Snow Barrel Blast: The Horror of the Difficulty Spike -- Designing For Donkey Kong December

[@ceds_truths]

The moment when you are blasted into the middle of the snowstorm and the music picks up, is one of the best atmospheric moment on the SNES

[@hongkongphooye2576]

As a kid this was definitely the intimidating hurdle that symbolizes we're no longer just playing around. Nowadays it's a ton easier of course, but as an impressionable kid, the difficulty, the musical atmosphere complemented by the visual atmosphere progressing with the blizzard, yeah it was quite something!

[@TheJadeFist]

Ya, DKC was awesome about doing that kind of stuff. Even from the first level shifting to sunset, and the 2nd level being the same visuals as the first but in a thunderstorm.

[@Someone-td3rp]

Super Turrican 2 start of the 1. level (desert) is good to

[@RondoOfBloodX]

And then the second stage In the worlds music is upbeat and happy as if the game is saying don’t worry the storm has passed. Now enjoy this fun ice cave and sliding up and down the ropes.

[@StewNWT]

100% agreed.

[@themettking]

The funny part about the barrel course at the end, you’re safe to fire at the first opportunity every time. So long as you keep it up the windows are always there and doing so even gets you a blue balloon at the end.

[@RakoonCD]

Amazing game design.

[@yovtobe]

Yes and it feels so good

[@osets2117]

Huh didn't know that

[@Tobunari]

Was about to say...

[@djentlover]

What really??? Wow. Donkey Kong likes to punish you for hesitating

[@TarvouldsQuest]

The snow in this level always makes me feel...festive. Donkey Kong December truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

[@novasZK]

Same I played this stage yesterday as it was snowing!

[@irvplotnik89]

wait until you hear about this one code for DKC3 😂

[@CassiusStelar]

Fun fact: Kirby's Return to Dreamland references the barrel cannon gauntlet, complete with the hidden route that rewards you with a ton of bananas

[@pmerks]

I remember accidentally discovering the barrel shortcut at the end as a kid and being absolutely thrilled. For the longest time I thought that was the intended route since the other barrels just seemed impossible to me at the time

[@triggeredcat120]

Same.

[@mauroperez2848]

Snow Barrel Blast truly feels the first ever difficulty spike that most 90s kids faced with a SNES, myself included. The first three worlds were fun and easy to grasp, Minecart Carnage notwithstanding. However, when you first step into Gorilla Glacier, the game rips off your pool floaties and throws you into the deep end. You're gone through three worlds to hone your skills and it's time to show them what you've learned. Even if you get past Snow Barrel Blast, you have to endure a gauntlet of levels before you can reach the sanctity of Candy's save point, so you still can't relax until then. Still love the level and the atmosphere it provides thanks in part to David Wise's phenomenal score.

[@Mattened]

I still remember playing this back in '94 and being blown away by the atmosphere and music in this level.

[@gamera5160]

That's what I remember. I didn't remember that this level was particularly hard. I remember playing it around Christmas with snow falling outside. The level was just beautiful. I do kind of remember that the save point was a long way away.

[@pookydookyneo4011]

Talk about the storm levels of Donkey Kong Country Returns. Those things captivated me bad. The colors, the gimmicks(that octopus and those massive waves), and the wonderful challenges. It’s a glorious vibe. I want to recreate it so bad.

[@novasZK]

You mean Tropical Freeze? Returns had no snow levels

[@rendumguy7596]

DKCR has RAINstorm levels, not snowstorms, so the comment is correct. And I agree, those levels with the waves and Octopus were REALLY memorable... In fact, maybe World 2 was a really good world overall, it had the first rocket level too.

[@novasZK]

@@rendumguy7596 Oh yeah my bad, I love those levels from returns!

[@ArcosIGZ]

This level is an absoulutely hell. The fact this is the first level at the Gorilla Glacer zone, and the Candy's Save Point is already in the middle of the World, just adds a agony feeling. Great video

[@ShadwSonic]

There's one aspect the video forgot to mention... When someone is exceptionally skilled at Barrel Blasting, and doesn't go for the easy out, there's a Blue Balloon at the end of the string. You have to be really quick for it though.

