Music Reviews

When Donkey Kong Country came out nearly 10 years ago, it was unique with its new computer generated graphics and "collect everything" gameplay. Now, nearly ten years later DKC debuts on the GBA. It is basically the same game. But now, on the GBA, the graphics and crispness look faded and are not as impressive. The gameplay is reminiscent of Mario World but not nearly as good. Despite there being varied levels, the gameplay is more memorization and timing than anything else. One small mistake could end everything. Things like this make you want to chuck your game boy at the closest wall. The game is challenging, but not in a good way. The add-ons like Funky's Fishing are pretty yawn inducing but some are nice. And the cameras are rather tedious to collect. Nintendo could've done more to this game, like added new levels or something. The hardware on the GBA was not used to its fullest on this game. DKC could've been great, but as it is, it's just average.

The big punch for the SNES back in 1994, "Donkey Kong Country" was the evolution of platform gaming, with graphics unlike anything the world has ever seen. It achieved two things: It revived perhaps the oldest video game franchise (Donkey Kong), and it gave Nintendo another mascot to market besides Mario (who never dulled, mind you). The GBA port was inevitable, and could not have been more welcome in my collection.

Donkey Kong and his spry little sidekick Diddy Kong must reclaim their stolen banana hoard from the reptilian swine who took it. The story is simple enough, but the adventure is anything but. There are massive levels with varying degrees of difficulty, and sometimes the game is frustratingly hard. But let's start with the graphics. They are excellent, even by today's standards. The fluid animation and detailed environments are a sight to behold, and they translate pretty well on the small screen. The only drawback is that the characters look overly pixilated at times, and it is sometimes hard to make out certain objects like jump tires and ropes (especially in the darker levels) due to the small size of the screen and the massive amount of detail contained within. The music is as we remember it, though slightly altered in parts to accommodate the GBA's monophonic speaker.

The one complaint I had with the original SNES version is that it was too easy at times. Certain elements have been changed to make the GBA port more difficult, such as adding extra enemies or changing the boss battles slightly (the Giant Wasp boss in particular). It makes the game more rewarding, and sometimes frustrating. On the plus side, all the bonuses are still intact, so achieving 100% completion is still an incentive to play over again.

The extras are not a big deal, and definitely don't make it worth the price of admission alone. There are two "mini-games", a fishing game and a dance game. The fishing game, hosted by Funky Kong, requires you to catch as many different colored fish within a specific timeframe. It is pretty dull. The dance game, as hosted by Candy Kong, might excite fans of "Britney's Dance Beat", but it's nothing more than a reflex test where you are giving buttons to push and they move a character on the screen. There is also a bland picture stills gallery (you add pictures by collecting camera icons scattered throughout the game), which is something you are unlikely to get excited about. However, the one extra I do like is the "save anywhere" feature, which is handy at every turn of the game.

The GBA port of DKC should satisfy any gamer, since the it perfectly balances gameplay with ample eye-candy graphics. The tweaks made to make the game more challenging are both a curse and a blessing, and the extras are pitiful, but the game itself makes it more than worth getting.

I was a little skeptical having played Donkey Kong Country for SNES, but I have to tell you that Rare held up to its name. The mini games and multiplayer add that Gameboy feel, while the game itself is almost a direct copy of the original. The graphics aren't as sharp, but the ability to play DKC on the go is awesome, and now you can save in the middle of a level. If you're tired of Mario, DKC won't let you down.

Super Monkey Ball 2 is a weird but surprisingly fun type of game. Unlike Super Monkey Ball 1, this game offers more levels, more party-games and more fun.

