Why People Hate Donkey Kong Country 3

[@mulukirruk]

Comparing the two best songs of 1 and 2 with the worst song of 3 is just not fair. David Wise is a genius. And his soundtracks are out of this world. But the soundtrack of 3 has some really good tracks on its own. Also I really love the alpine setting of 3. such a welcome change of scenery.

[@farechild1853]

This is exactly what I was thinking

[@shawntraub7249]

As soon as the music from the first DKC3 level started playing I yelled at the screen and looked for something to throw on the ground. Aquatic Ambiance and Stickerbush Symphony are both intended to be soft, relaxing songs. They needed to be compared to a relaxing track from DKC3, like the waterfall music. Or compare it to the music from the first level of 1 and 2 because those are both supposed to be fun, lighthearted levels which both have music to match that feeling. Also, the cliff music from DKC3 is awesome and gives off mountain vibes, so I think it completely belongs in a DKC game.

[@rockmanx8011]

David Wise didn't composed the music of DKC3, it was Evelyn Novakovic who composed entirely the soundtrack of DKC3.

[@danielbueno8474]

@@rockmanx8011 No one is saying he did, my guy.

[@michaelcoburn2975]

He compared 2 serene, ambiance songs from DKC and DKC2 (stickerbrush symphony was composed to be for water levels, of which there were very few in DKC2) to the first song in the game, and to be fair the weakest imo. I think David Wise is a genius and the DKC2 soundtrack might be his magnum opus. He would have made the music better, but DKC3 has some bangers and it's not fair to ignore that. I always liked this game when rotating between 1, 2 and 3 because it was different, and a lot of fun. I wish we had either had DK or Diddy instead of Kiddy

[@happy_jack_art]

All 3 games have minor flaws but as a trilogy they compliment each other really well and will be games I'll always come back to

[@blade3120]

I DO YOU REMIND YOY WHEN FINISH THE FIRST DONKEY KONG DO NOT TO PLAY ANY MORE BEACOSE THE LEVELS OF DONKEY KONG IS EXTREME DIFICOULT! AGAIN IS DONKEY KONG2

[@aewolfieee]

I wish nintendo switch remastered these like crash bandicoot!

[@happy_jack_art]

@alperwolfie me too! or atleast released them again physically instead of the switch online

[@sonicdoesfrontflips]

All I can say is that just from the overworld map, this game felt 100 times bigger than either game before it. The music, while different in style, did wonders in painting the picture of a massive world. Also, you can ride vehicles in the overworld map. In a SNES platformer. Let's not forget how epic that is.

[@TylerDobbs-g5u]

This is the only one I had for snes so this was donkey Kong for me lol. I played this for a long time before I played the original Donkey Kong Country lol.

[@Mzw-ns9oi]

@@TylerDobbs-g5u similar for me, i played this first and finally completed it. The good thing is we can refill our lives by abusing the first stage haha

[@TheGoldenJiggy]

I don't care what people say, I still love DKC3. It's still my favorite out of the three.

[@pedalstingray2303]

It is good but not as good as 2

[@Farixe99]

I love all of them, they are all great Games

[@TheGoldenJiggy]

The first one might be the weakest one, but they are all fun nonetheless

[@whydoyoucare5]

@@TheGoldenJiggy BUT THE SOUND TRACK ON 1 LEGENDARY

[@TheGoldenJiggy]

@@whydoyoucare5 ok yeah, that is 100% true. DKC1 may be the weakest game out of the three imo, but the soundtrack will always slap

[@SethAurelius94]

DKC 3 is actually my favorite. It reminds me to the summer camp I went to for a few years as a kid.

[@ashantegray6752]

DKC3 is my favorite too, I wish people stop throwing trash at this game. There was nothing wrong with Kiddy Kong people need to start adapting to the new world we cant get any new dk games because of people's hate towards the new characters.

[@randomxstory]

No worries DK3 to me was my favorite and literally DK 1 was the first game that I ever owned in SNES. DK3 was so creative and innovative. The world was so damn interesting. All DK games in snes were fun, but 3 was something different.

[@goldenman9218]

3rd one is my favorite too, because of the music. I like it.

[@LHCollider]

Really, It's because no one ever wanted to play as kiddy kong. His existence is a blight upon the earth.

[@Doge2401]

You hate Donkey Kong Country 3 because of kiddy kong, I hate Donkey Kong Country 3 because Dixie Kong's crying is so god damn annoying. We are not the same.

[@vulpeiren]

@@Doge2401 I mean she also cries like that in DKC2

[@TiffanyALuna]

_Trueeee_ and he is DISGUSTINGLY _annoying_ , and UGLY!

[@themanwithsauce]

You didn't quite get to this, but the level design from a hollistic standpoint tends to be what really divides the fandom. DKC3 was made by Rare's newer/recently hired devs who were working with established tools and equipment while the A-team was developing the tools and games for the N64. As such, they kinda pushed the third entry in ways you wouldn't expect. It's why a lot of levels feel "gimmicky" while older games got a free pass. But moreso than the gimmicks, 3 has a strong air of "adventure elements" to it, from the collectables and open world map exploration to stages that sometimes double back on themselves and encourage finding out of the way secrets that literally require trekking off the beaten path. The Ravine and Factory stages in particular hold some fantastic map exploration themes and rewards. Blazing Bazookas has what I call "The Highway" - a central path in the midpoint of the level that has multiple routes to explore and multiple things to do, all contained in a rather square area of map as opposed to having to make linear or vertical progress in the level. You can speed ahead to the next portion of the "level", double back for a bonus level, explore off to one side for a DK coin, and explore off another branch for some coins and bananas. Krack-shot-kroc takes things a step further with a minigame which features one of, if not the only, genre shifts from 2-D SNES platformer to FPS. It's just such a wild and interesting game and I wish people got over it not being "DKC2, but harder" and met it as it greeted you - as a slightly goofy, slightly strange platformer with some wild and untested elements to it.

[@taxtengo7427]

The exploration aspects are something I love as well. It's also why I tend to prefer replaying dkc2 over dkc3. I feel like it's actually the second game that gives you more approaches to problems, and the third game more often has only one solution to any given obstacle. Where the third game really shines is the macro level of freedom, the larger scale desicions and approaches just as you described. I've found many new players actually enjoy dkc3 the most of the original trilogy. However, having replayed all three multiple times, I've found the third game leaves me a bit less room to experiment compared to the second, and therefore replay the second game a bit more frequently. I absolutely agree with your final statement. It's a great game in its own way, and being my first ever donkey kong game it will always have a special place in my heart. It's lovely to hear some more praise of the game from a lot of people these days.

[@Azteck9]

You saved me from writing something similar. Bo discredit to the video creator but there's alot more that needed to be researched and covered before making this video. The levels at the time for me were alot harder than those of DK1 and 2. And I wanted more linear stages instead of forced animal, on rails. And gimmick boss battles. DK3 is the hardest and most unfair but I still prefer it to what we have now in the Wii - Switch Era. Also, I personally hated that 3 wasn't the DK, Diddy, Dixie trio we all wanted. Instead Kiddy. A character you'll never see again that was just DK with no ground pound. You can't show DK doing an uppercut to Krool that knocks him into next week at the end of DK2 and then, oh no, he got captured again for 3. I almost said screw 3 until i saw all my friends had it. Definitely didn't lead to me getting 64 tho. Lol

[@limegreensquid]

I wanted to enjoy the new style and the adventureness of it, but what I couldn't get past were still saves that you had to buy, and levels that would push your character back at invisible walls, even though it looks like you can go further. I didn't understand what was happening, and it just felt wrong, like the control was taken away from me, when the controls were always a highlight of these games.

