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3DS

Donkey Kong Visits the LA Zoo for Memorial Day Weekend

by Kimberly Keller - May 17, 2013, 8:02 am EDT
Total comments: 6 Source: Press Release

Nintendo makes an aPEEL to the animal kingdom.

Nintendo has teamed up with the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Garden to celebrate the launch of Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. From May 24 to 27, visitors to the zoo can participate in various themed activities and demo the game.

For the Memorial Day weekend event, the gorilla reserve will be temporarily renamed the “Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D at the Campo Gorilla Reserve” and will feature a special interactive experience where visitors can watch LA Zoo staff feed the gorillas from Donkey Kong themed giant cardboard barrels. Photo opportunities with Donkey Kong himself and GameStop coupons for $5 off the game will also be offered.

“Our gorillas have never had a visit from a celebrity of Donkey Kong’s stature,” said John R. Lewis, director of the Los Angeles Zoo. “All the planned activities for the weekend fit perfectly in line with the family-friendly environment of the zoo, as well as bring awareness to the animals in the gorilla reserve.”

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D launches on May 24 and features a new mode, eight new levels, and revamped 3D graphics for the Nintendo 3DS.

The LA Zoo is located in Griffith Park and attracts 1.6 million visitors each year. Opening in 2007, the Campo Gorilla Reserve one of the zoo’s main highlights. Tickets cost $17 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. The zoo is open from 10am to 5pm daily.

Nintendo Goes Bananas at the L.A. Zoo for Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

Fun activities and giveaways planned around the release of Nintendo 3DS game.

REDMOND, Wash., May 15, 2013 - To celebrate the launch of Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D for Nintendo 3DS on May 24, Nintendo is partnering with the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens on Memorial Day weekend (May 24-27) to host an event on the L.A. Zoo grounds. The four-day event will feature fun activities for all members of the family, including an interactive experience at the Campo Gorilla Reserve, various demo stations where attendees can play the Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D game and coupon giveaways for $5 off the game at participating GameStop retail stores. For the weekend, the gorilla area will be temporarily renamed the “Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D at Campo Gorilla Reserve.”

“All the planned activities for the weekend fit perfectly in line with the family-friendly environment of the zoo, as well as bring awareness to the animals in the gorilla reserve.”

“Fans will get a chance to spend time with Donkey Kong and some of his friends from the animal kingdom at the L.A. Zoo this Memorial Day weekend,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “They’ll be able to experience a fun day with Nintendo at the zoo and play Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D.”

One of the weekend’s main events, a “Donkey Kong Interactive Experience,” allows visitors to watch L.A. Zoo staff feed the real-life gorillas from giant cardboard barrels that are inspired by the barrels featured in the video game. This friendly, educational activity is a one-of-a-kind experience for families and a treat for the gorillas. In addition to the feeding, there will be opportunities for fans to take pictures with the costumed Donkey Kong character around the zoo.

“Our gorillas have never had a visit from a celebrity of Donkey Kong’s stature,” said John R. Lewis, director of the Los Angeles Zoo. “All the planned activities for the weekend fit perfectly in line with the family-friendly environment of the zoo, as well as bring awareness to the animals in the gorilla reserve.”

The original Donkey Kong Country Returns game has been rebuilt from the ground up for ease-of-play on Nintendo 3DS. Players control iconic character Donkey Kong as he runs, jumps, blasts, rides and pounds his way through a series of beautiful, challenging, side-scrolling levels. The upcoming game is optimized for portable play and features a new mode, eight additional levels and stunning 3D graphics.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90027. The event will run May 24-27.

For more information about Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, visit http://donkeykong.nintendo.com/.

Talkback

CaterkillerMatthew Osborne, Contributing WriterMay 17, 2013

I'll be there, maybe for multiple days. It will be nice to actually play the 3DS version to see if I want to double dip. I hope the throw button has been remapped. It's also nice to see the apes and the monkeys. Visiting them is the only way my Monkey Boxing can be raised to the next level.

I'll cover the event if need be.

azekeMay 17, 2013

I expected to see pics with some poor NoA employee dressed in lame Donkey Kong costume thrown into the cage with gorillas... Disappointed.

CaterkillerMatthew Osborne, Contributing WriterMay 17, 2013

Quote from: azeke

I expected to see pics with some poor NoA employee dressed in lame Donkey Kong costume thrown into the cage with gorillas... Disappointed.

Don't worry, the event hasn't happened yet.

Fatty The HuttMay 17, 2013

Please put neckties on the gorillas. Oh please oh please oh please.
PETA will have a conniption.

azekeMay 23, 2013

Pretty good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnxGlw3Sq_s&feature=youtu.be

But still, noone was thrown into the cage with gorillas...

Thanks, Iwata!

CaterkillerMatthew Osborne, Contributing WriterMay 23, 2013

Quote from: azeke

Pretty good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnxGlw3Sq_s&feature=youtu.be

But still, noone was thrown into the cage with gorillas...

Thanks, Iwata!

Had I known this was going on I would have been there! That ain't the zoo!

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