Heart Games

Playing Donkey Kong Country online: Monkey Mines (World 2) 13/09/2014

Welcome to Monkey Mines

Get off my face!

World 2 of Donkey Kong Country is set on a rocky cliff brimming with gloomy caves and mines that appear to be much, much bigger on the inside (who exactly is doing the drilling and what natural resources are being exploited in Donkey Kong Island is unclear; you would think Donkey Kong should be a little more aware of what goes on in his home turf).

Four of Monkey Mines’ levels (Winky’s Walkway, Mine Cart Carnage, Bouncy Bonanza and Stop & Go Station) are set underground, giving Rare the chance to employ all sorts of dazzling smoke and lightning tricks to great effect.  I mean, they are still 16-bit special effects but they look the part and give great atmosphere to the stages. The last level, Millstone Mayhem, is set in a temple heavily inspired by Mayan architecture but devoted to some unidentified Kremling deity. There is only one other temple level in the whole game (World 4, Temple Tempest), but both offer a solid challenge and are fondly remembered by DKC fans.

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