Not Donkey Kong, But.. Donkey Konga?

Thanks to IGN Cube for their rumor report claiming that Nintendo's new Donkey Kong title for GameCube, recently announced as being developed by Namco, is a conga drum-based rhythm title called Donkey Konga. Although unconfirmed, IGN claim: "On March 10, 2003, Nintendo registered the trademark for Donkey Konga. This, say sources, is the tentative name for the new title, which dumps its platformer roots in favor of exploring the music genre." Another point in this rumor's favor is that Namco has created the very popular Taiko no Tatsujin drumming title for PlayStation 2, complete with custom drum controller, and it's sold over 900,000 copies so far in Japan, but there's no official word from Nintendo or Namco yet.

Comments

Conga drums?

[Incoherent07]

Why don't they do something worthwhile, like a standard Mario-style platformer (something Nintendo pretty much has yet to accomplish on GC)?

Re:Conga drums?

[gamgee5273]

They're working on that. It's tentatively called Mario 128. But that's an in-house Nintendo game - this one is being developed by Namco.

Re:Conga drums?

[svallarian]

Um, wouldn't super mario sunshine (i.e. mario 64 redux) be it?

Steven V.

Re:Conga drums?

[Raster Burn]

Why don't they do something worthwhile, like a standard Mario-style platformer (something Nintendo pretty much has yet to accomplish on GC)?

Maybe because it's been done a million times before?

I don't get why Nintendo is the butt of every criticism in the game industry. They're either:

• condemned for making the same "franchise" games over and over.
  
• condemned for deviating from the norm.
  

Does anybody remember the Sega game Samba de Amigo, you know, the game with maraca controllers? That game was critically acclaimed, yet it never had commercial success in America. Game companies want to create the summer blockbuster, not the art film. Thankfully, Nintendo, Sega, and Namco are still willing to take risks.

I try very hard to be a Nintendo fanboi

[Snowspinner]

I tend to think of myself as a dedicated Nintendo loyalist.

On the whole, I genuinely like Nintendo and its games. And I usually feel obliged to put a positive spin on Nintendo news on /., particularly with the large number of rather vehement anti-Nintendo sorts that show up here.

So, in light of all of that, I'd like to say that this is an astonishingly stupid fucking idea.

Re:I try very hard to be a Nintendo fanboi

[Gr33nNight]

As an American, I tend to agree with you. But the game of the same nature on the Dreamcast sold a shitload of copies, and well frankly Nintendo is a japanese company, and this is probably a game for that market. Will I buy this game? No. But for their sake I hope it does really really well for the region it is intended.

Re:I try very hard to be a Nintendo fanboi

[Anonymous Coward]

When Miyamoto saw a copy of Samba de Amigo, he complimented Suzuki on the idea. Who knows if that is relevant?

However, no matter how little I care about it, I just won't believe this rumor until I see confirmation from anyone other than second-hand "sources." Cripes, the only "proof" is the trademark regitration of the title, which (especially with Japanese games) could mean anything.

aww

[eamonman]

why don't I see these games at the local D&B? (where one can get a full body workout simply by playing all the rythym and VR games)

I can't really see these drum doing that well in homes, even if 900k drum fanatics have bought it in Japan. Maybe kids will just use it for evil (bop-ing their opponent with the drumpad when things aren't going well in the game.)

Plant?

[Piquan]

This sounds a lot like a planted rumor for some reason.

in other news...

[QEDog]

Nintendo registered the trademark for Don King Kong. This, say sources, is the tentative name for the new title, which dumps its platformer roots in favor of exploring the boxing genre with a funny haired gorilla.

Re:in other news...

[Anonymous Coward]

Because niggers are monkeys.

Oh I Get It

[dirtydiaper]

Donkey Konnnnnga AHAHA wow thats so smart.. I can't belive they hired kids though.. *whispers* WHAT that was the CEO's idea.. What a fool.. How about some cool t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-y to go with your games!!

The big question is...

[ReyTFox]

How well will "freestyle congas" work out among the music-game crowd?

I can just imagine it now: People using their feet, knees and elbows to show off their conga skillz ^^

Nintendo is confused

[jstultz]

I applaud Nintendo's effort to explore new genres and ideas...but I question their method of doing so. They come out with these new games that have nothing in common with their previous efforts....but they're all still under the same franchises. Pikmin was a noble exception. However, think about all of their great games, and then think about how many different characters/mascots were involved with those. The ratio of games to characters is astonishingly high.

Imagine how many new popular franchises Nintendo could have if they had come up with new characters to go along with their new game ideas. They did that with Pokemon, and look where it got them with that. Beyond the cute name, what's the point of this drum game being based on Donkey Kong?

Part of the appeal of franchises like this, is that people play the first game, and then they like the atmosphere, the gameplay, the general feel of the game, and they want more similar stuff. So you have a progression of games in the same vein, that are still different...for instance, the progression of mario from the first game up to Super Mario 64. Those games all maintained that atmosphere. Yet, other games that are completely unrelated based on the same franchise? Nintendo is losing track of the purpose, here. All those games could just as easily be about someone else. A new character, that people could identify with. We're dealing with a new generation of kids. They should start all new character ideas.

