Something DKC3 has over DKC2 is brighter happier environments------if ur into that sort of thing not everyone is. When me and my sister were kids, yes we loved both the first two games but actually preferred the third one and ended up overlooking the second one everyone loves the most, ironically. In my old age however I understand the critiques, the lack of Rambi, too much elephant stuff, Kiddy Kong's screaming (not as bad as Baby Mario in Yoshi's Island in my honest opinion) etc. Something weird about the entire series is that you only play as the main character in the first game and then he's captured in all the others of the original trilogy. Are there any other trilogies like this? I'm not sure.
@@awkwardsilence4427 I forget how returns is like. Tropical freeze, it's all these things like hold the R button to hold on to the grass. The auto scrolling levels way harder. I feel to beat a level it takes long too.
@@tonyp9313 Interesting, because I found Returns to be noticeably harder than Tropical Freeze. Then again, it took a few worlds before I figured out how jumping high off enemies worked in it (and TF), and I misunderstood how the rocket levels worked (the way the game had you press A multiple times to get the rocket barrel to work made me think it worked by tapping A instead of holding it, which made it exponentially harder to do). Also, I’m pretty sure that holding down R to hold onto grass was also in Returns.
I'm one of the few people, or maybe the only one(?) who likes Kiddy Kong. He is like that baby from an old cartoon who is happily going through the hazards of a construction side without getting hurt. 😁
DKC3 is my favorite in the trilogy, despite some unforgiving levels, but not as frustrating as DKC2's hard levels. I prefer DKC3's save feature over DKC2's.
I recommend trying the GBA version when it eventually comes to NSO. David Wise made a completely new soundtrack for it as he wasn't available for the original release.
So let me share some info with you! David Wise is composing the music for an upcoming game called Nikoderiko. Hopefully the soundtrack is great. The game's gameplay looks like a combination of Crash Bandicoot and DKC
Minor quibble, but Wise did a few tracks on SNES DKC3, mostly bonus and Wrinkly stuff (including the arrangement of SM64's Inside the Castle Walls). Well worth experiencing both soundtracks, though! I dream of a remastered trilogy that lets you toggle them.
@@theshadowdirector yeahs it’s very good unfortunately the GBA music is super crunchy, efforts have been made my fans to remaster it but from what I remember some samples are lost so it’s impossible to do so at the moment.
I will never understand what peoples issue with DKC3 was. I don't even think Kiddy Kong is bad, he's fine and fits in well, and I don't even like kids irl. It's all fine. "He's a baby and he sits down" Ok???? He pretty much plays like DK.
The issue was that it never topped DKC2 while DKC2 was a major improvement when compared to DKC1, DKC2 was a revolutionary game. I’m almost 40 years old so I remember the mid 90s very well, DKC2 was a hyped up game, DKC3 never received the same hype, because it was overshadowed by the Nintendo 64. To me DKC2 is still the best of the three, have very fond memories of that game, it’s a SNES all time classic and without any doubt one of the best sequels ever to a video game. You really had to grow up in the 90s to understand what I’m writing about, DKC1 was a sensation back in the day, DKC2 took it all a step further, it revolutionized the platform genre.
DKC3 might not be the best game in the trilogy, but it sure is the most fun one. There's a theory going regarding all the bees in DKC3 being mechanical that I love - it's because we killed the Queen Bee in DKC1 and we killed King Zing in DKC2, meaning that no more bees were produced and they died out. Subscribed and looking forward to see your take in other stuff in the future. Best of wishes to you, 🤘
DKC 2 is my favorite game of all time and the best in the series, BUT I also think DKC 3 is incredibly underappreciated. I prefer to DKC 1. DKC 3 has a very unique atmosphere to it with the woodsy summer camp-esque vibe and its sinister industrial side of it underneath. Plus Dixie plays way better than any other character in the trilogy purely because of her pigtail helicopters letting you slowly glide around.
I was surprised to hear the opening paragraph. Everyone loves DKC 1 and 2 but not 3? That's certainly not the case for me. I always loved 1 and 3. For me 2 is the not so great one because it's just a bit too difficult and some of the level environments make me uncomfortable.
This is my favourite installment of the series. Have played through all parts again a couple of years ago, 2&3 have aged like fine wine. I got the feeling with 1 they weren't too sure what to do with all the extras, bonus levels etc. but they sorted that one out in 2&3 and the reward were the best (and often hardest) levels of both games. I just love all the secrets. Exploring in a game like that isn't done that easily, and they mastered it in DKC3 (at least for the 90's). The overworld was so cool, I loved finding all the banana birds as a kid (and getting the secret ending - worth it!). The swan song of the SNES, and what a banger!
As a kid I probably actually liked this one the most out of all 3. The more open world map was really cool, and the setting felt more cohesive compared to DKC1. I…err…didn’t really play much of DKC2 back then, despite owning it. The much harder difficulty and just overall hostility of the world filled me with so much dread and anxiety that I don’t think I got much beyond the lava world (so like the 2nd world).
Just wanted to say the Donkey Kong Country series and I really enjoy your content. I think you're really in touch with most actual fans of the games you cover. Please keep up the great work!
I love DKC3. First time I played it, I knew it was different and I really enjoyed the forest biome levels and the cavern stages, so I'm glad you had fun with this one ☝️
Kiddy Kong can throw straight up from an underhanded throw. You mentioned this but it's not all he can do. Kiddy Kong can throw Dixie Kong farther than Dixie can throw him. When Dixie Kong throws Kiddy Kong then Kiddy can be used to smash through the floor for bonus levels. Also if Dixie throws Kiddy at the wall he will roll back and if you as Dixie time your jump just right you can balance run on Kiddy Kong. It's kinda pointless but fun. Both Kiddy and Dixie can balance run on rolling steel barrels but only Kiddy can BE the barrel. Kiddy Kong can bounce on water.