[@themanwithsauce]

@@limegreensquid Saves are definitely free in DKC3, at least on the SNES. Maybe the GBA one has saves you have to buy? I also don't understand what you mean by invisible walls? Like the bottomless pits you can fall in? I can only really recall one level where I think the screen didn't continue to pan to the side despite the walkway seeming to go on. DKC2 was the one that definitely had saves you bought after the first free one, and you'd always start a session with zero banana coins - you needed to rush to a level you completed and find some coins if you wanted to save progress afterwards. I also remember some of the levels, especially the mine themed ones, having some wonky camera stops and blocking you out of movement options. Are you referring to the second one, by chance?

[@themanwithsauce]

@@taxtengo7427 One of the developer interviews for DKC2 revealed that they explicitly designed enemy placement and gaps to allow you to go full speed, no brakes, in basically every level. BUT! You'd have to have a lot of confidence in your actions and some level knowledge. They also made sure new elements were introduced gradually, yet quickly, and rarely required perfect execution of a single type of movement. My favorite is Rattly's little mini-hops to move. He feels clunky and weird at first but once you play Rattle Battle enough times, you realize he is surprisingly graceful in the air and you can really chew through Toxic Tower once you master the "mini-hop to super jump off ledge combo". I think it's a different sort of exploration - DKC2 has a linear level philosophy but lets you approach things at different speeds and angles - think about optional animal buddies or bonus rooms that act as mini-warps - but DKC3 has more level exploration and a grander world scope. Two different teams making two different games, yet both distinctly Donkey Kong Country. Man, these games are fun....glad they were some of my first.

[@AustinCraft]

I loved all three DKC. They were my childhood

[@bradenadams7511]

The DKL games are pretty dope as well!

[@GreyWolfLeaderTW]

Many people don't know this, but many songs in DKC 1 were composed by Evangeline. "Voices of the Temple", "Forest Frenzy", "Treetop Rock", "Northern Hemisphere", & "Ice Cave Chant" were composed principally by her. So her own compositional style is a part of the classic DKC soundscape. DKC 3's OST is certain different from the first two games, more so in being more mellow, less melody-driven (more-so than ironically her own compositions for DKC 1), and more lightheartedly bouncy especially in the baseline and percussion instruments than many songs in DKC 1 and 2, but the OST for the third game isn't bad.

[@JacobNintendoNerd99]

Nintendo had David Wise and Evangeline collaborate for the overhauled OST in the remake anyway (also done to make it more cohesive with the first two games' leitmotifs) which nullifies the complaints for the OST there

[@scroobtube]

being completely honest and having no malicious intent, those are my least favorite tracks from DKC1-- along with 1 or 2 others that I assume were done by wise

[@randomguyontheinternet7940]

It's also much less progressive for the most part.

[@europa7533]

@@scroobtube I was going to say the same thing. None of those tracks are memorable ones from that series.

[@richarddavis8863]

Just want to interject and say I love Forest Frenzy, I listen to it often, that two-tone ska type beat really does it for me. And Northern Hemispheres is great too, it was snowing fiercely last year when my girl and I were driving home, I put it on while she was driving and it was so tense she was like “This is too ominous it makes me feel like we’re going to spin on the ice and wreck” haha, so it still packs an emotional punch. I’m a diehard fan, been playing DKC since mom and dad bought me the SNES bundle for my 4th birthday and I really appreciate E. Fischer’s contribution to the Country trilogy

[@calidingoVIII]

I'm probably one of the very few, but I see absolutely nothing wrong with this 3rd installation. I had as much fun with it and loved it as much as the first and second game. I'm not one to look deep and "science" a game out though. I just play them as they are and like I said, I really enjoyed this one.

[@zefennekinfan]

You're not the only one, we are here! Honestly the amount of content ive seen trying to explain dkc3 is bigger than the amount of content hating on it.

[@JD-mz1rl]

You're not one of few, the premise of this video is a joke

[@healed1337]

No, there are plenty of people who still enjoy DKC3 quite a bit. For me personally, the 2nd is the best, but I like 1 and 3 pretty much equally, for different reasons.

[@dalemuir1105]

"The Internet" supposedly hates DKC3. The "fanbase" - at least, those of us old enough to have played these games when they were new - don't feel that way.

[@jamesmiranda1449]

I agree with you, man. This game was fun! And very much a Donkey Kong Country game, had many cool new options, was harder than DKC1 but easier than DKC2! (perfect balance) My favorite is DKC1 and my 2nd favorite is DKC3.

[@costelinha1867]

Honestly, If the reputation is as you make it sound to be, then I'd say DKC3 is probably a bit underrated in the fandom. I always viewed DKC1 as the weakest. DKC3 may have a different tone with ost and design, but that's not an inherently bad thing. And the game as far as I remember still has the typical DKC gameplay that I always knew. I'd say DK64 is far more worthy of being considered a "Black Sheep" on the Donkey Kong franchise than DKC3.

[@kodyk.7649]

DKC1 feels borderline unfinished compared to 2 and 3. Especially the boss fights. I get it's still a classic and the first one but come on.

[@Scott89878]

I played through all games recently and 1 felt very sloppy and misguided. The highlights of the game, would be the final boss, the water levels, the factory levels, some of the snow levels, the forest and treetops were atmospheric, the jungles were nice. The temples were okay. Most of the cave levels were bland. I liked the music from the mine shafts though. The final area was highly forgettable. I only found Expresso once and Winky twice. Expresso didn't seem very well integrated into the game. DKC3 was better thought out, it just had a different atmosphere from the other games, and the B team at Rare worked on it, so it was less polished. DKC2 had more gimmick levels, but they were done better.

[@turntsnaco824]

It is underrated, and 1 is the weakest in the series. 3 is easily at least 2nd best, and competes pretty hard with 2 for me from sheer nostalgia alone....but I do believe 2 is objectively the best. From what I've seen, people who praise DKC1 the most seem like it's the one they have/had the most experience with, like as a kid. It's the one they have nostalgia for, that blew them away with its graphics, so they feel like no game that came after could repeat what it did first. But I think they fail to understand the ways the sequels improved the concepts introduced in the first game, even wiping it clean of its flaws. DKC1 is a flawed game at best, with a ton of repetitive and underwhelming level design. Some of the levels are so short, too, you blink and they're over, with zero fanfare.

[@hoopz5095]

DKC1 is easily the best in everything else than actual gameplay and boss fights.

[@angelvillegas9604]

First can't be the weakest because it starting it all. If it failed the other two wouldn't exist

[@DanteCrowlley]

I'm not a musician, but its safe to say Fischer has something that goes from funky whacky to uncanny nervous creep, while David is more about a more relaxed 'n melancholic sound, I like both but I must say I'm a bitch for DKC 2 soundtrack

[@msscott22]

DKC 2 soundtrack might be the best videogame soundtrack ever. It's up there for sure.

[@jaygerard4507]

When I was in college I would often play the DK2 soundtrack for study music. Agree that it’s the GOAT video game soundtrack

[@Livinlegend26]

DKC 2 Soundtrack is great but Streets of Rage 2 Soundtrack is the GOAT.

[@StewNWT]

Evelyn’s instrumental choice is just bad

[@mothramaster1837]

I think the reason why people think the levels in DKC3 are so gimmicky is not because of how *many* gimmick levels there are, but how *intrusive* those gimmicks can be. The Blue Squacks level, the Waterfall Barrel level (I'm bad with names), the Purple Sewer level (with the reverse controls), and the Rocket level are all prominent examples of this, especially the latter two which require the player relearn how to control their characters for levels that give you no room for error. On another point, I think a strong reason in why people think the DKC3 soundtrack is so different is because of the difference in instruments, where DKC 1 and 2 had many intense tracks or foreboding ambients accompanied by many hard drums and trumpets, DKC 3 is mostly limited to the boss music, underwater levels and factory levels to convey "darker tones", with the instruments in almost any other context being more cherry in nature.

