The Mash Up I Never Expected
I "beat" Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat last night. Of course, the run I win was the run I decreed would be my last "bongo attempt." The lack of precision was getting me in those last two levels of the "J" barrel (if you know, you know). All of the sudden a moon barrel appears with a single boss fight? A boss fight, mind you, that is a more traditional DK platformer boss fight? It felt so unceremonious, which was odd, especially given the fact the title has many in-game ceremonies.
Barrel "B" pops up after the credits and I jumped in this morning to check it out. Then I looked up the requirements for the "true" ending and knew my time with the bongos had come to an end. It'd require 1,200+ banana runs and I don't think I have the finesse or patience to master the beat. I watched some speedruns and marveled at the absurd fluidity of movement you can create in this game. It's quite stunning. A single sentence review/pitch might be
"Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat is the mash up of Sonic and Tony Hawk Pro Skater controlled by bongos I never anticipated"
If you want to see my fuller notes and thoughts on the game, you can check them out.
I'll be starting Galaxy next and I am excited. I listened to the soundtrack on the way to pick up my kid from school yesterday. chef's kiss I've also been watching old Galaxy-focused videos. Needless to say, the hype train (space ship?) is coming in hot. It has been a decade since I last played. đź«
- Super Mario Galaxy (dunkview) by videogamedunkey
- Super Mario Galaxy - An Impossible Masterpiece by Liam Triforce
- Super Mario Galaxy | Ten Years of Bliss by Scott the Woz
- Is Mario Galaxy a Good Mario Game? by Barry Kramer
I had a few more bits I wanted to write about in this letter (new essay ideas, questions for this one), but I need to go cook some pork tacos for dinner. I'll save all that for the next one.
This letter is one block from the newsletter Memory Card by Max Roberts. Thoughts? Send me an email at max@maxfrequency.net.
Max is the writer and producer behind Max Frequency. cultivate and curate curiosity—both for himself and for others—by delighting in the details and growing greatness from small beginnings.
He's written a rich history and dive on the making of Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Part II, celebrated the 15th anniversary of Super Smash Bros. Brawl with the voice behind its hype, and examined how Zelda "stole" Fortnite's best mechanic.
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