This is how long it takes me to play each game in the original trilogy. I'm a seasoned player in these games however. DKC 1 - About 2 hours. DKC 2 - 4-5 hours (includes Lost World.) DKC 3 - About 4 hours (includes all collectibles and Lost World.)
donkey kong 64 is on the wii u. it's also by far one of the biggest games ever made. if you actually want to see all of the game and every part of each of its worlds, it's a very long haul. it's pretty impressive for an n64 game though.
dkc3 might have been easier for you since you got the skills from beating the first 2 games and as you mentioned its easier to save the game in dkc3. i for one, maybe im a masochists, but i enjoyed the save system of dkc1+2. it added extra anxiety to not get a game over and to reach that next save point lol. also ppl often say dkc2 is the most difficult but idk why ppl say that cuz in dkc1 snow barrel blast, some of the treetop town levels, and the entirety of Chimp Caverns was BRUTAL. In Dkc2 most trouble I had was a few levels in Gloomy Galleon, rail cart levels (cuz ofc) and Toxic Tower. also you should totally replay and beat DKC2's secret world some day cuz its extremely satisfying ;P ~~~ overall, solid review for a solid game!
I released replay the Donkey Kong Country trilogy and I have to admit I really enjoy Donkey Kong Country 3 out of the other 2, I love that it has a hub world and that Dixie is the main character in the game and probably her only game where she is the main character and her own game ! I am biased that she is my favourite Kong of the DK Crew !
DKC3 has some incredibly creative design choices. The little secrets you can find on the hub world are really fun to find. DK64 is a hard game, especially if you're going for 100%. But the game is a really great 3D platformer. A lot of fun levels, A lot of fun bosses.
Yeah this game’s great! My older siblings wrote it off after playing two levels but my younger sister and I finished it (and all bonus content) and we loved it! I think Kiddy isn’t as bad as others say but I get it All three games are great, 2 is my favorite, and the other two are about tied I don’t struggle much with 2 so it’s mostly a fun experience for me but also I’ve played it a lot. Glad you got to experience this series despite the Cranky Kongs in your comments 🤭 Thanks for sharing!
The biggest difference was that the game was made by another team entirely. Those that made DKC2 went on to make Banjo Kazooie so those that never was in the previous ones was within uncharted territory. So the game per say is not bad, but it felt a little off compared how the others felt and played. The lack of David Wise was felt even tough Eveline did a fantastic job, but then we have the setting per say that we went from lusty jungles in the original to the dark pirate theme in dkc 2. Now we run around in Ski Bear Norway 🤣
something you didnt point out tho is the pacing of levels in dkc3 is different from dkc1+2. ppl theorize this is the case cuz rareware's "B team" worked on dkc3 while the A team (devs of DKC1+2) were working on banjo Kazooie at the time. then later the B team worked on DK64. Just fun facts. regardless, ppl often complain that dkc3 level design often slows the player down as they have to think to solve puzzles or wait for platforms, certain gimmicks, etc. whereas dkc1+2 if u memorize the level design you can breeze through it like a speed runner. personally i enjoy both styles and i think ppl overhate on dkc3's level design.
You do have some very interesting and fresh takes on things. But I don't know if DKC2 is the hardest game out of the trilogy necessarily? Maybe just by a small margin? I think why you find dkc3 easier is because you're finally fairly good at these games. I think if you went back to dkc1 or 2 now, you would find them fairly easy, or at least the first couple of worlds. Funny thing... I just played through dkc2 like a week ago. It's such a fun, easy game to occasionally just breeze through. It took me 2 hours and 18 minutes for the credits to roll. I died about 20 times and had 69 lives at the end. After finishing it I noticed that the last time I played through it 3 years ago it had also taken me 2 hours and 18 minutes to do that!! :D
@@ThePepperkingXY I think there were several levels that made me quit for some time. One of them was the Kreepy Krow boss. Eventually I came back to it and finally beat it but then fully gave up at the first level of the following world. I don't doubt that you can get to the credits easily if you know the game very well but then you can surely do the same with 1 and 3. I got to the credits in both of those.
@@Paragleiber I see. I feel like Snow Barrel Blast from the first game is always a little bit nightmarish to play through. I can't really remember one specific level being that difficult in the second game. Except maybe the last one. Maybe dkc2 is consistently more challenging though. I've been playing these games since the 90's so it's not easy to relate to someone who's kinda new to them. But the prime thing to understand in these games is to master the roll + jump ability. If you can't perform that then these games really are difficult. The first level in the first game is a perfect playground for that, jumping from tree to tree, going after those extra life balloons! You gotta master the basics.
@@ThePepperkingXY I am not new to the games. I also played them back as a kid on the actual SNES. So that's not the issue. And yeah, the Snow Barrel level did give me trouble when I replayed the first game. But at some point I accidently fell into one of the hidden shortcut barrels below the screen and got to skip most of it, lol.
DK 64 was a long collectathon, if you've played the original Banjo Kazooie (which I would recommend over DK64) it's like that but with fewer levels and more to collect in each so it winds up being longer. I almost got everything in it. There were just one or two golden bananas that I couldn't figure out.
DKC3 is my favorite of the trilogy, it's underrated Imo. Lot of people like 2, and I can get why but to me 3 is the best. 3 has the best soundtrack and being able to go out of a world and save or to a different world at any time without having to beat the one your currently in is a win. Also love 3's enemy designs.
DK64 is not on NSO, it's also a 3D platformer and vastly different from the rest of the DKC games. I personally LOVE DK64 a lot, but it has many haters and is not for everyone. I'd recommend you do your research before you ever decide to pick it up.
DK64 is a game worth experiencing. I wouldn't necessarily make it a priority though especially since it isn't on NSO. But someday in like 10 years when it comes to the online service for the Switch3 I'd recommend giving it a try.
Loved seeing you beat three! Definitely one of my favorite platform trilogies! I've watched speedruns for DK64 and it's a beast, I still need to try it myself. Not sure if it's on the switch though.
That was a full 4 years after this game which feels like forever when you're a kid. Not sure Josie was being super serious about that point anyway. It's not as if Dixie's become some kind of feminist icon in the intervening period.
I found the DKC3 was a more calming and relaxing game coming from DKC2. Not as intense but still absolutely a gem to play And yes, play DK64. I loved the game. I also understand why many would dislike the game as Well. It has its unique charm. Sure some places it’s a nightmare and sometimes the gameplay is a wee bit wonky., but I love it. And I will never tire of Creepy Castle. Wait till you get to hear the Catacomb music 👍🏼
I was born in 1990, and I have never understood the crap that dkc3 catches and I really think it's only marginally worse, but for a reason you didn't touch on; in dkc2 they nerfed the increased momentum you can get from rolling in to enemies, and in dkc 3 they removed the increased bounce height from when you jump on enemies, so overall moving in dkc3 doesn't feel quite as good as in previous games but IMO it is made up for with the level diversity and new animal buddies and it otherwise still has the clean controls we all know and expect from dkc
I think i once heard how Miyamoto said something down the lines of the first game being mediocre and just being a hit because it looked cool and had a known character as the lead, so because of that Rare didn't use Donkey in the next two games. Is it true? No clue.
