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(O)Diddy Kong Racing Ds Review
Topic Started: Mar 5 2007, 07:25 PM (633 Views)
Numel
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Trovita Island Gym Leader Rudy
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Diddy Kong racing set very high expectations but didn't deliver what it set out to bring.
The story mode begins as the evil swine wizard Wipzig arrives at Timber’s Island. Causing a frantic panic on the Island, he attempts at taking over the floating piece of land. The natives desperately try to fight the evil swine wizard off with all of their effort; one of the the natives Drumstick even sacrifices himself and gets tuned into a frog. Without Drumstick, the other natives Timber, Pipsy, Bumper, and TipTup send a letter to Kong Island begging for help. Soon the Kong’s arrive and the quest to save Timber’s Island begins.

Many would like to quickly voice that this game is just another cruddy port with nothing new but flawed controls. While that might be correct on some aspects, it isn’t on all. When Nintendo sold Rare to Microsoft in 2002, they signed over certain rights which is probably why they weren’t able to keep Conker and Banjo as two characters. They replaced them though with a teenage version of Tiny Kong and Dixie Kong from Donkey Kong Country 2. In addition to those two, you can also use Diddy, Bumper, Pipsy, Timber, TipTup, Krunch, and the four characters that have to be unlocked. (Drumstick, T.T., Wipzig, and Taj.) Once you arrive on the island, a friendly elephant genie named Taj appears quickly to explain many aspects of the game. Taj also offers some frustrating challenges which you need to complete to be able to race in all three available vehicles (Car, Hovercraft, Plane.) He is also the guy to go to if you were to buy upgrades for your car (new feature), new tracks, new modes, and if you would like to switch settings or characters. Unlike Mario Kart, this games takes advantage of the whole “free roam” concept where you are able to drive around the island to certain levels. Since Wipzig’s evil magic still has the Island cursed, you need Golden Balloons to open the doors to these levels. While inside the certain level, there are four races which you can choose from (if you have enough balloons that is.) Let the race begin…

There are so many things you can do in the each of the levels that it is going to be hard to explain. You can choose a race, you can race the boss (if you beat every race), do the trophy race (4 race tournament), or you can race T.T. if you found the key for that level. I will break down single race. Most track will offer you the choice of all three vehicles, but during story mode the vehicle that was meant for that level is used. Starting the race, a really tacky and annoying way of boosting was added. You use your stylus to spin the wheel of the car or the wings of the plane to get the boost at the beginning. For the Hovercraft, you have to blow into your DS. It is really hard for you to do this simultaneously while trying to hold the accelerator to keep going after the boost is done. During the race you can pick up items by popping colored balloons. I preferred this system over the Mario Kart item system since the upgrades made sense (if you drive into another balloon of the same color while having the original item with you, it will power up to a more effective item.) You can also collect coins throughout races to purchase your tracks/upgrades from Taj later. When you finish the races, you go up against a pathetic boss. After defeated, he makes you go through the races again on a magic carpet using your stylus to pop Golden Balloons. This is again very tacked on and frustrating at times. When finished, you will race the boss again and he will offer you a touch challenge which is extremely difficult and stupid in my opinion. This is not required though! To unlock everything in this game you will have to spend a decent time racing, so I would say that the short story mode isn’t something that should keep you from checking this game out.

Online play is much better and more organized than the Mario Kart one. This time you don’t have to race in a four race series, but rather in a single race while choosing after the race if you wish to have another. This reduces the amount of disconnections. Some of the characters are really broken for online play and there is NO chance of playing online without a fully upgraded vehicle (preferably the AIR/Top Speed upgrade.) Tracks and what vehicle you use during the race is chosen by the majority rule. If you have your buddies friend code you can participate in other online games like Battle Tracks and even racing on your own created track. The online play is improved significantly over the other DS titles that I have played.

The visual department take a hit in the character design category, since the characters look very blocky and unpolished. Environments look crisp and inviting but they don’t seem to give off a clear graphical appearance. Some texture problems appear but they don't cause to much harm. The island for instance looks like it was built out of cardboard boxes, looking like most DS titles to date. The frame rate is improved from the N64 version of the game but still lacks the full potential that it could have had. The vehicles and special effects are well modeled and overall look decent, not as good as the other kart racing games for the DS though. Overall, the visuals were very similar to all the other 3D DS games, looking decent but not fully developed in every aspect.

The sound on the other hand is a fresh breath of air for Diddy Kong Racing. The fun and party like songs from the original are still here and deliver more than ever. Everything transitions clearly and exemplifies the potential other games have for the DS. It lack most of the voice acting though, which chipped away at the personality of the game. The sounds incorporated with the environments work well with the game too (tire screeching… etc.) Musically the sound was exiting, but other than that there is nothing that makes this game stand out over other DS games.

Controlling the little racing animals became much more frustrating than expected. Using your touch screen to boost at the beginning of ever race just feels wrong. Also, not having your trusty analog stick may annoy and cause pain to your thumb occasionally. The Golden Balloon challenges control very bad since using your stylus to look around and pop balloons at the same time just doesn’t work. And the boss touch challenges? Don’t get me started on those. Those go beyond frustration and are insanely difficulty. I would save myself the anger and just go earn those 100 coins by racing. Racing doesn’t feel so bad but the absence of the analog is noticeable. Tacky, unfitted, and frustrating sum up some of the controls of the game.

Scores:
-All scores are out of 5 (5 being the best and 1 being the worst)
-The scores go up on an increment of .5
-Final grade will be an average of those scores

Playing the Game: 3.0
Graphics:3.5
Sound:4.5
Controls:1.5
Overall:-Not an average-3.0

Final Grade:3.0-This is a rounded average of the five previous scores.
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Numel
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Trovita Island Gym Leader Rudy
Your review/summary/cheats have been accepted. This means that your submission has good grammar and no rule violations. Thank You for your submission.
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classicgamer
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Trovita Island Gym Leader Rudy
was the double post really nessesary? I figured you'd accept the review you made, only makes sense.

I want to get this game though for unknown reasons...
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Numel
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Trovita Island Gym Leader Rudy
classicgamer
Mar 5 2007, 11:25 PM
was the double post really nessesary? I figured you'd accept the review you made, only makes sense.

I want to get this game though for unknown reasons...

It posts it automatically after I accept it. It is an automatic message. -lolx2-
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Cloud Strife
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Kumquat Island Gym Leader Luana
Nice Review....I've never heard of this game before, but it sounds moderatly fun
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