[@krinkle7695]

You nailed it, it's like the gimmick levels in DKC3 force you to rush through it or you die. You cant enjoy the levels you wanna get them over with

[@danieldoherty420]

This, 100%. Also who counts minecart levels as gimmicky? That's a well-established part of the DKC formula.

[@shawntraub7249]

When I was a kid on the toxic water level, I noticed that if I played while looking at the TVs reflection from the fireplace doors that I could play normally. Cheating, but I was only 11.

[@themanwithsauce]

On the soundtrack front - the instrumentation of each game is different, and I think the choice for more calypso/reggae/"tropical" vibes throw people off. DKC1 had a bit of a jazz bend to most of the music, with some more melodical "movie soundtrack" to it - lots of strong piano, background synth fills, some woodwinds, and a fair amount of harp to provide the string sections (northern kremisphere is the best track on that soundtrack and there is no argument). DKC2 had a very pirate sea shanty theme - accordion and more of that jazz-swing piano. But they added a LOT of orchestra elements. Lots of strings, plenty of woodwinds, and plenty of horns this time around. DKC3? Too. Much. Marimba. Though I would also argue it had a lot of electric guitar I wasn't expecting and plenty of xylophone and percussion in general. I can't confirm this, but for one reason or another, David Wise didn't like to use percussion on SNES soundtracks. He has backing drums for beats and the like, but they rarely star in his songs. No, seriously, go back and listen to those soundtracks and aside from.....Lockjaw's Locker? The boss music? I can't think of many songs which really pushes the drums hard. Meanwhile, in DKC3, you hop into a ravine level and some of the most bombastic drums on the SNES greet you within the first 15 seconds.....and I *LOVE* it. Bit unfortunate so many other songs star the marimba as it feels too "video gamey" compared to the rest. But it is different, if nothing else.

[@LITTLE1994]

Yes. Though the graphics are great, the levels are rather odd, and especially the bosses and music isn't as good compared to the previous two.

[@Armoterra]

That music comparison was completely unfair. DKC1 and 2 had their own share of funky and goofy music. You took the two best from the first two and compared them to a theme intentionally goofy. Try the underwater theme, the forest theme, or the waterfall theme, or even the banana bird cave theme. Plus, there are a lot of awesome exciting themes as well. DKC3’s soundtrack is not pirate or jungle themed, sure. It’s got more of a mix of lumberjack style and science style themes, which are fitting (bears and K. Rool).

[@falcon81701]

In liked all three games on SNES but i do admit that 3 was a different beast. Soundtrack has such a huge impact on how a game makes you feel and partly how memorable it is. One and two nailed it in that department.

[@crazizzle85]

While I prefer the dkc2 sound, I'll take Fischer's dkc3 ost over wise's gba version for most levels. It's good on it's own merits and has a cohesive feel, wise's version feels like just a collection of random songs that don't fit well together.

[@kirbyofthestarsfan]

Wise's songs in the GBA version also just sound like he took a lot of random samples to make the songs regardless if they fit the scenery or not Shoutouts to the snow level having an entire minute of ambient silence for no reason lol

[@jclkaytwo]

@@kirbyofthestarsfan the snow theme from DKC3 GBA might just be the weirdest video game song I think I've ever heard. the tonal incoherence between the silly festivity and the creepy silence is hysterical.

[@TurquoiseStar17]

Wise's peppy calypso music is totally inappropriate in the stage when a giant saw chases you up a tree, lol.

[@osets2117]

I'd take a mix of both versions, GBA stilt village is far superior to the SNES one

[@paulsmith8510]

@@jclkaytwo is that the yoddling song? Lol

[@sussy3778]

I think the difference between dark and light is also reflected in the color palette, DKC1 and 2 had a lot of muted and darker colors that gave it a more “organic” and realistic feel, DKC3 color palette is far bright and saturated, which isn't a bad thing, but does give it a different atmosphere.

[@KokoroKatsura]

A N I M E N I M E

[@nashius]

I liked the Analysis, the only problem I had is that when it came to the comparisons with the music, you used 2 ambient tracks from the first 2 games and then a peppier track from the 3rd. I think your best bet was to do a comparison with either the peppier tracks from the first 2 or compare an a slower song from 3 with the slower tracks.

[@thadeudias3476]

i was looking for this comment!!! thank you so much, its so obvious that the comparison is wrong

[@moonagecatamite]

dkc3 is a game of subtle unease, darkness, and atmosphere. also wow, comparing the best chill songs from 1 and 2 against the most durdling and bombastic song from 3 is really really classy.

[@pokekiller787x]

DKC3 was so much fun, I loved it from start to finish and will probably play it again soon.

[@Armoterra]

DKC3 was the best. DKC2 was almost as good. DKC1 was great, but the collectibles from the following two spoiled us.

[@elpozolero777]

I think the problem people have with DKC3 is that the game feels slower in comparison with it's predecessors, not only with the implementation of Kiddy but also the design of the levels itself, I think this also explains the comments of "it has too many gimmicky levels" it's not that it has too many, the thing that people dislike is that they are "slow gimmicks" like auto-scrolls while DKC 1 and 2 had more "fast gimmicks" like the minecart stages. This "too slow" problem combined with the different tone and music made a lot of fans dislike the game in my opinion

[@d.smith0073]

Dk3 is a classic!!! It definitely up the ante as far as level design, music and boss battles.. plus the endless amount of secrets ...an the map design traveling collecting an exploring the world's map was super dope!! Literally each dk game 1-3 did something different an each holds a special place in my memory

[@LHSMeleeClub]

really cool how you tried being as objective as possible with the direct comparison categories, and thus, I completely agree with your conclusion in the end. However, if I made one change to your analyses I would make a 4th category about level design...cuz that's a big reason I see a lot of ppl hate on DKC3 for. They say 3's level design slows you down as a player a lot more and in a way it is a different design philosophy from 1 & 2. To an extent I can see that being true, and it makes sense too since DKC3's level design is by a different team than the first 2 games. However, I just wanna say that I do enjoy the level design of DKC3 nonetheless! Ppl overly hate on it imo. But yeah. DKC3 is rad and underrated.

[@maxpowr90]

Especially with level design, it seems DKC3 has a lot more vertical levels compared to the other 2.

[@LHSMeleeClub]

@@maxpowr90 def deeef tru

[@enkidude]

The haters are wrong on all counts. Levels - debunked Music - both composers created the dkc sound together, theyre inseparable, and just bc wise composed a few legendary tracks, doesn't trivialize the others. The first comparison, wise' two TOP tracks, quite moody, vs Eveline's first level track, which is more piratey than most of all the other pirate themed in all three games, and is a first level track, again, really bad comparison On three specifically, I was shocked to find out wise did NOT compose 3. I think the soundtrack is perfectly blended to the locales and vibes, and doesn't feel outside the "dkc" sound at ALL, it's a perfect fit, and again, was blown away to find out wise didn't write these tracks. Fischer's tracks are perfect Tone - I think it's very negligible overall. I don't think 3 is necessarily lighter overall, but I think it has the best overworld, and best vibe. Kiddy - this is just a meme point to hate along with, he's just a reskinned dk. I like that both dk and Diddy are gone, it gives the game more familial stakes and feels more goonies than the first two. Dixies hover is too op, giving kiddy a niche would change the game too much. This way, it's a blend of 1+2, heavy and hover, where 2 was light and hover (and 1 was heavy and light). 3 also has a great exploration/side quest metroidvania aspects, instead of a collectathon like the first two Overall, I think 3 is an improved sequel. It doesn't change much fundamentally or tonally, and creates a better game on top of all the established mechanics, themes, and lore I honestly do not understand the black sheep argument and never will

[@HelloMyNameIsRED]

I never hated this game myself and never understood why it got so much hate. Maybe because I barely played the second game

[@diplomat1218]

This game rocks! Still playing it today

[@MattKimura]

I'd say that the music in the first two games are objectively better than the third game. But whether the music actually sucks in the third game is subjective. You don't see people doing VGM remixes of DKC3 as much as DKC1 and DKC2.