[@iamLI3]

indeed there is!

[@markusszelbracikowski956]

This is the hardest level in all games but at the same time really easy once you know the shortcut. It's like if the developers wanted to make you suffer on purpose while laughing at you because you didn't know you could skip all that.

[@1gnore_me.]

man this stage was so fucking hard, but it was also one of the most beautiful. the way the snowfall slowly turns into a snowstorm, the way the music builds over time, the precarious placement of the platforms and enemies ... it really felt like you were exploring deep into a dangerous snowy wasteland.

[@Algol_Veilios]

I wasn't expecting the Zenos reference. That was really good. These Donkey Kong videos have been a real treat so far! I'm looking forward to the rest of them!

[@shyguy1578]

I replayed this game recently and i ended up beating this level second try. Not because I'm good, no, far from it, but because I miss on the first canon of the section and ended up taking the canon that skip the whole section by accident (I didn't even knew it was there)

[@WavesNGames]

The day I accidentally found the short cut through this level my heart dropped to the floor and immediately rose to great heights. I love to hate this level.

[@themanwithsauce]

God I love this level. Whenever I tell people I'm always down for a session of Donkey Kong Country, gorilla glacier is the reason. SBB in particular is a ton of fun and then you get the wonderful dessert that is slipslide ride.

[@Scrubermensch]

Jesus, I've never met a bigger masochist my entire life lmao good for you, honestly I think I play DKC for factory stages but I always burnout before getting there, o well, 2 is best anyway (it's just an opinion)

[@themanwithsauce]

@@Scrubermensch I'm not going to lie, I think I have played DKC1, 2, and 3 so much since they came out that it's just muscle memory at this point. I used to be a bigger fan of the factory stages but it's really just the soundtrack and the bonus stage shenanigans that I enjoyed - the actual factory stages are good just a bit......basic in the long run? Gorilla GLacier is still visually impressive, even when blown up on a modern TV where I feel other environments suffer a bit. Last time I played through DKC1, SBB took like 4 or 5 attempts but that was it, and then I got to stunt all over slipslide ride and show a friend of mine who'd grown up with only Sega Genesis the magic of DKC. I think 2 has the best pure platforming levels, but I have always appreciated how 3 could stretch and distort level design and flow (even though it doesn't always work), and if I'm being honest I think 3 has just as many "amazing" stages as 2, it just has more duds than 1 or 2. Bit of a shame, but all 3 are great and the cartridges made for the most memorable christmas presents I ever got as a kid.

[@iamLI3]

yeah snow barrel blast is my favorite level in the game :D

[@Shades-the-mouse]

The fact that when I played this game this is the last level I completed before replaying this game

[@ethanbethan6151]

Something I really like about the first DKC that’s kinda missing in its sequel is that feeling of a grand adventure across a countryside. This level captures it very well, its gameplay is as simple as its environment. The endurance it would take to push through these gorgeous mountains is reflected in the barely forgiving difficulty.

[@kickme2149]

Personally this was the hardest level for me as a kid in all dkc's. I remember i gave up at this level, next day i found out the shortcut, idk if i would ever pass this level at that time without the shortcut, thx Rare.

[@ColinJoesseppiVEVO]

I was so scared to suffer through the last part of this level until I remembered that I can shoot down at the third barrel. It’s almost as if the smart jock tells you the answers to all of the Final Exam Questions.

[@Princess_Leaf]

Each time I want to play this game again I end up falling into the shortcut barrel by accident xD Also I always wondered if that shortcut was added after the dev realized the level was maybe a bit too hard to complete normally for most people. It's not the only "hard level" with this skip/shortcut mechanic (Stop & Go Station)

[@schnorks0]

Mine Cart Carnage also has a (lesser known) skip at the beginning

[@Princess_Leaf]

@@schnorks0 Indeed ! I was thinking about this one aswell, and it's the first big difficulty spike in the game x:

[@yovtobe]

@@schnorks0 the mcc one is also weirdly easy to get by accident

[@TheDuckyDino]

Fr, I always accidentally fall into it but I can never actually remember where it is.