Single Player: After the first series of about 3, some levels are VERY difficult and must be completed with COMPLETE SKILL. Others however, look complicated, but are very simple. For example, the one with bouncing triangles can be accomplished by just completely running through it. You will dodge all the triangles and beat it in a jiffy. I can't beat 2 on the fourth for fifth one and thats made me stop completely. Overall, it is okay, but you need to very good at it to complete some levels. 4.5/5

Multiplayer: Thats what super monkey ball 2 is all about. There are 12 party games in which half can be unlocked with a series of play points (2500). The games include Monkey Race 2, Monkey Target 2, Monkey Golf 2, Monkey Billiards 2 and Monkey Fight 2. There are 6 other unlockable ones. Unlocking the party games is quite challenging and you will have a long time playing it. There is a wide variety of family games that will keep you busy for hours! 5/5

Sound: Great, doesnt bother me, suits the levels perfectly. 5/5

Controls: Most are easy 1 or 2 button games where you use the controller a lot. Fairly easy to learn. Learning Curve: about a half hour. Very good and easy to learn controls 5/5

Loading times: almost instant, very good loading times 4.5/5

Reply Value: 5/5 This game is very fun and addicting and will keep people of any age busy for hours.

Other: This game may be a little too young for a few people. This is definetly a family game. Limited single-player. You have to beat the series one by one by one etc.

Overall: 4.75/5 VERY good game i recommend it to anyone who has a Gamecube and likes a variety of games in one.

This is an awesome game. I am addicted to the monkey golf. The whole concept is very original and tons of fun to play. I will rent other games for the weekend, but we continue to pay Super Monkey Ball 2.

Before I bought it, I read many reviews, and overall this game is HOT!! It is perfect for a family game, and has no questionable violence or inappropriate material for youngsters. Even my 3 year old gets into playing it -- although she is complety inept. LOL

My advice to anyone who is looking to buy any gamecube game is to look carefully at all the reviews, and possibly rent it before you buy it. I always do a lot of research before I spend my [money] on a game. I don't want to waste my money.

Final advise... BUY THIS GAME!!! It is definitely worth the money, and you will have more fun than you can imagine. Your whole family will enjoy it, and if you are a single game player, you will enjoy it as well. Although, I do think it is geared toward a party game atmosphere (similar to Mario Party 4). I am actually enjoying this game MORE than Mario Party 4!!

Super Monkey Ball 2 is a great, single player or multiplayer game that's filled with stages and challenges. The single player story mode is fun, it starts off like all games quite simple and gradually gets hard, at some stages, extremely hard but every stage is beatable. The multiplayer game modes, which can also be played alone are awesome. The games are: racing, pool, bowling, soccer, baseball, target, fight, golf, dog fight, shot, tennis and boat race. The best of these games are target, racing, bowling, fight and pool. You can play up to 4 players or play with the computer, but I warn you, when the computer is on easy for pool, they are really stupid. Bowling is fun because it has different stages to play. The crazy mode is challenging, I suggest you play normal mode a lot before trying this mode for it can get mighty frustrating.
In all, this game is great and is worth the price, I got this game when it was released and I still play it. A fun, innovative game. Especially fun for parties.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a pretty good game from EA. Worth a rent and maybe a buy if your fan of the series (which I am). I'm satisfied with my buy. The game in nothing epic, but overall very fun and extremely challenging the first time through.
Graphics: The Graphics are incredibly detailed. The backgrounds are amazing, the makers of this game spent a lot of time with detail if this game and it shows. When things break apart or explode, you see every piece crumble and hit the ground, like when towers collapse over you in fierce battles. Although in some places, there is unacceptable slowdown, or lag. The framerate suffers.
Replay Value: You wouldn't think this game has replay value but it does. The levels are simply fun and a worthy of multiple plays, plus there are plenty of unlockable features such as interviews and production art. There is also a new co-op mode where two players can play at the same time. As you would suspect it is extremely fun. It adds hours of gameplay.
There are 6 playable characters. They are Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Frodo, Sam, and best of all... Gandalf. There are also 3 unlockable characters. There are 15 levels and a secret level.
Pretty good game, give it a try.

