Analyzing Angry Aztec - Donkey Kong 64

[@superjoebros64]

I've noticed that many people are divided on this world! Personally, I'm a fan of it. What do you like or dislike? Anything you would change?

[@P0liFGC]

I’ve always loved this world. Dope aesthetic, freeing tiny, using diddys barrels for the first time. Even the llama cooling off the lava is a great callback to those similar dkc2 levels where the seals would make the water swimmable

[@NightYoshi]

I really love Angry Aztec myself. Only real issue is that stupid beetle. If not for that I'd say it's one of the best worlds in the game.

[@Mr__Jack]

I didn’t like this world at first, yet I could never pinpoint why. Then it finally hit me a couple years after I first played the game: New Super Mario Bros. had subconsciously given me an aversion to World 2 Desert Levels. This level has really grown on me though and we’re cool now. I especially like how it takes inspiration from Southern American and… well Aztec architecture instead of the tired and overused Egyptian desert theme.

[@JLam_990]

I always loved Angry Aztek. I think the theming and music were very well done and memorable

[@Absolewtly]

I love/hate angry, it’s fun and the aesthetic is amazing but something about the level always makes me groan when I have to 101%. I have a hard time explaining why, it’s right next to Gloomy for me.

[@MrJohnlennon007]

GET OUT guy has haunted me for years…

[@superjoebros64]

traumatized us all!

[@watergirl929]

That was the scariest thing in the entire game for me as a kid. Either that or the moaning in the catacombs in Creepy Castle.

[@shadowlinkbds]

And it's not the last time we'll hear it

[@JaredTVW]

A fun new way to play; go as far as you can physically before unlocking a Kong. You can’t go too far without Diddy, as you need him to play his guitar to open up Aztec, but you can go all the way to gloomy galleon before unlocking Lanky and you can get to Fungi forest with only those three. And finally, you can get to Creepy Castle and get to the final boss without Tiny. It’s cool to try new ways to enjoy a game like this.

[@superjoebros64]

WOW what?? That's fascinating, and I want to try this. Spoiler: I have an upcoming video to determine if it's possible to beat this game with only DK. No other Kongs. Similar concept!

[@JaredTVW]

@ I discovered it on the Wii U version. Cause Frantic Factory doesn’t unlock anything new, it only opens a lock on K. Lumsy’s prison. I don’t want to spoil but there is a very unique glitch you can access if you don’t have Tiny unlocked when you beat the boss at Creepy Castle.

[@JaredTVW]

@ also that’s awesome dude! Yeah, barring glitches where you teleport Donkey Kong through walls, it’s a challenge worth trying!

[@DIRTYSOUTHSHINOBI]

Bro I been playing this game for over 20 years and I never realized that when they release this on the NSO I'm definitely gonna try this

[@superjoebros64]

@JaredTVW DANG I'm so curious now. I'm not great at performing glitches but I really want to experiment this

[@chelseylance]

I am OBSESSED with dk64 right now and I am sooooo happy you’re doing this series!!!!

[@superjoebros64]

Welcome to the club! 😁 I'm so proud of this series. Glad you're enjoying it!

[@chelseylance]

@ it is really, really well done. You should be proud !!

[@mattiasolsson1523]

The temple scared me when the time started and ”get out!”.

[@superjoebros64]

Absolutely brutal 😭

[@RustyTExcel]

Something I wanted to mention is the boss fight in Angry Aztecs, it was such a huge missed opportunity to not have Diddy use his new jetpack to fight the flying dragon boss, would have really spiced up the fight instead of having it be a rehash of the Armydillo fight in Jungle Japes.

[@superjoebros64]

That'd be really cool! I wonder if maybe that's too advanced for a second world, but I'd want it!

[@Fractorification]

One little detail about this world that always perplexed me was the little alcove in Tiny's temple. The area is there to house a Tiny barrel to use her shrinking move, but there's also a strange texture in the middle of the wall. It makes that spot look like some altar. Some websites back in the day described it as a mysterious frog face. Looking at it closely, though, it seems like those other face textures in temple doors that look like a creature with an open jaw. The open maw looked like a hole you had to shrink to get into, but it's not. Curiously, it's the only texture in the temple that indented into the wall like that, making it stand out. It makes me wonder what the purpose of it was. Or the devs wanted to decorate that spot for the barrel and didn't overthink it by throwing that unique texture there.

