One of the bigger hits on the Nintendo 64 was Diddy Kong Racing. Its roots borrowed heavily from the Mario Kart series, but injected adventure elements like bosses to defeat and a storyline to follow. Even though Rare has been bought by Microsoft, they are allowed to make games for the Nintendo DS and have decided to port the N64 version over with a few enhancements. Besides sporting improved graphics, the DS version utilizes the DS's wireless multiplayer capabilities to allow up to 8 players to race simultaneously locally, or up to 6 over the Internet via Wi-Fi. In addition, more tracks, new characters, and new modes of play round out an already impressive game. Read my review of the N64 version here.
A bloated space pig has taken control of Diddy Kong’s island paradise, and only you can stop his nefarious plot. Players take on the racing challenge of a lifetime as they drive, hover and fly their way across the massive island. This remastered take on a Nintendo 64 classic is sure to rev the engines of adventure racing fans everywhere.
Diddy Kong Racing DS is the first hand-held adventure racing game, a genre that lets players visit new locations, talk to interesting characters, advance the storyline and search for hidden secrets – all while engaging other drivers in a series of racing challenges to see who is king of the road.
Drivers can use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to go online and race against up to five other players from around the world. Diddy Kong Racing DS also features eight-player single-card download play as well as multicard local wireless play.
Wish Race mode gives players complete freedom to design, build and race on the tracks of their dreams. Touch-screen control makes building the courses a snap, and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection compatibility lets players share their works of genius with everyone.
Diddy Kong Racing DS is a completely updated version of the N64 classic Diddy Kong Racing – and it boasts too many new features to list. Retextured and remixed tracks, new characters and racing challenges, new levels, improved vehicle control, touch-screen controls, gamer tag designs and more make this an experience that both newcomers and seasoned vets will love.
Game storyline: After living in peace and harmony for years, the inhabitants of Timber’s Island are invaded by the evil Wizpig. Receiving a frantic plea for help, Diddy Kong assembles members of the Kong family and rushes to the rescue. Can he save the island in time, or will Wizpig hog all the glory for himself?
How to progress through the game: Diddy Kong Racing DS is unique among racing games because it’s more than just a series of cups and challenges – it’s a full-fledged adventure. The game starts in a hub zone (a portion of the island that serves as an access point for all other areas), but where players go after that is up to them. They can drive over bridges, through oceans and around volcanoes as they enter races in a quest for balloons that let them unlock different portions of the island. And when they’re not racing, they can explore their surroundings and try to discover the many hidden secrets of Timber’s Island. But don’t think this is a leisurely Sunday drive – players have to speed through a huge variety of racing challenges if they want to complete the adventure and save their friends from Wizpig’s nefarious schemes.
Characters: Diddy Kong, Pipsy, TipTup, Bumper, Timber, Crunch, Dixie Kong and Tiny Kong are all playable characters. Unlockable racers include Drumstick, TT, Taj and Wizpig himself.
Special powers/weapons/moves/features: The game has 38 unique tracks, including four new tracks that were not in the N64 version. The tracks are contained in themed worlds such as Dino Domain, Snowflake Mountain and Future Fun Land. In the beginning, players will be able to race only on a couple of open tracks. To reach the others, they must explore the island, win races and uncover secrets that allow them to open doors and progress deeper into the game.
Diddy Kong Racing DS features three different vehicle types: cars, hovercrafts and planes. And if players don’t like their current ride, they can now upgrade. In a new twist, Diddy Kong Racing DS allows players to upgrade their vehicles in the categories of speed, durability and appearance.
No adventure racing game would be complete without a way to destroy foes, and Diddy Kong Racing DS gives players a massive arsenal at their disposal. Oil slicks, gas clouds, land mines, super shields, speed boosts, homing missiles, magnets … if players can’t work their enemies over, they aren’t trying.
Diddy Kong Racing DS is rated "E" for everyone and ships to retailers on February 7, 2007.