The Lord of the Rings The Return of the King will be even better than the Two Tower,and the Two Towers was one of the best games I've played. You will be able to play as Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli just like before, plus you will be able to play as Gandalf the White, Frodo, and Sam! There will also be 2 secret characters to unlock. There will also be 12 or more misions and three story branches. Some of the missions include Osgiliath, Pelennor feilds, Minas Tirith, Shelob's lair and even Helms Deep in the morning when Gandalf comes! There will be tons of enemies including Orcs, Uruk-Hai, Trolls, Beasts, Evil men and many more. There will be many bosses including Shelob and the Witch King of Morgul (the leader of the Nazgul or Ringwraiths). It will also have a two player co-op mode. So if you loved the Two Towers, then you MUST GET THIS GAME! It will be worth it!!!

I LOVE THIS GAME IT IS REAL FUN GRAPHICS=WONDERFUL SWEET COOL BUT THE CHARACTERS DONT HAVE GOOD FACES SOUND=FEATURES REAL COOL MUSIC FROM THE SHOW CAMERA=SETS UP AT ALMOST PERFECT ANGELS EXEPT TURNS GAMPLAY=REAL FUN I'V BEEN SHOPIN FOR THIS GAME CUS I ONLY PLAYED IT AT A FRIENDS HOUSE P.S. I WOULDN'T PAY $39.99 FOR THIS AT TARGET P.P.S. GAMESTOP HAS IT FOR $29.99

This awesome game features a very high level of exitement AND I was engulfed with it.My favorite level is the Entertainment district in Coruscant.You would be amazed by how many bounties you can find in one room.You just need to explore,aim,and shoot.Quick tip:the number of bounties range between each level.Kill every enemy you find. trust nobody

I love this game. It is one of the best games ever, and I personnaly think that it is 10 times better then the past Star Wars games. The time is between the film Phantom Menace, and Attack Of The Clones. You play as the Bounty Hunter, Jango Fett, a legend. Well, after completing the first chapter of the game, you are invited to participate in a hunt to hunt and bring down a Jedi, by Count Dooku/Darth Tyranus. Well, you get all the weapons of Jango Fett, including two laser pistols, missile jetpack, your fists, your flamethrower and much more. You have to gather info on where the Jedi is, go to her, and hunt her down until the ends of the universe. The game shows how Jango met his partner, Zam Wessel, his Bounty Hunter rival, how he got involved with a dangerous battle with a Jedi, and how he met Darth Tyranus and was involved in the Clone Wars and being Tyranus's henchman.

I bought the game couple weeks ago. I have loved it so far. The skill level to play the missions, starting at the Coruscant missions, gets hard quickly. I am stuck trying to get out of an asteroid prison. I am a die hard Star Wars fan, so this game is great for me. The last FPS game I have enjoyed as much was Frontline, Medal of Honor.
The graphics in SW Bounty Hunter are superb. The controls are very responsive. The twin laser guns are reliable, and will stop almost any threat if you click the fire button fast enough. You have to use the jet pack smartly, since you can fly for a few seconds only.In the tradition of Lucas Arts games, there are great cinematic sequences in 4:3 box format between levels.The story line is fine. It reflects accuretely what kind of working life a bounty hunter like Jango Fett goes through daily. Some levels tend to be very long, so within a level the story timelime slows down. The Star Wars worlds and environments we have come to expect from the movies are accurately portrayed.
To conclude: SW Bounty Hunter is an excellent game. It is very challenging to play. It's a must rent, and a must buy if you are a SW die hard fan. The game is not perfect, but from the three I own now ( Starfigther, Pod Racer, and this one), I consider Bounty Hunter the best. It has the best action play, the closest storyline to the SW movies, and the closest I can feel momentarily that I am actually inside the Star Wars Universe.

Sure, everyone likes it. I don't. It may be ergonomically great, but the button placing, among other things, needs improvement.

First off, the B button annoys me. It may be under an inch away from the other buttons, but that's still aggravating to have to move your thumb away from the AXY area to hit B. Whenever I think I'm hitting B when I'm looking at the TV, I look at the controller and see I'm hitting Y. (or is it X? The one above/left of A.)

