The Making of Donkey Kong Country

[@ashfury]

This guy is so good at video editing and 3D effects 😱

[@strafefox]

Ha! Thanks :)

[@JetroNetro]

He uses Cinema 4D

[@kelakakku]

Or maybe you just don't know much about cgi.

[@masterreece1098]

I love u strafefox

[@ChaossX77]

@@kelakakku You seem like a cool guy.

[@Real_The_Goof]

Makes me REALLY miss the 80s and 90s.. I remember CLEARLY when DKC was launched.. it was BIG.. and i got it that christmas and fucking LOVED it.. and i still love it to this day.

[@cerisejaxel9636]

I can't imagine the hype! I was born in '95, so obviously can't relate, but I played these games religiously. And still do every once in a while. Thanks for sharing the memories. :)

[@electron2601]

Me too! I totally loved the game but then someone robbed my house and stole a bunch of things including the game. I was really upset but at least my mom bought another copy a month later.

[@DaleKamp]

I got it Christmas of '94 as well!

[@pomponi0]

I remember it too. Imagine being me, the second child, who usually had to endure a couple hours of watching my older brother playing the new games before getting my turn. Then one day I went with my mom to the video store alone (a RARE occurrence) and guess what game I rented :D I remember how anxious I was to get home before my brother (I can't remember where he was). I think it was my first experience of playing a game by myself, figuring out the mechanics and stuff. Hell, even dying and keeping playing felt weird.

[@ccricers]

DKC was the "it" game to have for Christmas of '94

[@Ferghyzzitha]

There was nothing better than Donkey Kong Country 1 , 2 , 3 on the mid 90s(94,95,96) Playing these games on a rainy day was the best thing ever.

[@haruhisuzumiya6650]

Crash tried

[@23kl104]

"WHERE YOU GONNA FIND IT?" - "NOT ON SEGA!!" had me crack up. That's some marketing.

[@TheDaibu]

Marketing in these days were WILD.

[@SadScorpion956]

Nintendoes what Sega don't

[@hollowsid9623]

Their response to Genesis does what Nintendon't

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

This is super interesting and well produced.

[@MrGojira95]

We all have to thank Donkey Kong Country for the advancements of Computer Generated Imagery. XD

[@rayjenboi]

hah

[@Cybrisk]

Many people say these games visually show their age today, but they still look absolutely gorgeous on CRT displays.

[@toongirl007]

i really love the editing throughout the video, amazing work! :D

[@strafefox]

Thanks! :)

[@boobiezinabasket691]

I agree. Even I'm wondering, how such animations are being made. Like what kind of software or do you draw anything by hand?

[@donkeykogfunkyfresh]

The graphics for this video are top notch. Nice!

[@roddydykes7053]

5:40 DK: “C’mon lad, you do the first level, it looks nice and easy! Diddy: “Shit!” Would’ve loved to see a DK’s Bad Fur Day style game in this crass style lol

[@YashBeanz]

@Energytainment I mean Diddy Kong almost says shit in the last episode of the dkc tv show, so I guess the writers definitely wanted a really obscure easter egg in the final episode. Diddy says shindig but he totally was supposed to say shit.

[@ProdCharles]

Loved your presentation! It's incredible to see that DK has also influenced other media 👀

[@boatknight2246]

Donkey Kong Country was the first game i got with my Snes. And to this day is one of my Favourite Franchises. The Music Hits me with Nostalgia and its like im taken back. Nostalgia is so powerful, no wonder they use it in marketing. That music imprinted itself on me and I always feel happy to hear it.

[@zkirbster]

It's nice to see video game development feature a happy story where everyone makes good decisions and everything goes well. It feels so uncommon.

[@MonsieurWatcher]

It felt like watching an official documentary made by Rare. It was very good, thanks for making it

[@Davizuky]

wow.. SUBSCRIBED! I haven't been this impressed by a video in a long time :) Can't believe it took me a year to find this.

[@NintendoUpDotCom]

What I find most amazing about DKC is that, while it was sold on its advanced graphics, that is not the reason people still fondly remember and play it. It is just a damn good game, even in 2023.

[@darknexxenby]

the way that they had to manually transfer each model by hand and convert them into a tile format readable by the system is some true dedication, especially in the scorching heat

[@Silvergun_Raven]

Awesome video! I still have the VHS of the making of Donkey Kong Country that Nintendo sent me in 1994.

