Diddy Kong Racing: Difference between revisions
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'''''Diddy Kong Racing''''' is a racing game developed and published by [[Rare Ltd.|Rareware]] for [[Nintendo 64]]. Featuring gameplay elements equivalent to the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'', the game includes the use of airplanes, hovercrafts, and cars. It is the first game of the [[Diddy Kong Racing (series)|''Diddy Kong Racing'' series]]. The game features a story mode, multiplayer | '''''Diddy Kong Racing''''' is a racing game developed and published by [[Rare Ltd.|Rareware]] for [[Nintendo 64]]. Featuring gameplay elements equivalent to the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'', the game includes the use of airplanes, hovercrafts, and cars. It is the first game of the [[Diddy Kong Racing (series)|''Diddy Kong Racing'' series]]. The game features a story mode, a multiplayer mode, and two characters who would eventually receive their own spin-off franchises, [[Banjo]] and [[Conker]]. | ||
''Diddy Kong Racing'' has sold 4.5 million copies upon release.{{ref needed}} The game was such a success receiving a [[Player's Choice]] title and a [[Diddy Kong Racing DS|remake]] for the [[Nintendo DS]]. Two sequels were planned but both were subsequently canceled | ''Diddy Kong Racing'' has sold 4.5 million copies upon release.{{ref needed}} The game was such a success receiving a [[Player's Choice]] title and a [[Diddy Kong Racing DS|remake]] for the [[Nintendo DS]]. Two sequels were planned but both were subsequently canceled. The titles are ''[[Donkey Kong Racing]]'' for the [[Nintendo GameCube]] and ''[[Diddy Kong Pilot]]'' for the [[Game Boy Advance]], which was eventually converted into the ''Banjo-Kazooie'' title, ''[[Wikipedia:Banjo-Pilot|Banjo-Pilot]]''. At around 2004, Climax pitched ''[[Diddy Kong Racing Adventure]]'' to Nintendo, who ultimately rejected it. | ||
== | ==Story== | ||
[[File:DKR WizpigHead.PNG|right|thumb|Wizpig's face, carved into the mountains.]] | |||
[[File: | According to the instruction manual, the story begins with [[Diddy Kong]] sitting on the porch of his tree house curiously opening a letter delivered by a carrier pigeon. The note reads, "Dear Diddy, Help!!!" The message is from his old friend, [[Timber]], the son of the [[Kong]]s' guests, the Tigers. Diddy reads the note a few times and knows he has to help, though he is unsure whether he should draft some extra help, since [[Wizpig]], the villain he reads about in the letter, appears to be a competent foe. Finally, he decides that his friends, [[Banjo]] and [[Conker]], will still enjoy an adventure. Diddy calls [[Squawks]], his makeshift carrier pigeon, and gives him the messages for his friends. | ||
Diddy Kong is later at the beginning of his journey, tearing off at high speed through the jungle. A pair of [[Kremling]] spies lurking behind a boulder watch him with suspicion. One Kremling, [[Krunch]], suggests they follow Diddy, but the other Kremling rejects his suggestion and bolts into the undergrowth. Krunch, however, tags along with the young ape through the jungle. | |||
Meanwhile, Timber is trying to calm the excitable [[Pipsy]] so that he can understand at least part of what she is saying. Pipsy exclaims that she had just seen [[Taj the Genie]], who said he'd help. [[Tiptup]], confused, protests that Taj has been missing for 50 years. Afterwards, the group thinks about the Wizpig face that was carved onto the mountainside overnight, and the race courses that were magically sealed. The group knows they need to solve the problem before Timber's parents return. [[Bumper (character)|Bumper]] then concludes the conversation by telling his friend that everybody needs to start practising. Agreeing with Bumper, Timber and his friends leave, hoping that Diddy Kong does not mention the mess to Timber's parents. | |||
[[File:Diddy Kong Racing!.PNG|thumb|left|Diddy Kong in the first Wizpig race.]] | |||
When the first four worlds are completed, the carving of Wizpig's head on the mountainside opens and allows one of the characters [[Wizpig's Course|to race Wizpig]]. After beating him, the group has a party along the beach. However, Wizpig interferes in the party before a spaceship arrives and takes him into space. The good guys follow using the lighthouse on the beach, a disguised rocket ship which takes them to [[Future Fun Land]]. | |||
After the character completes all the tasks in that world and gets the whole [[T.T. Amulet]], [[Wizpig Strikes Back|he or she can face Wizpig again]], racing against him in their plane, while he rides a rocket. After winning, Wizpig's rocket short circuits and blasts him into an unknown planet that can possibly be [[The Moon|the moon]]. Once again, the heroes of the [[Timber's Island]] celebrate their victory, except this time, without Wizpig in the way, and with the carving of Wizpig's head on the mountainside turned into a golden carving of Taj's head. | |||