I played 1 then 3 then 2, for whatever reason as a child I was gifted 1 then 3. I had played and rented 2 after. 3 is for whatever reason slept on when it's solid all around. The latter games can be tough too and the bonus/hidden level is a good challenge
I'd rank the DKC SNES games the following: 2 - 3 - 1. 1 feels a lot like a first attempt that was perfected in the sequels. I've always found controlling DK and some animals kinda clunky, like it's hard to understand their hit boxes. Fantastic soundtrack too. 2 has in Dixie & Diddy the best controlling characters imo. It has a lot of hard levels that I love (Toxic Tower, the final race with Squaqks) and also has the best soundtrack of the three. In 3 I like the more cohesive world and the varying level mechanics. It was only through TH-cam that I discovered the hate Kiddie gets (for me he it's more forgettable than anything). In the case of DK64, you need to know that's it's on a different subgenre of platformers: it's a "3D collect-a-thon" (they were massively popular in that era, parallel as how 2D platformers were so abundant in the 16-bit generation), that means, it doesn't have linear levels, stages are expansive and designed to be explored thoroughly and you have a LOT of things to collect. It's more comparable to, let's say, Mario Odyssey than to Tropical Freeze. Also, it remarkably fits into this era where Rareware (the developer) went extreme in some of their games with the amount of content (yes, as absurd as that may sound nowadays). Personally, I could never get past level 3 in DK64 as I felt overwhelmed with so much stuff everywhere that you have to use so many characters to collect. In my opinion, Banjo-Kazooie is the best game in this subgenre that Rare made, it has the perfect balance between hub-world, levels, exploration, abilities, characters and collectables (never played Tooie, though general opinion says it suffers from the same "Rareware syndrome" as DK 64, still, that doesn't mean they're bad games). I mean, if you wanna try a Rareware collectathon, let it be Banjo Kazooie, unless, of course, your plan is to play every DK game. Cheers.
I know I've said this before on a livestream but I still would prefer to play DKC and DKC3 over DKC2 in general for fun, because DKC2 is very challenging... but with your recent playthru of the trilogy, I kinda have to say I recognize why DKC2 is a better made game overall despite being challenging as hell. Your DKC3 playthru triggered memories of so many bosses I remember from decades ago that I haven't thought of in forever. DKC3 looks cleaner but somehow less visually pleasing to me than DKC2 which felt like a huge step up from DKC in general.
My feelings about DK64 are complicated, because most people loved it, and I am a huge fan of the Nintendo 64 and that era of gaming in general, but I never liked that game. I’d say it’s the only “mainline” Donkey Kong game I outright avoid these days. So I don’t know if I’m the person to listen to about it lol. To some, it was a great game, but the one thing that seems almost universal is that even the people that liked it weren’t fans of the collectible aspects.
DK64 is cool, but only if you absolutely do not try to complete it. Just get the bare minimum to beat the boss. It's also a completely different genre: the collect-a-thon platformer, where you explore a level to collect the doodads, completing challenges and mini games along the way. The other games after it go back to 2D platformers, though the first two have a gimmicky controller. It's not essential, but AI love DK64, and hope you'll try it.
i totally am with u. Got my butt kicked by dkc2 - after beating it, went to and loved dkc3 save system and 103% it. Then went back and 102% dkc2 and suddenly i was a pro.
I feel like Donkey Kong Country 3 had a general lack of direction in what its theming was. Y’know, DKC1 had DK Island, DKC2 had a pirate island, DKC3 has CANADA with a MAD SCIENTIST which doesn’t really reflect the overall theme of the game. But I mean who the heck cares the game is still one of the best platformers out there because all of the Donkey Kong Country games are. More than any other series, saying that this one is my least favorite doesn’t mean much. It’s incredible and a must play for DKC fans.
Dkc made some weird design decisions. For instance I don't like the redesign of the Bees. But it is still a pretty good platformer I had a lot of fun with. DKC 2 stays forever my favorite tho ❤
@@Python-xs2iv finna be is not slang its just shortening fixing to be which is country grammar . . its like you're too lazy to go full redneck and it makes you sound stupid.
Right so you can do that because of NSO, but that’s not how the game was originally meant to be played. So I’m trying to beat these games without new convinces like that one. But, if that’s what you wanna do no shame do what you want!
@@Josie_Woah I am using it lightly. Ha ha. You made me wanna check out the series and only using it to save every level. But avoid using it during the level no matter how many times it takes me. Haha. I was already raging towards like the 4-5 level haha
Great choice, my fav game back in 7th grade along with Super Metroid, Earth Worm Jim and Castlevania 4 & X, Snes rocked! Don't play DK64 it sucks. Terrific review 💯
This game was overall good. I did like the easier difficulty and chances to save compared to 1 and 2. Only downsides is I don't find the soundtrack isn't as memorable as 1 and 2, as there's only a few tracks I liked, and Kiddy wasn't bad. he played fine as Donkey Kong's role, but unfortunately forgettable, as this was the only DK game as far as I know that he was in. As of now I rank it as 1st-DKC2, 2nd-Returns, 3rd-DKC3 and 4th-DKC1. I've yet to play Tropical Freeze, but I'm gonna play it next. DK64 - that game's got one of the most collectables, among any game ever, from what i've heard, let alone the longest DK game. It's optional, but not on N64 online. I'd avoid it anyway, but that's just me.
"Fuck the secret world"... amen. And yes Kiddy Kong just sucks... roll him off a cliff, and stick with Dixie. Here she is much better balanced in speed and her special ability. She is basically what Diddy was for the past 2 games but can glide.
DKC3 is the best one. Its bizarre how in the United States there is this blind hate for DKC3 and Kiddy. How Kiddy Kong just plays as a worst Donkey Kong when compared to DK he is as strong, as fast walking and running, faster rolling, jump as high, holds barrels in front (which is better) and can bounce on water?
