Donkey Konga Jungle Beat

Nintendo is the center of attention for innovating. Sometimes that’s a good thing, and sometimes – in the case of the GBA Connectivity – it’s a bad thing. But in Jungle Beats case, the upcoming rythm based platformer starring Donkey Kong, it's a good thing. So how do you play Jungle Beat you ask? Simple. With bongo drums.

By hitting the left drum you move Donkey Kong to the left, hit the right drum and he’ll move to the right, hitting both will make him jump, and by clapping Donkey Kong will also clap while releasing a large shockwave. This shockwave is his main means of interacting with the environment and other animals. By clapping you can shake bananas from trees, grab onto a nearby bird to take flight, and make fairies bond together to create platforms. The faster you perform the quicker Kong moves and the level designs make good use of rapid action. The typical layout of the various levels enable for quick continuous play, the minute your done clapping a giant bull Kong continues on his path of destruction. We're not too sure how hard this translates but we sure hope its challenging.

Hitting the bongo drums can create some interesting gameplay.

Throughout the game you’ll travel through gorgeous environments moving to a “Jungle” beat, the levels even dance along to the beat too – trees, vines, and other jungle life will move to the beat. Add to that simple yet vibrant and artistic visuals, the game truly has a flowing vibe to it.

Combat is also a factor in gameplay, and one certainly does wonder how you would attack with a pair of drums. Hit the left to throw left punches, and the right to throw right punches. Clapping will make him dodge attacks, leaving your opponent open for counter-attacks. Donkey Kong will throw punches as fast as you can hit the drums, the results can be impressively fast.

Id fight anyone if it meant I got the bang on drums to throw punches!

The game’s environment isn’t just limited to jungle settings, one level takes place on a snowy mountain. Where you’re being bombarded by massive enemies and even bigger avalanches, all the while the frame rate never drops a beat. Nintendo promises the full game will feature more diverse environments.

Donkey Konga’s success will help gamers get into the Bongo Drum groove when Jungle Beat hit shelves sometime in 2005. We’ll keep you updated.