[@strafefox]

Cool! yeah that was a neat little promo to build some hype around the game.

[@stopitofff]

I think that was also free with issue 20something (?)of official Nintendo mag. Watched it until the tape coroded

[@electron2601]

Me too!

[@kjellbauer5089]

Gode gamle spill

[@journeyman1218]

And the music CD that launched with it!

[@Zanctum]

Great work Austin!

[@imreadydoctor]

Donkey Kong Country may just be my favorite game of all time. A masterpiece of graphics and sound, a platformer that lacked the nonsensical floating platforms, apes that felt agile but heavy. The whole thing was immersion in a cart.

[@jephrenman]

This was very well done! Excellent production value and great behind-the-scenes stuff! Consider me subbed.

[@strafefox]

Thanks so much! really appreciated! :)

[@chigimonky]

You really should have more subscribers

[@franknitti9126]

chigimonky u gotta be the 1st to comment anything like that

[@cannibale2145]

Awesome work as always! I really appreciate what you, guys, are doing for the retrogaming on KZbin! Thanks a lot! DKC is an amazing trilogy, my favorite 2D side-scrolling franchise of all time!

[@strafefox]

Great to hear! and I really enjoy making these videos :)

[@gigaskob1485]

I can't believe I found your videos just now. You have a new subscriber, keep up the amazing work.

[@strafefox]

Giga Skob Thanks so much for the sub!

[@TheMisterD00D]

Year later im on board

[@cantbecool]

Great work I love the narration and animations. Even though I knew most of DKC's history, the summer heat rendering and extreme compression required for it to fit on the 32-bit cartridge I did not know about.

[@johneygd]

Jordan Lee just mind blowing how they compressed the game to fit on 32 megabit cartride, but who knows how much more better the would,ve looked and sounded if it was brought to the neogeo avs system, wich was way more advanced then the snes,a higher res,more colors onscreen,more soundchannels etc,,,

[@vincent21212]

My God, the production and research value of this series is incredible! Please produce more - it hits me right where it feels good.

[@CastChaos]

You did wonder again with this video! It's so motivational as you detail how much extreme effort it took to go through everything and realize this game.

[@strafefox]

Thanks! :) It's astounding how much they were able to achieve sometimes with so little. I also think it must have been a great time to develop games.

[@CastChaos]

You are right, it must have been glorious. Very hard, but that made it just even more glorious. What pride and joy could it be to come up with something this new and how it could extend the joy to see an element be used in other important games and other things!

[@araknair9605]

Your work only gets better, so glad you touched on the kongs again.

[@mediaglitch]

If this channel only has 11k subs what hope is there for y channel. Great work guys.

[@strafefox]

Thanks! Not to get too philosophical here... but "You never feel truly rich until you appreciate what you have". :) I'm really satisfied with 11k subs, Think about it...over 11.000 people, that's a huge number, more than would fit in my local theater, and the great thing is, I can still reply to almost all comments and recognize many names in the comments, which would be a lot harder if had 100k subs. Don't get me wrong It's good to be a little competitive and have dreams about having like 100k subs, but I think it would also add a lot more burden and perhaps even remove some of the fun out of making videos. Anyway.. that was my little rand :) Good luck with your channel!

[@mediaglitch]

Thanks , keep doing what your doing man because its awesome

[@strafefox]

Thanks! My new video is almost done :)

[@aarongreenfield9038]

@@strafefox. Now you're almost to your dream goal of a 100.000 subs. it's just too bad KZbin keeps gimping subscriber counts views and recommendations.

[@altrogeruvah]

I really appreciate the extra work you put in this video, the 3D renders and research is nothing short of amazing! Great work!

[@strafefox]

Awesome to hear! Thanks so much :)

[@kevinfredericks2335]

Your videos are exceptional. I really appreciate the subtle touches you add and the consistent feel and style of the splash screens and supporting art.

[@strafefox]

Great to hear! Thanks so much :)

[@ShadowSpiral]

Amazingly narrated, detailed, and edited video. I usually never make these kinds of comments but I was really impressed by how well made this was. Great stuff 👍👍

[@strafefox]

Thanks so much! Really cool to hear :)

[@lucas_1448]

DKC1 isn't even one of my all time favourites in the series, but I have so much respect for it, it was the beginning of such an ambitious saga! DKC2 will forever be a reference for what a true platformer should be like.

