View source for Donkey Konga

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Distinguish|Donkey Kong}}
{{Short description|Donkey Kong spin-off video game series}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = {{ubl|Donkey Konga|Donkey Konga 2|Donkey Konga 3}}
| image = Donkey Konga Coverart.jpg
| alt =
| caption = North American cover art for ''Donkey Konga'' {{small|(left)}} and ''Donkey Konga 2'' {{small|(center)}}, and Japanese cover art for ''Donkey Konga 3'' {{small|(right)}}
| developer = [[Namco]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| series = ''[[Donkey Kong]]''
| platforms = [[GameCube]]
| released = {{ubl|'''''Donkey Konga'''''|{{Video game release|JP|December 12, 2003|NA|September 27, 2004|EU|October 15, 2004|AUS|October 28, 2004<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 24, 2004 |title=Updated Australian Release List – 24/10/04 |url=http://palgn.com.au/1696/updated-australian-release-list-24-10-04/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307084711/http://palgn.com.au/1696/updated-australian-release-list-24-10-04/ |archive-date=March 7, 2012 |access-date=July 7, 2014 |website=PALGN}}</ref>}}|'''''Donkey Konga 2'''''|{{Video game release|JP|July 1, 2004|NA|May 9, 2005|EU|June 3, 2005}}|'''''Donkey Konga 3'''''|{{Video game release|JP|March 17, 2005}}}}
| genre = [[Rhythm game|Rhythm]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| director = Hiroyuki Onoda
| producer = Hiroshi Igarashi
| designer = Hiromi Endo
| programmer =
| artist = Naruhisa Kawano<br>Toki Iida
| writer =
| composer = Junko Ozawa<br>Jesahm
}}
{{Nihongo foot|'''''Donkey Konga'''''|ドンキーコンガ|Donkī Konga|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a series of [[music video game|rhythm video games]] developed by [[Namco]] and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[GameCube]]. A spin-off of the ''[[Donkey Kong]]'' series, they are played with a special controller called the [[DK Bongos]] that resemble two small [[bongo drum]]s, but can optionally be played with the standard GameCube controllers.

''Donkey Konga'' was developed by the team that were responsible for developing the ''[[Taiko no Tatsujin]]'' series. The tracks include songs such as "[[Louie Louie]]", "[[We Will Rock You]]", "[[Shining Star (The Manhattans song)|Shining Star]]", "[[Rock Lobster]]", "[[Losing My Religion]]", and [[Hungarian Dances (Brahms)|Hungarian Dance#5 in G Minor]]. There are tracks from the ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' series, ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' series, and other Nintendo related music. The Japanese, North American, and [[PAL region]] versions have different track lists, and in the North American version of the first two games, almost all of the licensed non-Nintendo/traditional songs are shortened [[Cover song|cover]]s. The first two games have around 30 tracks each, depending on the region, while ''Donkey Konga 3'' has 58.

==Plot==
[[File:Donkey Konga gameplay.png|thumb|left|The player hits notes as they pass through the middle of the screen.]]
[[Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong]] and [[Diddy Kong]] are sitting on a beach one day when they come across some mysterious objects that resemble barrels. Fearing they had something to do with [[King K. Rool]], they take them to [[Cranky Kong]]. Cranky explains that they are bongos, so Donkey tries playing them, as does Diddy. Then, when Donkey claps, the bongos start glowing. Cranky explains that the bongos have some kind of power inside them. Donkey and Diddy continue to play the bongos, but they both play terribly. Cranky advises them to practice. At first they are against this, but then they realize if they can become successful in playing the bongos, they could afford as many bananas as they wish, so they start practicing.

==Sequels==
===''Donkey Konga 2''===
{{Nihongo foot|'''''Donkey Konga 2''''',|ドンキーコンガ2|Donkī Konga Tsū|group=lower-alpha}} marketed in Japan as "Donkey Konga 2: Hit Song Parade!", is the 2004 sequel to ''Donkey Konga'' for the Nintendo GameCube, a video game where the player must pound on a special, barrel-like controller called the [[DK Bongos]] along with a selected song.

The main selling point of ''Donkey Konga 2'' is over 30 new tracks to play with Bongos. Other features include slightly improved graphics, the inclusion of some classic ''Donkey Kong'' characters and a variety of new minigames.

This is the only ''[[Donkey Kong]]'' game to be rated T for Teen in North America, as it contained lyrics not suitable for younger players. Other regions featured lyrics more appropriate for younger players and thus received lighter ratings.