Right before the credits roll, one of Wizpig's spaceships appear and Wizpig is heard laughing, possibly meaning that he will make a return. | |||
==Characters | ==Characters== | ||
<div style="display:flex;flex-flow:row wrap;"> | <div style="display:flex;flex-flow:row wrap;"> | ||
<div style="min-width:16em; padding:0.5em; border: 1px solid silver; background:wheat;">[[File:Diddy0.png|60px|right]] | <div style="min-width:16em; padding:0.5em; border: 1px solid silver; background:wheat;">[[File:Diddy0.png|60px|right]] | ||
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*Vehicle Color: Silver</div> | *Vehicle Color: Silver</div> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
==Game modes== | |||
===Adventure=== | |||
[[File:Diddy Kong Racing Overworld.png|200px|Right|thumb|The overworld for adventure mode.]] | |||
Adventure mode is the main mode of the game. Here, the players must find a number of golden balloons to defeat Wizpig. In order to find them, they must win races. After the players win all the races in one of the five worlds, they will race a boss. If the players beats the boss they will be given the challenge of collecting eight coins in each course and then win. When the challenge is complete, the player will face the boss again. After beating the boss again, they will get a piece of the [[Wizpig Amulet]], and the boss will tell them to try the [[Trophy Race]]. | |||
Keys are also hidden in the first four worlds, and if found, the player can play special battles against CPUs or friends. | |||
On a side note, a code exists, which enables two players to play. In boss races though, the two players take turns racing the boss. | |||
===Adventure Two=== | |||
Adventure Two is played the same as Adventure One, but harder. The balloons are silver, the tracks are flipped (very similar to [[Mirror Mode]] in the [[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'' series]]), and the locations of the silver coins are different, often in hard to reach places. It is unlocked by defeating Wizpig at Future Fun Land in Adventure Mode. | |||
===Tracks=== | |||
Players can freely play all the race tracks unlocked. Tracks with a Taj symbol are completed tracks, and players can choose any vehicle that is compatible with the track. Tracks with a Wizpig symbol have not been cleared, and players are restricted to the default vehicles for them. | |||
Trophy Races and Battle Stages are also accessible through Tracks mode, however players will always use each track's default vehicle, regardless if a Taj symbol is present. | |||
==Vehicles == | ==Vehicles == | ||
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|} | |} | ||
== | ==Courses== | ||
''Diddy Kong Racing'' | ''Diddy Kong Racing'' has twenty race tracks split between five cups. In most races (marked with a check mark), racers are able to choose what type of vehicle to bring into the race, which can effect the paths in the course they are able to take. For some races, there are vehicles that are not able to be taken into it (marked with a red X). Every race also has a default vehicle type to use (marked with a D), which is usually the best type of vehicle to use for the race. | ||
{| align=center class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin:0 auto 1em auto" | {| align=center class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin:0 auto 1em auto" | ||
|- | |- | ||
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|} | |} | ||
== | ===Challenge Levels=== | ||
[[File:DKR | [[File:DKR BattleStageDoor.PNG|thumb|A Wish Key unlocks a door leading to a Challenge Level.]] | ||
Challenge Levels are challenges that appear in each of the four main worlds. Each world has a single Challenge Level that matches the world's theme, and has a unique objective and layout. Each Challenge Level's door can be unlocked by a [[Wish Key]] located a specific course of that world. The player obtains a part of the [[T.T. Amulet]] when they win at a challenge. | |||
{| align=center class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin:0 auto 1em auto" | |||
{| | |||
|- | |- | ||
! colspan= | !colspan="3" style="font-size:125%;text-align:center;background:#9C6936"|{{color-link|Dino Domain|white}} | ||
!colspan="3" style="font-size:125%;text-align:center;background:#9C6936"|{{color-link|Snowflake Mountain|white}} | |||
! | !colspan="3" style="font-size:125%;text-align:center;background:#9C6936"|{{color-link|Sherbet Island|white}} | ||
!colspan="3" style="font-size:125%;text-align:center;background:#9C6936"|{{color-link|Dragon Forest|white}} | |||
|- | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;background:wheat"|[[File:DKR-FireMountain.png|150px]]{{br}}[[Fire Mountain (battle course)|Fire Mountain]] | |||
