Donkey Kong Racing
| Donkey Kong Racing | |
|---|---|
| |
| Developer | Rare Ltd. |
| Publisher | Unpublished |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo GameCube |
| Release date | Canceled[?] |
| Genre | Racing |
| Rating(s) | Unknown |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Input | Unknown |
Template:Quote2 Donkey Kong Racing was a canceled Donkey Kong racing game for the Nintendo GameCube. It would have served as a loose follow-up to Diddy Kong Racing.
History
The game was first announced at E3 2001, with a pre-rendered trailer showing the game's concept. However, the trailer and a press release (which stated that the game was set for release in late 2002)[1] made in anticipation of Space World 2001 ended up being the only media shown to the public.
Despite being presented at Space World 2001, the game was not featured in the Nintendo Space World 2001 Official Guidebook.
Sometime in 2002, Rare decided to present only Star Fox Adventures at E3 2002. This decision was most likely in response to a private agreement with Microsoft, who would later purchase Rare on September 24, 2002, just after Nintendo published Star Fox Adventures.[2] Donkey Kong Racing and Rare's other titles from E3 2001 were either privately canceled, put on hold, or ported to the Xbox or Xbox 360. The game was officially canceled along with Donkey Kong Coconut Crackers on August 13, 2002,[3] one month before Microsoft's acquisition of Rare, which caused the latter company to lose the rights to Donkey Kong games. It remained in the lineup of upcoming games in Nintendo Power until issue 162 (November 2002), when it was delisted for future issues.[4]
After the buyout, the game was being heavily reworked as Sabreman Stampede, which was planned for an Xbox 360 release. However, this iteration, too, ended up being canceled due to a lack of focus and Rare's unfamiliarity with the hardware.[5][6] A Donkey Kong-themed racing game would eventually be released on the Wii in 2007: Donkey Kong Barrel Blast.
Features
Confirmed characters in the game included Donkey Kong, Tiny Kong, Diddy Kong, Taj, and Kiddy Kong (with an internal render also featuring Lanky Kong and Cranky Kong). Rideable creatures seen were Rambi in varying sizes and colors, Enguarde in varying colors, Ellie, and Zinger. Creatures implied to be rideable in group shots include Expresso, Chomps, Necky, and Army.
According to the Space World press release,[7] the game would have featured the ability to "upgrade" the animal rides by collecting food and prizes during the races. Multiplayer for up to four players was planned, as were "real-world phenomena" happening during the races, such as swaying trees and fading sunlight. The player could switch between animals during the races, and the rider could fall from its ride, forcing it to run on foot to catch up with the animal.[6]
The slogan for Donkey Kong Racing is "LET'S RIDE" as it is seen at the end of the trailer.
Gallery
Artwork
Donkey Kong alongside the game logo
Rambi, Diddy Kong, and Army
Leaked concept art
Screenshots
Logo
Taj on a small pinkish Rambi
Diddy Kong on a giant Rambi
Taj and Donkey Kong on Zingers
Kiddy Kong on Ellie leading a stampede of creatures
Donkey Kong on a small bluish Rambi
Space World 2001 teaser
References
- ^ G-Force magazine issue 1 (May 2002), pages 24–25.
- ^ Mundo Rare (Internet Archive)
- ^ Changes to Rare's Website
- ^ Nintendo Power Issue 162 (November 2002), page 28.
- ^ "Stampede's Sorrowful Swan Song" (Internet Archive) (accessed July 19, 2012)
- ^ a b Nintendo Life: Month Of Kong: Whatever Happened To Donkey Kong Racing?
- ^ "Donkey Kong Racing Spaceworld 2001: New shots of the CG intro." (accessed July 19, 2012)
| Nintendo GameCube games | |
|---|---|
| Super Mario franchise | Luigi's Mansion (2001) • Super Mario Sunshine (2002) • Mario Party 4 (2002) • Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (2003) • Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003) • Mario Party 5 (2003) • Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2004) • Mario Power Tennis (2004) • Mario Party 6 (2004) • Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix (2005) • Mario Superstar Baseball (2005) • Mario Party 7 (2005) • Super Mario Strikers (2005) |
| Donkey Kong franchise | Donkey Konga (2003) • Donkey Konga 2 (2004) • Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (2004) • Donkey Konga 3 JP (2005) |
| Wario franchise | Wario World (2003) • WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$! (2003) |
| Other | Super Mario 128 (2000, demo) • Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001) • Nintendo Puzzle Collection (2003) • NBA Street V3 (2005) • SSX on Tour (Nintendo Village) (2005) • Donkey Kong Racing (cancelled) • Diddy Kong Racing Adventure (cancelled) |
