Namco's Donkey Konga series are music games, released on the Nintendo GameCube, which use a bongo-impersonating peripheral. They can be considered spin-offs of the voluminous Taiko no Tatsujin series, also by Namco, since both have very similar mechanics and rhythm notation. What is really wonderful about them is that apart from taking input from hitting the tops of the drums, they have a microphone built in to sense clapping!
Aside from Nintendo's Jungle Beat, these are the only games to support the Gamecube bongos. The series would get a huge nod in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, as Donkey Kong's most powerful move requires the player to tap a button to the rhythm.
Each region's (Japan, North America, and PAL) games have their own track lists, with some overlap. While the NA/PAL versions have some pretty awful stuff, the Japanese versions have some decently fun J-Pop and anime themes. The third Japanese game (unreleased in the West) even has some Famicom music from Namco and Nintendo games—original versions, not covers.
You can reach Youtube clips of some songs by clicking on their title.
Title | Artist | Region | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
森のくまさん (The Bear in the Forest) | - | JP | Japanese version of the American folk song The Other Day, I Met a Bear |
クラリネットをこわしちゃった (I Have Broken My Clarinet) | - | JP | Japanese version of the French folk song J'ai perdu le do de ma clarinette |
大きな古時計 (Big Grandfather's Clock) | Henry Clay Work | JP | Japanese version of American folk song My Grandfather's Clock |
ひょっこりひょうたん島 (Unexpected Gourd Island) | - | JP | ひょっこりひょうたん Opening Theme |
We are the ONE~僕らはひとつ~ (We are the Ones) | Akira Kushida | JP | Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger Ending Theme |
ハム太郎とっとこうた (Hamtaro's Trotting Song) | - | JP | Hamtaro First Opening Theme |
アドバンス・アドベンチャー (Advance Adventure) | - | JP | Pokémon First Opening Theme |
カービィ! (Kirby!) | - | JP | Kirby of the Stars Second Opening Theme |
伝説のスタフィー (The Legendary Starfy) | - | JP | Stafy Commercial Song |
愛のうた (The Love Song) | - | JP | Pikmin Commercial Song |
またあえる日まで (Until the Day We Meet Again) | Yuzu | JP | Doraemon (1979) Eighth Ending Theme |
風のららら (The Wind's Lalala) | Mai Kuraki | JP | Detective Conan Twelfth Opening Theme |
♡桃色片想い♡ (♡ Peach Colored Unrequited Love ♡) | Aya Matsuura | JP | - |
ミニモニ。ジャンケンぴょん! (Paper, Rock, Hop!) | Minimoni | JP | - |
明日があるさ (There is Always Tomorrow) | Kyu Sakamoto, Hachidai Nakamura & Yukio Aoshima | JP | - |
恋のダンスサイト (The Dance Site of Love) | Morning Musume | JP | Also appears in Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan |
Fly high | Ayumi Hamasaki | JP | - |
SHAKE | SMAP | JP | - |
DESIRE ‐情熱‐ | Akina Nakamori | JP | - |
COLORS | Hikaru Utada | JP | - |
明日への扉 (Door to Tomorrow) | I Wish | JP | Ride Together Opening Theme |
Love Somebody | Yuji Oda | JP | Bayside Shakedown Ending Theme |
THE GALAXY EXPRESS 999 | - | JP | Galaxy Express 999 Theme Song |
マシュ・ケ・ナダ (Mas que Nada) | Jorge Ben | JP | - |
ラ・バンバ (La Bamba) | Ritchie Valens | JP | In Donkey Konga 2 in NA and PAL |
マンボNo.5 (Mambo No. 5) | Dámaso Pérez Prado | JP | - |
オクラホマミキサー (Oklahoma Mixer) | - | JP | A slower and more orchestral version of the American folk song Turkey in the Straw |
Piano Sonata No. 11 (Turkish March) | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | JP, NA, PAL | - |
Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G Minor | Johannes Brahms | JP, NA, PAL | - |