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;background:#FFF8DC"|[[File:DKR-IciclePyramid.png|150px]]{{br}}[[Icicle Pyramid]] | |||
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;background:wheat"|[[File:DKR-DarkwaterBeach.png|150px]]{{br}}[[Darkwater Beach]] | |||
|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;background:#FFF8DC"|[[File:DKR-SmokeyCastle.png|150px]]{{br}}[[Smokey Castle]] | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|} | |} | ||
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Is considered to be the hardest of Taj's three races and a plane is used in it. This race begins at the same place where the Car Challenge begins. From the start the player must fly up to the tunnel leading to Snowflake Mountain and then move east, going over a long river. From there, the player must glide to the beach and go east again. After going through a small tunnel, the player should end up at the finish line. | Is considered to be the hardest of Taj's three races and a plane is used in it. This race begins at the same place where the Car Challenge begins. From the start the player must fly up to the tunnel leading to Snowflake Mountain and then move east, going over a long river. From there, the player must glide to the beach and go east again. After going through a small tunnel, the player should end up at the finish line. | ||
==Items== | |||
==Items and objects== | |||
===Weapon Balloons=== | ===Weapon Balloons=== | ||
[[File:globos.gif|250px|thumb|left|Item Balloons.]] | [[File:globos.gif|250px|thumb|left|Item Balloons.]] | ||
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Additionally, bananas play a key role in the battle games of Icicle Pyramid and Darkwater Beach, where they act as the player's life gauge, and in Smokey Castle, where they need to be collected and stored in a treasure chest. | Additionally, bananas play a key role in the battle games of Icicle Pyramid and Darkwater Beach, where they act as the player's life gauge, and in Smokey Castle, where they need to be collected and stored in a treasure chest. | ||
==Wish Keys== | ===Wish Keys=== | ||
[[File:DKR Key.PNG|thumb|Tiptup finds a Key on Crescent Island]] | [[File:DKR Key.PNG|thumb|Tiptup finds a Key on Crescent Island]] | ||
{{Main|Wish Key}} | {{Main|Wish Key}} | ||
The game features four Wish Keys. One is hidden in a race course of each world. Their purpose is to unlock the door to the Challenge Level in the corresponding world's hub. They appear in [[Ancient Lake]] of [[Dino Domain]], [[Snowball Valley]] of [[Snowflake Mountain]], [[Crescent Island]] of [[Sherbet Island]], and lastly [[Boulder Canyon]] of [[Dragon Forest]]. | The game features four Wish Keys. One is hidden in a race course of each world. Their purpose is to unlock the door to the Challenge Level in the corresponding world's hub. They appear in [[Ancient Lake]] of [[Dino Domain]], [[Snowball Valley]] of [[Snowflake Mountain]], [[Crescent Island]] of [[Sherbet Island]], and lastly [[Boulder Canyon]] of [[Dragon Forest]]. | ||
=== | ===Zippers=== | ||
[[File: | [[File:Zippers.png|260px|thumb|left|Car, Plane, and Hovercraft Zippers.]] | ||
{{Main|Dash Panel#Diddy Kong Racing}} | |||
Zippers can be used to give the player an extra speed boost. They are found in every track. Letting go of the {{button|n64|A}} button before hitting one will make the player go slightly faster. There are three Zipper variants, one for each vehicle, Cars, Hovercrafts, and Planes. | |||
| | |||
==Trophy Races== | ==Trophy Races== | ||
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|Disables zippers | |Disables zippers | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
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Dragon.JPG|[[Smokey the Dragon]] | Dragon.JPG|[[Smokey the Dragon]] | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==Pre-release and unused content== | ==Pre-release and unused content== | ||
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DKR Horseshoe Gulch 5.png|The other end of the track. | DKR Horseshoe Gulch 5.png|The other end of the track. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==Development== | |||
[[File:Diddy-kong-racing-beta-01.jpg|thumb|100px|A mammoth character repurposed from the RTS build.]] | |||
''Diddy Kong Racing'' found its root in a short-lived prototype. According to Lead Designer Lee Schuneman, a team of four at [[Rareware]] was developing a caveman/time travel-themed real time strategy game for the [[Nintendo 64]]<ref name="GamesTM">''GamesTM'', Issue 79, ''Behind the Scenes of Diddy Kong Racing''</ref>; however, the idea was quickly abandoned and the developers decided to create a "fun" racing game named ''Wild Cartoon Kingdom'' using assets from the canceled RTS (3D artist Lee Musgrave denies, however, that the two projects were ever related<ref>[http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/02/month_of_kong_the_making_of_diddy_kong_racing Nintendo Life: Month Of Kong: The Making Of Diddy Kong Racing]</ref>). | |||
