Donkey Kong Country (GBA - 2003)

After erasing all the save data (pressing L, R, Start, and A on the save file selection screen erases all save data (save files, high scores on the mini-games, and best times on DK Attack)), I check out the two mini-games simply to show the default high scores, followed by the Game Boy Player's options. Getting used to the controls, I have quite a bit more trouble than I should have on the first two levels. I then visit Cranky Kong before ending the play session. This is my 2nd time playing through it. I've only played one of the DKCs on SNES briefly, but can't remember which one, as it was around the time when all three were released. I started playing it on my Retro Freak, but it was extremely pixelated and looked horrible, switching to playing it on my GameCube with a Game Boy Player. The captured video file from the Retro Freak was also 5 to 6 times as large for some reason. I started going for 100%'ing it, but after a few levels abandoned that plan. Played on a GameCube via a Game Boy Player using composite out, running it through a RetroTINK 5X-Pro to an Elgato HD60 X capture card. Recorded in OBS Studio.

After knocking out the next two stages, I go fishing for the first time. Figuring out fishing causes me to take two attempts to attain Funky's target fish caught. Played on a GameCube via a Game Boy Player using composite out, running it through a RetroTINK 5X-Pro to an Elgato HD60 X capture card. Recorded in OBS Studio.

I finish off the last of the first group of levels and get the first picture piece from Candy's Dance Studios. I gave dancing a 2nd go to try for a perfect run, but failed and moved on to the first boss, Gnawty, defeating it on my first try. That finishes off the Kongo Jungle and I move on to the Monkey Mines. The Mine's first level, Winky's Walkway (gotta love the death at 20:15), starts to lower my opinion of the game. Making it through the level, I give Cranky another visit, getting a gameplay tip from him, before ending the session. Played on a GameCube via a Game Boy Player using composite out, running it through a RetroTINK 5X-Pro to an Elgato HD60 X capture card. Recorded in OBS Studio.

Mine Cart Carnage is one of those levels where you pretty much have to memorize the layout by failing. Bouncy Bonanza has some nifty deaths, a couple due to falling through a platform that I appear to land very close to exactly in the middle of (I think I was slightly to the right of its center). Played on a GameCube via a Game Boy Player using composite out, running it through a RetroTINK 5X-Pro to an Elgato HD60 X capture card. Recorded in OBS Studio.

Stop & Go Station doesn't give me too much trouble. I knock out the next fishing pond. Finding the warp in Millstone Mayhem is a major help. I then go back in to get the KONG letters. I get the 2nd dance photo piece before ending the play session. Played on a GameCube via a Game Boy Player using composite out, running it through a RetroTINK 5X-Pro to an Elgato HD60 X capture card. Recorded in OBS Studio.

I make quick work of the 2nd boss, Necky, finishing off the Monkey Mines. Moving on to Vine Valley, Vulture Culture gives me some trouble due to all the timing with the barrels. Tree Top Town is another annoying barrel timing level. Played on a GameCube via a Game Boy Player using composite out, running it through a RetroTINK 5X-Pro to an Elgato HD60 X capture card. Recorded in OBS Studio.

I lucked out in timing the bees in one stretch to where I didn't even need to move to avoid them, making the initial run through Forest Frenzy pretty easy. In going back to get the secret that I noticed, I wasn't as lucky -- the secret I did get isn't the one I originally noticed. I pick up the 3rd photo from Funky's Fishing on my first try. Going back to Forest Frenzy, I get the other secret right at the end of the level. Orang-Utan Gang quickly gets me another swell death at 24:52. I spend the last 13:30 unsuccessfully trying to find all the KONG letters in Orang-Utan Gang (I'm guessing the G is in a secret area). Played on a GameCube via a Game Boy Player using composite out, running it through a RetroTINK 5X-Pro to an Elgato HD60 X capture card. Recorded in OBS Studio.

Going extremely slowly makes Clam City rather easy. It also helps that if the clams are off-screen, they won't shoot out their pearls. I make another visit to Cranky before getting the 3rd photo from Candy's Dance Studios. In Temple Tempest, it's nice that the millstones go across gaps, unaffected by gravity. I spend a good chunk of time repeatedly entering a secret area to try to build up some lives. I miss out on the G, but am not concerned enough to try to go back and find it. A boss finally gives me some issues, as it takes me many tries to defeat Queen B. That finishes off Vine Valley. Played on a GameCube via a Game Boy Player using composite out, running it through a RetroTINK 5X-Pro to an Elgato HD60 X capture card. Recorded in OBS Studio.

Moving on to the next area, Gorilla Glacier, it starts out with another wonderful barrel timing level, Snow Barrel Blast, this time with the added joy of being an ice level. Taking around 35 minutes to clear the single level is enough for this play session. Played on a GameCube via a Game Boy Player using composite out, running it through a RetroTINK 5X-Pro to an Elgato HD60 X capture card. Recorded in OBS Studio.

Slipslide Ride gives me a mess of trouble thanks to all the bees on the slippery ropes. Croctopus Chase is the first underwater stage to give me any real issues. I finish off by getting the 4th photo from Candy and visiting Cranky in his roving shack. Played on a GameCube via a Game Boy Player using composite out, running it through a RetroTINK 5X-Pro to an Elgato HD60 X capture card. Recorded in OBS Studio.