Whistling Dixie

• Graphics: 8/10
• Sound: 7.5/10
• Gameplay: 9/10
• Replay Value: 7.5/10
• Overall: 8/10

Donkey Kong Country 3 translates well from the SNES version to the GBA, keeping the fun platforming gameplay and polished presentation intact. With short levels and a GBA exclusive world, this is an excellent choice for platforming on the go.

Donkey Kong Country 3 was the final DK game made for the SNES and now players can experience the 2D platform fun all over again on the GBA. In this adventure, Dixie Kong and her baby cousin, Kiddy Kong, set off to the Northern Kremisphere of DK Island in search of the recently missing Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, fighting Kremlings and breaking barrels along the way.

As each level begins, players start as either Dixie or Kiddy, both having unique advantages. While playing as Dixie, you have the ability to glide through the air with the use of her helicopter-like hair. On the other hand, even though Kiddy may be only a toddler, he is one gigantic baby. Kiddy is able to use his brute strength to break open doors and smash the floor. He also can skip over the surface of water, avoiding the dangers that lie underneath.

Players have the option of switching back and forth between the two or using them in collaboration. For example, Kiddy can hurl Dixie up to high areas that otherwise would not be accessible by normal jumping. Additionally, as in previous DK titles, you can play as one of the Kong's animal friends at designated times including an elephant and swordfish.

At the start of the game, players are given a motorboat, which allows you to navigate Dixie and Kiddy to different areas of the island in order to complete levels. As the game progresses, new vehicles, such as a hovercraft, become available, allowing the Kongs to explore more regions. There are nine main areas of the Northern Kremisphere to explore, including Pacifica, an all-new location created for the GBA.

In each level, there are three goals to achieve besides beating the level. One objective is to find and defeat Koin, the guardian of the DK Coin, while the other entails locating two bonus levels and collecting the bonus coins. Collecting the bonus coins is a necessity if you wish to beat the levels in the lost world of Krematoa. Once a level has been completed, a flag will be raised. If you collected the DK coin, a gold pennant will appear on the flag. In addition, the flag will be unfurled if both bonus coins are in the Kongs possession. These indicators are extremely helpful since they enable players to know when a level has been completely finished.

There are a number of new mini-games present in this version of DKC3, including Funky's boat races, Cranky's Dojo, and Swanky's Dash. I found some of the boat races really hard to control and frustrating. However, in Cranky's Dojo, where the objective is to block spiky creatures with a shield, the mini-game was addictive and fun. Swanky's Dash involved running through a tunnel collecting stars and avoiding spiky objects, which was also a fun and challenging extra to the game.

Donkey Kong Country 3 translates well from the SNES version to the GBA. The graphics look about the same as they did on the original, as does the sound. Additionally, most levels will not take longer than 5 to 10 minutes to beat, making DKC3 a great portable game in which you can play a few levels here and there at your convenience. Fans of the original, along with newcomers, should both be pleased with the fun offered by Dixie and Kiddy Kong.