The racing aspect was heavily inspired by ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' while the concept of an "adventure" mode was inspired by [[wikipedia:Disney World|Disney World]] according to Schumenam<ref name="GamesTM" />. The initial concept featured a hub world based on theme parks. Development was initially slow until a larger team was brought in to help accelerate the project, and the game was renamed to ''Adventure Racers''. | |||
The project was renamed ''Pro Am 64'' (in reference to Rare's NES hit [[wikipedia:R.C. Pro-Am|R.C. Pro-AM]]) later in development and briefly featured the characters using three-wheeled [[wikipedia:trike|trike]]-like vehicles<ref name="GamesTM" />. The game was demoed to [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] in June 1997, who approved of it and suggested that it should feature [[Diddy Kong]]<ref name="GamesTM" />. The development team initially hated the idea<ref name="GamesTM" />, but eventually agreed with Miyamoto's suggestion as featuring Diddy Kong brought stronger marketing from [[Nintendo]] and greater visibility to the game due to the popularity of the ''Donkey Kong'' brand. | |||
==Sequels== | |||
===''Diddy Kong Pilot''=== | |||
{{main|Diddy Kong Pilot}} | |||
[[Rare Ltd.|Rare]] planned to make a ''Diddy Kong Pilot'', but the game ended up canceled, due to Rare's move to Microsoft in 2002. It was supposed to be for [[Game Boy Advance]] and many [[Kong]]s were set to be playable, including Redneck Kong. It was replaced by ''[[wikipedia:Banjo-Pilot|Banjo-Pilot]]'', an indirect sequel to ''Diddy Kong Racing''. | |||
===''Donkey Kong Racing''=== | |||
{{main|Donkey Kong Racing}} | |||
Rare and [[Nintendo]] also planned to make ''Donkey Kong Racing'' for the [[Nintendo GameCube]]. However, this game was also canceled due to Rare's move to Microsoft in 2002. Very little had been revealed about it, but Animal Buddies and [[Kiddy Kong]] were supposed to reappear. | |||
===''Diddy Kong Racing DS''=== | |||
{{main|Diddy Kong Racing DS}} | |||
A remake for the [[Nintendo DS]] was released: ''Diddy Kong Racing DS''. Although a remake, it featured more characters, tracks, and some different challenges. Some music had also changed. | |||
==Staff== | ==Staff== | ||
{{main|List of Diddy Kong Racing staff}} | {{main|List of Diddy Kong Racing staff}} | ||
'''Software Director:''' | |||
*Robert Harrison | *Robert Harrison | ||
'''Software Engineers:''' | |||
*Paul Mountain | *Paul Mountain | ||
*John Pegg | *John Pegg | ||
*Richard Gale | *Richard Gale | ||
'''Art Director:''' | |||
*[[Kevin Bayliss]] | *[[Kevin Bayliss]] | ||
'''3D Artists:''' | |||
*Lee Musgrave | *Lee Musgrave | ||
*Keith Rabbette | *Keith Rabbette | ||
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*Paul Cunningham | *Paul Cunningham | ||
==References== | ==Media== | ||
{{more media|section=yes}} | |||
==References to other games== | |||
*''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'': The introduction to the story found in the instruction booklet has an opening on [[Donkey Kong Island]] the setting of this game, also [[Squawks]] is mentioned. | |||
==References in later games== | |||
*''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'': All [[Kritter]]s in this game are physically similar to [[Krunch]]. | |||
*''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]'': A remake of ''Diddy Kong Racing''. | |||
==Names in other languages== | ==Names in other languages== | ||
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|JapR=Didī Kongu Rēshingu | |JapR=Didī Kongu Rēshingu | ||
|JapM=Diddy Kong Racing | |JapM=Diddy Kong Racing | ||
|Kor=디디콩 레이싱 | |Kor=디디콩 레이싱 | ||
|KorR=Didikong Reising | |KorR=Didikong Reising | ||
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|ChiR=Dídí Gāng Desàichē | |ChiR=Dídí Gāng Desàichē | ||
|ChiM= | |ChiM= | ||
}} | }} | ||
==References== | |||
<references/> | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/19981203020725/http://www.dkr.com/ North American site (Wayback Machine)] | |||
* [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_ndyj/index.html Japanese site] | * [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_ndyj/index.html Japanese site] | ||
* [https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-64/Diddy-Kong-Racing-269448.html Nintendo UK site] | * [https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-64/Diddy-Kong-Racing-269448.html Nintendo UK site] | ||
{{DKR}} | {{DKR}} | ||
{{DKGames}} | {{DKGames}} |
Revision as of 17:59, August 17, 2018
- This article is about Diddy Kong Racing, a game for the Nintendo 64. For other uses, see DKR.
