System: DS
Dev: Paon Corporation
Pub: Nintendo
Release: Sep. 10, 2007
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Review by Nathan Meunier

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Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

Speaking of weak spots, there is one aspect of the game which is immensely lacking in depth. The story in Jungle Climber is absolutely horrendous. While vacationing on Sun Sun Beach, the Donkey Kong crew suddenly finds themselves in need of a snack. Coincidentally, Diddy Kong comes running over to report he has spotted a miraculously enormous banana hovering atop a nearby mountain. Donkey Kong sets out to snatch the delicious looking fruit. Well, as it turns out, the fruit it's actually a sentient banana alien with a speech impediment aligned to the "Name Game." Your newfound banana friend finds itself in a bit of trouble when King K. Rool and his cronies swipe its crystal bananas. It's up to you to save the day. Nothing more needs to be said on this subject.

One area where Jungle Climber definitely follows along in the Donkey Kong game tradition is with item collecting. Though you can plow through the bulk of the levels without paying much attention to numerous potential collectibles, there is a benefit to back-tracking, aside from 100 percent completion. Collecting 100 bananas will score you're an extra life, as will gathering all the letters to spell "KONG," and picking up 100 jewels will earn you a power-up star. All three will help you progress through the game, while other collectibles unlock bonus features. Picking up enough oil barrels in each location will also open up a super-tricky secret bonus level.

Various mini-games and single-card multiplayer matches provide a briefly entertaining distraction, and a reward for diligent progress in the main adventure, but the single-player mode is where you'll likely spend most of your time. Jungle Climber is not perfect by any means, but it should sit relatively well with those who count themselves hardcore Donkey Kong enthusiasts. New players will likely get a kick out of the interesting control mechanics. Things may turn sour, however, once they get a taste of the game's occasionally grueling difficulty. For better or worse, it's safe to say the most famous ape in video game history has certainly come a long way since his 8-bit arcade roots. How much farther he will go remains to be seen.

By Nathan Meunier
CCC Freelance Writer

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