Donkey Kong Country: Candy's Koncert Krash is a spinoff of the mainline Donkey Kong Country games where Candy Kong takes the role of the lead playable character. Originally released on Nintendo Switch in 2023, the game is the second fully 3D game in the Donkey Kong series.
Story[]
The game begins with Candy Kong right in the middle of her concert tour around the Kong Islands. During one of her performances, the Kremling Kruiser arrives in the sky over the islands and drops off a band of Kremling idols (Kreation) who all use their music to turn the island's inhabitants into vicious, mindless beasts. The only one unaffected is Candy, who simply can't stand the music that's being played, since she finds it out of tune and off key. When she tries to confront the members of Kreation and sway her friends back to her side. It's no use, and she barely escapes with her life from the islands in an empty barrel.
Everybody familiar to her has been turned against her. Thinking she would be lost at sea forever, she washed up on the shores of a distant island where Kreation has already enslaved the inhabitants there. Now, as the only sane Kong for miles, Candy takes it upon herself to make things right and rescue her friends.
Gameplay[]
The gameplay differs from most entries in the Donkey Kong Country series, in that it is a 3D platformer with elements of action and puzzle, as well as segments of rhythm gameplay. The platforming takes a slightly different angle, as Candy has a more gymnastic ability than other Kongs.
Levels[]
The levels are varied by theme, including jungles, cliffs, coral reefs, tundra, grasslands, urban, and concert arenas during boss fights. The levels have certain elements of gameplay added, such as in ice levels, Candy slides on the frozen surfaces, and in aquatic levels there is a greater emphasis on swimming.
Wardrobe[]
During the game, Candy's wardrobe changes, depending on the theme of the level. Most of the time, she is seen wearing her usual pink tank top and denim shorts. In other levels, her wardrobe changes entirely. The changes in wardrobe are purely cosmetic, but display Candy's fashionable personality.
- Cliffs - In cliffside levels, Candy wears a cropped, spaghetti strap tank top, spandex shorts, a red headband and a pair of hiking boots. Her bangs are worn over the top of her headband when she wears this outfit.
- Aquatic and Coast - Candy wears her classic pink one piece swimsuit for these levels, though she doesn't wear her old pink bow with it. Her hair is worn with her bangs swept to one side with this outfit.
- Safari - In the levels on the grasslands and savannas, Candy wears a v-neck shirt with a cropped jacket, a pair of khaki hot pants with black knee-high trail boots. This outfit is worth with a stetson hat, sunglasses, and her hair is tied back.
- Snow - In the winter themed levels, Candy wears a pink parka, silver leggings, and pink boots. She wears a silver winter hat and wears her hair in a bob.
During each boss fight, Candy wears a different outfit unique to the fight.
- Kosmos - Candy wears an acrobat's leotard with an open front skirt and a pair of barefoot sandals. Her hair is worn in a feather cut.
- Kaliente - During the fight against Kaliente, Candy wears a fishnet top over a tube top, a pair of pink leggings and open toe pumps. Her hair is worn in a cascade that covers one of her eyes.
- Chairman K. Rool - Against Chairman K. Rool, Candy wears a pink tank top with her name printed across it, leather pants, a leather jacket and a pair of pumps. Her hair is worn in her classic curls for this fight.
Rhythm Segments[]
During boss fights, Candy cannot progress to the next phase, unless she completes a rhythm segment where she challenges the boss to a sing off. If she performs well enough, she is able to proceed to the next phase, until the final segment where she defeats the boss. During certain puzzle segments, Candy must also perform more simple songs or dances to unlock the way forward, or release certain creatures from Kreation's control.
Animal Buddies[]
Even Candy gets access to certain animal buddies, but not the usual ones native to the Kong Islands. In this new land, she makes a new group of friends during her journey. Most animal buddies can be mounted by jumping on them, and dismounted by pressing the A button. As long as they are active in the field, they follow Candy around, until they reach a 'No Animal Zone.' Control between Candy and certain companions can be swapped with the X button.
- Diamond the Dolphin - This aquatic acrobat is a girl's best friend. She is able to be ridden beneath the waves, or along the surface like a surfboard. Press the B button to swim faster, and press it just before breaching the surface for a big jump.
- Dottie the Leopard - Queen of the treetops. Dottie is able to climb almost any vertical surface, and her enhanced jumping ability makes sure that nothing is beyond her reach. Press the B button to jump, and the Y button for a vicious claw attack.
- Grubby the Mole - No stone will be left unturned by his enormous claws. Nothing can be kept hidden from this greedy treasure hunter. Mittens cannot be ridden, but can burrow underground with B and can carry objects with Y.
- Fancy the Peacock - Take to the skies with this colorful character. From the highest heights, Fancy will help Candy reach far off targets. Use the control stick to climb and descend and swerve left and right. You can get a huge speed boost by diving sharply and swerving quickly upward.
Characters[]
Playable Characters[]
Candy Kong[]
Candy is the main playable character of the game. She retains most of the gameplay elements of the previous Kongs, running, jumping and attacking. However, her main asset is her abilities as a performer.
Bosses[]
Across the various islands, Candy faces off against the members of Kreation, who try to stop her progress to release the Kongs from their control.
Kosmos[]
This primping, preening pop star princess looks down on all others. Mainly because she spends so much time on a platform above the crowds. Bring down this arrogant acrobat for a harsh landing.
Kaliente[]
Loves flashy pyrotechnics as much as she loves wowing the crowd. This hothead cares little for the safety of her audience, and even less about the safety of her enemies. Turn down the heat and cool her off.
Chairman K. Rool[]
The head honcho of Katastrophic Rekords. Organizer and master planner of all things evil, this heartless executive is bent on draining the spirits of all who are under him, and making them all serve his ambitions. It's going to take everything that Candy has to pull the plug on this evil magnate.