Template:Infobox Diddy Kong Racing is a racing game developed and published by Rareware for Nintendo 64. Featuring gameplay elements equivalent to the Mario Kart, the game includes the use of airplanes, hovercrafts, and cars. It is the first game of the Diddy Kong Racing series. The game features a story mode, a multiplayer mode, and two characters who would eventually receive their own spin-off franchises, Banjo and Conker.
Diddy Kong Racing has sold 4.5 million copies upon release.[citation needed] The game was such a success receiving a Player's Choice title and a remake for the Nintendo DS. Two sequels were planned but both were subsequently canceled. The titles are Donkey Kong Racing for the Nintendo GameCube and Diddy Kong Pilot for the Game Boy Advance, which was eventually converted into the Banjo-Kazooie title, Banjo-Pilot. At around 2004, Climax pitched Diddy Kong Racing Adventure to Nintendo, who ultimately rejected it.
Story
According to the instruction manual, the story begins with Diddy Kong sitting on the porch of his tree house curiously opening a letter delivered by a carrier pigeon. The note reads, "Dear Diddy, Help!!!" The message is from his old friend, Timber, the son of the Kongs' guests, the Tigers. Diddy reads the note a few times and knows he has to help, though he is unsure whether he should draft some extra help, since Wizpig, the villain he reads about in the letter, appears to be a competent foe. Finally, he decides that his friends, Banjo and Conker, will still enjoy an adventure. Diddy calls Squawks, his makeshift carrier pigeon, and gives him the messages for his friends.
Diddy Kong is later at the beginning of his journey, tearing off at high speed through the jungle. A pair of Kremling spies lurking behind a boulder watch him with suspicion. One Kremling, Krunch, suggests they follow Diddy, but the other Kremling rejects his suggestion and bolts into the undergrowth. Krunch, however, tags along with the young ape through the jungle.
Meanwhile, Timber is trying to calm the excitable Pipsy so that he can understand at least part of what she is saying. Pipsy exclaims that she had just seen Taj the Genie, who said he'd help. Tiptup, confused, protests that Taj has been missing for 50 years. Afterwards, the group thinks about the Wizpig face that was carved onto the mountainside overnight, and the race courses that were magically sealed. The group knows they need to solve the problem before Timber's parents return. Bumper then concludes the conversation by telling his friend that everybody needs to start practising. Agreeing with Bumper, Timber and his friends leave, hoping that Diddy Kong does not mention the mess to Timber's parents.
When the first four worlds are completed, the carving of Wizpig's head on the mountainside opens and allows one of the characters to race Wizpig. After beating him, the group has a party along the beach. However, Wizpig interferes in the party before a spaceship arrives and takes him into space. The good guys follow using the lighthouse on the beach, a disguised rocket ship which takes them to Future Fun Land.
After the character completes all the tasks in that world and gets the whole T.T. Amulet, he or she can face Wizpig again, racing against him in their plane, while he rides a rocket. After winning, Wizpig's rocket short circuits and blasts him into an unknown planet that can possibly be the moon. Once again, the heroes of the Timber's Island celebrate their victory, except this time, without Wizpig in the way, and with the carving of Wizpig's head on the mountainside turned into a golden carving of Taj's head.
Right before the credits roll, one of Wizpig's spaceships appear and Wizpig is heard laughing, possibly meaning that he will make a return.
