Video Game Harmony

Donkey Kong Country
Released: November 18, 1994
Developer: Nintendo
Composer: David Wise, Eveline Novakovic, Robin Beanland

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted a review, so I thought I would post about Donkey Kong Country, the game I just completed on Nintendo Switch Online (thank goodness they have the ability to save at any point in the game because this game is stinkin’ hard). I have been dying to play this game because of the soundtrack, so I’ll talk about some of the highlights. Without further ado, let’s take a trip through the country of Donkey Kong.

The music that opens the game is an updated version of the opening music to the original

I thought that was a bit clever. If you play a Mario game these days you expect to hear a callback to Super Mario Bros, and I feel like it’s the same for Donkey Kong. They call back to this music more than once, and it game me some nostalgia to hear it.

I also like the cave music and it’s dripping water sounds. I am a caving enthusiast, so I have to give some props to this track. This reminded me of the underworld music from Super Mario Bros, which is iconic by this point.

A track that I did not realize was so catchy until listening to it by itself was the bonus room blitz. It really is something to jam out to.

The real standout from this soundtrack, though, is one of my favorite types of ambience, which is aquatic ambience. I’ve talked about how I like relaxing soundtracks, and generally when you’re under water in any game the music is very relaxing. Donkey Kong Country is one of the best examples of that. Doesn’t this just make you existentially question your existence?

This may be one of the most relaxing Donkey Kong soundtracks of all time. I don’t know about THE most relaxing though. We still haven’t gotten to Donkey Kong Country 2, but I consider this the crowning achievement of this game.

You can probably tell by this point that I really like the DK Country soundtrack, so I’m gonna give this game 5 out of 5 DK barrels.

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything, and I want to make sure to post sooner the next time. I have a game in mind already that I’d like to do, and I’ll give you a hint, it’s another Nintendo game. Until next time, have fun Donkey Konging.