DKC3 is still as good as I personally recall it. It's better than the collective internet hive mind seems to remember it though. Best of the trilogy IMO. And I 100%ed both 2 *and* 3 as a kid so I don't just prefer 3 because it's "easier". Also here in Europe the N64 hadn't yet released when this came out, which probably helps.
3 really pushes the boat out in terms of level gimmicks, most work but some don’t. Kiddy’s bawling is highly annoying but he’s good at throwing barrels (and Dixie). The soundtrack gets criticised but I’d argue Rockface Rumble, Water World, Pokey Pipes, Nuts N Bolts aren’t too far off the classics in 1&2. And the RPG-style side quest with the Brothers Bear/Banana Birds adds another layer to it all. Overall I’d rank em 2 > 3 > 1 As for DK64, I’ve completed it a few times…certain parts are fun but the sheer volume of items you need to collect makes it a bit of a slog. Some mini games had me tearing my hair out. I’d probably say no
I love DKC3 except for Kiddie (because yes, he is the worst). That and the first world is pretty meh. But playing almost exclusively as Dixie, yeah, it’s pretty awesome
Josie misspoke and asked about "Donkey Kong Country 64". There is no such game. DK64 was an abomination following the trilogy of masterpieces which fortunately doesn't sully the "Country" name.
@@silentJET85 That description could also apply to Banjo-Tooie. I just wanted another 2D platformer involving 2 Kongs, except in 64-bit, but sadly that wasn't the fashion in the late 90s.
@@obvioushieidude7668 No, I grew up with actual good Nintendo systems like the NES, GameBoy and SNES which had actual good games, open world games, RPGs & more. N64 was a huge disappointment as a Nintendo fan. Easily Nintendo’s worst console ever.
@@obvioushieidude7668 I freaking adored the N64, but just found DK64 to be *the* biggest letdown on that console compared to its SNES counterparts. Sad to hear the original commenter had a bad experience with it in general. Still got some awesome memories of that console and era.
The DKC3 debate is simple. If you like to game, you like DKC3. If you only like to consume what is new, miss out on gems like these, and then criticize them for lacking a nostalgia factor because you missed them, I must feel sorry for you. The entire trilogy is great. The 3 games, not just 2. And if you ask me, I have more fun playing as that horrible weird baby than playing as DK. Is more agile. There, I said it.
DKC3 is really good overall, great music as well just like the other 2 SNES entries, although Kiddy Kong is really the only negative... but nothing beats DKC2!
The context in which you are playing these games is vastly different from the experience most of us had when the game was released. You're doing it as a job/for content and blasting through the games. It's normal for your reviews to not reflect exactly the general opinion on these games. Anyway, I hope you had at least a bit of enjoyment. Dkc2 is the best sounding, best playing and best looking out of the 3 by far imo. Dkc3's esthetic is incoherent. I've owned all 3 games at the same time and played all 3 so much. It's just my opinion though. It doesn't matter in the end.
It was never bad. It was just overshadowed over the release of the N64
What you said. Every 1996 review of this game was positive
Something DKC3 has over DKC2 is brighter happier environments------if ur into that sort of thing not everyone is. When me and my sister were kids, yes we loved both the first two games but actually preferred the third one and ended up overlooking the second one everyone loves the most, ironically. In my old age however I understand the critiques, the lack of Rambi, too much elephant stuff, Kiddy Kong's screaming (not as bad as Baby Mario in Yoshi's Island in my honest opinion) etc. Something weird about the entire series is that you only play as the main character in the first game and then he's captured in all the others of the original trilogy. Are there any other trilogies like this? I'm not sure.
I know my opinion is unpopular, but DKC3 is my favorite in the whole series, unless you count Tropical Freeze. But all the DKC games are phenomenal.
@@ninja_tony I really don't like tropical freeze. I think I like DK returns a lot better. DK3 is a bit better than that one.
DKC3 is my favorite too
@@tonyp9313
What about Tropical Freeze is it that you really don’t like out of curiosity?
@@awkwardsilence4427 I forget how returns is like. Tropical freeze, it's all these things like hold the R button to hold on to the grass. The auto scrolling levels way harder. I feel to beat a level it takes long too.
@@tonyp9313
Interesting, because I found Returns to be noticeably harder than Tropical Freeze. Then again, it took a few worlds before I figured out how jumping high off enemies worked in it (and TF), and I misunderstood how the rocket levels worked (the way the game had you press A multiple times to get the rocket barrel to work made me think it worked by tapping A instead of holding it, which made it exponentially harder to do).
Also, I’m pretty sure that holding down R to hold onto grass was also in Returns.
I'm one of the few people, or maybe the only one(?) who likes Kiddy Kong. He is like that baby from an old cartoon who is happily going through the hazards of a construction side without getting hurt. 😁
One of my consistently unpopular gaming opinions is that the Donkey Kong Country games only got better with each release.
Plus my more unpopular opinion that Kiddie Kong isn't that bad.
Also nobody cared that Dixie was a girl.
Donkey Kong Country 3 is one of my favorite games for the Super Nintendo
DKC3 is my favorite in the trilogy, despite some unforgiving levels, but not as frustrating as DKC2's hard levels. I prefer DKC3's save feature over DKC2's.
I recommend trying the GBA version when it eventually comes to NSO. David Wise made a completely new soundtrack for it as he wasn't available for the original release.
Thank you. I didn't know I needed to know this.
So let me share some info with you! David Wise is composing the music for an upcoming game called Nikoderiko. Hopefully the soundtrack is great. The game's gameplay looks like a combination of Crash Bandicoot and DKC
Minor quibble, but Wise did a few tracks on SNES DKC3, mostly bonus and Wrinkly stuff (including the arrangement of SM64's Inside the Castle Walls). Well worth experiencing both soundtracks, though! I dream of a remastered trilogy that lets you toggle them.
@@theshadowdirector yeahs it’s very good unfortunately the GBA music is super crunchy, efforts have been made my fans to remaster it but from what I remember some samples are lost so it’s impossible to do so at the moment.
Oh, that's Sick!!!!!