[@superjoebros64]

Oh what?? I need to look into this. You got me hooked

[@Mr__Jack]

My headcanon is that the temple DK can’t get into is where his friends go to hang out when they need a break from him and you can’t change my mind.

[@superjoebros64]

hey now 😂

[@themeowboss9972]

I very much relate when you mention this game being tough as a kid. When I play it now, it seems so easy by comparison.

[@superjoebros64]

Haha glad it's not just me! Lots of games had this effect on me

[@ginogatash4030]

Even the rabbit/beatle races, and the Nintendo coin? If that's the case, I think you got skill issue, as in being unreasonably good.

[@karar.kendall4872]

There’s another very minor detail on this level, and that’s the little dust storm that blows up every now and then. Not sure what it does, but I think it’s supposed to lower visibility.

[@superjoebros64]

Thanks for pointing this out! I think I've come to just ignore it entirely now lol. I agree, I think it's an attempt to lower visibility

[@JLam_990]

The music in Angry Aztek lives rent free in my head till this day

[@superjoebros64]

yesssss same here. It goes so hard!

[@JLam_990]

@@superjoebros64 one might say it slaps!

[@Redvox57]

as a kid I haaaated this level, because the more precise walkways, but now i understand they made it that way to prep you in a somewhat safe way for frantic factory's platforming. as here you don't lose any progress if you fall of a tight ledge outside of health, where frantic you go back to the floor. This level is where my enjoyability in exploration in vanilla dk64 starts to get tested, but I still think its a decently paced first time exploration. Ill have alot more gripes with factory lol beetle race can burn in a bottomless pit though.

[@Redvox57]

I do think this is a wonderful expansion on the first level though. two big areas for the second level, and first time as a kid I didn't check the llama temple so i never realized lanky was there for abit until like galleon(i was also 4 at the time lol) I think looking back this probably is the best level to revisit due to how all over the difficulty is in this level. Its easy for me now that i run randomizers weekly, but as a kid i was struggling lol.

[@superjoebros64]

I never thought about that! Aztec is totally preparing the players for Factory. It's devastating to fall in that world. Holy cow, not having Lanky that long is brutal! That also means no Chunky!

[@VenusFeuerFalle]

As a kid I always found this level harder than the factory. The overall layout might have been easier, but dang, these damned temples... I think the lack of switch-barrels in the first temple added to the feeling of entering hostile territory. With all the kremlings around, and tiptoeing over them, I felt like a James Bond mission through an enemy-base, whereas the Lama Templte was more like neutral grounds, a templte explored by both DK Wild Life and Kremlings alike. I simply see no reason for all kongs (except DK) to be forced to enter the first temple. Could have helped to limit it to two kongs.

[@superjoebros64]

That's a really interesting perspective! I recall that eerie feeling of how secretive the temple is with those restrictions

[@zeospark9715]

One nitpick about this level I have is that after you go through the tunnel with Donkey Kong's Strong Kong ability and complete the Bonus Barrel minigame, a bananaport pad appears. What is it's purpose? To get Diddy into the tunnel to shoot down a single banana balloon. I always thought that was a waste of a warp pad.

[@superjoebros64]

Yeeaah I agree. There's a couple other moments like this. Gloomy Galleon has one in the coin room.

[@Nonjola]

I believe this is the only desert-themed level in a Donkey Kong game, unless you also count the two desert tracks "Scorching Canyon" and "Parched Palace" from DK: Jet Race.

[@superjoebros64]

no waaay. There's Fossil Canyon in Diddy Kong Racing, if you'd count that!

[@Nonjola]

@@superjoebros64 I see it more as a canyon level/ dinosaur level.

[@superjoebros64]

Yeeaah it really is more Dino than desert

[@Roiadas]

So that's why DK games are so good 😆

[@skeloshi2030]

@@Nonjola Donkey Kong Jungle Beat has a couple of desert-themed levels (Desert Oasis and Cactus Mine)

[@DukeDarkshadow]

I liked how the "Get Out" baddie was a possible subtle throwback to the Krack-Shot Kroc level in DKC3.