Characters
- Weight group: Middle
- Acceleration: 3/5
- Turning: 3/5
- Top Speed: 3/5
- Vehicle Color: Dark Blue
- Weight group: Middle
- Acceleration: 2/5
- Turning: 2/5
- Top Speed: 4/5
- Vehicle Color: White
Game modes
Adventure
Adventure mode is the main mode of the game. Here, the players must find a number of golden balloons to defeat Wizpig. In order to find them, they must win races. After the players win all the races in one of the five worlds, they will race a boss. If the players beats the boss they will be given the challenge of collecting eight coins in each course and then win. When the challenge is complete, the player will face the boss again. After beating the boss again, they will get a piece of the Wizpig Amulet, and the boss will tell them to try the Trophy Race.
Keys are also hidden in the first four worlds, and if found, the player can play special battles against CPUs or friends.
On a side note, a code exists, which enables two players to play. In boss races though, the two players take turns racing the boss.
Adventure Two
Adventure Two is played the same as Adventure One, but harder. The balloons are silver, the tracks are flipped (very similar to Mirror Mode in the Mario Kart series), and the locations of the silver coins are different, often in hard to reach places. It is unlocked by defeating Wizpig at Future Fun Land in Adventure Mode.
Tracks
Players can freely play all the race tracks unlocked. Tracks with a Taj symbol are completed tracks, and players can choose any vehicle that is compatible with the track. Tracks with a Wizpig symbol have not been cleared, and players are restricted to the default vehicles for them.
Trophy Races and Battle Stages are also accessible through Tracks mode, however players will always use each track's default vehicle, regardless if a Taj symbol is present.
Vehicles
There are three different vehicles:
The car is a simple-to-control vehicle, and it can drift. It is affected by off-road, however, and water slows it to a crawl. | |
The hovercraft has slippery controls, requiring players to hop to turn. The hovercraft, however, is not affected by off-road, and it can ride on water and lava without losing speed. | |
Planes can fly over any terrain. They can turn the most sharply and players can perform stunts with them. If players are hit by items or bump into obstacles, however, the plane crashes into the ground, losing speed and altitude, making them more costly than hits on a car or hovercraft. |
Courses
Diddy Kong Racing has twenty race tracks split between five cups. In most races (marked with a check mark), racers are able to choose what type of vehicle to bring into the race, which can effect the paths in the course they are able to take. For some races, there are vehicles that are not able to be taken into it (marked with a red X). Every race also has a default vehicle type to use (marked with a D), which is usually the best type of vehicle to use for the race.
Template:DKRvehicleTemplate:DKRvehicleTemplate:DKRvehicleTemplate:DKRvehicleDino Domain | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ancient Lake | Fossil Canyon | Jungle Falls | Hot Top Volcano |
Snowflake Mountain | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Everfrost Peak | Walrus Cove | Snowball Valley | Frosty Village |
Sherbet Island | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whale Bay | Pirate Lagoon | Crescent Island | Treasure Caves |
Dragon Forest | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boulder Canyon | Greenwood Village | Windmill Plains | Haunted Woods |
Future Fun Land | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spacedust Alley | Darkmoon Caverns | Star City | Spaceport Alpha |
Challenge Levels
Challenge Levels are challenges that appear in each of the four main worlds. Each world has a single Challenge Level that matches the world's theme, and has a unique objective and layout. Each Challenge Level's door can be unlocked by a Wish Key located a specific course of that world. The player obtains a part of the T.T. Amulet when they win at a challenge.
Dino Domain | Snowflake Mountain | Sherbet Island | Dragon Forest | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fire Mountain | Icicle Pyramid | Darkwater Beach | Smokey Castle |
Challenges
After the player collects enough Golden Balloons in Adventure Mode, Taj the Genie will appear and challenge the player to a race in a specific vehicle. The player has to race Taj, who rides a flying carpet. The racetrack is marked with red flags showing the Nintendo 64 logo and the player has to follow them. If they leave the set track, they will be disqualified. After Taj is beaten, he will reward the player with another Golden Balloon. There are three different challenges and each of them can be repeated at any time after they have been unlocked (the player will only obtain one Golden Balloon per challenge however).
Car Challenge Is a relatively easy race done in a car. This race goes around a dirt road right in front of Dino Domain and reaches into a tunnel. This should be very easy for the player because of Taj's slow movement.
