DK Isles

Of course, as in all good platformers there is a huge over-world, with its own set of puzzles and prizes [stars in Mario64, jiggies in Banjo-Kazooie, and now 25 (26) golden bananas in DK Isles].Of course, because DK Isles acts as an entry to all the other levels, most of it is not accessible at first. However, the programmers have managed to recreate the famous monumental head of DK we all know from Donkey Kong Country, which is quite something. Rating 9.5/10.

Jungle Japes

Good beginners’ level, keeping the tradition of all platformer beginner's levels charactarised by weak enemies and an abundance of lush green grass, and occasionally with a pond or lake here and there to help improve the scenery. Level design is great here, since this level is perhaps by far the shortest, it is also very compact. Best features include Rambi (yay!), and the mini-games from the banana barrels [you will also realise that the song playing is adapted from Donkey Kong Country]. Diddy's Mine Cart Run is great!. Rating: 8/10

Angry Aztec

Definitely not the best level, especially since the constant sand storm can get so annoying you refuse to notice its there. Too many temples, too much oranges and yellows, and not a lot of contrast in the game-play (all you do is hit switches to open up temples). Tiny's Bug Race is perhaps the best part of this level. Rating: 6/10

Frantic Factory

A big factory for making robot toys and more of K. Rool’s useless minions. Not my type of level either. DK Arcade took me a while to do since I didn't know what to do on the 100m level, which is why I've played this course for the longest time, and I don't intend returning anytime soon either. Finally Chunky is rescued [gee, that was easy], but the level is fairly un-original, and not much is unexpected. Rating: 6/10

Gloomy Galleon

By looking at the levels available, in my opinion this is the best level! It's quite big, the biggest yet, and there's a lot of stuff to mess about with. Enguarde is just one of those little things that make this level well worth playing. A pity it's not very difficult and takes little time to complete. Rating: 10/10!

Fungi Forest

Another great level, still being quite large with (too) much things to do. Without going into any detail, Chunky's Mine Cart Run was good (bit hard to get a high coin score in), and the whole section with the Stablehouse and the Mill was very well designed. Cons include the big tomatoes, and the stupid rabbit I have to race twice, but I have to wait to get Orang Sprint before I can get my banana. Good idea about changing the time of day though [similar to changing seasons in Click Clock Wood (another “time-changing” [well, seasons] forest level) from Banjo-Kazooie - just goes to show that many parts of the game are not original]. Rating: 9/10

Crystal Caves

Well designed level, again being compact and yet pretty big and time consuming. Lanky's Bug Race and the challenges in the abandoned lodges are the best bits of this world. The falling rocks, however, can become very annoying, and its frustrating when they keep knocking the Kongs off ledges and into the water (good thing you can go and kill that huge Kosha). Rating: 8/10.

Creepy Castle

Initially I thought this level would be exciting and interesting. You only seem to do a few things - enter tombs, see graves everywhere, and play some potentially frustrating mini-games. Too much fog and smog, not what I expected it to be. Nevertheless, it's well designed, but pity about it being so dark and dull [The Legend of Zelda was a lot similar - only a few bright moments in the game, not enough lighting - and Zelda was a hundred times easier and more boring as well =]. DK's Mine Cart Run was very frustrating for a high coin score!!! But, in retrospect, no more coloured bananas to collect for each Kong! Rating: 7.5/10.

DK64 Scores