>be bby
>born a loser
>never seen again in the franchise
Rare packed him up quick 😂
I will never understand what peoples issue with DKC3 was. I don't even think Kiddy Kong is bad, he's fine and fits in well, and I don't even like kids irl. It's all fine. "He's a baby and he sits down" Ok???? He pretty much plays like DK.
right? and the water jump mechanic is pretty cool, even though not used too often.
For me, he's alright. He's not bad but he's not the most interesting.
Kiddy Kong is actually very viable in the GBA country game, he’s better than Dixie somehow.
The issue was that it never topped DKC2 while DKC2 was a major improvement when compared to DKC1, DKC2 was a revolutionary game. I’m almost 40 years old so I remember the mid 90s very well, DKC2 was a hyped up game, DKC3 never received the same hype, because it was overshadowed by the Nintendo 64. To me DKC2 is still the best of the three, have very fond memories of that game, it’s a SNES all time classic and without any doubt one of the best sequels ever to a video game. You really had to grow up in the 90s to understand what I’m writing about, DKC1 was a sensation back in the day, DKC2 took it all a step further, it revolutionized the platform genre.
DKC3 might not be the best game in the trilogy, but it sure is the most fun one. There's a theory going regarding all the bees in DKC3 being mechanical that I love - it's because we killed the Queen Bee in DKC1 and we killed King Zing in DKC2, meaning that no more bees were produced and they died out.
Subscribed and looking forward to see your take in other stuff in the future. Best of wishes to you, 🤘
all 3 games are amazing
DKC 2 is my favorite game of all time and the best in the series, BUT I also think DKC 3 is incredibly underappreciated. I prefer to DKC 1. DKC 3 has a very unique atmosphere to it with the woodsy summer camp-esque vibe and its sinister industrial side of it underneath. Plus Dixie plays way better than any other character in the trilogy purely because of her pigtail helicopters letting you slowly glide around.
I was surprised to hear the opening paragraph. Everyone loves DKC 1 and 2 but not 3? That's certainly not the case for me. I always loved 1 and 3. For me 2 is the not so great one because it's just a bit too difficult and some of the level environments make me uncomfortable.
Love the sub stack. Plan against things that throw your original plans out of whack. Appreciate the. Effort to upload and update us! Go Josie!!!!
This is my favourite installment of the series. Have played through all parts again a couple of years ago, 2&3 have aged like fine wine. I got the feeling with 1 they weren't too sure what to do with all the extras, bonus levels etc. but they sorted that one out in 2&3 and the reward were the best (and often hardest) levels of both games. I just love all the secrets. Exploring in a game like that isn't done that easily, and they mastered it in DKC3 (at least for the 90's). The overworld was so cool, I loved finding all the banana birds as a kid (and getting the secret ending - worth it!). The swan song of the SNES, and what a banger!
PS: Kiddy rules! :D
As a kid I probably actually liked this one the most out of all 3. The more open world map was really cool, and the setting felt more cohesive compared to DKC1.
I…err…didn’t really play much of DKC2 back then, despite owning it. The much harder difficulty and just overall hostility of the world filled me with so much dread and anxiety that I don’t think I got much beyond the lava world (so like the 2nd world).
DK64 isn't on NSO. It's only kinda related to the DKC series anyway.
Yeah, fifth cousin twice removed or something like that.😅
Lore wise it's super close to the SNES games.
Just wanted to say the Donkey Kong Country series and I really enjoy your content. I think you're really in touch with most actual fans of the games you cover. Please keep up the great work!
I love DKC3. First time I played it, I knew it was different and I really enjoyed the forest biome levels and the cavern stages, so I'm glad you had fun with this one ☝️
Kiddy Kong can throw straight up
from an underhanded throw.
You mentioned this but it's not
all he can do.
Kiddy Kong can throw Dixie Kong
farther than Dixie can throw him.
When Dixie Kong throws Kiddy Kong then Kiddy can be used to
smash through the floor for
bonus levels.
Also if Dixie throws Kiddy at the wall he will roll back and if you as Dixie time your jump just right you can balance run on Kiddy Kong. It's kinda pointless but fun.
Both Kiddy and Dixie can balance run on rolling steel barrels but only Kiddy can BE the barrel.
Kiddy Kong can bounce on water.
I played all of them in order as they came out and I really loved it. I used to spend hours in the garage playing DKC3 on a couch. It was bad ass.
This is how long it takes me to play each game in the original trilogy. I'm a seasoned player in these games however.
DKC 1 - About 2 hours.
DKC 2 - 4-5 hours (includes Lost World.)
DKC 3 - About 4 hours (includes all collectibles and Lost World.)
Sounds like DKC 2 didnt take years to complete but it did take a few years off your life 😭
donkey kong 64 is on the wii u. it's also by far one of the biggest games ever made. if you actually want to see all of the game and every part of each of its worlds, it's a very long haul. it's pretty impressive for an n64 game though.
This was my first DKC. I played it with my dad a ton as a kid, and I loved it enough that it got me into the rest of the series!
Ah ok so basically this is a Donkey Kong Country channel. Cool.
It's actually a channel about Nintendo games in general. I don't know what made you think that it's specifically about DKC.
@@Paragleiber Oh yeah. I saw her Super Mario Kart review.
dkc3 might have been easier for you since you got the skills from beating the first 2 games and as you mentioned its easier to save the game in dkc3. i for one, maybe im a masochists, but i enjoyed the save system of dkc1+2. it added extra anxiety to not get a game over and to reach that next save point lol.
also ppl often say dkc2 is the most difficult but idk why ppl say that cuz in dkc1 snow barrel blast, some of the treetop town levels, and the entirety of Chimp Caverns was BRUTAL. In Dkc2 most trouble I had was a few levels in Gloomy Galleon, rail cart levels (cuz ofc) and Toxic Tower.
also you should totally replay and beat DKC2's secret world some day cuz its extremely satisfying ;P
~~~
overall, solid review for a solid game!
I released replay the Donkey Kong Country trilogy and I have to admit I really enjoy Donkey Kong Country 3 out of the other 2, I love that it has a hub world and that Dixie is the main character in the game and probably her only game where she is the main character and her own game ! I am biased that she is my favourite Kong of the DK Crew !
DKC3 has some incredibly creative design choices. The little secrets you can find on the hub world are really fun to find.
DK64 is a hard game, especially if you're going for 100%. But the game is a really great 3D platformer. A lot of fun levels, A lot of fun bosses.
