Diddy Kong Racing DS
From RWP Wiki
| Diddy Kong Racing DS | |
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| System | Nintendo DS |
| Release Date | NA February 5, 2007 EU April 20, 2007 AU April 19, 2007 |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Genre | Racing, adventure |
| Rating | ESRB: E (Everyone) |
| Players | 1 to 8 |
| Controller Pak | |
| Rumble | |
| Expansion Pak | |
| Link Cable | |
| Xbox Live | |
| Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection | Supported |
Diddy Kong Racing DS is a kart-racing and adventure game for the Nintendo DS. This game was Rare's first game for the Nintendo DS and is an enhanced port of Diddy Kong Racing for the Nintendo 64. Diddy Kong Racing DS was released on February 5, 2007 in North America and April 20, 2007 in Europe.
This article mainly concerns the changes to the game; for basic information on the story, gameplay, characters, and more, see the original Diddy Kong Racing article.
Contents |
Differences from the original
New features
The basic gameplay remains much the same; although there have been new features added. The first is the addition of six-player online multiplayer through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and eight-player local multiplayer. The local multiplayer can be played with a single Diddy Kong Racing DS game card by utilizing the DS's "Download Play" feature or with multiple Diddy Kong Racing DS game cards.
Support for the DS's touch-screen and microphone have also been implemented. For example, at the beginning of races, players can earn a boost in the kart or plane by spinning a wheel or a propeller, respectively; or by blowing into the mic to get a boost in the hovercraft. Certain tasks have also been added to the overworld which require the touch screen and mic; for example, drawing a shape in the sand or blowing out torches. The game also utilizes the DS's bottom screen during races to show an overhead map of the current racetrack, with icons indicating each character's position.
During the single-player Adventure mode, it is worth noting that the Silver Coin Challenges have been replaced with first-person perspective balloon-popping challenges and the T.T. Amulet battle modes have been replaced with T.T.'s Wish Races (see below).
Another major gameplay addition is the ability to customize vehicles in order to power them up further. Vehicle upgrades can be purchased from Taj on the overworld, for a price in Rare Coins (Rare Coins replace the Bananas of the original and are scattered along the tracks). These upgrades improve top speed, acceleration, and handling of the various vehicles. Players can also change the color of their vehicles by painting them.
Taj also allows players to add an identifying in-game name and an icon which appears by their name during multiplayer matches. Also available is the ability record custom sounds that play when the player wins a race, loses a race, fires a weapon, is hit by a weapon, or overtakes another player. Players are also allowed to draw a billboard design which appears on the various tracks in the game.
Furthermore, Taj allows players to unlock new racetracks, gameplay modes and characters. The unlockable gameplay modes include the Silver Coin Challenges from the original game, a "mirror mode" Silver Coin Challenge, single- and multiplayer Wish Races, multiplayer battle tracks, Adventure 2, and the various personalization features the game offers.
T.T.'s Wish Races
Possibly one of the biggest gameplay additions is the T.T.'s Wish Races mode, which allow players to create a custom race tracks. This works simply: the player draws a track shape on the touch screen, sets a starting/finishing point and a terrain level (from bumpy to flat), and is able to race on their custom tracks in either single- or multiplayer. In single-player Wish Races, the opponent is always T.T. The custom tracks can be saved for later use. It is worth noting that wish races track paths cannot "cross" previous parts of the path; meaning overpasses and underpasses are not possible. The cosmetics of the Wish Races are also always the same, save for the color of the sky.
Characters
A large portion of the cast from the original Diddy Kong Racing remains, save for a few additions and removals. Playable characters Diddy Kong, Timber, Tiptup, Pipsy, Bumper, Krunch, Drumstick and T.T. return to the game. Banjo and Conker have been removed from this version and replaced by Tiny Kong and Dixie Kong respectively. Taj and a down-sized Wizpig have also been added as unlockable playable characters.
Tracks
Many of the game's racetracks remain the same, aside from having been graphically updated. In addition, the game features new unlockable tracks that feature a jungle theme and resemble areas of Donkey Kong Island: Thunder Cove, Meandering Mount, Splashdown Pass, and Strangled Shrine. These new tracks do not appear in the Adventure mode, but are available in the game's other single-player modes.
Music
Much of the game's music remains the same, although it has been resampled, and some courses have modified or entirely new accompanying musical tracks. These include:
- Jungle Falls (N64 version plays during the Credits Roll)
- Snowball Valley (formerly shared Everfrost Peak's music)
- Pirate Lagoon
- Treasure Caves (formerly shared Pirate Lagoon's old music)
- Windmill Plains (formerly shared Greenwood Village's music)
- Spaceport Alpha
- Spacedust Alley (now uses Spaceport Alpha's old music)
The four new tracks also have new music, mainly based on the "DK Island Swing" music from the original Donkey Kong Country and the Diddy Kong Racing main theme.
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