===''Donkey Konga 3''===
{{Nihongo foot|'''''Donkey Konga 3'''''|ドンキーコンガ3 食べ放題!春もぎたて50曲♪|Donkī Konga Surī: Tabe-houdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku|lit. Donkey Konga 3: All You Can Eat! Spring 50 Music Works Mix|group=lower-alpha}} is a [[music video game]] in the ''Donkey Kong series'' developed by Namco and published by Nintendo. Before the second installment was released in North America, Nintendo and Namco had already started plans for the third game in the series, which, unlike the first two ''Donkey Konga'' games, was eventually released only in Japan on March 17, 2005.

''Donkey Konga 3'' features a total of 57 tracks (none repeated from the previous games), over 20 tracks more than the first two games. 35 of these tunes are the usual classical, pop, and game selections, but an extra 21 tunes from [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] games are included. It also features all new minigames.

==Reception==
===''Donkey Konga''===
{{Video game reviews
|title = ''Donkey Konga''
|MC = 76/100<ref name=MCDK1/>
|Edge = 7/10<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Edge staff |date=February 2004 |title=Donkey Konga |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |issue=133 |page=111}}</ref>
|EGM = 7.5/10<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=EGM Staff |date=November 2004 |title=Donkey Konga |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=184 |page=151}}</ref>
|EuroG = 6/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=October 12, 2004 |title=Donkey Konga Review |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_donkeykonga_gc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330081729/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_donkeykonga_gc |archive-date=March 30, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref>
|Fam = 31/40<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 18, 2003 |title=ドンキーコンガ |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |volume=783}}</ref>
|GI = 7/10<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Helgeson |first=Matt |date=November 2004 |title=Donkey Konga |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200411/R04.1119.1234.20870.htm |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |issue=139 |page=161 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208062116/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200411/R04.1119.1234.20870.htm |archive-date=February 8, 2005 |access-date=March 30, 2014}}</ref>
|GamePro = 3/5<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Test Monkey |date=November 2004 |title=Donkey Konga Review for GameCube on GamePro.com |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/38297.shtml |url-status=dead |magazine=[[GamePro]] |page=106 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204090922/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/38297.shtml |archive-date=February 4, 2005 |access-date=March 30, 2014}}</ref>
|GameRev = B<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liu |first=Johnny |date=October 18, 2004 |title=Donkey Konga Review |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/donkey-konga |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330053135/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/donkey-konga |archive-date=March 30, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |publisher=[[Game Revolution]]}}</ref>
|GSpot = 7.5/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Ryan |date=September 27, 2004 |title=Donkey Konga Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-konga-review/1900-6108977/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330091423/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-konga-review/1900-6108977/ |archive-date=March 30, 2016 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
|GSpy = 4/5<ref>{{Cite web |last=Theobald |first=Phil |date=September 24, 2004 |title=GameSpy: Donkey Konga |url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/donkey-konga/550705p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010060943/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/donkey-konga/550705p1.html |archive-date=October 10, 2013 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |publisher=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref>
|IGN = 8.5/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Castro |first=Juan |date=September 23, 2004 |title=Donkey Konga |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/24/donkey-konga-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330052733/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/24/donkey-konga-4 |archive-date=March 30, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
|NLife = 8/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Willington |first=Peter |date=July 16, 2011 |title=Donkey Konga (GameCube) Review |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/07/donkey_konga_retro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330082002/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/07/donkey_konga_retro |archive-date=March 30, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |website=[[Nintendo Life]]}}</ref>
|NP = 4.2/5<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 2004 |title=Donkey Konga |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |volume=185 |page=128}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]''
|rev1Score = 8/10<ref name="MaximDK1">{{Cite magazine |last=Porter |first=Alex |date=September 27, 2004 |title=Donkey Konga |url=http://www.maxim.com/gaming/donkey-konga |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330055207/http://www.maxim.com/gaming/donkey-konga |archive-date=March 30, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]''
|rev2Score = 4/5<ref name="SMHDK1">{{Cite news |last=Hill |first=Jason |date=October 28, 2004 |title=Soccer sorcery |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/27/1098667824849.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604111539/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/27/1098667824849.html |archive-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}
''Donkey Konga'' received "generally favorable reviews" according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCDK1">{{Cite web |title=Donkey Konga for GameCube Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/donkey-konga/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109125207/https://www.metacritic.com/game/donkey-konga/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>

''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' gave the game a score of eight out of ten and said that four bongos should be added "to create a frenzied, unholy din suitable for ritual virgin sacrifice".<ref name=MaximDK1/> ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' gave it four stars out of five and wrote: "The beginner's level is a breeze, but ''Konga'' later becomes deliciously challenging, with hilarity-inducing flustered panic as you start to fall behind and surprising levels of concentration required to clap instead of drum. Hysteria soon prevails".<ref name=SMHDK1/> ''[[The New York Times]]'', however, gave it a mixed review and said: "Before you buy ''Konga'', try clapping along with every song on the radio for half an hour and see how you feel at the end".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Herold |first=Charles |date=December 9, 2004 |title=New Breed of Games Is Not All Thumbs |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/09/technology/circuits/new-breed-of-games-is-not-all-thumbs.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329012624/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/09/technology/circuits/new-breed-of-games-is-not-all-thumbs.html |archive-date=March 29, 2019}}</ref>