[@Mezcon2]

I think this is the level that made me rage quit as a kid. I could NOT get past it. Until I was much older and got to play it at my girlfriends place. Cannot tell you how good it felt to beat the level that made me quit as a kid!!

[@MrNintendork12]

I remember this being THE level that stopped me from progressing in this game at all as a kid. And I couldn’t beat it for years!

[@ValiTheSaltMan]

I love Donkey Kong Country.

[@Linguini_Guy]

I love Donkey Kong Country.

[@Driggsdamonstah]

I love Donkey Kong Country.

[@hansgretl1787]

I love democracy.

[@oranjolt]

I love Donke Kong Country aswell

[@Magic_Ice]

Don’t we all

[@jbh3074]

Not only have you earned a subscription with heavy dedication on my favorite video game franchise. You earned it with a Homestar Runner reference. GOATed channel.

[@radron22]

"And they realize after all this time, they're only half way there. And now, the real level begins." Evil laugh. Spoken so so true! Awesome video talking about this amazing game and how much pain it was to get through some of these levels.

[@mattb6522]

Great analysis! I loathed this level as a kid and suffered many Game Overs due to this level in the SNES version. The fact that Candy's Save Point is still a few levels after this one is just cruel. Why they made the first stage in Gorilla Glacier the hardest still baffles me. The way the level gets darker and the snow picks up as you progress really adds to the atmosphere perfectly!

[@jrlepage2a03]

5:04 Surprise Vinny

[@Neo-Metal17]

@@jrlepage2a03 Vinny jumpscare

[@crabvendingmachine4044]

I spent the whole video thinking "this looks hard, how come I don't remember any of it?" Then you showed the shortcut and it clicked

[@bobjeezorham7658]

This was definitely one of the hardest levels in the game for me as a kid, although I've always thought Poison Pond was the hardest. Those damn Bitesize that appear in droves are so annoying to get through, especially with the limited camera. Nonetheless, even with how many times I've played the Donkey Kong Country games, I can't beat Snow Barrel Blast without at least dying once.

[@parnash]

As a FF14 player, I died at the sudden 'A TEST OF YOUR REFLEXES!!!'

[@Mitjitsu]

If it wasn't for accidently discovering that shortcut. I doubt I ever would have beaten the level back in the day.

[@Ryan91487]

5:04 Shame Vinny never said it once during that level in his playthrough.

[@sweetest_melody4911]

i was NOT expecting Zenos, thank you d4

[@wHw_Syxx]

I loved when the music picks up at the same time the blizzard starts (depending if you're going the same speed the way I play) and I found that barrel shortcut completely by mistake as a kid lol.

[@djentlover]

And when you finally get past the final barrel, you're so shaky from anxiety that those tiny slippery floating islands are beyond evil

[@Pop_Shepski]

The first Donkey Kong Country is a core memory to every extent of the word

[@coyraig8332]

That last skip probably makes the whole thing even worse

[@poltergeistx]

This is probably my favorite level in the trilogy 🙃

[@tomnuke9122]

This level is masterful in all fronts. The music, the snow storm approaching, and of course the hellish landscape. I love this level, great analysis.

[@smugsneasel]

02:03 I appreciate the Homestar Runner reference.

[@fal_pal_]

I love how to skip invalidates this entire level like some strange joke

[@WinterDHX]

I like the way you speaks on the videos

[@cattysplat]

All of this was compounded by being an impatient, emotional and nervy kid. Still remember the angst, rage and indecision so much this stage caused me, that I genuinely had to shut the console off and walk away before I might throw my controller. It also made the minecart levels feel like a cakewalk in comparison. Ironically enough, those high emotions are what you really remember the most about a tough game, even 30 years later.

[@dracovishtv69420]

I just accidentally skipped the barrel section at the end

[@triggeredcat120]

I remember the 18 barrels. I was at the second barrel (I think) and accidentally shot when the barrel was pointed top right and I ended up in the barrel that helps you bypass those 18 barrels and Zingers.

[@davonbenson179]

The Screech Sprint Race from DKC2 was even harder. The intensity of the song throws you off even more.

