Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble

Stats:
System: Super NES
Release Year: 1996
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Rare
Players: 2
ESRB: K/A

Plot

Like DKC 1 and 2, this game's story is very long. It can be found at the bottom of the review.

This game didn't get the attention it's predecessors did, thanks to the N64's release. However, it was still an improvement of it's prequels. The game again advanced the DKC storyline, which in it's recent life span managed an unprecedented three titles before reaching the N64. It also introduced the character of Kiddy Kong.

Overview

Just as DKC2 had done, this title made minor adjustments over the previous DKC games. It sporter larger sprites and more colorful backgrounds. The game also took transparent layers to another level. Other than graphically, however, the game's improvements were marginal. Sound effects were of the same quality, and the music was barely improved if at all. Considering that the DKC games had already pushed the limits of the SNES farther than ever imagined, huge improvements aren't to be expected. The gameplay engine was unchanged. You still had two kongs, one playable and the other tagging along mimicking the first one's movements. The game still had a few varient levels, mostly races. There was, however, one new feature. In the bonus games and certain boss battles, you could actually play the game in a fully 3-D third-person perspective. This added an interesting challenge to the game.

Personally, I liked this game. No, it's no huge step from the other DKC titles, but then again all of them are worth playing.

Story

Months after their victory against King K. Rool and his army of baddies, the Kongs were still celebrating. Soaking up the sun in their favorite glade on DK Island, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong often slung up hammocks, hit the music and spent the day chilling out with banana milkshakes. If she couldn't think of anything better to do, Dixie Kong sometimes joined them. This morning, though, Dixie was surprised to find Diddy's room deserted. Up and about so early? That wasn't like him. It was only as she turned to leave that she spotted the scribbled note on the table. "Gone exploring the islands with DK," it read. "Back tomorrow!" Dixie could remember at least three times that they'd already tried this plan. Each time, they'd never made it further than the beach. That's where she first went looking for them. She realized well before she got to the beach that it was far too quiet for Donkey and Diddy to be anywhere near. Surely they hadn't followed one of their hare-brained schemes all the way through for once? The sun moved slowly across the sky and melted on the western horizon. Dixie hoped that her friends were having fun, wherever they were, as she settled into bed with a yawn.

When morning came again, another brief swing through the branches confirmed that Diddy was still off on his little expedition. Dixie found herself starting to worry. She could only imagine what kind of trouble Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong were into. As the day crawled on and the night fell on the jungle, neither of the primates showed up. Again, Dixie could do nothing but head home to bed and hope that they'd be back by dawn. The next day came, but neither Donkey nor Diddy returned. Dixie had to find out what those two primates were doing! She made her way to the southern part of DK Island and swan to the nearest mainland. When she got there, she happened upon Wrinkly Kong's home. Wrinkly Kong told Dixie that the boys had passed by, but they hadn't said were they were going. She suggested that maybe the boys visited Funky Kong at his beach shop. As Dixie was leaving, Wrinkly asked if she'd look for the mysterious Banana Birds. The birds have been seen in the cave across from Funky's Rentals, but no one seems to know how to get them out. Dixie agreed and thanked Wrinkly for her help. She set out to see Funky at his shop. Funky Kong was busy working on one of his inventions, and his shop was full of unusual items. He can find a use for anything that he gets his hands on. Funky told Dixie that the only visitor he's had all week was Kiddy Kong. Funky pointed across the room to the cuddly toddler who was chewing on an old spare tire. Funky asked Dixie if she wanted to take Kiddy with her. He's strong and can take good care of himself. Dixie agreed and the two were off. Before they left, Funky told them to keep their eyes peeled for some cool junk! He also told them to visit his friendly pals, the Brothers Bear, for help. Once on their travels, Dixie and Kiddy discover a whole new collection of Kremlings who seem to have a new Master named KAOS.