[@Rodanguirus]

The thing is, DKC3's music absolutely nails the atmosphere. They accompany their locations wonderfully. But yeah, they generally don't have the strongest melodies and don't make for as compelling of listening when divorced from the visuals of their stages.

[@SamMidence]

I've never heard Water World before. When I heard the SNES version, I thought, "okay that's kinda fitting the theme." Then I heard David Wise's version and got chills all over. He definitely has a back for adding atmosphere and ear candy to his music

[@trueblueryu5713]

The music might be different compared to the previous few games, but it still fits the aesthetic of the stages and games to a large extent. It isn’t like playing Mario Galaxy music while walking through a paper Mario world. And as for the game being more lighthearted, wouldn’t that match with Rare’s tone for the later 90s? DK64, Banjo, and Conker had dark themes at moments, but they were functionally bright games for a wide majority of the time, especially early in the games.

[@DaNintendude]

Yeah DKC3 feels a lot like Banjo Kazooie to me. Or at least, it is indicative of what future Rare games would be like. It still has that DKC essence and atmosphere to it, but it also leans much more heavily into cheesy Rareware humor than the previous DKC games. And this kinda even continued on with the GBA remakes of the games, which added in extra jokes and completely changed the tone of certain moments. Such as DKC2's ending. What was once a melancholic end to the game, became a jovial triumph with added dialogue, and even a gag with Funky Kong.

[@ZeldaplusSmallville]

I honestly couldn't beat this game as a kid. It was so gaddamm difficult

[@hermitcard4494]

My butthurt still today is I never found the LAST coin for true boss and ending. Not on snes, not last time on emul. I think I may use a guide, just to close that episode of my life.

[@foxirelle8841]

if it makes you feel any better, my full-grown, 24-year-old ass STILL can't beat ANY of the Donkey Kong Country games lol

[@LITTLE1994]

I did, but, yes this one is harder than the others.

[@ZeldaplusSmallville]

@@LITTLE1994 show off 🤣

[@mathprodigy]

Man when I was playing this at a baby sitters as a 7 year old, levels like "Lightning Lookout" and the purple gas level were like the most daunting tasks I ever encountered. Being there in 96 when it came out, I remember it fondly, but I played the whole trilogy as a child in various amounts. DKC2 is by far the best, DKC one is right there with it, just a hair step behind, and DKC3 is right there with them both, just a hair step behind them both due to sort of the timing of the game's release, and then how Kiddy didn't contribute to the gameplay that well based on what we were already spoiled with before. And then , man it was a great game, it's just certainly an odd fellow of the 3. I do like it for its own reasons.

[@keenmachine80]

Its easy to call it gimmicky, but it was the games third installment in the series. They wanted to give us some fresh takes on what a DKC level could be. If it was exactly the same critics would think it was stale. I have always liked the third the best tbh, from the more involved over world, no longer just go straight lines, it offered a sense of exploration not seen in previous games. Even some zones let you free roam, example being first zone you could freely swim around. It wasnt apparent and known what the brothers bear trading questline order was and that gave you an extra dimension of "oh I have this item now, who do I trade it in too?" It wasnt 100% linear either, after you got your hovercraft, you have some freedom on what levels you could accomplish. Kiddy Kong....I really have no argument there, he wasnt a good character and didnt accomplish anything intresting by putting a freaking crying baby in the game, his usefulnes would be his water skip and its what 2 levels you used it in, and the fact that to break ground you had to use Dixie to have that ability, reinforcing hes not the one to use. Honestly I think Dixie was so OP with hair spin that Kiddy just got outshined.

[@TheJadeFist]

Honestly Kiddy is the biggest problem with DKC 3. After DKC 2 gave us two speedy and nimble characters, Chunky Jr just feels slow and like a hindrance, the buddy throw is terrible he goes like 1 foot and slams down, ok he can do that weird water skip move that the game never really needs to do and is super situational. DKC3 is still a decent game, but it just loses alot of that sense of flow DKC 2 gave us. Maybe if Kiddy could just pick and throw the enemies it might have made of have made up for it, and could have had some fun or interesting moments. When you just don't want to use 50% of the playable characters in a game, you kinda missed the mark. I can forgive DKC 1 for being first, DKC3 forgot the huge improvement between titles.

[@viddysgamingviddyos4710]

I didn't grow up with DKC3 as much as the first two, so that prob affects how I feel about it, or that I just didn't play it as much. Having completed it [and reviewed it], it's still a good game, but with really strange design flaws. I felt that the bonus stages, while fun, were a bit too punishing and it was hard to go back and retry them [1 and 2 didn't really do that a lot]. The gimmicks were some of the coolest and most unique in the series, but sometimes they could be really difficult. In fact, it's almost surprisingly more difficult than DKC2 to me, even with more simplistic levels like Barrel Drop Bounce being about as frustrating as, say, Lighting Lookout according to a recent game design video I saw. Also I prefer DKC2's music by a big stretch. Don't let this dissuade any of you from playing 3, there's still a lot to like about it, but it prob is my least favourite of the original trilogy.

[@paulgilbert5278]

You couldn’t even revisit bonuses in DKC1

[@viddysgamingviddyos4710]

@@paulgilbert5278 True, tho, if I remember right, DKC1 didn't punish you for failing the bonus, so long as you found it. 2 and 3 it was mandatory to get the coin.

[@zachdavisson6110]

@@viddysgamingviddyos4710 There are some bonus stages where you had to "win" while others were a participation trophy for finding it. It was a bit inconsistent in that regard - so I really appreciated how they changed that formula in DKC2.

[@kinghoova9618]

One thing I personally don't like, is having to go back and forth between all the different "brother bears" 🙄 and needing all the DK coins to get the gyrocopter and such.. Just annoying

[@Catzih]

I actually replayed all 3 of them this past month, For me it was the enemy designs that did it for me, and the bosses, a lot of them came off annoying to me. BUT I'd say my personal order is DKC2 > DKC3 > DKC1 DKC1, the controls were just very slidy, and the more obnoxious levels were far from ones I wanted to commit to.

[@JD-mz1rl]

This is the canonical, objectively best order. Any one who disagrees is wrong

[@zachdavisson6110]

I share this same order preference. But my rankings are like within decimal places of happiness from each other. All 3 are amazing. I think the number 1 reason why DKC1 is last for me is because there's no DK coins or bonus coins in the first one. The DK coins are just so much fun in general, and I like having a concrete number after completing a bonus stage. Yeah yeah I can look for the ! on the stage name, but it doesn't pump nearly as much dopamine as seeing you earn a coin from the bonus stage.

[@wertydeluxe1405]

Your definition of gimmicky entirely misses the point. What we mean by gimmicky is not a level that changes something drastically, it is a level that included poorly thought through mechanics/ poorly utilized mechanics that make the level pointlessly convoluted and/or tedious to the point of being unfun. Which only lc3 manages to do. Also, you forgot to mention kiddy Kong

[@kbaygorman]

My biggest issues revisiting dkc3 was that the physics of the game felt so different. Jump height, running, throwing objects. All of this made me feel like I was learning to play a whole different game. My 2nd big issue is the enemies. Some from previous games were made much worse and the newer enemies really don't fit well.