Super Mario Theme | Koji Kondo | JP, NA, PAL | - |
Monkey Rap | - | JP | - |
Donkey Konga Theme | - | JP, NA, PAL | - |
Diddy's Ditties | - | NA | Medley of Happy Birthday, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Row, Row, Row Your Boat |
Bingo | - | NA | Also appears in the JP version of Donkey Konga 3 |
Campfire Medley | - | NA | Medley of I've Been Working on the Railroad, She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain, and Yankee Doodle. |
Pokémon Theme | - | NA | Series' first opening theme |
Kirby: Right Back At Ya | - | NA | - |
We Will Rock You | Queen | NA | - |
Like Wow | Leslie Carter | NA | - |
Wild Thing | The Troggs | NA, PAL | - |
I Think I Love You | The Partridge Family | NA | - |
Louie Louie | Richard Berry | NA, PAL | - |
The Loco-Motion | Little Eva | NA, PAL | Also appears in the JP version of Donkey Konga 3 |
Shining Star | Earth, Wind & Fire | NA | - |
All the Small Things | Blink-182 | NA, PAL | - |
Rock This Town | Stray Cats | NA | - |
You Can't Hurry Love | The Supremes | NA, PAL | - |
Right Here, Right Now | Jesus Jones | NA | - |
Dancing in the Street | Martha and the Vandellas | NA, PAL | - |
Rock Lobster | The B-52's | NA | - |
Stupid Cupid | Neil Sedaka | NA | - |
The Impression That I Get | The Mighty Mighty Bosstones | NA, PAL | - |
What I Like About You | The Romantics | NA | - |
Whip It | Devo | NA | - |
Busy Child | The Crystal Method | NA, PAL | - |
Para Los Rumberos | Tito Puente | NA, PAL | - |
Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) | Louis Prima | NA, PAL | - |
Oye Como Va | Tito Puente | NA, PAL | - |
On the Road Again | Willie Nelson | NA | - |
DK Rap | - | NA, PAL | - |
The Legend of Zelda Theme | Koji Kondo | NA, PAL | - |
Alright | Supergrass | PAL | - |
Canned Heat | Jamiroquai | PAL | - |
Don't Stop Me Now | Queen | PAL | - |
Tubthumping | Chumbawamba | PAL | - |
99 Red Balloons | Nena | PAL | - |
I Want You Back | The Jackson 5 | PAL | - |
Cosmic Girl | Jamiroquai | PAL | - |
Richard III | Supergrass | PAL | - |
Lady Marmalade | Labelle | PAL | - |
September | Earth, Wind & Fire | PAL | - |
Back For Good | Take That | PAL | - |
Donkey Kong Country Theme | - | PAL | - |
Rainbow Cruise | - | PAL | - |
Super Smash Bros. Melee Opening | - | PAL | - |
Title | Artist | Region | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Donkey-Kong-A-Go-Go!! | - | JP | - |
ゼルダの伝説 ラテンフュージョン (The Legend of Zelda) - Latin Fusion | Koji Kondo | JP | - |
スーパードンキーコングのテーマ (Super Donkey Kong Theme) | - | JP | - |
アルプス一万尺 (10,000 Feet up the Alps) | - | JP | To the tune of Yankee Doodle |
おしえて (Tell Me) | - | JP | Heidi, Girl of the Alps Opening Theme |
マジンガーZ (Mazinger Z) | - | JP | Mazinger Z Opening Theme |
ドラえもんのうた (Doraemon's Song) | - | JP | Doraemon (1979 Series) Opening Theme |
おどるポンポコリン (Dancing Pompokolin) | B.B.クイーンズ | JP | Chibi Maruko-chan First Ending Theme |
Realize | Nami Tamaki | JP | Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Fourth Opening Theme |
ビバ★ロック (Viva ★ Rock) | Orange Range | JP | Naruto Third Ending Theme |
WILD CHALLENGER | Jindou | JP | Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo First Opening Theme |
DANZEN!ふたりはプリキュア (Absolutely! We are Pretty Cure) | Mayumi Gojo | JP | |
ハッスル (Hustle) | Koichi Yamadera | JP | Incredible Zorori Opening Theme |
チャレンジャー!! (Challenger!!) | Rica Matsumoto | JP | Pokémon: Advanced Generation Second Opening Theme |
特捜戦隊デカレンジャー | サイキックラバー | JP | Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (Series) Opening Theme |