[@superjoebros64]

Love this!

[@ryanthalari8360]

4:15 I absolutely adore these ideas for how to make areas uniquely accessible to each Kong. Small design changes like that, or allowing players to instantly switch between Kongs without a tag barrel would make such a huge difference to gameplay.

[@superjoebros64]

absolutely! I don't find backtracking to be a huge issue, but I can certainly understand it for other players. After playing the DK64 randomizer, and being able to swap Kongs on command, it really opened my mind to how these worlds could be updated!

[@badatit576]

Awesome video! This was like a shot of nostalgia straight to the brain, I had almost forgotten the "GET OUT" that haunted my childhood

[@superjoebros64]

Haha that voice never gets old! Very effective. I'm glad the nostalgia is hitting hard for you! Love this game

[@MuffingDaCabage]

Hell yea just hit a cheeky bowl during this one brother keep it up!

[@superjoebros64]

heck yeah 😂

[@OmegaFox09]

G E T O U T I’m really torn on this level. It’s a nice step up in terms of difficulty, but it wasn’t my favorite. I agree that there was a bit of walking around trying to avoid the sand pits

[@superjoebros64]

for sure, I hear ya! I think it's decent, but with room for improvement! A decent middle tier world imo

[@Fractorification]

This was one of my least favourite worlds in the game. The sandstorm graphic got annoying, the backtracking was tedious, and Tiny’s temple gave me a hard time as a kid. I always kept falling off those tongue platforms and it took me a good year to traverse them to proceed. The ominous atmosphere indoors creeped me the hell out. Like those scary face textures on the walls in Cranky’s area, the ominous music of the temples or the “GET OUT” voice when you have to race back to the entrances. This was also the world that introduced the claptraps, so when their jaws come out and start chasing you, I panicked like crazy. I hated the world, lol!

[@superjoebros64]

Man, this world really tosses the player in the deep end 😅 it's not an easy one haha

[@GoldenYoshi1]

I like Angry Aztec. It's home to some of the game's mysteries, like that frog portrait in one of the temples or that door outline in one of the corridors. It also feels like DK subscribing to the "desert as the second world" thing that Mario does, which is funny to me.

[@superjoebros64]

I'm right there with you! It brings some good stuff to the table.

[@cooperlauck186]

Ive said it before and ill say it every time. I dont mind the back tracking. It adds to the adventure. Idk why everyone thinks they need to beat every video game ever made within 2 hours or whatever. Whats the hurry?? Im more annoyed at the mini game recycling. Anywaysss angry aztec has great music. But the order in which you have to progress and unlock kongs is confusing. Was always confusing when younger anyways. The beetle race is hard, but not overly unfair. It makes you go "oh yea THAT part", but that adds to the overall adventure too. A big sigh of relief and accomplishment afterwards. I also had a hard time with the rocket barrel boost when younger, but got used to it and its also not THAT bad. Great level and great video once again!❤

[@cooperlauck186]

Also random metal suggestion lol kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpWXgpialJplrrcsi=ltJavA8kY8ALTSeJ

[@superjoebros64]

POPPY MENTION! LETS GO! Already looping that album since it came out 😂 I completely agree with you! The beetle race are jetpack controls are tough but pretty fair. Just need to practice! Backtracking has never bothered me that much. Just playing devil's advocate for the haters lol

[@cooperlauck186]

@superjoebros64 hahah hell yea. Wasnt sure what kind of metal you listened to but, hey!

[@cooperlauck186]

@superjoebros64 poppy is also something that haters can go to hell on! lol

[@Aaahrg]

My absolute favorite level since childhood (besides Creepy Castle). The music is absolute banger and is actually my earliest favorite video game music track! Albeit being not fitting for the "Aztec" part of the level because it sounds more egyptian.

