Donkey Kong Racing
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Donkey Kong Racing was a canceled DK Racing game for the Nintendo GameCube which 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 2002) made in anticipation of Space World 2001 ended up being the only media shown to the public.
Sometime in 2002, Rare decided to only present Star Fox Adventures at E3 2002. This decision was most likely in response to a private agreement with Microsoft, who would later purchase them in 2002 just after the publication of Star Fox Adventures.[1] 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.
After the buyout, the game was heavily reworked as Sabreman Stampede which was planned for an Xbox 360 release. However, this iteration also ended up being canceled.[2][3] 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 the Genie and Kiddy Kong (with an internal render also featuring Lanky Kong and Cranky Kong). Rideable creatures seen were Rambi, a gigantic sized Rambi, a small red Rambi, a small Rambi, Enguarde the Swordfish, a purple Enguarde, Ellie the Elephant and some Zingers. Creatures rumored to be rideable include Expresso the Ostrich, a Chomps shark, a Necky and an Army. It is unknown if all the characters from Diddy Kong Racing were going to reappear in this game, but with the inclusion of Taj, it seemed likely. It is also unknown if any other character from the Donkey Kong Country series and the Donkey Kong Land series or Donkey Kong 64 would appear.
According to the Spaceworld press release,[4] the game would have featured the ability to "upgrade" the animal rides by collecting foods and prizes during the races. Multiplayer for up to four players was planned, as were "real world phenomenas" happening during the races, such as swaying trees and fading sunlight[3]. The player could switch between animals during the races[3] and it was possible for the rider to fall from its ride, forcing it to run on foot in order to catch up with the animal.[3]
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
Leaked concept art
Screenshots
Logo.
Diddy Kong on a "Giant-Rambi".
Taj and Donkey Kong on some Zingers.
- Kiddy and Ellie DKR.png
Kiddy Kong on Ellie, leading a stampede of presumably ridable creatures.
Donkey Kong on a "Mini-Rambi".
Tiny Kong on Enguarde and Diddy Kong on the unnamed purple swordfish.
References
- ^ Mundo Rare (Internet Archive)
- ^ "Stampede's Sorrowful Swan Song" (accessed July 19, 2012)
- ^ a b c d 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)
