Donkey Kong 64 Classic
Game Boy Color · Platformer
Donkey Kong Country
Certified classic Co-op
| System | Game Boy Color |
|---|---|
| Released | 2000 (originally 1994) |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | Rareware |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1–2 players (co-op) |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Donkey Kong |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 8 |
Released for the Game Boy Color in 2000, Donkey Kong Country is a platformer developed by Rareware and published by Nintendo. This GBC release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1994.
It landed about 2 years into the GBC's life. Other notable GBC releases from 2000 include Wario Land 3, Super Mario Bros. Deluxe and Grand Theft Auto 2. Among the 99 GBC platformers in our database, it ranks #3 by legacy score.
It is part of the Donkey Kong series. The series also appears on other systems with Donkey Kong 64 (N64) and Donkey Kong Country (SNES). Rareware also made Conker's Pocket Tales, Perfect Dark and Mickey's Racing Adventure for the GBC.
Donkey Kong Country supports up to 2 players, including cooperative play, which makes it a strong pick for playing with a friend.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you want a game to beat together with a friend
- you want to experience one of the GBC's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
What playing Donkey Kong Country is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Donkey Kong Country cheats & codes
5 codes on file (GameShark). Here are a few GameShark codes to start with:
| Infinite Bananas | 01991BC3 |
|---|---|
| Infinite Lives | 01991DC3 |
Donkey Kong Country walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Donkey Kong Country.
If you like Donkey Kong Country, the Matrix also picks…
Donkey Kong Land III Classic
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest Classic Co-op
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Classic Co-op
Donkey Kong Land Classic
Donkey Kong Land 2 Classic
Donkey Kong Classic
Playing GBC games today
GBC games are compact and colorful, and many are available on Nintendo Switch Online. Cartridges also play on the Game Boy Advance.
Donkey Kong Country FAQ
When did Donkey Kong Country come out on the GBC?
Donkey Kong Country was released for the Game Boy Color in 2000; the original game dates back to 1994.
Who made Donkey Kong Country?
It was developed by Rareware and published by Nintendo.
Is Donkey Kong Country multiplayer?
Yes. Donkey Kong Country supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.
How long does Donkey Kong Country take to play?
As a platformer, Donkey Kong Country typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Donkey Kong Country on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.