Software:Donkey Kong Barrel Blast

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Short description: 2007 video game
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast
North American box art.
Developer(s)Paon
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Kenichi Imaeda
Producer(s)
  • Kentaro Nishimura
  • Toshiharu Izuno
  • Rikiya Nakagawa
Composer(s)Takashi Kouga
SeriesDonkey Kong
Platform(s)Wii
Release
  • JP: June 28, 2007
  • NA: October 8, 2007
  • EU: January 25, 2008
  • AU: February 7, 2008
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast[lower-alpha 1] is a 2007 racing game for Nintendo's Wii video game console. The game was shown at the E3 convention in May 2006 for the GameCube under the title of DK: Bongo Blast, but this version was ultimately cancelled in favor of a Wii release. It was released for the Wii in Japan and the United States in 2007,[1][2] and in PAL regions in 2008 with the title Donkey Kong Jet Race.

The game was originally developed to be controlled using the DK Bongos for the GameCube. Barrel Blast was faced with generally negative reviews after its release, with critics criticizing the replaced bongo control scheme with that using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, as well as the last-generation visuals.[3]

Gameplay

Funky Kong racing on the DK Jungle Sunset course. Players race in the air instead of on the ground like in other racing games.

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast is a racing game where the player can handle the selected character using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, replacing the DK Bongos that initially were to be used. To accelerate, the player must shake the Wii Remote and Nunchuk alternatively, lift them simultaneously to jump and use the motion sensor to beat rivals and obstacles using items, while the character will be guided by the route of the tracks, including automatically travelling around curves. Players can learn to race at Cranky's flight school where Cranky gives eight lessons on how to play the game, acceleration, use of elements and Wild Moves.

The main mode of play is a Grand Prix similar to that of Mario Kart. Also, like Mario Kart Arcade GP, more than one track will take place in a given area with three courses in DK Jungle, three of the sea, three from the mountain, two of the Desert, two from the snow, two of the Temple of Heaven, and one in outer space. Like other racing games, Barrel Blast includes a Time Trial Mode where players can choose this race on one track for the best time, and have save ghost data stats.[4]

There are 16 characters to choose from in total; eight members of the Kong family, and eight Kremlings. These include Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, Lanky Kong, Tiny Kong, Funky Kong, Wrinkly Kong, and Cranky Kong representing the Kong side, with Kritter, Kip, Kass, Klump, Kalypso, Kludge, Kopter, and King K. Rool representing the Kremling side. Additional Donkey Kong series characters, such as Rambi the Rhino, Enguarde the Swordfish, Zinger, and Necky, make cameo appearances as items.

Development

The game was intended to be controlled with the DK Bongos before it was delayed and released as a Wii title in 2007.

Barrel Blast was developed by Paon who previously worked on DK: King of Swing and DK: Jungle Climber for Nintendo.

In June 2005, an issue of Famitsu reported that Nintendo was in development with a Wii-bound sequel to the Donkey Kong franchise. The publication offered no details on the next-generation title. Nintendo appeared to be drawing on the majority of its big licenses to lure in next-generation gamers. Lending credibility to its Kong news, Famitsu also reported that new versions of Super Smash Bros., Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles were in development for Revolution, all of which were confirmed by Nintendo at E3 2005 before that month.[5] The game was announced at Nintendo's Japanese conference in 2006.[6] The game was later shown to the public at E3 2007 as named Donkey Jet and DK: Bongo Blast.[7]

The game was originally developed to be controlled using the DK Bongos for the GameCube; the left and right drums would steer in their respective directions, and rolling both drums accelerated movement. When the game was moved to the Wii, the DK Bongos were replaced with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, having the player shake the controller in place of hitting the drums. The player can also raise the remote and Nunchuk to jump, and use the motion sensing to punch opponents and obstacles, and to use items.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings43.94%[8]
Metacritic46/100[9]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.comD+[10]
Eurogamer4/10[11]
Game Informer5/10[12]
GamePro2.25/5[13]
GameRevolutionD−[14]
GameSpot4.5/10[15]
GameSpyStar[16]
GameTrailers5.2/10[17]
IGN4.5/10[18]
5.8/10 (AU)[19]
Nintendo Life3/10[20]
Nintendo Power6.5/10[21]
Nintendo World Report5.5/10[22]
ONM70%[23]

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast received "generally unfavorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[9] GameSpot and IGN gave it 4.5 out of 10 each, and GamePro was the harshest by calling it "the worst game of 2007".[24] Based on 34 reviews, Barrel Blast garnered a metascore of 46 out of 100 according to Metacritic.[9] A number of reviews lamented the decision to replace the bongo control scheme with that using the Wii Remote and nunchuk, as well as the dated visuals.

