Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber / JAP

Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber is a charming and original game of skill for the Nintendo DS that sends Donkey Kong on a completely new adventure - high up in the air. Unlike in classic platformers, Donkey does not run in Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber, but swings from handle to handle through vertically structured levels with a lot of momentum and timing.

The controls in Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber are particularly unusual and cleverly implemented: Using the L and R buttons, Donkey Kong grabs with either his left or right hand. By alternately pressing them, he pulls himself up on poles, spins around axes or whirls through the air. This feels unusual at first, but quickly becomes great fun - especially when you get the rhythm down and swing elegantly through the levels.

The story of Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber begins with a visit to Sun Sun Island, where Donkey and Diddy Kong actually want to go on vacation. But when the sinister King K. Rool shows up with his gang and steals the crystal bananas of an alien being called Xananab, the peace and quiet is over. The Kongs set off to retrieve the stolen bananas - and experience an adventure full of enemies, puzzles, obstacles and surprising twists and turns.

In typical Donkey Kong style, in Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber you collect bananas, crystals and letters along the way, explore secret areas and take on creative bosses. Diddy Kong accompanies you and gives you additional abilities, such as a double jump or special attacks. Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber offers many varied worlds, bonus levels and even small mini-games that you can play alone or in local multiplayer mode with friends.

The presentation of Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber is colorful, playful and in the familiar Donkey Kong style - with lovingly designed environments, cheerful music and humorous cutscenes. Despite its accessible controls, Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber quickly develops a demanding level of difficulty that challenges even experienced players.

Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber is a refreshingly different platform game that impresses with its unique controls, creative level ideas and classic Donkey Kong charm. For those with skill, timing and a little puzzle-solving, Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber is an entertaining adventure that shows just how much innovation can be in a classic franchise.