Donkey Kong Land III vs New Super Mario Bros.
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Donkey Kong Land III continues the classic side‑scrolling platforming action on the Game Boy Color, delivering vibrant colors and challenging levels across jungle, desert, and snow environments. Players control Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as they hunt for the stolen Crystal Coconut and battle quirky bosses. The game features hidden secrets, collectible items, and a password system that lets you resume your quest. Its tight controls and memorable music make it a standout title for fans of retro platform adventures.
New Super Mario Bros. brings the beloved side‑scrolling Mario experience to a modern handheld, combining tight controls with vibrant 2D graphics. Players dash, jump, and collect coins across dozens of inventive worlds filled with secrets and challenges. The game supports both solo play and cooperative multiplayer, letting friends team up to tackle levels together while discovering hidden paths and power‑up combos. Its timeless design appeals to newcomers and longtime fans alike.
- Vibrant color graphics for its era
- Tight and responsive controls
- Large amount of content and replay value
- Memorable music and sound effects
- Tight, responsive controls that feel classic yet fresh.
- Rich variety of power‑ups and level designs.
- Engaging multiplayer modes for up to four players.
- High replay value with secret exits and collectibles.
- Limited to handheld hardware, no modern enhancements
- Password system can be cumbersome
- Occasional difficulty spikes in later worlds
- Limited online features; focus is on local play.
- Graphics, while charming, may feel dated compared to modern 3D titles.
- No built‑in level editor for user‑generated content.
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A classic side‑scrolling adventure starring Diddy and Dixie Kong
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataNew Super Mario Bros. is the safer, higher-rated default offering modern multiplayer, while Donkey Kong Land III provides a retro single-player experience at half the price.
Key differences
- •New Super Mario Bros. costs $59.99 with a critic score of 95/100, whereas Donkey Kong Land III costs $29.99 with a critic score of 80/100.
- •New Super Mario Bros. includes local multiplayer for up to four players in co-operative or competitive challenges, while Donkey Kong Land III is strictly single player.
- •New Super Mario Bros. features eight worlds and over 80 levels with power-ups like the Mega Mushroom, while Donkey Kong Land III features six worlds and over 80 levels with power-ups like the Super Diddy and Banana Shield.
- •Donkey Kong Land III relies on a password save system without a battery-backed save, while New Super Mario Bros. lacks this specific system detail.
- •New Super Mario Bros. has a PEGI 12 age rating compared to Donkey Kong Land III's PEGI 3 rating.
Gameplay & fun factor
New Super Mario Bros. features responsive controls, dynamic cameras, and power-ups like the Mega Mushroom, earning a 95/100 critic score.
Platform availability
Hardware specific details beyond developer and publisher are not specified for either title.
Price & value
Donkey Kong Land III is priced at $29.99, making it significantly cheaper than New Super Mario Bros. at $59.99.
Multiplayer / co-op
New Super Mario Bros. supports up to four players in local co-operative or competitive play, unlike Donkey Kong Land III which is single player only.
Content & replayability
Both games feature over 80 levels across multiple worlds and include hidden secret exits that encourage exploration and replayability.
Difficulty & accessibility
Donkey Kong Land III carries a PEGI 3 rating for younger audiences, though it features occasional difficulty spikes in later worlds.
Graphics & performance
New Super Mario Bros. features a dynamic camera and charming graphics, contributing to its higher 95/100 critic score over Donkey Kong Land III's vibrant color graphics.
Choose Donkey Kong Land III if…
Retro platform fans wanting a budget-friendly, single-player adventure with a password save system.
Choose New Super Mario Bros. if…
Players looking for higher critic scores, local multiplayer up to four players, and modern classic platforming.
Common questions
How much do the games cost?
Donkey Kong Land III has an MSRP of $29.99, while New Super Mario Bros. has an MSRP of $59.99.
Can I play multiplayer with friends?
New Super Mario Bros. supports local multiplayer for up to four players, whereas Donkey Kong Land III is single player only.
How do the levels and worlds compare in size?
Donkey Kong Land III features over 80 levels across six distinct worlds, while New Super Mario Bros. features over 80 levels across eight distinct worlds.