It was criticized for "slow racing, shallow gameplay, and an overall boring experience" by IGN.[18] GameSpot labeled the game a fifth-rate Mario Kart clone.[15] The second-highest rated Metacritic review, by Nintendo Power, called it a "mundane racer". GameTrailers criticized the game for its imprecise controls, lack of online mode, and the fact that the Bongo Controls were left out of the game.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Europe and Australia as Donkey Kong Jet Race, and in Japan as Donkey Kong Barrel Jet Race (ドンキーコング たるジェットレース, Donkī Kongu Taru Jetto Rēsu).

References

  1. ↑ "Nintendo makes their 2007 Wii lineup official". 2007-05-30. http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=17128. [yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
  2. ↑ "Third party Wii, DS titles". 2007-07-11. http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=21115. [yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
  3. ↑ "The 20 Worst Nintendo Games Of All Time According To Metacritic (And The 10 Best)". 8 September 2022. https://pokemonwe.com/the-20-worst-nintendo-games-of-all-time-according-to-metacritic-and-the-10-best/. 
  4. ↑ Nintendo (2007) Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Manual
  5. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (June 6, 2005). "Nintendo's Big Ape Returns". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/06/06/nintendos-big-ape-returns. 
  6. ↑ Schneider, Peer (September 13, 2006). "New Wii Titles Announced". http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/14/new-wii-titles-announced. 
  7. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (July 11, 2007). "E3 2007: DK Barrel Blast Named, Dated". http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/11/e3-2007-dk-barrel-blast-named-dated. 
  8. ↑ "Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast for Wii". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/933035-donkey-kong-barrel-blast/index.html. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast Critic Reviews for Wii". https://www.metacritic.com/game/donkey-kong-barrel-blast/critic-reviews/?platform=wii. 
  10. ↑ Kennedy, Sam (2007-10-16). "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Review". http://www.1up.com/reviews/dk-barrel-blast. 
  11. ↑ MacDonald, Keza (2007-12-12). "Donkey Kong: Jet Race Review". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/donkey-kong-jet-race-review. 
  12. ↑ Vore, Bryan (December 2007). "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast". Game Informer (176). http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/E08DE404-A2F5-440B-9CB8-FE5ACBEE9BA4.htm. Retrieved 2014-03-31. 
  13. ↑ Rudden, Dave (2007-10-09). "Review: Donkey Kong Barrel Blast". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/wii/games/reviews/139228.shtml. Retrieved 2014-03-31. 
  14. ↑ Constantino, Jesse (2007-10-18). "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Review". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/dk-barrel-blast. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Navarro, Alex (2007-10-08). "Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/donkey-kong-barrel-blast-review/1900-6180833/. 
  16. ↑ Leahy, Daniel (2007-10-16). "GameSpy: Donkey Kong Barrel Blast". GameSpy. http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/donkey-kong-wii/827885p1.html. 
  17. ↑ "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast, Review". GameTrailers. November 13, 2007. http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/1u8zsm/donkey-kong-barrel-blast-review. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Bozon, Mark (2007-10-15). "DK Barrel Blast Review". http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/16/dk-barrel-blast-review. 
  19. ↑ Shea, Cam (2008-01-31). "Donkey Kong: Jet Race AU Review". http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/01/donkey-kong-jet-race-au-review. 
  20. ↑ "DK Barrel Blast review". 23 March 2009. http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/03/donkey_kong_barrel_blast_wii. 
  21. ↑ "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast". Nintendo Power 221: 99. November 2007. 
  22. ↑ "DK Barrel Blast review". http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/14693/donkey-kong-barrel-blast-wii. 
  23. ↑ "Donkey Kong Barrel Blast ONM Review". http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/2954/reviews/donkey-kong-barrel-blast-review/. 
  24. ↑ The Worst Games of 2007: Part 2 - GamePro

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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