[@superjoebros64]

The music for this world brings me waaaay back. Such a good time haha I agree, not much of an Aztec world 😆 difficult to come up with that double letter theme

[@Aaahrg]

@superjoebros64 The only thing Aztec are the pre-columbian style temples and wall ornaments. 😅

[@ChaosMaelstrom]

While I adore this level, my biggest gripe with it is how the game doesn't incenitvise or nudge you to explore the exterior of the temple where Tiny is trapped unlike with the other kongs. Moreover, Tiny is not required for completion until getting into Hideout Helm, so this could make some players completely oblivious and think she could be trapped in any of the later locations. This is exactly what happened to me on my first few attempted playthroughs of the game.

[@superjoebros64]

I mean technically speaking, Tiny is needed for boss key #3, amongst other occasions like opening doors with her feather crossbow. But I totally get what you mean, it isn't nearly as obvious on her location!

[@Gruntilda-Winkybunion]

i love this world! great music and fun boss

[@superjoebros64]

Such a great boss!

[@Scrubermensch]

For a moment I thought this was Vile Eye and I was like WAT Analyzing Evil? Angry Aztec? Lmao

[@superjoebros64]

😂 I don't even want to see what evil Angry Aztec looks like haha

[@muskatDR]

Im glad Dr Claw is still finding work as the "Get out!" voice

[@superjoebros64]

😂 a voice that traumatized a generation!

[@drawingablankesq]

I wish I had something to contribute to your Donkey Kong December celebration. I remember beating the game as a kid only because my older sister had borrowed the strategy gude from a friend and we just followed the instructions. I don't remember much about the game so seeing your breakdowns of every level is kinda like seeing it for the first time all over again.

[@superjoebros64]

Hey I'm just happy to have you! We all have different memories and perspectives of this game! I don't think I ever had the instructions to this game!

[@M1XART]

N64 is often accused using fogging/misting. But on this level, what you see is actually sort of smoke effect of dust. These type transparent/particle -effects are the most demanding stuff for 3D -hardware to execute smoothly.

[@superjoebros64]

Dang that's a really good point

[@DetournementArc]

There are a lot of highlights in this level. As infuriating as the Beetle Race is, I do love the psychedelic Snake Slide. I feel like they could have done a LITTLE more with the Scary Temple. Like if it was One Big Labyrinth with Tiny's section blocked by Ponytail Whirl-needing gaps, Primate Punchable cracked walls, etc. Would definitely make a memorable segment of the level less monotonous.

[@superjoebros64]

Completely agree with the temple! That'd be a really cool design

[@shadowlinkbds]

Angry Aztec is a big improvement from Jungle Japes as there's more to explore and do. Nice to have to rescue two kongs Tiny and Lankey so you won't have to do too much backtracking here if you want everything. Exploring the ruins are absolutely fun and many of the challenges and exploration are fun. (Sliding beetle not withstanding) Also its nice of candy to show up to give us instrument power and more health so that's nice. Dodagon is a fun boss fight. Simple yes but still fun. I definitely live Angry Aztec quite a bit but many of the worlds get better from here.

[@superjoebros64]

well said! I love how much this world gives you. Love unlocking 2 Kongs. getting to visit Candy for the first time is great. I'm a big fan of AA!

[@guaskoqizz]

Angry Aztec is one of my favorite levels in the game. Together with Frantic Factory & Creepy Castle. To tell you the truth, I actually don't mind when it comes to back-tracking the Kongs through the temples. Though I can agree what you said about the temple with the "haunting" music. ✌😁 Anyway, I know that you really hate the race with Tiny against that scarab. I agree that he's annoying, but damn I fucking love that race. Mostly because of the soundtrack. Always something I look forward to in this world. No joke. But I mean this world only, and not the one in Crystal Caves. 😅 One more thing. I was eating my lunch while watching this video, and as soon as I heard the joke "And now you pay taxes", I laughed so hard I almost choked myself cause all the food in my mouth. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@superjoebros64]

hahaha oh no I almost killed ya 😂 yeah the beetle race is amongst some of my least favorite challenges, but the music is really solid!

[@tinfoilslacks3750]

I think the worst part of Angry Aztec is that in DK64 you just aren't ever really pressed for HP between the tag barrels healing you and the enemies being general nonfactors. So in the second half of the world the game intends for you to climb a tree to jump across 3 ropes to avoid the burning sand. But since health is such an afterthought it's always better to just take the hits and walk across.

