Donkey Kong Country

Pre-rendered graphics that seemed impossible on SNES. Rare changed the rules.

★★★★★9/10

The Story

Donkey Kong Country seemed like a technical miracle: Silicon Graphics pre-rendered graphics on a 16-bit console. Nintendo was losing ground to the Mega Drive; DKC reversed course selling 9 million copies. David Wise's soundtrack — Aquatic Ambiance remains one of gaming's most beautiful pieces — elevated every level. Gameplay was pure platforming: precise, varied, with barrel blasts becoming iconic.