''Donkey Konga'' won an award at the [[Game Developers Conference]] for the best "Innovation" in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Game Developers Choice Online Awards 5th Annual GDCA |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_5th.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321132725/http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_5th.html |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |access-date=December 8, 2010 |publisher=[[Game Choice Awards]]}}</ref> During the [[8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] awarded ''Donkey Konga'' for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Family Game of the Year|Console Family Game of the Year]]", as well as received nominations for "Outstanding Innovation in Console Gaming", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition|Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack]]", and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement|Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering]]".<ref>{{Cite web |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Donkey Konga |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2005&idGame=182 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927215426/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2005&idGame=182 |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |access-date=18 September 2023 |website=interactive.org |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]]}}</ref>

===''Donkey Konga 2''===
{{Video game reviews
|title = ''Donkey Konga 2''
|MC = 69/100<ref name="MCDK2">{{Cite web |title=Donkey Konga 2 Critic Reviews for GameCube |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/donkey-konga-2/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214062426/https://www.metacritic.com/game/donkey-konga-2/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |website=Metacritic}}</ref>
|EuroG = 5/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=June 13, 2005 |title=Donkey Konga 2 Review |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_donkeykonga2_gc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708215133/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_donkeykonga2_gc |archive-date=July 8, 2015 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref>
|GI = 7/10<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=July 2005 |title=Donkey Konga 2 |magazine=Game Informer |issue=147 |page=121}}</ref>
|GSpot = 6.9/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Ryan |date=May 6, 2006 |title=Donkey Konga 2 Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-konga-2-review/1900-6123836/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015080259/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-konga-2-review/1900-6123836/ |archive-date=October 15, 2018 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |website=GameSpot}}</ref>
|GSpy = 3.5/5<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vasconcellos |first=Eduardo |date=June 2, 2005 |title=GameSpy: Donkey Konga 2 |url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/donkey-konga-disk-2/621786p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403055110/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/donkey-konga-disk-2/621786p1.html |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |publisher=GameSpy}}</ref>
|GT = 8/10<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2005 |title=Donkey Konga 2, Review |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=339 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629205340/http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=339 |archive-date=June 29, 2006 |access-date=July 4, 2016 |publisher=[[GameTrailers]]}}</ref>
|GameZone = 7.8/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watkins |first=Rob |date=July 4, 2005 |title=Donkey Konga 2 - GC - Review |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/donkey_konga_2_gc_review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519215804/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r25634.htm |archive-date=May 19, 2009 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |publisher=GameZone}}</ref>
|IGN = 8/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Castro |first=Juan |date=May 4, 2005 |title=Donkey Konga 2 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/04/donkey-konga-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330054705/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/04/donkey-konga-2 |archive-date=March 30, 2014 |access-date=March 30, 2014 |website=IGN}}</ref>
|NP = 3.9/5<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 2005 |title=Donkey Konga 2 |magazine=Nintendo Power |volume=192 |page=97}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''[[Detroit Free Press]]''
|rev1Score = 2/4<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crumm |first=David |last2=Crumm |first2=Benjamin |date=May 29, 2005 |title=Donkey Konga 2 |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |url=http://www.freep.com/entertainment/videogames/gmini29e_20050529.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=March 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050917231512/http://www.freep.com/entertainment/videogames/gmini29e_20050529.htm |archive-date=September 17, 2005}}</ref>
}}
''Donkey Konga 2'' received "average" reviews according to Metacritic.<ref name=MCDK2/>
{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://register.nintendo.com/gamemini?gameid=1563e06a-bc97-4c5a-8ec9-8d9b14279c0b ''Donkey Konga''] at [[Nintendo.com]] ([https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.nintendo.com/gamemini?gameid=1563e06a-bc97-4c5a-8ec9-8d9b14279c0b archives] of the [https://web.archive.org/web/20061112050312/http://www.nintendo.com/gamemini?gameid=1563e06a-bc97-4c5a-8ec9-8d9b14279c0b original] at the [[Internet Archive]])
* [https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/gc/donkey_konga.html Nintendo Europe]
* {{MobyGames|/gamecube/donkey-konga}}
* {{MobyGames|/gamecube/donkey-konga-2|''Donkey Konga 2''}}

{{Donkey Kong}}

[[Category:2003 video games]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong video games]]
[[Category:GameCube games]]
[[Category:GameCube-only games]]
[[Category:Namco games]]
[[Category:Nintendo franchises]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:BAFTA winners (video games)]]