Donkey Kong Jungle Beat: Latest!

It's on its way in February 2005, and looking utterly sensational. Mario Tennis news too!

February 2005 is going to be all about apes and racquets if Nintendo has its way. The company will be releasing three key titles in the new year before the DS makes its way on to European shelves.

The month will kick off with a helping of simian antics - with Donkey Kong Jungle Beat hitting the GameCube, just as Donkey Kong King Of Swing arrives on the Game Boy Advance.

While the latter is a more straightforward platform game, it's Donkey Kong Jungle Beat that really stands out. In fact we've been obsessed with Jungle Beat ever since we uncovered its existence several days before E3 earlier this year.

The title makes use of the bongo drums recently released alongside Donkey Konga to control Donkey Kong in a vibrant platform game. The controls, which rely on a combination of clapping and tapping, are unlike anything seen before in the genre.

Donkey Kong has to brave the dangers of the jungle - whether battling enormous beasts, collecting bananas, taking part in boxing matches or riding around on parrots.

Using the bongos, players tap the left or right drum, both drums together, or clap - each producing a different Donkey Kong move. By using these moves on the bongos, players run, jump, battle, swing from vines and collect bananas as they explore beautiful side-scrolling environments.

And far from being a gimmiky obstacle, the bongos really do enhance the platforming experience in Jungle Beat, from the time we've spend with the game recently. The game has been running in demo pods throughout Japan recently, while the game's E3 showing back in May proved hugely successful. Jungle Beat really is one of the heavy hitters to keep an eye on early next year.

Also arriving in Europe during February is Mario Tennis, the latest sports game to be overrun by Nintendo's army of mascots. While at its heart it is still a solid game of tennis, the unique moves available to the characters and the off-kilter courts ensure that this is tennis with a twist.

Donkey Kong King Of Swing and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat are both scheduled for release on 4 February; with Mario Tennis arriving later in the month, on 21 February.

Kikizo Staff
Beating off at Kong soon!