Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie - GBA

Also known as: King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie

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Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie (GBA)
Also for: DS/DSi
Viewed: 2D Isometric, Scrolling Genre:
Adventure
Arcade origin:No
Developer: Ubisoft Soft. Co.: Universal Pictures
Publishers: Ubisoft (GB)
Released: 17 Nov 2005 (GB)
Ratings: PEGI 7+
No Accessories: No Accessories

Summary

There’s only one Kong in videogames, and we all know who that is: Donkey Kong, Mario’s first opponent. Games lore has it that Shigeru Miyamoto gave his ape villain his first name because he wanted to convey a sense of stubbornness. More whimsical observers have quipped that it was a spelling mistake, and those ‘crazy Japanese fellows’ wanted him to be called Monkey Kong. Whatever the truth, nobody has any doubt regarding the origins of the second name of the abducting ape.

Now the original king-sized primate might have something to say, as the world braces itself for what must be the third or fourth remake of King Kong, directed this time by Braindead hobbit Peter Jackson. As we often remark, not many blockbuster films get away without being remade as a videogame tie-in. It’s worth saying though, that Peter Jackson, vocal about the lack of involvement he was permitted with EA’s LOTR games, had a lot of input with Ubisoft during the development of the Kong franchise.

We haven’t seen the film yet, but we’ve high hopes for it – Oscar winner Jackson’s known for attention to detail and the spectacular, and we note with approval after seeing the trailers they’ve not drawn the line at a huge CGI ape – there’re flipping dinosaurs in it too. Bonanza!

The storyline for the new movie takes a self-referential twist. In the past the Americans exploring the mysterious forgotten island have been painted variously as explorers and oil prospectors. This time around they are a party led by a film director, who needs a blockbuster to boost his flagging career. Also in the group are a screenwriter charged with penning the comeback, an actress to star in it and the crew of the ship that got them there from Great Depression-era New York.

You get to play as every member of the group – and Kong himself – as you play through the game, from the beginning on Skull Island when Ann the actress is kidnapped by a local tribe to the showdown in New York. Solving puzzles and smashing things? You have to admit it sounds promising.

Artwork

Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie - GBA Artwork

Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie - GBA Artwork