Hovercraft Challenge Is the second of Taj's races and is a tad harder than the Car Challenge. The track is mostly in water and begins next to the bridge which leads to Dino Domain. In the race the player will hover into a waterfall that is on the far east of the river. Here, they will be in a cave leading to Snowflake Mountain and eventually fall down two small waterfalls taking them to the ocean. Going east will take the player back on shore where they need to go through a small tunnel leading to the finish line.
Plane Challenge Is considered to be the hardest of Taj's three races and a plane is used in it. This race begins at the same place where the Car Challenge begins. From the start the player must fly up to the tunnel leading to Snowflake Mountain and then move east, going over a long river. From there, the player must glide to the beach and go east again. After going through a small tunnel, the player should end up at the finish line.
Items and objects
Weapon Balloons
During the challenges on the different race tracks throughout the game the player can find these Weapon Balloons on the track. Similar to the Item Boxes of the Mario Kart series, these objects will give the player an Item when they break them. There are five different types of Weapon Balloons, each with a unique color and a specific type of Item. A special feature of the Weapon Balloons is their ability to power up, meaning that the player will receive stronger items if they collect more balloons of one color. An item can be upgraded two times, making a total of three items obtainable from one type of balloon.
Golden Balloons
Golden Balloons are the key items in the game. The player must collect a specified amount access each course and world. After the player's character wins at a race, Taj gives them a Golden Balloon. A total of 47 Golden Balloons appear in the game.
Bananas
Bananas are scattered in every course. By collecting them, the player is able to increase the top-speed of his or her vehicle until the banana counter reaches ten. After that, the bananas do not affect the vehicle any further. If players get hit, they lose some bananas.
Additionally, bananas play a key role in the battle games of Icicle Pyramid and Darkwater Beach, where they act as the player's life gauge, and in Smokey Castle, where they need to be collected and stored in a treasure chest.
Wish Keys
- Main article: Wish Key
The game features four Wish Keys. One is hidden in a race course of each world. Their purpose is to unlock the door to the Challenge Level in the corresponding world's hub. They appear in Ancient Lake of Dino Domain, Snowball Valley of Snowflake Mountain, Crescent Island of Sherbet Island, and lastly Boulder Canyon of Dragon Forest.
Zippers
- Main article: Dash Panel § Diddy Kong Racing
Zippers can be used to give the player an extra speed boost. They are found in every track. Letting go of the button before hitting one will make the player go slightly faster. There are three Zipper variants, one for each vehicle, Cars, Hovercrafts, and Planes.
Trophy Races
- Main article: Trophy Race
When the player manages to defeat an area boss twice and receive a piece of the Wizpig Amulet, they can compete in that area's Trophy Race. If the player manages to finish all four races and be placed in 1st place, they receive a gold trophy; silver for 2nd, and bronze for 3rd.
All five areas have a Trophy Race, but Future Fun Land's is only accessible after the player completes all of the Silver Coin Challenges.
Magic Codes
Magic Codes are game cheats, always accessible in the options menu. These cheats mostly alter only the tracks mode rather than the Adventure mode, while some others do miscellaneous tasks such as allowing players to listen to music in the game. At the end of the game credits, a random magic code is given to players. Here is a complete list of all codes.
Code | Description |
---|---|
ARNOLD | Large players |
BLABBERMOUTH | Changes horn sounds into character sounds |
BODYARMOR | All balloons are yellow |
BOGUSBANANAS | Bananas slow players down |
BOMBSAWAY | All balloons are red |
BYEBYEBALLOONS | Balloons are disabled |
DODGYROMMER | Displays ROM Checksum |
DOUBLEVISION | Multiple players can be the same character |
EOLAOBFENRLONE | Free balloon |
EPC | EPC lockup display |
FREEFORALL | Fully powered-up balloons |
FREEFRUIT | Players start with ten bananas |
JOINTVENTURE | The second player joins Adventure mode |
JUKEBOX | Adds Music Test to audio menu |
NOYELLOWSTUFF | No bananas in Tracks mode. |
OFFROAD | Four-wheel drive |
OPPOSITESATTRACT | All balloons are rainbows |
ROCKETFUEL | All balloons are blue |
TEENYWEENIES | Small players |
TIMETOLOSE | CPUs are harder |
TOXICOFFENDER | All balloons are green |
VITAMINB | Unlimited bananas |
WHODIDTHIS | Players can view credits |
ZAPTHEZIPPERS | Disables zippers |
Gallery
- Main article: Gallery:Diddy Kong Racing
- DKRconker.png
- Bubbler.jpg
- Dragon.JPG
Pre-release and unused content
- Main article: List of Diddy Kong Racing pre-release and unused content
All objects are assigned a name according to the files. One unfinished track remains in the game, Horseshoe Gulch. It can be accessed with cheats.
