Donkey Kong Barrel Blast

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast

North American box art
Developer(s) Paon
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Director(s) Kenichi Imaeda
Producer(s) Kentaro Nishimura
Toshiharu Izuno
Rikiya Nakagawa
Composer(s) Takashi Kouga
Series Donkey Kong
Platform(s) Wii
Release date(s)
  • JP June 28, 2007
  • NA October 8, 2007
  • EU January 25, 2008
  • AUS February 7, 2008
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast, known in Europe and Australia as Donkey Kong Jet Race, in Japan as Donkey Kong Barrel Jet Race (ドンキーコング たるジェットレース Donkī Kongu Taru Jetto Rēsu), is a racing game for Nintendo's Wii video game console, announced on May 9, 2006, and that year's E3 convention for the Nintendo GameCube under the title of DK: Bongo Blast. The Gamecube version was ultimately cancelled in favor of a Wii release along with Super Paper Mario. The game was released for the Wii in Japan and the United States in 2007,[1][2] and in PAL regions in 2008.

The game was originally developed to be controlled using the DK Bongos for the GameCube. The game has faced with generally negative reviews after its release, from critics criticizing the replaced bongo control scheme with that using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, as well as the last-generation visuals.

Gameplay

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast is a racing game where the player can handle the selected character using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, replacing the DK Bongos that initially were to be used. To accelerate, the player must shake the Wii Remote and Nunchuk alternatively, lift them simultaneously to jump and use the motion sensor to beat rivals and obstacles and using items, while the character will be guided by the route of the tracks, including curves of automatic. Players can learn to race at Cranky's flight school where Cranky gives 8 lessons on how to play the game, acceleration, use of elements and Wild Move.

The main mode of play is a Grand Prix similar to that of Mario Kart. Also, like Mario Kart Arcade GP, more than one track will take place in a given area with three courses in DK Jungle, having three of the sea, three from the mountain, two are of the Desert, two are from the snow courses, and two are of the Temple of Heaven, and one in outer space. Like other racing games, Barrel Blast includes a Time Trial Mode where players can choose this race on one track for the best time, and have save ghost data stats.[3]

Development

Unlike other Donkey Kong video games, Barrel Blast was not developed by Rare Ltd.. Instead, the game was developed by Paon who previously developed DK: King of Swing and DK: Jungle Climber.

On June 6, 2005 an issue of Famitsu Magazine reported that Nintendo was in development with a Wii-bound sequel to the Donkey Kong franchise. The publication offered no details on the next-generation title. Nintendo appeared to be drawing on the majority of its big licenses to lure in next-generation gamers. Lending credibility to its Kong news, Famitsu also reported that new versions of Super Smash Bros., Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles were in development for Revolution, all of which were confirmed by Nintendo at E3 2005 before that month.[4] The game was first announced at Nintendo's Japanese conference in 2006.[5] The game was later shown to the public at E3 2007 as named Donkey Jet and DK: Bongo Blast.[6]

The game was originally developed to be controlled using the DK Bongos for the GameCube; the left and right drums would steer in their respective directions, and rolling both drums accelerated movement. When the game was moved to the Wii, the DK Bongos were replaced with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, having the player shake the controller in place of hitting the drums. The player can also raise the remote and Nunchuk to jump, and use the motion sensing to punch opponents and obstacles, and to use items.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings43.94%[7]
Metacritic46/100[8]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1UP.comD+[9]
Eurogamer4/10[10]
Game Informer5/10[11]
GamePro2.25/5[12]
Game RevolutionD−[13]
GameSpot4.5/10[14]
GameSpy[15]
GameTrailers5.2/10[16]
IGN4.5/10[17]
5.8/10 (AU)[18]
Nintendo Power6.5/10[19]

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast received mixed to negative response. The game is also very lowly-rated; GameSpot and IGN gave it 4.5 out of 10 each, and GamePro was the harshest by calling it the worst game of 2007.[20] Based on 34 reviews, Barrel Blast garnered a Metascore of 46 out of 100 according to Metacritic.[8] A number of reviews lamented the decision to replace the bongo control scheme with that using the Wii Remote and nunchuk, as well as the blatantly last-generation visuals (despite its being initially developed for the GameCube, hence the game's graphics).

It was criticized for "slow racing, shallow gameplay, and an overall boring experience" by IGN.[17] GameSpot labeled the game a fifth-rate Mario Kart clone.[14] The highest rated Metacritic review, by Nintendo Power, called it a "mundane racer". GameTrailers criticized the game for its imprecise controls, lack of online mode, and the fact that the Bongo Controls were left out of the game despite the fact that GameCube controllers are fully compatible with the Wii. One of the few positive reviews of this game was featured on Wiiloveit.com, where the game was awarded a 23/30.[21] It was commented that the game does deliver a fast-paced experience at a certain point in the game, "despite what critics are leading people to believe". At the same time, it was acknowledged that most people wouldn't go beyond the monotonous beginnings, not getting to see everything the game has to offer.

See also


References

  1. ↑ "Nintendo makes their 2007 Wii lineup official". 2007-05-30. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  2. ↑ "Third party Wii, DS titles". 2007-07-11. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  3. ↑ Nintendo (2007) Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Manual
  4. ↑ Casamassina, Matt. "According to an overseas report, Donkey Kong is coming to Revolution. Details inside.". IGN. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  5. ↑ Schneider, Peer. "Nintendo's Japanese conference hints at many new games to come.". IGN. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  6. ↑ Casamassina, Matt. "It's officially called DK Barrel Blast and it's scheduled for early October.". IGN. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  7. ↑ "Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast for Wii". GameRankings. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast Critic Reviews for Wii". Metacritic. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
  9. ↑ Kennedy, Sam (2007-10-16). "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Review". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-26. Retrieved 2014-09-08.
  10. ↑ MacDonald, Keza (2007-12-12). "Donkey Kong: Jet Race Review". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
  11. ↑ Vore, Bryan (December 2007). "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast". Game Informer (176). Archived from the original on 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  12. ↑ Rudden, Dave (2007-10-09). "Review: Donkey Kong Barrel Blast". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2007-10-05. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  13. ↑ Constantino, Jesse (2007-10-18). "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Navarro, Alex (2007-10-08). "Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  15. ↑ Leahy, Daniel (2007-10-16). "GameSpy: Donkey Kong Barrel Blast". GameSpy. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  16. ↑ "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast, Review". GameTrailers. November 13, 2007. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Bozon, Mark (2007-10-15). "DK Barrel Blast Review". IGN. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  18. ↑ Shea, Cam (2008-01-31). "Donkey Kong: Jet Race AU Review". IGN. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  19. ↑ "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast". Nintendo Power 222: 99. November 2007.
  20. ↑ The Worst Games of 2007: Part 2 - GamePro
  21. ↑ "Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast Review". Wiiloveit.com. 2010-03-14. Retrieved 2011-04-18.

External links