[@JD-mz1rl]

Did you play DKC Returns? Because I can't stand the physics of that game. No issues with any of the first 3

[@copeland411]

@@JD-mz1rl As a lifelong DKC trilogy fan, I tried playing a few minutes of both DKCR and DKC:TF; you are 100% correct on the bad physics and generally bad controls of both. DKC:TF was particularly bad; swimming was awful (DKC 1-3 did video game swimming better than its SNES contemporaries), and grabbing vines on ceilings required holding a button instead of auto-grabbing (vines were always auto-grab in DKC 1-3). Further, the enemies of DKC3, DKCR, and DKC:TF were so generic; DKC2's enemies were unique and vibrant, and the lack of Kremlings in DKCR and DKC:TF was glaring (like completely removing Bowser's minions from a Mario platformer). It honestly felt like Retro had never played the original trilogy or were ordered to "modernize the experience" with gimmicks.

[@masonmurphy5402]

@@copeland411 you in the minority homie

[@fadidafadida4471]

Im on his side i dont like the new donkey kong countrys. Only the Snes ones

[@mariokid-yx4kt]

*donkey kong favorites list:* DKC 2 sitting proudly at the top DKC 1 & 3 having an entire civil war DKC returns & tropical freeze not being relevant right now

[@Rodanguirus]

Okay, warning: Words ahead! I'm not sure who's representative of "the hardcore DKC fans" in this video because over on DK Vine, where I've roamed for nearly two decades, it's practically consensus that DKC3 beats DKC1 and Returns, and I'd never dream of characterizing it as "forgotten" by hardcore series fans. By gamers in general or even Nintendo fans, sure. I really appreciate someone standing up and saying that DKC3 isn't appreciably more "gimmicky" than 2. I always see the "gimmicky" excuse thrown at DKC3 to disparage it, and I've never heard anyone manage to, in the same argument a) explain why "gimmicky" is inherently bad and b) accurately classify DKC3 as "gimmicky." When asking viewers to compare a SNES and GBA tracks and judge "which is more DKC-like," I feel like it's not exactly fair to include a GBA track that largely remixes a DKC1 track. Most of DKC3's tracks are not remixes. While David Wise is my favorite gaming composer ever and the GBA soundtrack has some incredible bangers, it's really hurt by a lack of depth (he was apparently given very tight deadlines and budgets). This leads to several tracks being recycled, and they really don't fit many of the locations they're used for. On the topic of music, I feel like it's worth noting that Eveline Novakovic (nee Fischer) composed roughly a third of DKC1's soundtrack, including fan favorites like Forest Frenzy, Simian Segue (the map theme), Ice Cave Chant, and Forest Frenzy. There's a common narrative among DKC3 detractors that they brought in some newcomer to the series to do DKC3 (this video isn't saying that, but it's always good to combat that misinformation). Speaking of revisionist history about DKC3, it's popular to say how it got overshadowed by the 64 and was ignored upon release. And it didn't sell as well as its predecessors or Super Mario 64, but those were all among the best-selling games ever up to that point in history. The figure often given for DKC3 is that it sold 2.89 million in North America and Japan. It's safe to assume that it may have also sold a few copies in Europe, Rare's native continent and one of the biggest gaming markets in the world. That would be considered a success today for all but the most high-budget games, and was certainly a runaway hit at the time. It also reviewed really well, with a common consensus being that it was a great swan song for the SNES. It's just so frustrating seeing video game content makers just confidently state as fact things to the effect of "in the shadow of Super Mario 64, DKC3 faded into obscurity," when you can pull up a bunch of 8.5 and 9/10 reviews from the '90s, and it was selling millions of copies.

[@pimplepimp]

Dkc 3 relatively has fewer gimmicks than 2, but the gimmicks in 3 are just slow and tedious. 2's gimmicks are usually just a cool way of traversal/killing enemies. 3 involves more waiting

[@GoodVibeCollecting]

Hear's my take on this: Yes, of the 3 games, this feels the most gimmicky even though it has the same amount as 2. Most are creative but a few are not great and can slow down the pace of the game. Eveline's music style is more darker and moody compared to David Wise's style which is more energetic and loud. I love them both. David did compose a few tracks for this game and you can immediately tell the difference. The title screen, file select, brother bear, and bonus round themes were composed by him. I love the tone to this game. It's different from the first two games and very atmospheric. I disagree and feel that 3 has the darkest tone to it while the other games are more bright and happy. I still love this game despite fans hating it. Yes, Kiddy Kong 4 life. Haha.

[@ImPhynsa]

"I disagree and feel that 3 has the darkest tone to it while the other games are more bright and happy." I disagree, this isn't true

[@GoodVibeCollecting]

@@ImPhynsa That's fine. Everyone has their own opinion. It is to me though. The music gives it more of a moody and darker feel. Playing the GBA version does give it a brighter feel.

[@michaelmilano2103]

I'm playing this game for the first time currently and while it does feel a little different, I have absolutely no problem with it. Some of the final levels are a pain but overall I'm thoroughly enjoying it

[@ChrisEL1620]

One of my favorite games/series as a kid was the SNES DK Country games but when I mention them it's usually 1 & 2. Although I did like 3, it wasn't even close to being as good as the first 2.

[@brendiesel386]

I think a lack of originality may also have to do with it I really enjoyed the crazier and crazier stage themes towards the end of the game And I really liked the idea of side quests, map exploration and things to do on the map The race in world 2 was awesome Trying to beat the race and get all the secrets is a fun challenge I like to do on that level I really love the little intro to the game, all the characters introducing themselves to you and getting tossed into the overworld for the first time The dialogue in this game is awesome, and I love the ending cutscenes in this game so much I also really love the environments in this game and the general atmosphere I like nature so that’s probly why Swanky’s bonus game is awesome His dialogue kind of gave me the impression the game would be different in each world, leading me to be disappointed, but I love this minigame I also like how there’s no funky’s flights Maybe it makes the game easier, but I liked that I could take the game at my own pace But certain aspects don’t hold up so well Animal friends (besides Ellie) are lame in this game (+no rambi) I really wish there was at least 1 new animal friend, or the animals were given new moves/abilities, or just something more was done with the animal friends in this game I really loved learning they had supermoves in dkc2, and it changed the way I played them, so I was hoping something similar would happen here The bear coins felt pointless to me Outside of completing some side quests and being forced to spend 2 in razor ridge, they don’t do anything The bear coins are fine for what they are, but you could play the whole game without ever using them, except at razor ridge Something I don’t like about the overworld exploration is you only get to make 2 choices: whether you play worlds 3 or 4 first, and whether or not you unlock krematoa You don’t get the helicopter until you’re pretty much 103% done with the game, and when you do get it, all you can do is find a few secret caves and the mama banana bird And there’s no cheat code to unlock the helicopter from the start Idk it’s inclusion feels pointless to meh when you only use for one thing And not necessarily a complaint, I didn’t think this game was that hard I’m not saying I beat this game on 1 life or anything, no, I died a lot But I never raged at the game and the hardest levels never took me too long to beat I think the hardest level is twin tyrant tussle It’s also annoying to 100% But to wrap it up, I loved dkc3 I don’t know whether I liked it or diddy’s Kong quest more

[@agentepolaris4914]

Ok with this I confirm I somehow prefer things that most people consider "bad" like Banjo-Tooie or this game for example. I personally considered this game to ve the very best of the series, the gimmicky levels were a plus for me because that meant it never was repetitive, the change in environment from a tropical jungle to a North American landscape was really welcoming and as for the game's tone... I don't know why people say that previous games had a dark tone in general, I've always considered DK games to be goofy (and even cringy in the case of King K.Rool). The only problem is the music because nothing tops Wise's soundtrack.

[@Link-ji7kx]

My main complaint with 3 is it’s just ugly. Those horrid rock levels, the underwater levels, the sewer pipes, etc… Whereas *every* level in 1 and 2 are just gorgeous. Not to mention the bosses in 3 aren’t as good/memorable. And yes, the music doesn’t have the emotional depth that David Wise beautifully exhibited in 1 and 2. But good video. I wasn’t expecting that ending lol.

