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Content review for this game:
Pertaining to content listed in the upper left corner of this site.
"E" for everyone: This game was released in 1993, and at the time, it was touted as the best looking Super Nintendo game out there. That's because it used pseudo 3D characters and backgrounds, but with a 2D (side-scrolling) perspective. The graphic effect is almost exact to the cover art pictured above. However, this doesn't change the fact that (like most old games) the violence is extremely mild, and mostly involves monkeys jumping on crocodiles' heads and throwing barrels at oversized bees. Very mild stuff.
Content-wise: This game is perfectly suitable for kids 6- to watch. But there is no way they are actually going to be able to play this. And this is fine, because they probably won't find it appealing anyway. More details in the next category...
Difficulty-wise: The core gameplay involves an overworld map that gives you access to the game's many levels. You then enter one of these levels, run, jump, throw, and dodge your way to the end, and repeat. Although, there are many variables that mix up levels, like mine car racing, etc. The main playable character is Donkey Kong, but you immediately gain access to his friend, Diddy Kong, in the first level. While running through a level, Donky Kong or Diddy Kong (depending on who you are at the time) will come across a barrel on the floor. If you grab and throw this barrel, one of these two will pop out and join your current character.
During the levels you come across many enemies, like giant bees, coconut throwing vultures, helmeted crocodiles, etc. For example, when you come across bees, they are most often flying up and down right in the middle of a chasm you need to jump over. Since you can't jump on the bee (you'll die), you have to use the correct timing to successfully jump over it and reach the other side. Helmeted crocodiles will stride at a constant rate towards your characters, and if you try to jump on them, you'll bounce off since they have helmets protecting them. So, instead, you'll have to use barrels scattered throughout the levels to throw at them, or you could just jump over and ignore them. There are many other enemy types, but you get the basic idea.
The controls are simple enough, with one button to jump, one button to run (and pickup barrels/etc.), and one button to switch the lead character. However, the actual gameplay isn't simple (or easy) at all. For one, you have a very limited number of lives, and second of all, if you're alone and get hit once (which is easy to do), you die. If you have both characters, you die in two hits (one hit per character). The platforming elements are also very touchy and require perfect timing, otherwise you fall to your death and must start from the last checkpoint. And it doesn't get any easier; instead, each level gets much harder the further you progress.
There is more to the gameplay, but I've mentioned enough to give you the idea that it's too hard for younger kids. Some patient kids could make it through a couple of the first levels, but that's the extent of what I could see them doing. Difficulty-wise, at minimum, I think some skilled (and very patient) ten year-olds could get through more than half of this game all right. Also, if you plan on getting this, I recommend playing this with the Classic controller, as it's too hard to run and jump at the same time with the Gamecube pad.
Fun for: As I said, I could see (at minimum) some kids 10+ playing some of this game. However, the difficulty is more suited towards adults, and even they'll throw their controller in frustration and scream at invisible people (I did) many times throughout this very challenging game.
Closing comment: This is a great game, with unique graphics and good/challenging gameplay. The only downside is that it is so very hard, and pretty much starts the hardness (no it's not a word) right at the beginning. Content-wise, this is appropriate for all ages. But difficulty-wise, well, any older platformer is going to be quite challenging, and this game is no exception; with touchy controls, a health system that's not too forgiving and save points that are far and few between. So, I recommend this game for (at minimum) ages 10+.
