Donkey Kong 64 is a platform video game developed by Rare and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 video game console. It was released on Halloween, November 23, 1999 in Japan; December 3, 1999 in North America; May 3, 2000 in Europe; and July 5, 2000 in Australia. Donkey Kong 64 is the sequel to Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest. Donkey Kong 64 was the last Donkey Kong game to be developed by Rare for a Nintendo console until its acquisition in 2002.
Donkey Kong 64 takes place on Donkey Kong Island, where Donkey Kong and his friends are celebrating his nephew’s birthday. When Donkey Kong puts his Crystal Coconut on the pedestal, the island is once again invaded by King K. Rool and his reptilian minions. Donkey Kong’s Banana Hoard is stolen, and all five of the Kongs are captured by King K. Rool, who transports them to his dungeon lair on an unknown location later revealed as Hideout Helm (with Funky Kong’s shop being on top of it). Donkey Kong and his friends are then locked up in various areas inside the lair. Donkey Kong is locked in a cell adjacent to King K. Rool’s own cell, Diddy Kong is locked in a room filled with Donkey Kong-like enemies that shoot darts at him, Lanky is put into his own cell (which is almost entirely filled with spider webs), Tiny has to dodge speeding trains in her cell, and Chunky’s cell features a moving wall that constantly slams into the back of his head.
To rescue Donkey Kong and his friends, Donkey Kong must collect [multiplied] golden bananas by completing various challenges. These challenges include conquering three progressively harder Donkey Kong arcade games, breaking out of a Funky Kong-designed hovercraft, winning a race against a group of bungling spies, and winning [multiplied] golden banana coins at the Slot Machine Barrel game. Once Donkey Kong has enough golden bananas, he can confront King K. Rool in Donkey Kong 64’s final battle to win back Donkey Kong’s Coconut Hoard. Donkey Kong and his friends then go back to Donkey Kong Island where Donkey Kong throws a party with the entire Banana Hoard, which he has recovered.