[@EazyB90]

This might actually be my favorite stage :D This and "Ice Age Alley". I just LOVE that snowy mountainous atmosphere, with those snow-covered evergreens, so much. The music is just amazing, so atmospheric and ominous. And I love the challenge these stages provide. Fun Fact: I don't believe this has outright been confirmed, but common consensus is that the mountain in the background is Mount Shuksan in Washington State.

[@Gruntilda-Winkybunion]

so many DK64 sounds in your videos! i adore your videos! you really make me smile! thanks again D4!

[@buzby6712]

The music and atmosphere of this level are amazing...but it was one of the toughest for sure.

[@joaopedroalmeidacaetano1619]

I LOVE how dramatic this guy sounds. These games are underrated

[@javierulloa8343]

I just beat this level earlier by accidentally missing an early barrel shot and falling into an auto-blast barrel that took me all the way to the end. I feel like I missed out on a real challenge. Time to revisit!

[@DrDrystal]

my favourite level of DKC 1 Love the music The amtosphere and everything

[@marcanthonybattenberg7636]

My grandma and I played this all the time together. I remember when the blizzard hit we sat there for a moment thinking it was really cool. I remember her always complaining that she needed her glasses for that one part because the snow made the TV look too fuzzy.

[@hmompoint]

All these years.....i just though i sucked at videogames I'm gonna go cry in the bathroom now

[@rdu239]

I remember DKC in the snes has 3 barrel blast gimmick stages: 1 jungle stage, 1 tree top stage and this one

[@Josiah_Cornett]

Just now realizing that this game was the one that started my obsession with painfully difficult video games

[@seansmodernlife9823]

I'm pretty sure I only got through this level as a kid was by accidentally hitting that short cut barrel, and then just never thinking about this level again. As an adult feel like I have to kick this levels ass

[@Bad_Wolf788]

When little brother says he can't beat the level and needs big bros help. This is the level he's talking about.

[@alaeriia01]

Talk about Sawmill Thrill and how the music is perfectly synced to the action.

[@shadjv357]

Hey, I’ve been binging some of your videos the past week (I’m a friend of Tarvould’s and recently found you through him on Twitter), and I just want to say I love your content, you put into words a lot of game design that I just sorta intuited but never thought about. This video is a great example, I never thought about where the biggest difficulty spike is in DKC or even how this stage stands out but I immediately realized this is where I got stuck the most as a kid. Not specifically this stage, but the start of this world, and this stage likely was the biggest culprit because, as you said, every time I got a Game Over I had to do this one again! It’s trivial to me now because I usually use the shortcut (and I’ve gotten pretty good at barrel timing anyways), but your video was very insightful and I love how you break down each individual encounter in levels. As a former game design student, I very much appreciate how you notice each obstacle was thoughtfully placed for a reason. Also glad one of my favorite series is getting all your love this month. :)

[@johnmorey720]

As BRUTAL and difficult and anil-biting as this stage was, I actually heavily disliked the last normal stage - the one with the fuel platforms and all the big blue tough guys (including the gray variant) more. This one was pinpoint difficult and cruel, but the other just felt like it was unfair.

[@Onionion852]

They deliberately make you "accidentally" skip the last section by sending you to the shortcut barrel if you pressed a little too early on the first of the 18 barrels (i.e. aim top right instead of right). Genius design.

[@Samson2500]

After seeing this video I had to go replay this level. Beat it in 2 lives and I didn't use the shortcut! Felt great and honestly surprised myself!

[@NiebaumCurran]

When I first play DK I found this level to be tricky but not hard. For the 18 barrel section players are rewarded for not hesitating if you do that's when you had to wait it more likely to get hit, at least for me.

[@Scott89878]

Well, this level is probably why when I replayed all 3 games, I was able to consistently always time my shots.

[@hidalgogeopoliticsandhisto5394]

I needed new glasses at the time I played this game. When the blizzard became more fierce, I actually experienced snow-blindness. I remember having to don my glasses and get right against the TV screen to beat this level. It was a very tough level for me to beat!

[@unbrokenzebra8192]

I actually discovered the shortcut under the third canon accidentally. And it was the most satisfying thing that could have happened to me at that point in time.

