simple controls yielded painfully-difficult yet addictive challenges, and its endearing, cartoon-like art style felt both old and new.     Donkey Kong; King of Swing DS retains the same primary controls: players control DK with the L and R buttons, allowing him to grab, rotate and charge attack while climbing or in midair.  On the ground L and R allow him to walk or jump.  However, Paon has revamped the game's subtler details.  Bananas are no longer used to purchase health or make the Kong "go bananas."     In fact, the DS game includes neither.  Instead, Diddy (found in a DK Barrel, of course) joins DK for a new arsenal of moves, trailing behind his best buddy.  Pushing L + R while DK is in the midst of his attack will send Diddy flying as a projectile to damage or destroy distant objects such as barrels, bricks and baddies.  For example, if Diddy grabs onto a golden ring on a rope, DK can stretch Diddy and the rope by climbing backwards.  Taking a page from the DKC series, Diddy also doubles as extra health. If DK is hit when Diddy tags along, Diddy gets hurt instead and disappears.  If DK is hurt the player loses a life.  DK barrels regenerate quickly, but one is not always nearby.    

There are other changes and additions, too.  DK can swing off giant flowers, which behave like catapults, and secret cubbies of gems and bananas seem more frequent in this sequel. The game demo world’s boss, a banana-shaped airship, was easier than the first game’s bosses.  Disappointingly, the DS game dumps its cartoon visual style for the series’ standard pre-rendered look, although it uses 3D graphics for the world map and has impressive models for DK and Cranky during their conversations.  The game retains the same upbeat musical style found in the original, though nothing I heard stood out.    

DK King of Swing DS looks to be a straightforward sequel offering more for fans of the original.