Yeah this game’s great! My older siblings wrote it off after playing two levels but my younger sister and I finished it (and all bonus content) and we loved it!
I think Kiddy isn’t as bad as others say but I get it
All three games are great, 2 is my favorite, and the other two are about tied
I don’t struggle much with 2 so it’s mostly a fun experience for me but also I’ve played it a lot. Glad you got to experience this series despite the Cranky Kongs in your comments 🤭
Thanks for sharing!
The biggest difference was that the game was made by another team entirely. Those that made DKC2 went on to make Banjo Kazooie so those that never was in the previous ones was within uncharted territory. So the game per say is not bad, but it felt a little off compared how the others felt and played. The lack of David Wise was felt even tough Eveline did a fantastic job, but then we have the setting per say that we went from lusty jungles in the original to the dark pirate theme in dkc 2. Now we run around in Ski Bear Norway 🤣
something you didnt point out tho is the pacing of levels in dkc3 is different from dkc1+2. ppl theorize this is the case cuz rareware's "B team" worked on dkc3 while the A team (devs of DKC1+2) were working on banjo Kazooie at the time. then later the B team worked on DK64. Just fun facts. regardless, ppl often complain that dkc3 level design often slows the player down as they have to think to solve puzzles or wait for platforms, certain gimmicks, etc. whereas dkc1+2 if u memorize the level design you can breeze through it like a speed runner. personally i enjoy both styles and i think ppl overhate on dkc3's level design.
You do have some very interesting and fresh takes on things. But I don't know if DKC2 is the hardest game out of the trilogy necessarily? Maybe just by a small margin? I think why you find dkc3 easier is because you're finally fairly good at these games. I think if you went back to dkc1 or 2 now, you would find them fairly easy, or at least the first couple of worlds. Funny thing... I just played through dkc2 like a week ago. It's such a fun, easy game to occasionally just breeze through. It took me 2 hours and 18 minutes for the credits to roll. I died about 20 times and had 69 lives at the end. After finishing it I noticed that the last time I played through it 3 years ago it had also taken me 2 hours and 18 minutes to do that!! :D
I revisited all 3 games on the Switch some time last year or so and DKC2 was by far the hardest one for me. I didn't manage to finish that one.
@@Paragleiber Okay, that's interesting to hear. How far did you get?
@@ThePepperkingXY I think there were several levels that made me quit for some time. One of them was the Kreepy Krow boss. Eventually I came back to it and finally beat it but then fully gave up at the first level of the following world.
I don't doubt that you can get to the credits easily if you know the game very well but then you can surely do the same with 1 and 3. I got to the credits in both of those.
@@Paragleiber I see. I feel like Snow Barrel Blast from the first game is always a little bit nightmarish to play through. I can't really remember one specific level being that difficult in the second game. Except maybe the last one. Maybe dkc2 is consistently more challenging though. I've been playing these games since the 90's so it's not easy to relate to someone who's kinda new to them. But the prime thing to understand in these games is to master the roll + jump ability. If you can't perform that then these games really are difficult. The first level in the first game is a perfect playground for that, jumping from tree to tree, going after those extra life balloons! You gotta master the basics.
@@ThePepperkingXY I am not new to the games. I also played them back as a kid on the actual SNES. So that's not the issue. And yeah, the Snow Barrel level did give me trouble when I replayed the first game. But at some point I accidently fell into one of the hidden shortcut barrels below the screen and got to skip most of it, lol.
DK 64 was a long collectathon, if you've played the original Banjo Kazooie (which I would recommend over DK64) it's like that but with fewer levels and more to collect in each so it winds up being longer. I almost got everything in it. There were just one or two golden bananas that I couldn't figure out.
DKC3 is my favorite of the trilogy, it's underrated Imo. Lot of people like 2, and I can get why but to me 3 is the best. 3 has the best soundtrack and being able to go out of a world and save or to a different world at any time without having to beat the one your currently in is a win. Also love 3's enemy designs.
I agree.. I think I enjoy this one more than 2 all because of the bs save system in dkc 2.. it makes it one of the hardest games ever
Very cool review. You nailed a lot of good points.
DK64 is not on NSO, it's also a 3D platformer and vastly different from the rest of the DKC games. I personally LOVE DK64 a lot, but it has many haters and is not for everyone. I'd recommend you do your research before you ever decide to pick it up.
DK64 is a game worth experiencing. I wouldn't necessarily make it a priority though especially since it isn't on NSO.
But someday in like 10 years when it comes to the online service for the Switch3 I'd recommend giving it a try.
Loved seeing you beat three! Definitely one of my favorite platform trilogies! I've watched speedruns for DK64 and it's a beast, I still need to try it myself. Not sure if it's on the switch though.
my all time favorite video games are the original SNES _Donkey Kong Country_ trilogy, and the two _Legend of Zelda_ games on the N64 👌
I wanted to recommend a triliogy on Nintendo Switch
I played this year, Cat Quest. Josie, you deserve some fun.
We had plenty of female leads back then. Chill. My favorite is Joanna Dark.
That was a full 4 years after this game which feels like forever when you're a kid. Not sure Josie was being super serious about that point anyway. It's not as if Dixie's become some kind of feminist icon in the intervening period.
I agree with you I thank it is the best game for beginners because you can save after every level.
I found the DKC3 was a more calming and relaxing game coming from DKC2. Not as intense but still absolutely a gem to play
And yes, play DK64. I loved the game.
I also understand why many would dislike the game as Well. It has its unique charm. Sure some places it’s a nightmare and sometimes the gameplay is a wee bit wonky., but I love it.
And I will never tire of Creepy Castle. Wait till you get to hear the Catacomb music 👍🏼
I was born in 1990, and I have never understood the crap that dkc3 catches and I really think it's only marginally worse, but for a reason you didn't touch on; in dkc2 they nerfed the increased momentum you can get from rolling in to enemies, and in dkc 3 they removed the increased bounce height from when you jump on enemies, so overall moving in dkc3 doesn't feel quite as good as in previous games but IMO it is made up for with the level diversity and new animal buddies and it otherwise still has the clean controls we all know and expect from dkc
Yes. DKC3 is the best! 2 is better than 1, but no more...
I love this game so much. Glad you like this one.