[@user-ex9kh3hy8c]

very high quality! well done! the info about how they made the background tiles and improved the sprites by hand is vary interesting. It's the first time I hear them

[@NYCJoeBlack]

This video is my first time experiencing your KZbin Channel and I think I’m in love. Great and professional content. I want more of it!

[@TheLegoMaster261]

Thank you for making this! I love to learn as much as I can about Donkey Kong. This really enforces how important Donkey Kong is to the gaming industry!

[@cjwilliams1124]

Just discovered your channel this morning while getting ready for work... and WOW! I am so glad the SoR2 video came across my feed as a "recommended for you" video, and between that, your Sonic breakdown and amazing music based videos I can't believe I never saw your videos til today... EXCELLENT Content, informative and incredible visuals along the way. You have a top tier channel when it comes to quality and I feel you should know that. I plan on making my own channel one day and can only hope to achieve even a small level of the quality you produce!

[@strafefox]

Awesome to hear! Thanks! And good luck with your own future channel :)

[@cjwilliams1124]

strafefox Thanks, brother! Keep up the killer work

[@alig555100]

I love your videos all the times and efforts you do for making them I appreciate that thank you keep it up

[@strafefox]

Thanks man :)

[@evulopah]

Strafefox, your videos are very professional since the first episode. The added voice over in later videos is a great addition and relaxed to listen to. Keep up the great work.

[@strafefox]

Thanks so much for sticking around! Yeah It's already been 7 years ago when I first came up with the idea to start my channel :) When I first started I never imagined I would get over 1000subs :)

[@RDJ134]

This is my alltime favorite SNES titel. :) Zoals altijd vette video, dank je hier voor.

[@strafefox]

Dkc staat ook hoog in mijn lijstje favoriete games, al vind ik DKC2 zelfs nog net iets leuker vanwege het piraten thema yarrrr! Bedankt voor het kijken! :)

[@danipombo]

DKC was the first video game I ever played and why I got into gaming. Amazing game. Love it.

[@Dare1C]

Its always so awesome to see how far you continue to grow. Long time fan and I'm always so impressed with your presentation. Keep on doing whatever you are doing to make this content so great. Rooting for ya :D

[@strafefox]

Thanks! My channel is a fun outlet for my creativity and I love writing and reading about these old games. And when I look back at videos I made a couple years back like the other DKC video, I realize how much I've grown which is really satisfying! :)

[@honigdachs.]

Being a kid back when this game was coming out was just glorious. It seemed miraculous to us that a game like this was being released for the SNES. And it wasn't just the visuals and sound either. The game itself was a blast, with awesome level design and smooth and rewarding gameplay. I played the living heck out of it and it was some of the happiest times in my life!

[@renreeja]

great video, Donkey Kong Country really spoke to me as a little 90s kid. Such a fluid kinetic badass game, you could get tricky with the physics and the 3d look was like nothing ever seen before!

[@allluckyseven]

This video has a certain feel of those 90s promo vids. Good job, you guys.

[@strafefox]

Thanks!

[@mickmook1317]

This game is a technical masterpiece. In my opinion it looks better than some AAA games today! Great video ❤️

[@MeatEatingVegan777]

I know how often you hear of this, but your videos are edited very well, the 3d effects and visuals are beautiful, and the information is delivered very well. No unnecessary jokes, stupid humor, or angry gamer schtick. It is much appreciated. I am very glad I finally subbed.

[@strafefox]

Thanks so much! Awesome to hear :)

[@MeatEatingVegan777]

@@strafefox Keep doing what you're doing, you've got alot of people who love your work. I'm hoping you get more recognition and subscriptions.

[@thepumpkingking8339]

The only downside of the original DKC. For me is RARE.. as I today would like to see a remake on modern hardware of this using the original un-doctored silicon graphics images.

[@johneygd]

The Pumpking King yeah indeed, i was alway’s wondering if they still had those untouched original images of the game or even better,what if they stillhave those original 3D models of those characters & backgrounds laying around somewhere. Also, if they had to rework all sprites & backgrounds by hand rather then using an automated process, then it actually did make no sense using those cgi computers.

[@monkeyrobotsinc.9875]

@@johneygd , not really.

