70%Game Boy

For a GameBoy game this game definitely delivers. The developers from Rare have a distinct ability to create beautiful games with the strongest hardware limitations. They know exactly how to utilize what they're given to its fullest potential and it's delightful to discover this gems almost 3 decades later. It's an improvement over the predecessor and the addition of Dixie Kong and her gliding ability make the game feel less punishing.

65%Nintendo Switch

Nowhere near as competent as the first DKL game and from what I've heard this is basically a straight port of the second DKC game. Maybe that version is superior. There's certainly big improvements in terms of controls and graphics. The controls feel loads more smoother than the original DKL and the graphics are much better and don't have the problem of masquerading important things like ropes into the background. Unfortunately, the later levels are much worse than the first half. The game again loves to go for gimmicks, maybe more so than in the first GB game and it features one of the worst parts of the controls. For some animals you take control of. THE - BUTTON DOES SPECIAL MOVES. Like, why!? Who thought this would be comfortable, especially years later playing this on a Switch OLED portable? With the Spider Sections, they ask too much of you to Press B, then -, then jump on the web, then press b again, press - again and jump with the most pin point accuracy before your previous web quickly disappears. Who thought this was a good idea? It's not. It could have been much better if the Down D-Pad was used for special moves like that, especially for the snake. When you are stuck and have to go look at walkthroughs wondering if you're doing something wrong, that's insulting. And the worst thing a game can do is insult you like that and think you're dumb for not playing by their rules when they've changed the rules suddenly 3/4 through the game.

Otherwise I don't really have many issues with the game, but to be honest it's nowhere near as fun as DKL 1. DKL 1 was a marvel that brought the DKC gameplay style and graphics and music to the Game Boy, but this doesn't feel nearly as impressive. And while the graphics have improved in terms of visibility to objects, they've certainly lost their magic already in the span of two games. It would be fair to assume the SNES version is much more colorful and more interesting sounding than this version, which to say the music isn't bad, it's not. But I can see some of these segments being much more interesting on SNES. Again, if it wasn't for the gimmicky levels and the busted up controls for using animal special moves, this might have gotten a point higher. I'm basically binging these games at this point so it's onto DKL3 to see if it strikes the landing.

60%Game Boy

As I said in my review for Donkey Kong Land, it's honestly super impressive to play this game and consider where games for the Game Boy started. The sprites are impressively accurate to the SNES counterpart. The music is the same.

As a game by itself, I'd say it's okay. It's essentially more Donkey Kong Country 2. While I prefer the SNES ones (I think most people would) these are worth a play - it just feels like more of a great game.

I think I only have one complaint. Most platformers have several sections/levels that require a "leap of faith," where you jump off the screen and it's presumed a safe platform will be the payoff. Some of the "leap of faith" sections in this game are a little unfair and janky, with banana trails leading you just short of the platform, or right into an enemy. Small complaint though.

On it's own, 6/10. Average.

70%Nintendo 3DS

First time playing this, it's quite a fun spin-off/remix version of DKC2! The controls felt surprisingly accurate to the SNES games and were a lot more comfortable than DKL1. The Gameboy's small resolution means you'll often have little time to see/react to obstacles (especially if they're coming from below), and there occasionally seemed to be some funky input handling (jumps being ignored or Squitter running off a web unprompted), but otherwise I had a fun time with this. Grant Kirkhope's 1st soundtrack at Rare here too, and he really captured the feeling of David Wise's phenomenal soundtrack with some banger chiptune arrangements!

75%Game Boy

Donkey Kong Land 2 is the follow up to middle entry in the Donkey Kong Land series, which are the hand held Donkey Kong platformers developed by Rare for the Game Boy. The first game, Donkey Kong Land, was a completely unique experience from Donkey Kong Country with original levels, music, enemies and story. Visually, the game was far too good for the Game Boy and that had the drawback of making it nearly unplayable at times due to foreground and background elements blending together with the monochromatic palette. The game also suffered mechanically, being extremely stiff and plagued with bugs that detracted from the platforming experience.

Donkey Kong Land 2 on the other hand is heavily based on DKC2, featuring the exact same enemies, worlds, level themes, just all scaled down to handheld in order to fit the limitations of the game boy. Thematically, the levels are identical to those found in DKC2 but revised with different layouts. For example, in both games Gusty Glade has wind blowing back and forth pushing Diddy or Dixie in that direction, but the layout of the level changes. Pretty much every level is like that, so even though DKL2 isn't bringing a totally unique experience it's still removed enough from DKC2 where there isn't any reason to not just play that game.

Mechanically, the game is far better than DKL. Both Kong characters move and jump as you would expect coming from DKC, and the camera is intrusive to the gameplay.

Visually, DKL2 isn't as rich and detailed as DKL, but this is actually to the game's benefit as foreground sprites are distinct and recognizable against the background.

The soundtrack is incredible since it's essentially DKC2 OST from David Wise but cut down to 8bit. A few tracks are noticeably missing, and this causes a few to be a bit overused (Lockjaw's Saga in particular), but overall it's an excellent transition from 16bit to 8bit. The same cannot be said about the sound effects, which are unfortunately almost completely absent.

DKC2 is undoubtedly the superior game in every way, so it's hard to recommend this except to those who really love DKC2 but want a slightly different experience instead of replaying that game over.

65%Game Boy

Sweet but basically the same game as DKC2... on Game Boy. So...

80%Game Boy

Extremely impressive game. Its amazing they were able to fit it on a GB cart. Plays a lot better than Donkey Kong Land 1 and is very similar to DKC2 on SNES

80%Game Boy

Classic 2D platformer, found it trickier than first game

70%Game Boy

https://pastebin.com/GDX8f8KH

80%Game Boy

Portable Kong Country 2 with graphics that should not possible on the Gameboy. Levels aren't as good as DKC2, but there are a few decent ice, animal buddy and roller coaster levels.

10%Nintendo 3DS

An inferior shadow of the Donkey Kong Country series. Don't play these games, they're awful.

70%Game Boy Advance

I'm not sure but probably my first game yeah.

80%Game Boy

Nicely done for the limitations of the Gameboy and using the best 2 characters (IMO) of the DKC/DKL series