種のうた (The Seed Song) | ストロベリー・フラワー | JP | Pikmin 2 (GameCube Game) Commercial Song |
愛のために。 (For the Sake of Love) | Aya Ueto | JP | Aim for the Ace! (Drama) Ending Theme |
ラッキーチャチャチャ! (Lucky Cha Cha Cha!) | Minimoni | JP | Minimoni's Town Musicians of Bremen (Drama) Ending Theme |
さくらんぼ (Cherries) | Ai Otsuka | JP | - |
AMBITIOUS JAPAN! | Tokio | JP | - |
Go Girl ~恋のヴィクトリー~ (Go Girl (Victory of Love)) | Morning Musume | JP | - |
WAになっておどろう (Let's Dance in a Circle) | V6 | JP | - |
Secret Base ~君がくれたもの~ (Secret Base (What You Gave Me)) | Zone | JP | - |
Yeah!めっちゃホリディ (Yeah! Super Holiday) | Aya Matsuura | JP | - |
全部だきしめて (Embracing Every Bit of You) | KinKi Kids | JP | - |
Over Drive | Judy and Mary | JP | - |
ダイナマイト (Dynamite) | SMAP | JP | - |
モンキーマジック (Monkey Magic) | Godiego | JP | Monkey (Television Series) Opening Theme |
Guantanamera | Joseíto Fernández | JP | - |
Trepak | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky | JP, NA, PAL | The Nutcracker Suite |
Habanera | Georges Bizet | JP, NA, PAL | Carmen Suite |
Minute Waltz | Frédéric Chopin | JP, NA | Waltz No. 6 in D-flat major, Petit chien |
蛍の光 (Glow of a Firefly) | Robert Burns | JP | AKA Auld Lang Syne |
Donkey Konga 2 Theme | - | NA, PAL | - |
La Bamba | Ritchie Valens | NA, PAL | In the first Japanese Donkey Konga |
Bombastic | Shaggy | NA, PAL | - |
No More Drama | Mary J Blige | NA | - |
Come Clean | Hilary Duff | NA | - |
Born Too Slow | The Crystal Method | NA | - |
I Don't Want To Know (If You Don't Want Me) | The Donnas | NA, PAL | - |
Unpretty | TLC | NA | - |
Hit 'em Up Style (Oops!) | Blu Cantrell | NA | - |
It's Been a While | Staind | NA | |
Send the Pain Below | Chevelle | NA | - |
High Roller | The Crystal Method | NA | - |
Pieces | Boobastank | NA | - |
Headstrong | Trapt | NA | - |
Why Don't We Fall in Love | Amerie | NA | - |
Full Moon | Brandy Norwood | NA | - |
U Don't Have to Call | Usher | NA | - |
Rock the Boat | Aaliyah | NA | - |
Predictable | Good Charlotte | NA, PAL | - |
The Anthem | Good Charlotte | NA | - |
Drive | Incubus | NA, PAL | - |
Wish You Were Here | Incubus | NA | - |
Trouble | Pink | NA, PAL | - |
Road Trip | Stereogram | NA | - |
Sidewalks | Story of the Year | NA, PAL | - |
Losing My Religion | REM | NA, PAL | - |
Shiny Happy People | REM | NA, PAL | - |
All Star | Smash Mouth | NA, PAL | - |
Contact | Roger Sanchez | NA, PAL | - |
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye | Steam | NA, PAL | - |
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music) | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | PAL | Serenade No. 13 in G-Major. Appears in the third Japanese entry. |
William Tell Overture | Cioachino Rossini | PAL | William Tell |
Green Greens | - | PAL | Super Smash Bros. version |
Super Mario Bros. 3 Theme | - | PAL | Super Smash Bros. version |
Pokémon Main Theme | - | PAL | Super Smash Bros. version |
Mute City Theme | - | PAL | Super Smash Bros. version |
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood | Santa Esmeralda | PAL | - |
La Cucaracha | - | PAL | - |
Mansize Rooster | Supergrass | PAL | - |
Pumping on your Stereo | Supergrass | PAL | - |
I'm a Slave 4 U | Britney Spears | PAL | - |
Are You Ready For Love? | Elton John | PAL | - |
Runaway Train | Soul Asylum | PAL | - |
Don't Let Me Get To Me | Pink | PAL | - |
Breakfast at Tiffany's | Deep Blue Something | PAL | - |
Enjoy the Silence | Depeche Mode | PAL | - |
Jungle Boogie | Cool & The Gang | PAL | - |
That's the Way (I Like It) | KC and the Sunshine Band | PAL | - |
Japan only.