[@drawingablankesq]

My older siblings had dkc and dkc2, but I got dkc3 so it was always "my" game. As an adult I kinda see what everyone is complaining about, but I also enjoy the more puzzle like stages the third game has, like squeals on wheels as an example. It's a different game for sure, but how do you expect to follow the masterpiece that is dkc2?

[@katt-the-pig]

I suppose the thing about the gimmicks is that DKC3's gimmicks are _more_ gimmicky. Things like trying not to be scared away by mice, and feeding a fish so it doesn't eat you instead. By comparison, the most gimmicky gimmick I can think of in DKC2 is riding on hot air balloons. BTW, what is that music comparison?

[@thestickopia4619]

Dkc3 is my favorite. And that’s for a lot of reasons 1: Dixie kong is just great 2: I love the setting, I have a massive bias to northern forest locations and never cared much for tropical settings 3: I love the music, I prefer the more atmospheric take for it 4: I like the bosses, may be easy but I just like them 5: I know I said location already but, ya location, it’s a massive bias 6: I don’t think the gimmicks are that bad, I like a lot of them Among other reasoning but that’s the big ones I think

[@OtterloopB]

I feel like people jump through hoops trying to make DKC3 seem weaker when it has just as many pros and cons as 1 and 2.

[@420clique]

What a crap...🤔 nobody hates DK3! Its the best, and technically advanced game of the trilogy. Soundtrack obviously better in 1 & 2, but thats all. I play Snes nearly every day since 25 years! DK3 rules! 👊

[@adamdavis5383]

You will be surprised man lol

[@420clique]

@@adamdavis5383 i already am, dude✌️ ...but "hate" is often very close to love, so its ok! 😋 Better hated, than ignored!

[@madmonkey642]

I think using the word “Gimmicky” as inherently bad is wrong. Gimicks can be fun, even if drastic.

[@TommyGunsXL]

I'm surprised nobody mentions Baby Kong. As a kid I thought he is ugly and annoying and didn't want to play as him.

[@homerhat420]

Exactly why nobody mentions him

[@Telcontar86]

That music comparison was awfully biased, even taking into account the different tones of the games and the subjective nature of taste in music

[@AvelierPlays]

DKC3 is the best of the trilogy in my opinion, it was a xmas gift back in 1996. It felt like a true adventure game with tons of secrets and exploration.

[@Luke123692]

Same for me. First decent game I really got. I was 9 and absolutely loved it till today, where I've finished it again several times on the switch. I've plaid the other ones after this one and I can confidently say this is head and shoulders above 1 and 2. People don't realise it due to nostalgia factor.

[@Vaquix000]

@@Luke123692 It's not just nostalgia, it's a matter of taste.

[@TempoKong]

To be fair I don't see the point in comparing the two most popular DKC/DKC2 songs with the worst song of DKC3 by a MILE Also I have to disagree with DKC/DKC2 being dark. It is sometimes dark but always colorful, while DKC3 is bleaker. I love it, but it is really different than the darkness of DKC/DKC2. A lot of the song are in minor scales, more than the other DKC games, meaning DKC3 feels more sad and oppressive than the first two... which makes it arguably darker than any swamp with colorful music and gradient colors. At least for the SNES version, the GBA one is a complete different story.

[@Fancy_Lebowski]

You had me at the opening text lmao. To me DKC3 feels like a camping trip, you're in pine forests, there are snowy mountains to climb, the first level is a lake, a nice little romp after the darkness of the last 2 games.

[@williemakeit2346]

I had DKC3 as a 16 yr old when it came out on SNES way back. I didn’t appreciate it too much then especially after the masterpiece that was DKC2. I didn’t care for Kiddy Kong and I hated that Rambi was gone. Now at 42 yrs old, I’ve been playing old NES and SNES games on my daughter’s Nintendo Switch. Playing DKC3 for the first time in 26 years, I can now say this game is way more deserving of love than what I gave it. It’s a highly sophisticated and highly inventive platformer with some mesmerizing graphics for an SNES game. The soundtrack definitely doesn’t hold up to that of the first 2 games (although not terrible by any means). Overall, excellent game. And I no longer dislike Kiddy Kong.

[@williemakeit2346]

Another thing I wanna say, regarding “gimmicky” levels. I don’t think of them as gimmicks, I think of them as thematic levels. And I love how DKC3 has so many of them. Climbing up burning ropes, the ripsaw stage, Ellie auto-running thru a whole stage because of mice scaring her, having to feed the piranha to keep him from eating you, the rocket ship stage, the sniper stage with the spider, the list goes on and on. I see these things as a plus, not a negative. DKC3 also has by far the most variety in boss fights out of the SNES trilogy.

[@sidnew2739]

Here, too! Same age(s), same opinion.

[@AJR-zg2py]

My biggest complaint about DKC3 is that they completely took out the challenge in locating the DK Hero Coins... all you had to do was find the steel keg and hit Koin from behind with it. That's it. In DKC2 it was more of a scavenger hunt for them... and some levels were REALLY difficult to locate them. FINALLY finding the Hero Coins in Kannon's Klaim and Chain Link Chamber are still among my most triumphant moments as a gamer. I just didn't get the same feeling from DKC3 at all.

[@JD-mz1rl]

You mean the hero coins that weren't even in DKC1? But this guy wants to say it's the worst

[@blackpanther6389]

Funny, those were the exact two DK coins that gave me trouble, haha. I do agree with that to some extent, but they did add the somewhat extra challenge of finding out how to kill some of those Koin guys.

[@AJR-zg2py]

@@blackpanther6389 For Chain Link Chamber I finally decided to slow down and check out that lone banana on the two chains leading up to the pair of Kannon enemies overhead. Out of desperation, tried hugging the walls to the left and right of that banana since I was stumped - and sure enough, Hero Coin! I'm pretty sure Cranky gives a hint for this one at the Monkey Museum... but it's very cryptic if I recall. For Kannon's Klaim... there is NOTIHING that indicates a Hero Coin can be in a bonus room so this one was especially cruel lol I was so angry with this one because I helicoptered every inch with Dixie and nothing... then said "if it's not in a bonus room I'm gonna rage." All I could do was laugh when I found it - there was no internet when I got this game so I was on my own LOL

[@blackpanther6389]

@@AJR-zg2py lmao! That was like my exact thought process with both of those xD.

[@KingDonaldFirstofhisname]

0:03 Wow I never knew Queen Elizabeth thought Donkey Kong Country 3 was Irish 🎶 Na na na na na na Lizzies in a box In a box Lizzies in a box 🎶

[@stevebloz]

Your intro hooked me and it's refreshing to see creators jump right into the video. Just subscribed!

[@RealCaptainAwesome]

I've been playing through them on Switch lately and have just made it to 3. While I played all as a kid, I remember playing 3 the most but never finishing it. It feels like the mechanics were mastered in 2 and 3 was where they had run out of the original ideas and just went in a new direction and I like it.

[@randomguyontheinternet7940]

Out of everything in DKC3 that didn't hit the mark, the overworld is the one thing that could have saved the same. It would have been so cool if you got more choices for progression, it was a big disappointment to find out that there was only one place where you got to choose what order you do each world. It would have been a great opportunity to add onto the vehicles and exploration. I kinda wished you went more into your opinions instead of crunching numbers, you can keep the number crunching but its more interesting to try and decipher why something might be 'grim' or a stage might be 'gimmicky' rather than counting how many were gimmicky and how many were light/dark. I mean, the gimmicks themselves should matter more than the sheer number of them.

[@SquarecowStudios]

DKC 3 was the first one I played, but I thought it was the same composer for all three.

[@Joey-no7ss]

Stilt Village is literally the only song in DKC3 to have a bouncy tone. All the other themes match with the familiar themes of 1 + 2.