Stir things up in more ways than just one. Impress me Nintendo.

Re:Nintendo is confused

[Ondo]

The point of reusing old characters in new games is to help sales. For Nintendo it's a "Shigeru Miyamoto was involved" sign that works even for people who have no clue who Miyamoto is.

With books if you like one you just get another book by the same author. With movies it's harder, because there are more people involved in making them, but a sequal or a star actor generally work well. For games the only options are a sequel or using the same characters. Most people don't pay attention to anything else. Nintendo always makes sure that games using any of its big mascots are top-notch, so people get used to that and can assume a Donkey Konga game will be good even without seeing any reviews. If it's not, the next game won't get that benefit.

Also note that most games that reuse the mascots are genres where the characters aren't generally interesting. I don't think anyone has launched a franchise with characters from a cart racing game, golf game, tennis game, party game, or a rhythm game.

Re:Nintendo is confused

[Funk_dat69]

Conker and Banjo (both Rare mascots) first appeared in Diddy Kong Racing, actually.

Re:Nintendo is confused

[Anonymous Coward]

DK64 had music as part of the gameplay.

Works in Japan, probably won't work here

[Stubtify]

Well I can see why this would work in Japan, they have a long history of drumming in their culture. Here however in the states, we are too fragmented of a society dor something like this. I'm sure it will be fun, but a drum controller? I mean if they stick to something like Bust a move, DDR, or even the incredibly addictive Frequency and Amplitude for the PS2 then I think it will do great, but if it becomes too specalized they may alienate the US consumers.

Re:Works in Japan, probably won't work here

[magores]

While I agree that the game wil probably fall flat in the US (if it is ever released here), I don't know if I agree that drumming isn't a part of US culture.

Go to your local park on a nice Saturday afternoon. (Golden Gate Park is my version of that.) There are drum circles everywhere.

Impromptu gatherings of people and their bongos.

It does happen. And its a Good Thing(tm)

Re:Works in Japan, probably won't work here

[Anonymous Coward]

Want to see people who take drumming seriously? Go to a native American Powwow.

Lack of inspiration

[riotous]

so basically people in Nintendo went "hmmmmm.... Samba De Amigo... what if we replace the monkey with Donkey Kong and the maraca's with drums and change the title to Donkey Konga....can you feel the magic?"

ROFLMAO

[horcy]

-nt-

I have no rhythm

[HomeGroove]

I can hang with some rhythm games (Parrappa for example) but if you throw in a custom controller like this drum controller, I'm lost. I remember playing one of those, for lact of a better term, drum karaoke machines in the Hard Rock Hotel/Casino in Vegas. Man, I sucked. I chose Fight for Your Right to Party by Boys Beastie and I slaughtered it. I swear, little kids with their toy plastic drumsets from the baby isle at Wal-Mart have more rhythm than me.

Maybe it's I have no coordination. I've tried to play Dance Dance Revolution a few times and my dancing skills are sorely lacking. Pretty much I do it for a goof for people to laugh at me. I'm amazed when 12 year olds jump on it and just go to town. I guess a 27 year old on a DDR machine is pretty funny looking anyway.

Re:I have no rhythm

[sahonen]

Nah, it's just that drums are deceptively difficult. You think "nah, it can't be that hard, I'm just hitting stuff!" until you try to play completely different rhythms on your different limbs at the same time. And even that's not enough, you've gotta play all these rhythms with dynamics and musicality, too.

Thing is, it can take just as long to become a *good* drummer at it takes to become a good guitarist, bassist, etc. So does DDR, for that matter. Trust me, I used to think I didn't have enough coordination to be a drummer, but I kept at it 'cause it was fun, and it turns out I do have enough coordination. How 'bout that.

Oh, and I tried one of those drum set video games in an arcade once, absolutely nothing like the real thing, believe me.

Re:I have no rhythm

[SuperRob]

You know, I never thought a game like DDR would be fun, or that at 290lbs, I'd be coordinated enough to handle it.

Then I saw a friend who had been playing DDR for a year, and lost about 200lbs. on the "DDR Diet". Talk about motivation!

So I bought a couple of cheap, knock-off Ignition pads on eBay, bought a copy of DDRMAX for PS2, and started playing.

I sucked. BAD.

But I simply kept at it, slowly making progress on the easier songs. Each has a "foot rating" one-foot being the easiest on up. I'm now down to 240lbs. (I eliminated non-diet soda too), I have AA'd a few songs, I'm up to five-footers, and I'm generally improving to the point where I think I want a more authentic pad to play on at home.

In fact, I finally got up the nerve to play on an arcade machine (DDR Extreme) a few days ago, and had a blast. Trust me ... everyone looks like an imbecile their first few times. Get a pad, play at home, and practice. If you're overweight, use the "Workout" mode, which has no pressure except to keep going until you meet your goal.