New and (graphically) improved Donkey Kong Jungle Beat

by Alisha Karabinus { Nov 29th 2008 at 2:00PM }

You may or may not like the changes that are coming for the Play on Wii release of Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, but we're willing to bet that you'll like at least one thing -- the game's updated look. While the changes aren't particularly obvious at a glance, when they're side-by-side with the originals, you can easily see the refinements and additions, which is why we've got a few comparisons here, just for you. You can even see some of the refinements in the tiny image above, like the scales, but if you want the full effect, you're going to want to step into our gallery below.

Gallery: Play On Wii: Donkey Kong Jungle Beat comparison

[New images via Dengeki; old via GameSpot]

Tags: comparison, donkey-kong, donkey-kong-jungle-beat, graphics, platform, play-on-wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Shadow31 @ Nov 29th 2008 2:16PM

I do hope this gives it a more DKC feel. I miss when Donkey Kong games were not gimicky...

Last time I cared about a Donkey Kong game was DK64.

psyborg @ Nov 29th 2008 8:43PM

Agreed, I love the changes. Theyre changing the game from a stupid gimmick I was never gonna bother with to the badass DK platformer I wish it were in the first place. Updated graphics are just the icing on hte cake.

@tomic @ Nov 30th 2008 6:28PM

They're really just using the Wiimote and nunchuck motion sensors to replace the Bongos from what I hear. A shame really, because if you're not banging on a set of drums, it makes the unorthodox control scheme rather pointless.

True, it was pretty much a gimmick, but it worked well and it was a pretty damn fun gimmick. A really fun game as well. If you didn't get it merely because the idea sounded stupid, you really missed out on one of the best GCN platformers there was.

Shadow31 @ Dec 1st 2008 12:10AM

I did get it, but I think it would've been better as a traditional platformer. And Nintendo already said the new version will no longer have drum controls and be more of a traditional platformer. In fact, that was even reported on an article on this site. It's the whole reason they're adding levels and changing the levels a bit to fit a more traditional sense.

commentor @ Nov 29th 2008 3:06PM

... the only one that really has any kind of noticeable quality improvement is the scale monster. It's pretty sad actually. I can kinda see the difference with the side by sides, but no way would I say "Wow this looks nicer" in-game.

The Fatass of Kickassness @ Nov 29th 2008 3:24PM

I'm seeing quite a bit of difference in that second pic there, at least when it comes to the background. The textures has received a definite upgrade.

WalkingCarpet @ Nov 29th 2008 4:10PM

I kinda hope that an original DK game comes out for Wii that is more like DK64 (which was an awesome game), kinda like Mario Galaxy was a lot more like Mario 64.

Some point and shoot with Diddy's peanut poppers would be pretty awesome. The multiplayer possibilities would be pretty awesome too.

nicolas @ Nov 29th 2008 4:55PM

wells hopefully the up the pikmin graphics.

ZombiePikmin @ Nov 29th 2008 5:34PM

Me too even though i won't be buying them. . . MAYBE i might buy pikmin 2. I've just spent over 1000 days on each of em' and there's still a ton of other games i haven't finished. . .

Stevets01 @ Nov 29th 2008 5:17PM

This is not helping the "Wii is not the GameCube only smaller" argument. Though it does look a little better, it's no Super Mario Galaxy.

Dave @ Nov 29th 2008 6:23PM

The amount of lazy rehash that is going on with Nintendo in this current generation is downright cynical. Not a single new IP and a handful of truely original games. To me, this is why sales are going down.

zchry @ Nov 29th 2008 11:32PM

Sales are going down because everyone and their mother already has a Wii.

Not many people (myself included) had GameCubes. GameCube games are hard to get a hold of nowadays, plus you have to buy a controller. If they just port the games, nobody would buy them. They have to tweak them some in order to keep them fresh.

Plus, the updated graphics allow them to say "look how much better the Wii is than the GameCube!"

Nebinator @ Nov 29th 2008 10:14PM

Looks great! It's weird; ever since I heard about the updates, I've been playing way more gamecube games than usual.

buckyboy28 @ Nov 30th 2008 2:19AM

In an ironic twist, I would love to see Nintendo release Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast in the new "Play on Bongos" collection. That way, the game could be played as it was meant to be played. The second game in the new collection... Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint

jarvolt @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:10AM

I assume this game will still be compatible with the bongos though, right? I can't imagine playing the game without it.

@tomic @ Nov 30th 2008 6:32PM

The visual updates aren't all that impressive to me. Considering I have the original, I doubt I'll buy unless the new content proves to be worth my while. Which it probably won't. I suspect maybe one new World (a set of about 5 levels or so) at most and that's about it.

Tom @ Nov 30th 2008 7:10PM

Are you serious? Those "updated" visuals are hardly any different! Nothing to get excited over, that's for sure.

The original was fun, but once I beat it I felt no real desire to go back through and play the levels.

Terrence Newton @ Nov 30th 2008 11:32PM

good news about this game will hopefully translate to good news about metroid prime and metroid prime 2: echoes, in the future. i don't give a crap about donkey kong (and yeh, w/o the bongos, its dumb), but MP1&2 stand to benefit greatly from wii versions, and knowing that the graphics could get a little tweaking makes me all the happier. i can't wait!

New and (graphically) improved Donkey Kong Jungle Beat

Gallery: Play On Wii: Donkey Kong Jungle Beat comparison