[@marcocenlopez503]

Yeah, that is the only song that I prefer from Wise Gba version but all the DKC3 is gold

[@Joey-no7ss]

@@marcocenlopez503 I still love stilt village. It starts the game off right and is perfect level 1 music. It’s just crazy to hear how certain fanboys think that you have to be shitting your pants at how dark and scary the themes are in the game at all times or else it sucks. As if pollution isn’t a dark real world theme to put in a kids game.

[@mattb6522]

Good analysis! DKC3 does get way too much hate. I rented this one when I was a kid after playing the first two games. I definitely didn't like it as much as the first two games back then, but it may have also been that I was burnt out on 2D 16-bit platformers and it was just "more of the same". However, this game grew on me years later when I played it again as an adult. Sure I didn't like some of the level gimmicks, but it is still a solid game. I still prefer DKC2 overall, however, DKC3 is still pretty good. To be honest, though, I prefer Davis Wise's soundtrack overall. Although, some music on the GBA version isn't as good. The music they chose for Ripsaw Rage in the GBA version just doesn't fit the level at all!

[@evansusmc]

4:40 well… to be fair this was the best song to ever be played on SNES.

[@forzacatainapalermo]

Still think DKC 3 is way better than the first DKC. More variety and collectibles. DKC felt bland and boring even if it had the better soundtrack lead by David Wise

[@SpeedrunInternational]

Its that the game forces you to use the animals on too many Levels

[@aliperro]

You forgot to talk about a crucial element: Art and Color. The color palette of DKC3 in general is extremely saturated and vivid losing the organic feel that gave realism to the previous installments. Also, color pallets themselves and enemies and level visual designs were not as tastefully created. As a highly visual person I just found it ugly and could not feel compelled to play further like I did with DKC1 and DCK2. There was surely NOT the feeling of "wow, this level was so mesmerizingly beautiful. I can't wait to see the next". They totally missed the Artistic/Visual mark for me.

[@yoguideath]

THIS.

[@exelmans8855]

Yep. The game look like a random super nes game.

[@StewNWT]

Good points and I agree - and of course DKC3’s soundtrack is garbage compared with 1&2

[@uffevonlauterbach]

The Stickerbrush Symphony part made me laugh, because my brother and I noticed that when playing levels with that music, it was oddly loud compared to the other tracks in the game. I prefer DKC3 over the first two games.

[@LHSMeleeClub]

Last 10 seconds was a plot twist ending rofl.

[@therealspongebobfan2000]

The problem for me isn’t that dkc3 has too many gimmicky levels it’s that dkc3’s gimmicky levels are used to often in their respective level and then never brought up again. And that the gimmicks in dkc3 are always way too in your face.

[@bit0494]

I like DKC3, not as much as the others but I thinks it’s an oddly pleasant experience. Also, the soundtrack is pretty nice

[@ShadesApeDJansu]

【Shades Finnish Pirates】I were not alone, i thought only i saw that this is completely different than 1-2 and that it's just underwhelming compared to previous Dk games. Okay quess i was wrong with the fan base, i kinda changed my opinion after yours slightly and i for me i quess the disapointment is the missing Donkey Kong character as he was absent in 2 i was hoping to get to play as him in the 3 but i remember still enjoying the game thorough even if i missed the OG DK

[@seawind930]

I remember when this came out people where gearing up for the next gen of consoles. PSX had just came out and the 64 was coming right about the time it DKC3 was coming out. As for the theme, for me it was the new characters that put me off. The spritework didn't feel quite the same and it made every enemy feel weird in comparison. The gameplay was the same so I got over it quick though.

[@AltairEgo1]

Most 4th gen games, unless they were Super Mario RPG or Kirby Super Star, were sadly forgotten by the turn of the generation. I remember for the longest time forgetting about DKC3 altogether. It just faded in the background as other games like Super Mario 64 and Crash took the spotlight.

[@AndDeathForAll82]

A lot of it has to do with kids moving in to N64 by the time DKC3. DKC2 is very different from the first, and that was a good thing… then, all of a sudden, different wasn’t good. I’ve been there since the beginning, and I still say all three games are great, and among the best platformers ever made. Also, I know it wasn’t David Wise, but DKC3’s music fits the atmosphere perfectly, and Evelyn us a fantastic composer in her own right. It’s a near-perfect trilogy in my opinion. We haven’t seen many of those in gaming history. The disrespect for this game will NEVER make sense to me.

[@johnc2956]

This is so strange to hear that people hated this game for more than just not being DKC2. Back in the day, this was actually my favorite game due to the atmosphere and melancholia of it.

[@PhazonOmega]

The DKC3 aquatic theme is terrifying, and those stages are the principle reason I never replayed the game.

[@dethbucketghostparanormalg5042]

I think the best reason for me is DKC 2 was way too hard especially the hot air baloon levels and the second reason is it was called donkey country 1 2 3 but you could only play as donkey in the first one!!

[@MrCheeze]

This video raises a good question, but I don't feel like it actually cut to the heart of the matter at all. There's SOMETHING about the game that drives general apathy, and it's not the specific quantifiable complaints that you mentioned. Even Land with its game boy jank gives me that DKC hook in a way this game never quite did...

[@fernandorivas5594]

Efectivamente es un juego excelente, notoriamente más fácil que sus predecesores y con un ambiente más alegre y creo que eso afecto a los fans, diría que fue la evolución de los villanos o la villanía en sí, digo en el dkc1 se puede ver como en teoría se van apoderando de la isla Kong, te roban las bananas, los vences liberando zonas y te enfrentas al líder, el ambiente de las minas, los templos y la selva tienen una gran atmósfera fuera de los niveles y al entrar se siente coherente la transición y los malos parecieran que tienen como objetivo saturar la isla, en el dkc2 la lava, el castillo, el parque de diversiones, la atmósfera y la música es como si de verdad estás en un ambiente peligroso o "de mala muerte", mucho más que en la primera entrega, sin considerar que la dificultad es efectivamente mayor, y luego llega el dkc3 que disminuye la dificultad bastante, tiene colores más cálidos por si mismo, no se siente peligro en ningún momento, incluso el gameover es la "cuna para los bebés" que es más infantil. Como plataformas lineal es divertido, pero si fuiste un purista de la evolución del 1 y el 2, entendería perfectamente porque no te gusto el cambio realizado en el 3.

[@ninjagrinder]

Todavía no entiendo por qué la gente sigue diciendo que el 3 es el más fácil. Yo los he pasado todos y con su porcentaje máximo y el 1 definitivamente no representa mayor desafío. Ni hablar de los jefes. Para pasar y encontrar absolutamente todo, el 3 es mucho más fastidioso y hay bonus que incluso si se encuentran pero no se agarra la moneda, hay que pasar todo un escenario frustrante, otra vez desde el principio. Los bonus del primero no hay ni que pasarlos, solo con entrar y volver a salir ya cuenta como avance en porcentaje. Y la última área del 3 (la secreta), tiene niveles que están individual, pero claramente, diseñados para frustrar de distintas maneras. El 3 es el que más disfruto por la dificultad en general. Incluso el jefe secreto del 2, es mucho más fácil que el jefe normal... cosa que no tiene sentido en mi opinión. Y en el 3 hay más interacción con el mapa, no se limita a entrar a cada nivel y pasarlo, eso le agrega valor de repetición. Lo que a mí no me gusta para nada del 3 es el diseño de personajes, enemigos, animales, etc. Me parece muy feo, sin carisma. La música no me pareció mala, pero sí es más icónica en los primeros dos juegos. Como combinación de todo (personajes, dificultad, música, atmósfera, jefes, secretos, gráficos, diseño y escenarios) me quedo siempre con el 2. Pero el 3 no es ninguna "oveja negra" ni mucho menos un desacierto, tiene mucho mérito.