[@superjoebros64]

pretty much 😂 I can only imagine how much more devastating things would be with only 1 melon life

[@Marcus-qo8np]

HOW HOW did you not say... " When the creepy scary voice says ' Get out', ' " I FELT THAT" ... IF YOU didnt feel that I am questioning the authenticity of your previous feels. lol

[@superjoebros64]

😂😂😂 okay but I DID feel that!!

[@RaNd0Mk1D8o3I]

So as I've said in my own ranking comment, I don't dislike this level necessarily speaking. It's the level after the iconic Jungle Japes and therefore should be that step up world. The definite pros of this level: the desert aesthetic was made well, the music fits every piece of the level, Candy Kong, and unlocking extra kongs. I'm going against the grain here and say that the beetle slide was absolute fire; yes, it was hard, but i found a way to get the lead before he rolls himself. Getting the first taste of Diddy's barrel was cool too. And Krosshair absolutely stole the show in that one temple. However, the thing about this world is that it feels twice as big as Japes, there's a ton more backtracking with restricted sections, half the level is unsafe to even step on, and you need to come back for Chunky's stuff. Thankfully, the warped pads do mitigate most of the travel, but still. Stull, I overall wouldnt change anything; a solid 7/10 world, ranked.., huh 7 of 9 lol

[@superjoebros64]

I think you've said it best! And I fully agree with you. It's such a step up from JJ, for good or bad. I see 7/10, er, 7/9 being pretty fair!

[@Mitjitsu]

The reason the ring jetpack flying segments are hard is because they use sprites for rings rather than objects for them

[@superjoebros64]

which is CRAAAAZY! Why would they do that?? I find it makes it harder to fly through.

[@Mitjitsu]

@@superjoebros64 Probably to make the frame rate better. SM64 also uses them which makes the manta star in DDD hard.

[@NightYoshi]

0:20 Yep... as far as you know.

[@superjoebros64]

😂

[@donshingondonvergonio2247]

DONKEY KONG DECEMBAHH DONKER KING DECEMBAAH

[@superjoebros64]

DONKEY KONG DECEMBAAAAH! 🍌🐒

[@1337gamer15]

FEED ME Also yeah that beetle can burn in hell with his annoying shriek every time you lose.

[@superjoebros64]

🗣 F E E D M E !

[@RTHbeto27]

I have always wondered why Candy gives you extra melons I... didn't occurred to me... that was the reason, I played this game as a 4 years old and now like 23 years later my mind has been blown... This feels so strange help

[@superjoebros64]

😂 yeah... it's pretty wild! Surprised that passed!

[@Gymbrojoe]

Freeing tiny is always epic

[@superjoebros64]

It's one of the more challenges Kongs to save and it feels so good to do it!

[@kpuff8282]

This is my favorite level in the game

[@superjoebros64]

finally an AA lover!

[@sweets_Cat88]

First time when playing I accidentally forgot to unlock tiny since I wasn’t aware of the first temple in the first open area could be open… whoops

[@superjoebros64]

oh gosh no!

[@sweets_Cat88]

@@superjoebros64 I was a little kid. Even having the guide book I was confused of where she was until I was at the factory level and went back to get her XD

[@Ghostdom_1]

5:20 The jetpack is sooo janky and I always avoided it while playing😭

[@superjoebros64]

Such janky control 🙄 I like it now that I've had years of practice but dang

[@Ghostdom_1]

@superjoebros64 I love this game👍 but not These goofy jetpack controls

[@superjoebros64]

@@Ghostdom_1 agreed! 😂 it's a touchy subject for an overwise great game!

[@MR.__G]

Finally 2 melons 😅😅 always enjoy a nice innuendo 👏🏼

[@superjoebros64]

😂

[@aidanhever3369]

The temple levels are nothing new for Donkey Kong, but I really want to see an Ancient Egyptian level where the Kongs face death traps and mummies, and explore the inside of the pyramids. I also imagined the music would sound like Spirit Temple from TLoZ: Ocarina of Time.

[@superjoebros64]

That would be really cool! Had just played Gobi's Valley in Banjo, mummies and traps were an awesome addition!