Second: The L and R buttons. Sure, it's shaped to mold into your hands, but they have a decidedly cheaps--t feel- the click as you press it down to the bottom just feels shoddily made. And the feeling of pressing L/R before it clicks feels as if I'm not pushing hard enough to affect the game.

Last, but DEFINITELY not least: The Z button. Since me and pretty much all cube users keep their righthand index finger on the R button at most times, when I try to press the Z button, it feels extremely awkward and minorly painful. The Z button should be on the back of the controller like the N64, on the other side of the C stick or the d-pad.

Conclusion: If you're going to buy a GameCube, find a better 3rd party controller if you can. I don't know if there are any 3rd party controllers that have major differences, but if you own GameCube, you should find out.

It is perfect. It is so confortable and melds with your hands. Then the L and R buttons are pressure sensetive. Lets say this is the jump button on Mario. If you press it down a little, Mario will only jump a little. They also have a digi click. You will come to a natural stop when you press the analog triggers down. If you push harder you can click. Which can be used for turbo, or etc. Two buttons in one. Then the analog stick, the stick on a ball idea was ported from sony, but Nintendo reconizes a good idea when they see one. Then you got the plastic rubber feel of the stick, Which is perfect grip that won't slip. Then comes the C stick. Just all the N64's C buttons in a stick, and it is easy to reach, don't worry. The Button system is great. A is the home position. You'll be using it more often. And You can switch from A to another button, and back easy. Imagine holidng it. It is much easier to navigate from the main buttons, to buttons around it... They all are different shapes too, so you won't mistake one button for a nother. The Z button is called an 'emergancy button" it is awkardly hard to press. You need to press the edge of it to press it.. And is NOT an action button, but maybe a quick restard or etc. Well that's the GAMECUBE controller. BYE

This controller is absolutely perfect for anyone with small hands like me... I'm 14 and I have small hands for my age, which benefits me with this controller. Larger-handed people should just skip to the end because the following review probably won't apply to you.

The face button layout is great. The green A button, which will be the primary action button for pretty much every game that will be released for the system, is extra large so you can't mistake it for anything else. The gray X and Y buttons surround the A button and are a smaller lima bean shape, which is totally new... no other system has ever done this before and it's a great idea. Your thumb can easily reach over and press either one, and you can't mistake one for the other because you can tell which one you're pressing just by which way you had to reach your thumb to press it. Great job with that. The circular red B button is the smallest face button and is to the left of the A button. It's just as easy to reach this one as X and Y. You can't mistake one button for another with this layout, great job Nintendo.

There are two analog sticks: a main stick, which controls your character in whatever game you're playing, and a C-stick, which is generally used for camera angles and such. Both sticks are hard rubber, much easier to use and MUCH more durable than the plastic N64 stick. Also, both sticks are the stick-on-a-ball type, like the PS2 controller. This makes the sticks much easier to move compared to N64's stick. Big improvement there.

There is a traditional D-pad under the main stick. This is much smaller than the D-pad on the N64 controller. Hey for all you people out there that complain about it being too out of the way, try putting your middle finger on the L trigger and then resting your index finger on the controller above the main stick. If that doesn't help then oh well, you won't be using it a lot anyway.

The L and R triggers are great. They're pressure sensitive... if you press them down hard enough you can feel a reassuring digital click. These triggers will come in handy for the gas and brakes on some racing games that will come out later. The purple Z trigger is directly above R and is a little awkward to reach. It's not pressure sensitive like the other triggers, and you have to press it on it's right edge for it to click, but it doesn't matter because it's not used too much anyway.

For all you larger-handed gamers... I have a couple of 16-year-old friends that tried out the controls and said that it was the worst thing they ever held. Their hands are much bigger than mine, and this is probably the reason that it's harder for them to hold it. If you've got big hands, try some of the third party controllers, this is the only solution... I've heard that they have longer handles, and they're cheaper anyway.