[@TheGameCreator13]

That would be great for a DKC HD Collection actually

[@reactions5783]

Doesn't Microsoft (one of Nintendo's competitors) own Rare these days though? It may not be legally possible for Rare and Nintendo to co-operate on such a project.

[@MoundN]

Reactions the chance of a remake of any donkey Kong games is a flat 0. Nintendo stated many times that they won't let rare do a remake of their license due to the history of events.

[@sonictimm]

7:51 I've read about this show in books, it's amazing to actually see it. Another great video strafefox, thank you!

[@Alanzice]

Gratz for the 10k subs! You clearly deserve much more!

[@strafefox]

Thanks! Yeah It's awesome! When I first started almost 7 years ago I never thought I would pass the 100subs haha :)

[@TheAnvilMan]

Great stuff again. Definitely makes me appreciate the Donkey Kong aesthetic for it's time.

[@Tailzo]

Your videoes are all a huge step up in quality compared to other videoes about the same themes. Great work with graphics, your research, and your voice over.

[@lentendo64]

DK on the SNES is my most loved game. I have seen many making of type video's online, but this is by far the best I have seen. Awesome presentation!

[@strafefox]

Thanks! :)

[@GoldenNorway1]

Really interesting to watch and well made. I love this game, and have played it all of my life. It's one of the very few games I still play today that I played as a kid.

[@Nargaroth]

Fantastic video.. It's almost easy to take for granted just how beautiful and polished the visuals are. Great job

[@paneeks9156]

Your videos all seem so professionally done... It feels like an official thing you'd get in a collector's edition of DK Country.

[@johnrayker6245]

This game is legend. One of the first I ever played. And GOD that Soundtrack. Still listen to it 2day. Just beautiful. So atmospheric, so much love.

[@rockjonroll]

Thanks for putting this video together - really nice insights into the visual parts of this great game!

[@greggorylee3176]

Why have I never heard about this Strafefox fella'? Glad I found him, because this video made me happy. Cheers my dude!

[@wiredcoma]

Such a good video, I didn't want it to end!

[@toshiotube]

This series is so well made I could easily binge watch it. Nice work!

[@TheSuperSaiyan4Gamer]

This game is almost 24 years old and is still one of the greats! It is definitely a key part of my personal gaming history along with Mario. The graphics still blow my mind and that’s not something I can really say about most games of the time period

[@MoonSpiritChannel]

Welcome back. Forgotten how awesome your production is. This really is TV quality stuff here.

[@strafefox]

Thanks man! :)

[@JRthepyroguy]

Play hours and hours with my little bro back in the daze. I'm glad I have it now on the snes classic mini. This game stills holds up today. 👍👍

[@jsettle]

Wow. What a great video. I mean it’s covering a topic that I like but you deserve more subscribers. Very inspiring.

[@strafefox]

Thanks so much! :)

[@ThrashGaming]

Superbly done!

[@Super_Mario128]

"sorry Donkey Kong you're just not a draw anymore." * gets hit by barrel * "he's still got it!"

[@gus750]

I love the video

[@strafefox]

Thanks! :)

[@BrianJ.]

I just found this channel. This needs like 2 million subs.

[@HerroVincey]

Damn, this was a great video. Amazing presentation both in visuals and info organization, as well as the retro aesthetics.

[@BrianJ.]

This game right here made me fall in love with videogames. This was IT.

[@kal9001]

One of my favorite games of all time! Amazing soundtrack, smooth game play. When I first played this I had no understanding of game development or computer science so it never occurred to me how groundbreaking this game was!

[@genericstain]

I’ve been waiting years for a sequel to this video on the making of Donkey Kong Country 2 😭 I’ve always wondered how a new DKC video would do with your newer, more in-depth 20 minute format as opposed to the 10 minute format. Regardless, thank you for the continued quality content!!

[@strafefox]

I going to update this video next year and add a lot of new info including DKC2 :)

[@stepheng8061]

I stayed up all night watching this channel 3/25 and 3/26 2019

[@Covenantelite3]

This video is extraordinary. Thank you so much for making it.

