Once again, a critical eye is hard to apply to a game that was so impactful on me in my younger years. It’s also difficult because I’ve been exposed to much discussion and analysis on the DKVine forums. I would agree with sentiments I’ve read there: that DKC3 may possibly in fact be objectively the best of the three, but it’s not my favourite.

It’s certainly ambitious. More involved map screens, a range of NPCs with item trading sequences, more creative level concepts. Its atmosphere is unique and beautiful in its own way. Its status as the black sheep of the Country trilogy can be put down to its late (post-N64) release, and its tonal dissonance. It was developed by a different team than the one who did parts 1 and 2; there are not the common enemies or sense of escalation that those shared. In some ways it’s a sidestep for the series as much as it’s an evolution of 2D platformer design. Ditching both Donkey and Diddy likely did it no favours either; I never did mind but “gamers” don’t like to play as a bawling baby. They should get over it.

So much for analysis. As for the feeling, well this game is deep in my heart. I don’t have it as memorised as DKC2, but only because the secrets are more well-hidden. But they’re not unfair either: every level has exactly 2 bonus barrels, and the DK coin is always accompanied by a setup with Koin and a keg. Control is perfect and Eveline Novakovic’s soundtrack is sublime.

The Wii U has the NA version published. This is actually an issue: I don’t remember there being slowdown with too many sprites on screen, but in this version there is. It’s especially noticeable on that one waterfall level with falling barrels. Speaking of VC versions though, DKL3. Don’t buy this on 3DS. Well, maybe buy it, but don’t play it there. There’s a far superior version for GBC that was released only in Japan. Ok, there are some compromises but those have been reversed and the game translated back to English by Blaziken257, whose ROM hack you can find here. It’s the definitive way to play the game and makes the VC (which doesn’t even support Super Game Boy palettes, still) look pathetic.

How is DKL3 as a game though? The highest compliment I can pay it is that of the three Land games, it feels the most like a Country title (especially the GBC version). Control and level design are a clear cut above the previous handheld instalments. Sure it doesn’t have the weird new ideas or new content of DKL1 but it sure plays better, and it’s more inventive than DKL2. It uses the familiar enemies and environments of DKC3 but in nice new ways and with new worlds (albeit feeling a little thrown-together) and a new (farcical) plot. It’s even got a unique minigame with a memory tile matching thing—it’s required to get to the Lost World.

Although Donkey Kong Land 3—a game that does not in any way feature Donkey Kong, outside the manual—is an odd way to end the classic DKC series, it’s quite good. In fact I’d say that DKC3 and DKL3 together are the strongest pair of the three. If you only play one of the three Land games, make it DKL3 (the GBC version, please). But all three Countries are solid gold blockbuster classics with magnifico graphics, amazeballs soundtracks, wondero-tastic gameplay, and fantabulous atmosphere. Splendiferous character. Lenticular design. Anyway they’re good.