Of the numerous Nintendo mascots, Mario and Link are neck and neck for the top spot in terms of popularity. However, other IPs like the Donkey Kong franchise aren't far behind in terms of having a dedicated fanbase. The character has in fact been a lynchpin for the company's many video game releases since its early days in the business. DK was the star of the show alongside Mario in the now classic Donkey Kong arcade machine after all. Since then, the he has been the star of his own set of 2D platformers released on the Super Nintendo all the way to the Wii U.
While DK has for the most part stuck to 2D, there was one notable instance on the Nintendo 64 where that console's entry transitioned to full 3D. Donkey Kong 64 launched the series into the 3rd dimension, building upon the platforming formula of Super Mario 64 in an even larger, almost open-world environment for the time. Rare's ambitious project pushed the N64 to its limits, proving that the Donkey Kong series was just as capable to jump to 3D as Mario and Link, as this was the big push during this console generation. The only puzzling thing about this is that, since its release in 1999, Donkey Kong 64 still remains the only one of its kind, as future games all returned to the 2D format.
Donkey Kong 64 - Then and Now
Many fans of the franchise and platformers in general are familiar at this point with the Donkey Kong Country games on SNES as well as the critically acclaimed Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on Wii U and Switch. All of these games are fairly 'old school' in design, with the player moving from left to right, dodging obstacles and making split second leaps all in the attempt to reach the finish line. The aforementioned 3D exception however, Donkey Kong 64, opted for something completely different. During this era, being able to freely navigate a 3D space had a certain "wow" factor to it, so a genre dubbed the "collect-a-thon" was created to compliment this sense of exploration and discovery.
Released towards the end of the console lifecycle (and requiring the N64 expansion pack in order to run the game), Donkey Kong 64 was a considerable achievement on the platform, and still a pretty big game even by today's standards. The near endless number of collectibles to gather and power-ups to obtain makes way for a massive journey that takes quite some time to complete, regardless of going for a 100% completion or not. This more open-ended approach led to a more involved and interactive game world, with the player being fully immersed into its many varied settings and quirky characters.
This is not to discredit the value of all the 2D entries, as that style does have its benefits too. It's just that the 3D space, especially with worlds as colorful and vibrant as the one from Nintendo franchises, can be fully realized and appreciated in that dimension. 2D only offers one perspective, and while art styles can of course make the visuals stunning, it does take the form as merely a backdrop to the onscreen action.
Even with the now limited technology inside the N64, Donkey Kong 64 was still able to render huge and diverse levels ranging from thick jungles to spooky castles. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze pretty much perfected its form of gameplay, with little room for innovation. With multiple 2D games in a row now, it seems appropriate to experiment more with the 3D space for the Donkey Kong, as there is still so much that can be done.
Donkey Kong and the Nintendo Switch Lineup
Gaming did see a natural evolution in the transition from Super Nintendo to Nintendo 64 (or 2D to 3D, in other terms). Gaming was evolving and progressing to be more than what it was before, creating bigger games with more immersive experiences. This is not to say that 2D games are technically inferior, but there is a more limited aspect to the perspective in comparison. Nintendo seems to love to celebrate this "old school" aesthetic, with many of its modern Switch releases like Kirby: Star Allies and Yoshi's Crafted World sticking to this old ideology.
The Nintendo Switch, despite its console/handheld hybrid design, has proved itself capable of some remarkable achievements over the years. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a huge open world adventure that can be played anywhere, while Super Mario Odyssey is one of the most stunning 3D platformers ever released. Celebrating the past is all well and good, but its important not to stay stuck in it. Donkey Kong 64 already laid the groundwork, as a solid foundation to build upon for what modern game developers could do next.
The Nintendo Switch has been a home to older franchises receiving a fresh new spin, re-interpreting them for a new generation. The Legend of Zelda has gone open world while Mario crossed over with Rabbids. With rumors mounting that a new Donkey Kong game is in development, hopefully more news will be presented during this coming E3 season.
A new Donkey Kong game is rumored to be in development.