Diddy Kong Racing
SCORE: 64
I missed Diddy Kong Racing on the Nintendo 64 (N64) back in the day. When I heard that Nintendo was releasing a Diddy Kong Racing game on the Nintendo DS, Family Friendly Gaming was the first on the list to receive a reviewable copy. Nintendo generally sends out a lot of press releases before one of their new titles comes out. In fact months in advance we getting press materials on Pokemon, and still getting press releases on Mario Kart DS. I became a little worried when they were strangely silent about the release of Diddy Kong Racing DS. Once I played the game I knew the reason why.
Nintendo calls this game digitally remastered, but it looks like a direct port to me without any polish. In fact the pixilation problems are pretty high with this game. There were screens that hurt my eyes. The blue elephant really reminds of the Hindu religious belief system. There are some nice bright and colorful graphics, but also some really bland graphics as well. There is cartoon violence as oil slicks, missiles, and lightning shields can be used to severely slow down the competition.
The music in Diddy Kong Racing DS ranges from pleasant to fingernails across the chalkboard irritating. I must admit I am disappointed with the music in this one. Few of the sounds work well, and they were not always present. There was no warning when a fellow racer would fire a missile at me, and at times the sound bytes that went along with getting hit were not present.
There is a decent amount of replay in this game if you can cope with the challenge. Most of the replay has to do with more difficult races. The hard core gamer is the only one I can see having an interest in this kind of replay. Thankfully Nintendo included some more with the track editor, and multi-player options. Unfortunately the glitchy racing must be dealt with. In my humble opinion this is a game that is not worth your hard earned dollars. Cartoon Network Racing is better, and so is Mario Kart DS. Both of those can be purchased for the same price or less.
Diddy Kong Racing DS has flying, driving, and hovercraft racing levels. The flying levels are spectacular, the driving levels are okay, and the hovercraft levels are miserable. Flying handles perfectly, driving works pretty good, and hovercraft is like racing with the Titanic. The secret short cuts within many of the levels is a nice inclusion that every kart racer really needs. I wish I would have had fun playing this game, but I didn’t.
Diddy Kong Racing DS was a chore to
play, and review for me. The only way I would like a sequel is if it is
flying levels only. When racers are close they get some real mean looks
on their faces, and that kind of poor sportsmanship is not needed.
Racing should be about good, clean competition.
- Paul
Graphics: 63%
Sound: 60%
Replay/Extras: 70%
Gameplay: 69%
Family Friendly Factor: 60%
System: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Nintendo
Rating: 'E' for Everyone
{Mild Cartoon Violence}
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