So my ranking for the trilogy is DKC 1,3 and 2. 3 is super underrated. Great review
@@HindsightWithHustle I think 2 is the best, then 1, then 3
I think i once heard how Miyamoto said something down the lines of the first game being mediocre and just being a hit because it looked cool and had a known character as the lead, so because of that Rare didn't use Donkey in the next two games. Is it true? No clue.
Did you 105% complete it tho? Thats a whole can of worms 💀
I will never 100% complete this shit lol I just roll credits
@@Josie_Woah I don't blame you, 100 percenting Dkc3 is a fucking ORDEAL
I played 1 then 3 then 2, for whatever reason as a child I was gifted 1 then 3. I had played and rented 2 after. 3 is for whatever reason slept on when it's solid all around. The latter games can be tough too and the bonus/hidden level is a good challenge
Great memories I was about 10 yrs old, this was one of the last games I played on SNES before the N64 came out
DKC3 is mad underappreciated. My personal favorite of the original trilogy
I like 2 better for theme, but 3 has better gameplay. Especially since the bonus coins are streamlined (almost always 1 before star barrel, 1 after)
Yes, it was really good. I'm of the camp that says, "DKC2" is the best one, but number 3 is underrated.
I never played DKC3 but I think I'll give it a try after I finish Tropical Freeze
I'd rank the DKC SNES games the following: 2 - 3 - 1.
1 feels a lot like a first attempt that was perfected in the sequels. I've always found controlling DK and some animals kinda clunky, like it's hard to understand their hit boxes. Fantastic soundtrack too.
2 has in Dixie & Diddy the best controlling characters imo. It has a lot of hard levels that I love (Toxic Tower, the final race with Squaqks) and also has the best soundtrack of the three.
In 3 I like the more cohesive world and the varying level mechanics. It was only through TH-cam that I discovered the hate Kiddie gets (for me he it's more forgettable than anything).
In the case of DK64, you need to know that's it's on a different subgenre of platformers: it's a "3D collect-a-thon" (they were massively popular in that era, parallel as how 2D platformers were so abundant in the 16-bit generation), that means, it doesn't have linear levels, stages are expansive and designed to be explored thoroughly and you have a LOT of things to collect. It's more comparable to, let's say, Mario Odyssey than to Tropical Freeze. Also, it remarkably fits into this era where Rareware (the developer) went extreme in some of their games with the amount of content (yes, as absurd as that may sound nowadays). Personally, I could never get past level 3 in DK64 as I felt overwhelmed with so much stuff everywhere that you have to use so many characters to collect.
In my opinion, Banjo-Kazooie is the best game in this subgenre that Rare made, it has the perfect balance between hub-world, levels, exploration, abilities, characters and collectables (never played Tooie, though general opinion says it suffers from the same "Rareware syndrome" as DK 64, still, that doesn't mean they're bad games). I mean, if you wanna try a Rareware collectathon, let it be Banjo Kazooie, unless, of course, your plan is to play every DK game. Cheers.
Happy Hurricane Friday 😵💫
Whoa 8.1 percent
I don't dislike Kiddy but I think they should've brought back Donkey, his name is on the game and hes only in the first one.
I never had a problem with the game. It looks like a decent game. Maybe someday I’ll beat it
it's not , because i remember it exactly , because i still have it , 2 in fact...
I know I've said this before on a livestream but I still would prefer to play DKC and DKC3 over DKC2 in general for fun, because DKC2 is very challenging... but with your recent playthru of the trilogy, I kinda have to say I recognize why DKC2 is a better made game overall despite being challenging as hell. Your DKC3 playthru triggered memories of so many bosses I remember from decades ago that I haven't thought of in forever. DKC3 looks cleaner but somehow less visually pleasing to me than DKC2 which felt like a huge step up from DKC in general.
My feelings about DK64 are complicated, because most people loved it, and I am a huge fan of the Nintendo 64 and that era of gaming in general, but I never liked that game. I’d say it’s the only “mainline” Donkey Kong game I outright avoid these days. So I don’t know if I’m the person to listen to about it lol. To some, it was a great game, but the one thing that seems almost universal is that even the people that liked it weren’t fans of the collectible aspects.
DK64 is cool, but only if you absolutely do not try to complete it. Just get the bare minimum to beat the boss.
It's also a completely different genre: the collect-a-thon platformer, where you explore a level to collect the doodads, completing challenges and mini games along the way.
The other games after it go back to 2D platformers, though the first two have a gimmicky controller.
It's not essential, but AI love DK64, and hope you'll try it.
Unfortunately it's not on NSO right now, but you can play it on PC, and it looks like you do play a few PC games.
i totally am with u. Got my butt kicked by dkc2 - after beating it, went to and loved dkc3 save system and 103% it. Then went back and 102% dkc2 and suddenly i was a pro.
I feel like Donkey Kong Country 3 had a general lack of direction in what its theming was. Y’know, DKC1 had DK Island, DKC2 had a pirate island, DKC3 has CANADA with a MAD SCIENTIST which doesn’t really reflect the overall theme of the game. But I mean who the heck cares the game is still one of the best platformers out there because all of the Donkey Kong Country games are. More than any other series, saying that this one is my least favorite doesn’t mean much. It’s incredible and a must play for DKC fans.
Dkc made some weird design decisions. For instance I don't like the redesign of the Bees.
But it is still a pretty good platformer I had a lot of fun with.
DKC 2 stays forever my favorite tho ❤
This vid finna be fire
This was not a sentence, what in the world are you on sir?
@@gamedrop3262 It's called slang genius
@@Python-xs2iv finna be is not slang its just shortening fixing to be which is country grammar . . its like you're too lazy to go full redneck and it makes you sound stupid.
DK64 is my fav DK game by far, and I love all of them. Just emulate it?
When that music first played on that level @ 11:21 i was jamming
the best DK game is DK country 3
If you die just hold L and R and rewind and avoid dying. Or are people avoiding this mechanic?
Right so you can do that because of NSO, but that’s not how the game was originally meant to be played. So I’m trying to beat these games without new convinces like that one. But, if that’s what you wanna do no shame do what you want!
