Topic: DK: Jungle Beat (Wii) has new levels and now a traditional platformer

[Flames_of_chaos]

http://wii.ign.com/articles/929/929327p1.html?RSSwhen2008-11-12_050400&RSSid=929327

Famitsu reports that one of the games, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, will be getting more than just a control update. Nintendo will be changing the gimmicks found in each stage, repositioning enemies, and adding mid-level check points. On top of this, those who played the GameCube original can look forward to completely new stages.

As for the control changes, Nintendo appears to be converting Jungle Beat into a more traditional platformer. The original had a unique control system that made use of the GameCube's bongo controllers. For the Wii version, you control Donkey Kong with the analogue pad on the nunchuck, and make him jump with the A button. The game does use motion controls for a few moves, including punching at enemies and performing continuous jumps.

For the Play it on Wii Selection version of Pikmin, Famitsu makes no mention of additional content aside from the new control scheme. To control the game now, you, as expected, point directly at your Pikmin using the Wiimote. You can point at locations on the screen and press A to toss Pikmin around. Or, you can press B to call out to the Pikmin.

Hmmm I wonder if Nintendo will decide to upgrade any of the gamecube -> Wiimakes like this. At least we now know that DK Jungle Beat is not much of a "waggle" fest anymore. The Pikmin controls on Wii will probably a good example of what we can expect for Pikmin 3.

[Caliban]

I'm sticking with the original Jungle Beat and the bongo controller.

[KnowsNothing]

DKJB is NOTHING without the bongos.

[LuigiHann]

I'm just glad they didn't attempt to "emulate" the bongos using the motion controls. That would be a disaster.

[Flames_of_chaos]

I'm just glad they didn't attempt to "emulate" the bongos using the motion controls. That would be a disaster.

They did in that stupid Donkey Kong racing game that no one cared about.

[Stogi]

It would've been fine. Let's Tap proves that.

[Bill Aurion]

Interesting...I might buy it now that they've completely mixed it up...

[UltimatePartyBear]

I might buy it.  I wanted to like the original, but I couldn't get into it because of the mushy bongos.  I liked the idea of controlling the game with bongos, but I couldn't stand the actual controller.  It felt more like hitting a deflated balloon than a real drum.  While I'd rather play the game as it was meant to be played with something more like a real set of bongos, I'd be willing to settle for this if the price is right.

[Hostile Creation]

My hands burned like fiery fury every time I played that game, and god did I love it.

DK:JB loses its soul when it loses the bongos.

[KDR_11k]

I'm just glad they didn't attempt to "emulate" the bongos using the motion controls. That would be a disaster.

They did in that stupid Donkey Kong racing game that no one cared about.

Probably the reason they aren't doing it in JBWii.

[Spak-Spang]

I am actually more interested in this game with this information.  I like the concept of giving it completely new controls...and, I believe they can still use motion control on the essential elements to keep the games heart. 

I liked this game and I missed it...I do remember reviewers were complaining it had too few levels in the game.  If they add 3-5 levels it will definitely be worth a purchase.

[Stogi]

How much is this?

[DAaaMan64]

My hands burned like fiery fury every time I played that game, and god did I love it.

DK:JB loses its soul when it loses the bongos.

I would just chalk one up for the GameCube.

I mean, now there is another unique gem on the GC. Look at Jungle Beat that way.

[Flames_of_chaos]

How much is this?

I believe around 40 USD. Play-asia is selling the Japanese version for 39.90

[Mario]

OMG NEW LEVELS! FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP

Checkpoints? Weak. Traditional controls? WEIRD.

This all but confirms no proper sequel though

[Flames_of_chaos]

OMG NEW LEVELS! FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP

Checkpoints? Weak. Traditional controls? WEIRD.

This all but confirms no proper sequel though

Or Donkey Kong Jungle Beat +,  Donkey Kong Jungle Beat 1.5

[IceCold]

I don't like that they're just modifying it. Why not a whole new game?

[MaleficentOgre]

woooooow. I like this. They're making it a game that more than seven people can get into, and yet there's still hate. I love the original. This is a good idea. they're not going to release the bongos again so change it up to make it work like a real platformer. The level design is almost there, just needs some tweaking to work with controllers instead of drums. Should be a fine game. More levels are great too.

[Flames_of_chaos]

I don't like that they're just modifying it. Why not a whole new game?

Because Nintendo's intention is that these games didn't get enough exposure first time around because the cube wasn't as popular as Wii is, so they are giving these awesome games a second life, it worked for Capcom and countless companies including Nintendo themselves with the SNES to GBA remakes.

[UncleBob]

I asked this before, now with new levels, I really want to know...

...will we have the option to use Bongos for the "original" control scheme?  Pretty please, Nintendo?

[Luigi Dude]

I don't like that they're just modifying it. Why not a whole new game?

Because a new game would take up a lot more time and money.  Not to mention EAD Tokyo is probably very busy on whatever their new project is right now, and doesn't have time to create a full fledged sequel.

This Wii version of Jungle Beat is more then likely being handled by EAD 4, since they seem to be the Mario port team.  They did all the Mario Advanced ports as well as the Mario 64 DS remake.  Since Jungle Beat was made by the old Mario team, it only makes since that EAD 4 would get to do another one of their games.  Not to mention the last Wii game EAD 4 released was Big Brain Academy in early 2007, so it'd make since if this ends up being what they've been working on for the last year as well as the other Gamecube ports.

The way things are looking right now, I'm expecting Jungle Beat Wii to end up like Mario 64 DS.  Where the end result is still great and the new content justifies a purchase, but the new controls just can't match the greatness of the original ones.

[Dasmos]

Arg, it's going to be impossible for me to boycott this now.

Though with checkpoints added and the moving of the enemies, it seems they're trying to bring the focus away from combo's, which would be a big mistake. The best levels are the ones where you can combo the whole level (if you're good enough) and I hope these changes don't mess with that dynamic too much.

[Flames_of_chaos]

I asked this before, now with new levels, I really want to know...

...will we have the option to use Bongos for the "original" control scheme?  Pretty please, Nintendo?

I highly doubt it because Nintendo objected a bongo mode for platchen on Wiiware. I think Nintendo wants those obsolete.

[Adrock]

The reasons why they're releasing this rehashed nonsense and not a sequel are quite obvious. The point is that they should make a sequel. Time, money, giving the game a second chance....whatever. A sequel is new. It's not my fault people passed this up the first time. And new content or not, without the bongos, the Wii version completely misses the whole point of the game. Jungle Beat is a game played with bongos, end of story.... and this is coming from someone who wasn't even that crazy about the game.

I just don't see how people complain about all the ports on the Wii but can get excited when Nintendo does it. I guess if you missed the game the first time around but then again, you can buy a Gamecube, JB, and a bongo controller for roughly 17 cents now so go to Gamestop pick it up and stop supporting laziness.

Also, $40?! F that.

[UncleBob]

I highly doubt it because Nintendo objected a bongo mode for platchen on Wiiware. I think Nintendo wants those obsolete.

Shhhh... lemme live in my dream world...