News from <a href="http://www.yesasia.com/?/news.php?artc=3597&lsaid=219793" target="_blank" >Lik Sang</a>

<BLOCKQUOTE>Big and hairy, he's been around since the dawning of videogame history, a famous Nintendo in-house creation and for that as much a recognizable character brand as superstar Mario. No surprise, since it all began with a standoff between Donkey Kong and the cheerful Italian plumber (initially called "Jumpman") in the arcades of 1981 on a dedicated machine named after the famous ape. None other than Nintendo mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto was responsible for the birth of these characters, which should appear in a myriad of games on many different systems over the years, never losing their tremendous appeal for gamers.

Now Donkey Kong is back on GameCube again, with two titles that make use of the official Tarukonga Controller, a Bongo drum-like peripheral that provides a whole new take on how you navigate the action on screen. While the music game Donkey Konga 3 naturally asks for a great tool like this to handle the groovy rythms thrown at you, Donkey Kong - Jungle Beat lets you have a go at a frantic Jump'n Run in a very unique way: your drum beats and claps guide the big gorilla through the lush, level based environments! Let us give you the gist of these beauties below, where we talk about features, gameplay and more...

Note: Both games are in stock and shipping within 24 hours, while all preorders have been cleared and new orders are very welcome, of course eligible for our Free Shipping Worldwide promotion.

So Hot it's Cool: Bang Away with Donkey Konga 3 JAP

Similar to the Taiko no Tatsujin line of games where you follow and try to match the in-game music, Donkey Konga allows you to manage the on-screen rythm frenzy with the above mentioned Tarukonga Controller, representing a Bongos peripheral that features a microphone for picking up clapping sounds along with your drum beats. Apart from Mr. Big Ape himself, Donkey Konga 3 stars monkey celebrities Diddy Kong and Funky Kong, the latter turning his back on the travel service he's heading to join his mates, who devote themselves to spinning conga beats. Some of the included mini-games will see the appearance of Funky as well.

Players can indulge in a variety of modes in Donkey Konga 3. Shuffle Mode presents you with a tricky challenge, since the notes of a given song change each time you have a go at it. Or nourish a tree by playing well in a mode called Rythm Banana Island. Here you're able to unlock a new Taru-taru mini game, allowing you to fly through the air and hit a tree. Save data (such as bought patterns) from the first two Donkey Konga games can also be accessed via a memory card. Please watch the recently posted Donkey Konga 3 TVCM or head over to Nintendo's DK3 site to view another wierd Japanese commercial which was just released.

The colorful graphics sure match the superb music in this ultimate edition of Donkey Konga released so far; it's a great opportunity to obtain fresh song material to bang your bongos to. Gameplay is straightforward enough to guarantee an easy entry to Donkey Konga 3, while Bemani veterans will love to squeeze every drop of game content out of this more than worthwile expansion.

Ideal for any music game and Donkey Kong fan alike, the third installment of the series offers an enormous update through a huge songlist of 50 fine tunes now, even more than the first expansion, Donkey Konga 2: Hit Song Parade. You can take a look at the list of melodies on Nintendo's official site, or view the translated version here:

Donkey Konga 3 songlist:

J-Pop:
1. Hana
2. Kimi ni Bump
3. Happy Days
4. Rokoroushon
5. Ignited (Gundam Seed Destiny opening theme)
6. Start (Detective Conan opening theme)
7. Seishun Kyousou Kyoku (Naruto opening theme)
8. Baka Survivor (Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo opening theme)
9. Relight (Fullmetal Alchemist opening theme)
10. Go!!!
11. Kore Ga Watashi no Ikiru Michi
12. Tomorrow

Anime:
1. Kite Kite Atashinchi (Atashinchi ending theme)
2. Mezase Poke-Monster (Pockemon opening theme)
3. Ora-ha Ninki Mono (Crayon-shin-chan opening theme)
4. Cha-la Head-cha-la (Dragon Ball Z opening theme)
5. Touch (Touch opening theme)
6. Ashita ni Nattara (Donkey Kong opening theme)
7. Banana Tengoku (Donkey Kong ending theme)

TV:
1. Doremifa Daijoubu (Hajimete no Otsukai theme song)
2. Fire Emblem

Variety:
1. Youderu Tabe Houdai
2. Iiyuudana
3. Makkensanba II

Western:
1. Entertainer
2. La Coocoo Racha (I can't figure out how to spell this)

Classic:
1. William Tell
2. Aine Kuraine Nahatomajiiku

Games:
1. Smash Brothers DX
2. Kochira Monopiza (Mawaru Made in Wario)
3. Jungle Beat
4. Star Fox
5. Donkey's Groove (Donkey Konga 3 theme song)

Children's Music:
1. Te no Hira wo Taiyou Ni
2. Bingo

Famicom:
1. Super Mario Brothers
2. Mappy
3. Zelda no Densetsu
4. Tower of Doruga
5. Hoshi no Kirby: Yume no Izuumi no Monogatari
6. Doctor Mario
7. Pacman
8. Digdug
9. - 15. unlockable songs


Jump'n Drum: Donkey Kong - Jungle Beat US

It's a whacky concept Nintendo's Tokyo Studio has came up with: lead Donkey Kong through wild jungle environments relying entirely on the DK Bongo Controller! Tapping the right conga makes Ninty's hairiest mascot go right, left conga makes him go left, while hitting them both triggers a jump and clapping (or hitting the rim) initiates a wave that attacks enemies or helps him gather bananas.

Director Yoshiaki Koizumi unmistakenly made the developer's focus on the main character clear, saying, "The only thing Donkey Kong needs is to be the best, and to become the king of the jungle." That might explain why this absolutely original title won't need a deep storyline to impress; it does so with its superbly detailed character models (the fur, for instance, has to be seen to be believed), gorgeous, colorful surroundings and intriguing gameplay. Finally a game where the massive polygon count doesn't just serve to hype the product with meaningless specs, but actually shows in the truly magnificent visuals.

While the Tarukonga Controller makes Donkey Kong run, jump, punch and grab beats, you can also link together moves to earn combos in order to maximize these beats. There are over 16 levels of varying areas to explore, all with their different challenges and difficulties. Ride animals and vehicles, battle enormous beasts or get into boxing matches with rivals! Watch out to knock over bosses without losing any beats and earn bronze, silver, gold and platinum medals in order to receive even more stages to explore.

A stunning GameCube title like this screams for Progressive Scan and Dolby Pro Logic II support; luckily, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat offers both. If you've been on the lookout for a different gaming experience the Nintendo way, this is as non-generic as it can get: a brave, successful attempt of venturing out into rendering the Jump'n Run genre a remodeled edge. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat US is available for Free Worldwide Shipping within 24 hours for only US$ 59.90, as is the Japanese version of this title, which was released some time ago. Also in stock is a bundled pack of the Japanese copy including the Tarukonga Controller, shipping for just US$ 74.90.
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