[@manospondylus]

I like that you used the DKCR remake of Northern Hemisphere for this

[@Phriendship]

This level creeped me out as a kid for some reason. I think it was the music.

[@mrmosty5167]

Always used to be so obsessed with doing the gauntlet perfectly to get the 3-up

[@LEtheCreator]

Gonna watch the remainder of the video, rest assured, but I had to pause just to say I was delighted to recognize a Homestar Runner reference in a Designing For video. Heck yeah. EDIT: Darkstalkers, too? Double heck yeah. Would love to see a video from you regarding that series.

[@雪鷹魚英語培訓的領航]

The weather changing is really cool set design.

[@NihilistSolitude]

I never had an issue on this level, mainly since dk doesn't have a timer so I took my time on all the levels I had full control, but those mine cart levels were the bane of my existence

[@djpegao]

Oh man, I remember being stuck on this level for a long time because I ended up blasting myself backwards most of the time; sometimes I dodged the enemies but most of the time I got killed

[@sweetiethelion3430]

XD I was WAITING for 7:58, First time playing this level and I literally thought i messed up and then I skipped the whole level because of that shortcut. Thank god!

[@potatogaming2020]

never had a problem with this one tbh. And I didn't even know about the shortcut so thanks for the tip!

[@finnvaneekelen4966]

Honestly never really atruggled with this stage is that wierd? I remember coming out with like 3 more lives then i started in my no save challenge. Always found the other ice levels harder

[@mattdkfan92]

In the worst section, there is a shortcut right BELOW the 3rd cannon that will completely skip that segment, you even get the G letter, also if you do that section well you will be rewarded with a Blue Balloon

[@prizm9515]

Snow barrel blast is a very memorable level for sure.

[@kparker831]

Pretty sure the last few annual playthroughs I've done, I've taken the skip as I know I did it the hard way as a child in the 90s. The stress in watching this video makes me want to go back to only taking the hard route...

[@BabusGameRoom]

This stage was why I never beat the game as a kid. I think I actually beat DKC2 before beating DKC1 because I was so traumatized by this stage and the subsequent lack of a save spot after beating it.

[@NicoleMay316]

This level kept me from beating the game. This was my hard stop for YEARS.

[@skeetsmcgrew3282]

Wow, I haven't thought about "Movin slowly" by Tarantula in forever

[@louloum3744]

made the decision to start doing playthroughs of the game yearly til i die. looking forward to still feeling palpable dread as the blizzard approaches in this level when im in my 70s, trying to navigate the level with arthritic hands

[@aaronrowell6943]

I love the northern hemispheres music It's So perfect

[@aidenp6001]

Dark Souls’ Blight Town: Finally, a worthy opponent! Our battle will be legendary!!

[@RosbifChaud]

I was expecting this to wrap up this video, I knew it would be the punch out.

[@Gungho73]

The snow effect is underrated in making this difficult on an old CRT.

[@Telcontar86]

In the 18 barrel gauntlet, if you fire on the first cycle you'll miss the Zingers 100% of the time. It's very demanding timing and easy to mess up, but once you have it down the gauntlet is lot less terrifying.

[@thierry1026]

You can skip a few barrels too by aiming too high sometimes, I get it by feeling now, I did it too much lol.

[@FiresplitterSpeedrun]

I like that the level is so hard that they put in a dev exit in it...

[@thierry1026]

As a kid I knew the shortcut barrel that skips the level existed, I just didn't know how to find it, Id end up passing the level by falling on it by accident after many deaths.

[@anonymoushuman8443]

I always struggled with this level. If I couldn’t beat it I would just reset the file and replay the first world again

[@mousecollector]

The homestar runner reference made me smile :]

[@catholiccontriversy]

Once I found the skip canon I was super happy.

[@LarryLopez91]

Whenever I replay DKC I always dread reaching this level.

[@santoryushinigami4197]

Amazing narration. I miss those days

[@HusserNS]

Pretty chill vid

[@mr.mystere4999]

I don't know. This level would surely be a test of Zenos's reflexes as well.

[@PanSangex]

I remember loving this stage back then. Gotta retry it lmao