Only available vehicle is a car.
Development
Diddy Kong Racing found its root in a short-lived prototype. According to Lead Designer Lee Schuneman, a team of four at Rareware was developing a caveman/time travel-themed real time strategy game for the Nintendo 64[1]; however, the idea was quickly abandoned and the developers decided to create a "fun" racing game named Wild Cartoon Kingdom using assets from the canceled RTS (3D artist Lee Musgrave denies, however, that the two projects were ever related[2]).
The racing aspect was heavily inspired by Super Mario Kart while the concept of an "adventure" mode was inspired by Disney World according to Schumenam[1]. The initial concept featured a hub world based on theme parks. Development was initially slow until a larger team was brought in to help accelerate the project, and the game was renamed to Adventure Racers.
The project was renamed Pro Am 64 (in reference to Rare's NES hit R.C. Pro-AM) later in development and briefly featured the characters using three-wheeled trike-like vehicles[1]. The game was demoed to Shigeru Miyamoto in June 1997, who approved of it and suggested that it should feature Diddy Kong[1]. The development team initially hated the idea[1], but eventually agreed with Miyamoto's suggestion as featuring Diddy Kong brought stronger marketing from Nintendo and greater visibility to the game due to the popularity of the Donkey Kong brand.
Sequels
Diddy Kong Pilot
- Main article: Diddy Kong Pilot
Rare planned to make a Diddy Kong Pilot, but the game ended up canceled, due to Rare's move to Microsoft in 2002. It was supposed to be for Game Boy Advance and many Kongs were set to be playable, including Redneck Kong. It was replaced by Banjo-Pilot, an indirect sequel to Diddy Kong Racing.
Donkey Kong Racing
- Main article: Donkey Kong Racing
Rare and Nintendo also planned to make Donkey Kong Racing for the Nintendo GameCube. However, this game was also canceled due to Rare's move to Microsoft in 2002. Very little had been revealed about it, but Animal Buddies and Kiddy Kong were supposed to reappear.
Diddy Kong Racing DS
- Main article: Diddy Kong Racing DS
A remake for the Nintendo DS was released: Diddy Kong Racing DS. Although a remake, it featured more characters, tracks, and some different challenges. Some music had also changed.
Staff
- Main article: List of Diddy Kong Racing staff
Software Director:
- Robert Harrison
Software Engineers:
- Paul Mountain
- John Pegg
- Richard Gale
Art Director:
3D Artists:
- Lee Musgrave
- Keith Rabbette
- Dean Smith
- Johnni Christensen
- Brian Smyth
- Paul Cunningham
Media
References to other games
- Donkey Kong Country: The introduction to the story found in the instruction booklet has an opening on Donkey Kong Island the setting of this game, also Squawks is mentioned.
References in later games
- Donkey Kong 64: All Kritters in this game are physically similar to Krunch.
- Diddy Kong Racing DS: A remake of Diddy Kong Racing.
Names in other languages
Language | Name | Meaning |
---|---|---|
Japanese | ディディーコングレーシング Didī Kongu Rēshingu |
Diddy Kong Racing |
Chinese | 迪迪剛的赛车 Dídí Gāng Desàichē |
|
Korean | 디디콩 레이싱 Didikong Reising |
|
References
External links
Nintendo 64 games | ||
---|---|---|
Super Mario franchise | Super Mario 64 (1996) • Mario Kart 64 (1996) • Mario no Photopi (1998) • Mario Party (1998) • Mario Golf (1999) • Mario Artist: Paint Studio* (1999) • Mario Party 2 (1999) • Mario Artist: Talent Studio* (2000) • Mario Artist: Communication Kit* (2000) • Mario Tennis (2000) • Paper Mario (2000) • Mario Artist: Polygon Studio* (2000) • Mario Party 3 (2000) • Dr. Mario 64 (2001) | |
Donkey Kong franchise | Diddy Kong Racing (1997) • Donkey Kong 64 (1999) | |
Yoshi franchise | Yoshi's Story (1997) | |
Crossovers | Super Smash Bros. (1999) | |