Donkey Konga
Rhythm games played with bongo drum controllers.
Donkey Konga is a rhythm game series for the GameCube, made by Namco and released by Nintendo. It’s a spin-off of the Donkey Kong franchise, and players use a unique controller called the DK Bongos—two small bongo drums—though standard GameCube controllers work too. The same team that created the Taiko no Tatsujin series handled development. The track lists vary by region, with Japanese, North American, and PAL versions each having different songs. Licensed non-Nintendo and traditional tunes in the North American releases of the first two games are mostly shortened covers. The first two games each have about 30 tracks (depending on region), while the third has 58.
**Plot**
Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are relaxing on a beach when they find some barrel-like objects. Worried they’re connected to King K. Rool, they bring them to Cranky Kong. He identifies them as bongos, and both Donkey and Diddy try playing them. When Donkey claps, the bongos glow. Cranky says the bongos hold some kind of power. The two play badly, and Cranky tells them to practice. They’re reluctant at first, but then realize that mastering the bongos could earn them enough bananas to satisfy their cravings, so they start training.
**Sequels**
**Donkey Konga 2** Released in 2004 for the GameCube, this sequel (called "Donkey Konga 2: Hit Song Parade!" in Japan) features over 30 new tracks to play with the DK Bongos. It has slightly improved graphics, some classic Donkey Kong characters, and new minigames. It’s the only Donkey Kong game rated T for Teen in North America because of lyrics deemed unsuitable for younger players; other regions had milder lyrics and lighter ratings.
**Donkey Konga 3** The third game in the series, developed by Namco and published by Nintendo, was planned before the second game hit North America. Unlike the first two, it was released only in Japan, on March 17, 2005. It has 57 tracks (none repeated from earlier games)—over 20 more than the first two. Of these, 35 are classical, pop, and game selections, plus 21 tunes from Famicom games. It also introduces all-new minigames.
**Reception**
**Donkey Konga** The first game got “generally favorable reviews” on Metacritic. Maxim gave it 8 out of 10, suggesting adding four bongos to create “a frenzied, unholy din suitable for ritual virgin sacrifice.” *The Sydney Morning Herald* gave it four stars out of five, ca
- Developer
- Namco
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Platform
- GameCube
- Controller
- DK Bongos (optional standard GameCube controller)
- Number of games
- 3 (Donkey Konga, Donkey Konga 2, Donkey Konga 3)
- Track count (first two games)
- Around 30 tracks each, depending on region
- Track count (Donkey Konga 3)
- 58 tracks (57 unique, none repeated from previous games)
Lore & Background
The Donkey Konga series began with the first game, developed by Namco and published by Nintendo. The plot involves Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong finding mysterious barrel-like objects on a beach. They take them to Cranky Kong, who identifies them as bongos. When Donkey claps, the bongos glow, and Cranky explains they contain a power. Donkey and Diddy play poorly at first but decide to practice in hopes of earning enough bananas through their success.
Donkey Konga 2, marketed in Japan as "Donkey Konga 2: Hit Song Parade!," was released in 2004. It features over 30 new tracks, slightly improved graphics, classic Donkey Kong characters, and new minigames. It is the only Donkey Kong game to receive a T for Teen rating in North America due to lyrics, while other regions had lighter ratings. Donkey Konga 3 was released only in Japan on March 17, 2005, with 57 unique tracks, including 21 tunes from Famicom games, and all-new minigames.
The track lists vary by region (Japanese, North American, and PAL). In the North American version of the first two games, almost all licensed non-Nintendo/traditional songs are shortened covers. Songs include "Louie Louie," "We Will Rock You," "Shining Star," "Rock Lobster," "Losing My Religion," and "Hungarian Dance#5 in G Minor," as well as tracks from the Mario and The Legend of Zelda series.
Reader's Guide
Donkey Konga holds significance as a rhythm game series that innovated by using a bongo-shaped controller, the DK Bongos, which required players to drum and clap in time with music. Developed by the team behind Taiko no Tatsujin, the series brought a unique physicality to music gaming on the GameCube. The first game received generally favorable reviews, with critics noting its challenging later levels and the hilarity of flustered play. It won an award for Innovation at the Game Developers Conference in 2005 and received the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' Console Family Game of the Year award, along with nominations for Outstanding Innovation, Soundtrack, and Gameplay Engineering. Donkey Konga 2 received average reviews. The series' legacy is tied to its distinctive controller and its role in expanding the Donkey Kong franchise into music games. The third installment, exclusive to Japan, expanded the track list significantly and included many Famicom tunes, appealing to retro gaming fans. Despite not continuing beyond the GameCube, Donkey Konga remains a memorable example of creative peripheral-based gaming.
Did You Know?
- Donkey Konga was developed by the same team that developed the Taiko no Tatsujin series.
- The North American version of the first two games features almost all licensed non-Nintendo/traditional songs as shortened covers.
- Donkey Konga 2 is the only Donkey Kong game to be rated T for Teen in North America.
- Donkey Konga 3 was released only in Japan and includes 21 tunes from Famicom games.
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