Product package:Super Nintendo Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest Product Package

In 1981, the struggling Nintendo of America released a game that would turn the company around: Donkey Kong. After failing to break into the American market, Nintendo of Japan created Donkey Kong in hopes that it would be a hit for their U.S. division. Donkey Kong sold over 80,000 units in the U.S. and became the era's second most popular license after Pac-Man. The game was not a one-hit wonder; in fact, it was the first game in what would become an extensive video game dynasty. Originally designed by Shigeru Miyamoto, the Donkey Kong franchise would have numerous entries. In 1994, Donkey Kong Country was released. This was the first Donkey Kong adventure that was not directed or produced by Miyamoto. Instead, this responsibility belonged to Tim Stamper and Rare Ltd. The game focused on the grandson of the original Donkey Kong from the classic arcade games who, after discovering that his treasured banana hoard had been stolen by the nefarious crocodile leader, King K. Rool, embarked on a quest with his nephew Diddy to reclaim what was rightfully his. The second entry in the series, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, begins with the villain from the first game, now known as Kaptain K. Rool, kidnapping Donkey Kong. The game stars Diddy Kong and his girlfriend, Dixie, as they journey through Crocodile Isle to rescue Donkey Kong. Directed by Stamper and developed by Rare, the game maintains many concepts used the original, such as the Animal Buddy system - where characters would be periodically assisted by friendly animals in their quest - and the bonus stages, while expanding on them in ways not seen in the first Donkey Kong Country. For example, two Animal Buddies from the first game were removed, but the sequel introduced four new ones. The bonus stages were more elaborate in Diddy's Kong Quest, and each level contained a hidden item called a DK coin that enabled the player to obtain a higher percentage rating in the game. Additionally, the jungle theme that had been prevalent in the previous entry was replaced by a pirate motif. The game was revolutionary for being one of the first Super Nintendo adventures to implement pre-rendered 3D graphics. This means that the three-dimensional graphics featured throughout the game were designed entirely through computers, rather than in real-time. Over four million copies of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest were sold, making it one of the most successful games of all time on the Super Nintendo. It was followed by Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (1996).