Donkey Kong Barrel Blast

The game was originally designed to be controlled using the DK Bongos for the GameCube, which were converted to motion controls using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk when development was moved to the Wii. Barrel Blast was met with generally negative reviews after its release, with critics panning the replacement of the bongo control scheme with imprecise motion controls, as well as the last-generation visuals.

• Title — Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast • Developer — Paon • Publisher — Nintendo • Director — Kenichi Imaeda • Producer — * Kentaro Nishimura • Toshiharu Izuno • Rikiya Nakagawa • Composer — Takashi Kouga • Series — Donkey Kong • Platforms — Wii • Genre — Racing • Modes — Single-player, multiplayer

• Illustration — Funky Kong racing on the DK Jungle Sunset course. Players race in the air instead of on the ground like in other racing games. Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast is a racing game where the player controls their selected character using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. To accelerate, the player must shake the Wii Remote and Nunchuk alternatively, lift them simultaneously to jump, and use the motion sensor to beat rivals and obstacles using items. The player character is guided by the route of the tracks, including automatically travelling around curves. Players can learn to race at Cranky's flight school where Cranky gives eight lessons on how to play the game, acceleration, use of elements and Wild Moves. The main mode of play is a Grand Prix similar to that of Mario Kart. Also, like Mario Kart Arcade GP, more than one track will take place in a given area with three courses in DK Jungle, three of the sea, three from the mountain, two of the Desert, two from the snow, two of the Temple of Heaven, and one in outer space. Like other racing games, Barrel Blast includes a Time Trial Mode where players can choose this race on one track for the best time, and have save ghost data stats. There are 16 characters to choose from in total; eight members of the Kong family, and eight Kremlings. These include Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, Lanky Kong, Tiny Kong, Funky Kong, Wrinkly Kong, and Cranky Kong representing the Kong side, with King K. Rool and various of his underlings representing the Kremling side. Additional Donkey Kong series characters, such as Rambi the Rhino, Enguarde the Swordfish, Zinger, and Necky, make cameo appearances as items.

• Illustration — The game was intended to be controlled with the DK Bongos before it was delayed and released as a Wii title in 2007. Barrel Blast was developed by Paon, who previously worked on DK: King of Swing (2005) and DK: Jungle Climber (2007), two handheld titles in the Donkey Kong series. In June 2005, an issue of Famitsu reported that Nintendo was developing a new installment in the Donkey Kong franchise for their upcoming Revolution console. The publication offered no details on the next-generation title, but stated that Nintendo appeared to be drawing on the majority of its big licenses to lure in next-generation gamers. Lending credibility to its Kong news, Famitsu also reported that new versions of Super Smash Bros., Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles were in development for Revolution, all of which were confirmed by Nintendo at E3 2005 before that month. The game was announced at Nintendo's Japanese conference in 2006. Following speculation that the game could be titled Donkey Jet or DK: Bongo Blast, the game was fully revealed at E3 2007 as Donkey Kong Barrel Blast. The game was originally developed to be controlled using the DK Bongos for the GameCube; the left and right drums would steer in their respective directions, and rolling both drums accelerated movement. When the game was moved to the Wii, the DK Bongos were replaced with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, having the player shake the controller in place of hitting the drums. The player can also raise the remote and Nunchuk to jump, and use the motion sensing to punch opponents and obstacles, and to use items.