[@FrancescoPirrone]

DKC1 is the first console video game I owned and played: how lucky am I? Anyway cool vid, it made me cry tears of joy....and although you spent some words on the music I can't stress enough how important Mr David Wise's work is.......the sound depth he achieved for the given sample rate is so ahead of its time, it's the result of crazy layering and rendering, it must have been really hard work.........his work is just as impressive and ahead of his time as the graphics are and it really took the entire concept of music for video games to the next level.

[@jakey1306]

Couldn't agree more. The atmosphere created in this game remains a part of each individual players heart 20 years later. Also, shout out to Evelyn Fisher who produced many of the tracks on DK1 also =]

[@FrancescoPirrone]

@@jakey1306 I didn't know Evelyn Fisher so I am gonna look her up! Thanks 🙂

[@jakey1306]

@@FrancescoPirrone She did the soundtrack for DKC 3. She is honestly as brilliant as David Wise ❤️💜

[@FrancescoPirrone]

@@jakey1306 amazing stuff! 🙂👍

[@Badger_S197]

Damn dude, the amount of work and effort you put into producing this video is nuts! It´s really fun to see how you used material from the old demo-VHS combined with your own work. Good stuff and great commentary.

[@strafefox]

Thanks! Glad you like it :)

[@B-laze_Fungist]

DKC was such an amazing adventure. all the feels back then, it looked stunning and was filled with emotional melodies. wow.

[@pollutedsouldier]

This deserves an incredible amount of views. subbed

[@strafefox]

Thanks for the sub! Much appreciated :)

[@GruseligerZigeuner]

Very, very, very very good video! Awesome work!!

[@CommodoreFan64]

Awesome video, as this is seriously one of my favorite games on the SNES, & more so now knowing what Rare did to get the game too run on the SNES.

[@strafefox]

I can imagine why, The DKC games are really fun platformers! Dkc2 is personally my favorite of the series.

[@renardmccrary8395]

Watching this brought a tear to my eye. Ah, DKC. Inspires me even today. Thank you for showcasing the history of this technologic achievement ^^

[@Jakerocksteady]

Just wanted to comment by saying that I really enjoy your videos! I stumbled across your channel yesterday and I've been enjoying going through your vids to the point that I'm always looking forward to the next episode. Thank you for that! Can't wait to get started on Secret of Mana after work. Cheers to you!

[@segasoldier6665]

Amaizing video , totally splained why DK is a such great game , I am a sega fan boy and I undestand why lost this batlle . Keep the good work, I am waiting to see your next video .

[@strafefox]

Thanks :)

[@TheVileOne]

Strafefox's videos are works of art!

[@lovesgibson]

Epic. Rare was a major player for so many years

[@TheVileOne]

How do these videos not have more views. Production quality and visuals are top notch. I blame KZbin

[@TerBerg7]

Thank you for doing the LORD'S work.

[@thetreblerebel]

I absolutely loved DK Country. It was so playable, and at the time the graphics and sound was stunning. I dont get why some say it doesnt hold up, but this game totally holds up in 2020 because the quality is superb

[@OpTicBl00d]

The quality of this video amazes me

[@MaterialBlade]

The production on this video was great, really enjoyed it.

[@thetreblerebel]

When this game was released I loved it, my 9, 10 year old self was a huge DK fan. I still think it holds up as a wonderful platformer . I don't see why folks think it didnt age well. In fact, it aged very well to me. Play It Loud!!

[@JayDeeIsMyName]

2:23 God damn, that DK-token in 3D just looks hauntingly beautiful. Love it.

[@briken8119]

Fantastic video! Very well made and I really enjoyed the content! Looking forward to more!

[@strafefox]

Thanks so much! :)

[@metacob]

I was 10 when this game came out, and I remember the graphics just blew my mind. Especially the fact that this would run on the same console where I played Super Mario World. Back then everyone was saying it looked "photo-realistic"... funny how that's not a word anymore.

[@synthoelectro]

Top quality reporting of my childhood. :)

[@woofwoofdoggo]

Great video! Thank you all for your hard work!

[@PrimitiveOs]

Great quality video, definitely worth the waiting

[@strafefox]

Thanks! glad you liked it!

[@rjmario2234]

thank you so much for this video, I've always been so intrigued by the dkc series.

[@strafefox]

Thanks! and yeah DKC is a great series of games!

[@emilyapricot1313]

I find pre rendered graphics more tolerable in games meant for the player to stare at one screen such as Super Mario RPG or Resident Evil 2.