[@TrippyCommentaries]

I think that if it was Donkey Kong along with Dixie... instead of Kiddy Kong... the game would be more loved. Thats really the biggest issue I see as far as popularity. The soundtrack might not be nearly as legendary as 1 and 2, but its still really good.

[@StephenYTchannel]

I am a huge FAN of DKC 1,2 and 3. Love them all!!! DKC 2 is my fave of the three and in my top two games of all time with Banjo Kazooie as well. I don't understand why DKC 3 having a different feel is a complaint. It's awesome as a game AND awesome it has it's own theme/identity. I love Super Mario games too but Super Mario Galaxy 2 feels too similar to the original. And only like New Super Mario Bros. for the DS in the 'New Super Mario Bros.' series in a major SENSE, New Super Mario Bros. Wii onwards feels the same as the DS New Super Mario Bros. To me 'feels' like a major EXTENSION of the 'same' game just with different levels and power ups. 'New Super Mario Bros.' Series are good but no where near as good as the NES and SNES Mario games as they each 'feel' different and 'unique' to one another. DKC 1,2 and 3 are all FANTASTIC and 'feel' 'unique' in their own ways. I don't want there to be two extensions of DKC 1 where the levels are different no, I want completely different experiences with each game that are completely 'different' games. DKC 1,2 and 3 are amazingly AWESOME games with their 'own identities.'

[@ValisFan3]

What set DK3 apart from 1 and 2 for me was just how weird a lot of the enemies looked. Instead of cute rats in DK2, we got these realistic looking rats. Instead of the cute Zingers, we got these robo buzzsaw Buzz bees. Instead of the cute looking Klaptraps and Klampons, we got this really wierd dog creature Krimp. Most of the enemy changes in DK3 look strange and morphed compared to the more cute enemies in 1 and 2.

[@paulgilbert5278]

I think it’s because K Rool was testing experiments on his crew

[@markdebruyn1212]

K.Rool became K. Roolenstein and was likely experimenting on his crew

[@abloun1575]

I loved the music for this game

[@ak2112]

not saying I disagree but comparing the two best tracks from dk1 and dk2 to stilt village in dk3 is a little ridiculous.

[@blackpanther6389]

Who the hell hates on DKC3?

[@justinratcliffe947]

Morons and idiots

[@RobertRodriguezdrummer]

Hey! Music Teacher here! To better explain the musical difference between DK 1+2 and 3 here’s my breakdown…. The original two games had atmospheric soundtracks. This is mainly because the sounds were often layered to create the effect. Sounds were written in both major and minor keys but the real difference is how all of the instruments worked together to build a cohesive, atmospheric soundtrack. The soundtrack on DC3 had a different style entirely…Nothing seemed layered, Music was bouncy and uptempo and very few of the tunes were ever layered or in a minor key. Songs also didn’t build up with layers. Because of that, the music seemed too straight forward and didn’t match the atmosphere at it. It would be like taking the Star Wars soundtrack and replacing it with the soundtrack from Looney Tunes. It wouldn’t work.

[@Baphomets_Kid]

It’s just that DK2 is so majestic that it’s just an impossible act to follow. It’s the video game equivalent of the Beatles.

[@gabrielmacedo7010]

For me it's always been DK2 > DK3 > DKC, that mostly because kiddy kong is a bit shitty to play with (besides the water bounces, cool mechanic) and also because both kongs feel a little slower than usual. Maybe the stages being a little shorter also. The lighter tones and atmosphere isn't also a bad thing, just different although I do prefer the first two. I also don't get it about the soundtrack, in DKC3 I think the songs are even better than DKC1 in general, yet the first has more highlights than DKC3 and a few of the best too. To be honest I don't even know if this ''hate'' of DKC3 by DKC fans is a thing, I too often see much more love about it.

[@altrogeruvah]

For me, it was the goofy tone of the game, as well as nerfing the challenge of collecting DK coins that felt like a copout. Regarding the music: Eveline Fischer is an extremely capable composer, but the first level of every DKC game is like a book cover, first impressions are everything. The music on level 1 on the first two games felt like an overture to a grand epic adventure. On DKC3, the trombone melody and the stubby bass pattern sound like it's making fun of Kiddie Kong's weight and lack of grace, like "here's a fat fuck of a monkey, oh and he's the side main character of the game btw". Having said that, I really like this game for what it is, I like the Northern Kremisphere overworld and the banana bird collectible. The series was done dirty though and never truly recovered IMO.

[@pera_king3720]

comparing Aquatic Ambiance and Stickerbush Symphony to Stilt Village is just not fair

[@oof_gang00]

I think you kind of messed up with this one most people hate donkey Kong country 3 for it's excessively hard gameplay it's to such a degree that it doesn't feel like you lost because of your own skill issues but because the game is just poorly made they put a lot into it but it also seems like a rush job at some areas especially the last two worlds it's also just kind of confusing because donkey Kong players weren't used to this format its sometimes confusing on how to play it beyond that the last complaint I've seen is just in excessive amount of collectibles to 100% complete the game it's extremely hard to beat this game because of the poor game design and then they add so many collectibles in that it's almost impossible you'd have to dedicate a lot of your life to this just to get through it and most people aren't that dedicated

[@DAngelCM]

Despite this game came out after Nintendo 64 was launched, it is a great and challenging game to conclude the Donkey Kong Country trilogy.

[@mfahy0718]

I honestly believe that DKC3 would've been better had it come out a year or so before the N64. Nintendo/Rare clearly winged DKC3 and put a half assed DKC3 out with their less talented programmers, etc. Had it come out a year prior to the launch of the N64, the game would've gotten the proper attention than the 1st 2 games received.

[@Langas_LVDC]

Bro DKC3 is great, stop hating this game

[@SkyscannerGuy]

4:38 tbh that isn’t a fair comparison. You pick the 2 most iconic tracks from the first 2 and compared it to one from the 3rd with a completely different tone. Aquatic and Stickerbush are almost peaceful and dreamy, whereas the 3rd is upbeat and energetic. You should’ve picked a different 2 to compare it to

[@FarhistManifest]

Great video

[@PhluppeHimself]

As someone who has played the oldskool trilogy DKC games, DKC3 is indeed a "strange" family member of the bunch, but it's still part of the family that gave me a cool adventure to play. TBF, whenever I played as kiddy I went "hell nah" since dixie is OP with her twirling hair and yeah some levels do feel off, it still is a fun game. The game design is more slow paced for DKC3, as in DKC1 & 2 you can mostly just book it till the end without too many autoscrollers, DKC3 still has some parts where you need to play slow. But that ain't a bad thing perse, unless you wanna speedrun it, it doesn't destroy the flow that much. I just feel like people are just hating on DKC3 mainly because DK or Diddy weren't the playable characters. I'm so glad you pointed out that DKC2 had the more gimmicky levels, cause that's been a thing I've had in the back of my mind for years. I enjoyed the "open" overworld from DKC3, the flag addition showing that you had enough bonus coins and collected the DK coin was a welcoming addition that my childbrain understood compared to the exclamation mark from DKC2. It did things better at various spots when it comes to guiding the player along. DKC1 & 2 had a better overall theme though, 1 feeling you're traversing an island, going through jungles, caves, mountains, catacombs, it felt like you were actually on kong island, whereas the pirate theme of 2 made it feel unique as in you're traversing through enemy territory. DKC3 didn't had that feel in the overworld for me though, you it didn't feel like you were on a specific terrain in overall that can coexist themewise. But for all the flak it's given, people should just try to do what the developers tried to achieve and that's to enjoy the 3rd adventure in an awesome trilogy. It's one of the best oldskool platforming franchises for the snes and I'm glad I was able to play them growing up :) terrfic vid!