[@SMRPGFAN101]

I weirdly consider this Donkey Kong 64's low point. I just don't really care for many desert levels in video games. I probably blame Mario for that with world 2 almost always being desert themed. It's kind of funny because I like Gloomy Galleon and every level more than this one afterward. Crystal Caves is nice once the big obstacle is dealt with. One improvement I would've made to the game is getting rid of bonus barrels, or maybe even having a different collectible associated with them. Because of Grant Kirkhope's style with the soundtrack, I always leaned toward DK64 as some sort of middle child between Banjo Kazooie and Banjo Tooie. You were spot on with the tag barrel being used in the temple and I liked the idea of truly kong based ability challenges within.

[@superjoebros64]

Well said, all around! At least this world moves fairly quickly

[@organicketchup5171]

You sound like Hades from the Disney Hercules. That's supposed to be a compliment.

[@superjoebros64]

Oh dang, I can kind of hear it 😂 first someone has told me that!

[@INKBOI_64]

That dang Beatle is going to die if I have to say about it

[@superjoebros64]

"omae wa mou shindeiru!" - Tiny and Lanky Kong

[@millscoolin]

I ran as fast as I could 🏃💨

[@superjoebros64]

you didn't miss a beat 😁

[@m4r_art]

My favorite map in DK64 until I discovered Fungi Forest. But its the best one in terms of design though.

[@superjoebros64]

haha I love that! Fungi Forest really won me over that way too

[@m4r_art]

@superjoebros64 yeah it just has that positivity to it, it has the color tonalities harry potter philosophers stone had on ps1

[@OctopusVulgaris]

Dude wtf with that screamer in the final, that not expectet lol

[@superjoebros64]

😂 gotta keep ya on your toes

[@Emmj91]

Foreshadowing: worst golden bananas tier list

[@superjoebros64]

you know it 😉

[@baronvonooze4959]

Not my favorite level overall but honestly I think its just that dumb sand in the middle area.

[@baronvonooze4959]

I am also biased because I don't like the jetpack and also SCREW the beetle race

[@superjoebros64]

Totally understandable. That large section isn't the easiest to navigate

[@baronvonooze4959]

@superjoebros64 that section where unless you take damage you have to go all the way around. It's just a time waster and considering how that section is already loaded with backtracking it's just too slow

[@superjoebros64]

@baronvonooze4959 big time, yup. I feel it slow down

[@organicketchup5171]

I like this level even though it's kind of ugly and, like much of the game as a whole, doesn't make a bunch of sense structurally. I like that, in some ways, it's Aztec themed, which is a bit different. I was always intrigued by the Llama character.

[@superjoebros64]

Agreed! Llama really makes the world to me!

[@My_trashtalking_account]

As a player who always goes for 100% completion, this game annoyed me.

[@superjoebros64]

it certainly doesn't go easy on ya 😂

[@tylerrumfelt3353]

The first 3 levels are awesome 4, 5, and 6 are ehhh and creepy castle is top tier except for those horrid mini games

[@superjoebros64]

We don't talk about that 😂

[@Outside998]

I am very divided in my opinion on the level. One one hand, the challenges are really fun (minus that jetpack race. God, that took a while to get the hang of), but on the other, I feel the level looks rather bland in the colors. Everything is just... yellow. Yes, obviously that's how sand deserts are. But I never was a fan of them in video games.

[@superjoebros64]

I totally hear ya! Some extra color would really go a long way. Desert worlds are tough to perfect!

[@tophario1492]

This is the shittiest level of the jaunt right beneath Crystal caves. Sand levels suuuuuck. Love the "Get Out" bloak and Diddy's jet pack intro is a great element. Dogadon is lame. Candy kong is revolting please get me a barf bag. This level gives me nausea. I try to speed thru it on replays if i bother getting past it out of the sheer bad taste in the mouth

[@Chimpmanboom]

Is this channel an AI experiment? Why choose dk64? I mean I’m not complaining lol

[@superjoebros64]

??? Because it's a good game, that's why

[@cstick2664]

GET OUT

[@superjoebros64]

GET OUT 🗣️🔫