  Diddy Kong: I want to be a drummer when I grow up. Donkey Kong: But Diddy, you can't do both! |
Let’s face it; all it takes to be a professional drummer is the ability to count to four. And even then, some say the notion of a drummer being deemed ‘professional’ is a bit of an oxymoron anyway. Regardless, we should all admit to owning an air drum kit at some point in our lives, and no doubt we think our timing is every bit as solid as those ‘professionals’ gracing our nation’s concert stages.
Once again, Nintendo gives us - the audience - chance to prove it.
Just like its prequel, Donkey Konga 2 gives everyone the opportunity to suck hard at keeping time to a whole slew of popular songs; widely ranging across the musical spectrum from Shaggy’s dancehall classic ‘Boombastic’ to The Donnas’ recent rocker, ‘I Don’t Want to Know’.
The premise is simple; hit the left bongo when the yellow icon flies across the screen, or the right bongo if the icon is red. Additionally, if the icon is pink, hit both – easy huh? What’s more, placed in-between the two drums is a microphone that will pick up a handclap for those moments a blue starburst icon is shown. The more accurate your timing, the more coins awarded. The more coins accrued, the more songs or even mini games are unlocked.
It really is that simple, but unfortunately it shows. Admittedly I was playing alone and I am sure if I added booze and friends to the equation Donkey Konga 2’s scope, albeit limited, would most certainly open up. As it stood, the novelty wore off far quicker than the appeal of unlocking more complicated songs.
The graphics are pretty if only functional, and given the subject matter the sound is perfectly satisfactory. I did notice that some of the songs were not presented in their original versions and were more ‘department store’ representations. But such a minor issue will only bother the most pedantic of music fans.
Video games often seem hell-bent on proving we can’t do something we otherwise thought we could. I admit I probably only speak for myself, but we can’t dance (a recent Dance Dance Revolution session put paid to that notion) and as Donkey Konga 2 testifies, no matter how in time my air drumming seems to me, I cannot keep a beat to save my life.
But who cares when it’s so much fun? Just make sure you’re not playing solo.
