It is kinda true Ian, you really don't like anything. Kidding aside, I have to say I LOVED collecting in DKC2, Mario Galaxy 2, Banjo Kazooie, and Yoshi's Island. And I bet very few of you had any problems with the collecting in those games, mainly because what was too be collected was very little. Actually that statement doesn't apply to Yoshi or Banjo but collecting those things really meant something.
DKC2 actually gave a sense of purpose for collecting instead of just gaining life after life. We all knew if we got all Krem Coins and that 1 DK coin in every stage something great was bound to happen! In DKC one, if you missed a bonus room or any giant animal charm, who cares right? Right! How awesome does it feel to have all that stuff tally up in Yoshi's Island just to hear that amazing tune of 100% for a single stage?
Banjo-Tooie, DKC3, and DK64 just went waaaaay over board. These games make people think ALL collecting is bad, then we forget how great it was to find 20 Red Coins, 5 flowers, 50 Stars, and what ever else all in a single stage.
This new Donkey Kong has 5 puzzle pieces in stage, if the rep I talked to is to be believed. I could be wrong, but I am certain K O N G just gives lives like before. Now even if it doesn't 9 items per stage isn't too bad. Besides I guarantee that most of the Puzzle Pieces will be in the bonus rooms, the rooms that you'll be looking for like crazy any way, because of the fond memories you all had as kids. Only now unlike the first DKC these Bonus rooms mean something if you get all the bananas before you fall through the hole.