@@Josie_Woah I am using it lightly. Ha ha. You made me wanna check out the series and only using it to save every level. But avoid using it during the level no matter how many times it takes me. Haha. I was already raging towards like the 4-5 level haha
Just love this game got that game on Christmas I believe 1998
Never played DKC 3. Only played the original on my SNES that I got from my aunt
@@tommymaxey2665 you absolutely gotta play DKC2
Great choice, my fav game back in 7th grade along with Super Metroid, Earth Worm Jim and Castlevania 4 & X, Snes rocked! Don't play DK64 it sucks. Terrific review 💯
Wasn’t 3 rushed?
Half of what makes these games so great is the soundtracks (if not as much with dkc3) and she mentions them for a second only. :(
I actually remember DKC 3 fondly. For me it's DKC 2 that feels a bit meh. I should revisit it for sure.
This game was overall good. I did like the easier difficulty and chances to save compared to 1 and 2. Only downsides is I don't find the soundtrack isn't as memorable as 1 and 2, as there's only a few tracks I liked, and Kiddy wasn't bad. he played fine as Donkey Kong's role, but unfortunately forgettable, as this was the only DK game as far as I know that he was in. As of now I rank it as 1st-DKC2, 2nd-Returns, 3rd-DKC3 and 4th-DKC1. I've yet to play Tropical Freeze, but I'm gonna play it next.
DK64 - that game's got one of the most collectables, among any game ever, from what i've heard, let alone the longest DK game. It's optional, but not on N64 online. I'd avoid it anyway, but that's just me.
My ranking of the mainline games goes:
1. DKC2
2.DKC3
3.DKC Tropical Freeze
4.DKC1
5.DKC Returns
6.DKC64
"Fuck the secret world"... amen. And yes Kiddy Kong just sucks... roll him off a cliff, and stick with Dixie. Here she is much better balanced in speed and her special ability. She is basically what Diddy was for the past 2 games but can glide.
DKC3 is the best one. Its bizarre how in the United States there is this blind hate for DKC3 and Kiddy.
How Kiddy Kong just plays as a worst Donkey Kong when compared to DK he is as strong, as fast walking and running, faster rolling, jump as high, holds barrels in front (which is better) and can bounce on water?
DKC3 is still as good as I personally recall it. It's better than the collective internet hive mind seems to remember it though. Best of the trilogy IMO. And I 100%ed both 2 *and* 3 as a kid so I don't just prefer 3 because it's "easier".
Also here in Europe the N64 hadn't yet released when this came out, which probably helps.
try the land series for the original game boy! 👀
Isn't DK Land 1 the only one that's an original game? DKL2 & 3 are just ports of DKC2 & 3 IIRC?
@@FoggyD dkl 1 is an original game endeed, but dkl 2 is kinda re-told of the snes and not a 1 by 1 port.
dkl3 i forgot! 😅
3 really pushes the boat out in terms of level gimmicks, most work but some don’t. Kiddy’s bawling is highly annoying but he’s good at throwing barrels (and Dixie). The soundtrack gets criticised but I’d argue Rockface Rumble, Water World, Pokey Pipes, Nuts N Bolts aren’t too far off the classics in 1&2. And the RPG-style side quest with the Brothers Bear/Banana Birds adds another layer to it all.
Overall I’d rank em 2 > 3 > 1
As for DK64, I’ve completed it a few times…certain parts are fun but the sheer volume of items you need to collect makes it a bit of a slog. Some mini games had me tearing my hair out. I’d probably say no
I love DKC3 except for Kiddie (because yes, he is the worst). That and the first world is pretty meh. But playing almost exclusively as Dixie, yeah, it’s pretty awesome
1. _DKC 2_
2. _Tropical Freeze_
3. _DKC 1_
4. _DKC 3_
5. _DKC Returns_
DKC2 reigns supreme but DKC3 is better than DKC1 and Kiddie Kong is better than Donkey Kong.
yep. water skip. plues holding barrel in front vs over head.
Nah... DKC3!
Avoid DK64 like the plague. If you hate N64 games like I do, you will absolutely despise DK64.
Josie misspoke and asked about "Donkey Kong Country 64". There is no such game. DK64 was an abomination following the trilogy of masterpieces which fortunately doesn't sully the "Country" name.
@@silentJET85 That description could also apply to Banjo-Tooie. I just wanted another 2D platformer involving 2 Kongs, except in 64-bit, but sadly that wasn't the fashion in the late 90s.
You hate N64? Do you have a tight oily scalp?
@@obvioushieidude7668 No, I grew up with actual good Nintendo systems like the NES, GameBoy and SNES which had actual good games, open world games, RPGs & more. N64 was a huge disappointment as a Nintendo fan. Easily Nintendo’s worst console ever.
@@obvioushieidude7668 I freaking adored the N64, but just found DK64 to be *the* biggest letdown on that console compared to its SNES counterparts.
Sad to hear the original commenter had a bad experience with it in general. Still got some awesome memories of that console and era.
Appreciate you playing older games. I think DK64 is pretty bad 😅
The DKC3 debate is simple. If you like to game, you like DKC3. If you only like to consume what is new, miss out on gems like these, and then criticize them for lacking a nostalgia factor because you missed them, I must feel sorry for you. The entire trilogy is great. The 3 games, not just 2. And if you ask me, I have more fun playing as that horrible weird baby than playing as DK. Is more agile. There, I said it.
All for a female protagonist as well. I'm not sexist like RGT lol
He’s an assclown
You don't get his sarcasm.
@@fernandosepulveda7297 i was joking
@@DarthCobalt55 oh I don't get your sarcasm
2 had a good soundtrack
As kid it was my favorite of the three
hi Josie Woah
DKC3 is really good overall, great music as well just like the other 2 SNES entries, although Kiddy Kong is really the only negative... but nothing beats DKC2!
The context in which you are playing these games is vastly different from the experience most of us had when the game was released. You're doing it as a job/for content and blasting through the games. It's normal for your reviews to not reflect exactly the general opinion on these games. Anyway, I hope you had at least a bit of enjoyment. Dkc2 is the best sounding, best playing and best looking out of the 3 by far imo. Dkc3's esthetic is incoherent. I've owned all 3 games at the same time and played all 3 so much. It's just my opinion though. It doesn't matter in the end.
3 is the best.
This game was fun but it never managed to top DKC2, DKC2 was a revolutionary game, it was way ahead of it’s time and it clearly topped DKC1.