The break separates the Famicom music. The Famicom tracks still need artist credits and maybe Youtube links.
Title | Artist | Notes |
---|---|---|
バナナ天国 (Banana Heaven) | - | |
明日になったら・・・ (When Tomorrow Comes…) | - | Donkey Kong Country Opening Theme (Japanese Dub) |
タッチ (Touch) | - | Touch First Opening Theme |
CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA | Hironobu Kageyama | Dragon Ball Z First Opening Theme |
オラはにんきもの (I'm Such a Popular Kid) | - | Crayon Shin-chan Third Opening Theme |
めざせポケモンマスター (Aim to Be a Pokémon Master) | Rica Matsumoto | Pokémon First Opening Theme |
来て来てあたしンち | Aya Hirayama | Atashin'chi First Ending Theme |
ファイアーエムブレム (Fire Emblem Theme) | Yuka Tsujiyoko | Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade (GBA Game) Commercial Song |
ドレミファだいじょーぶ (Do-Re-Mi-Fa All Right) | B.B.クイーンズ | The First Errand (Series) Theme Song |
いい湯だな (What a Nice Hot Spring) | - | - |
ヨーデル食べ放題 (All-You-Can-Eat Yodel) | - | - |
マツケンサンバⅡ (Matsuken Samba II) | - | - |
花 (Flower) | Orange Range | - |
Happy Days | Ai Otsuka | - |
バカサバイバー (Baka Survivor) | ウルフルズ | Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo (Anime) Second Opening Theme |
START | Rina Aiuchi | Detective Conan (Anime) Fourteenth Opening Theme |
青春狂騒曲 (Youth's Rhapsody) | Sambomaster | Naruto (Anime) Firth Opening Theme |
ignited-イグナイテッド-\\(Ignited (T.M.Revolution)) | - | Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny (Anime) First Opening Theme |
ロコローション (Locomotion) | Orange Range | A cover of the Gerry Goffin / Carole King song. |
リライト (Rewrite) | Asian Kung-Fu Generation | Fullmetal Alchemist (Anime) Fourth Opening Theme |
君にBUMP (I Bump You) | ケツメイシ | - |
GO!!! | Flow | Naruto (Anime) Fourth Opening Theme |
これが私の生きる道 (This is the Street Where We Live) | Puffy AmiYumi | Known in America as That's The Way It Is |
TOMORROW | Mayo Okamoto | - |
手のひらを太陽に (Face Your Hand Towards the Sun) | - | - |
BINGO | - | Also appears in the first NA release |
ラ・クカラーチャ (The Cockroach) | - | Also appears in the second PAL release |
ウィリアム・テル (William Tell Overture) | Gioachino Rossini William Tell. Also appears in the second PAL release | |
アイネクライネナハトムジーク (A Little Night Music) | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Serenade No. 13 in G-Major. Also appears in the second PAL release |
エンターテイナー (The Entertainer) | Scott Joplin | - |
大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズDX (Great Melee Smash Brothers DX Opening) | - | Super Smash Bros. Melee (GameCube) Track No. 0: Opening |
こちら★モナピザ (This here is Mona Pizza) | - | WarioWare: Twisted! (GBA) Mona Pizza's Song |
ジャングルビート (Jungle Beat Theme) | Mahito Yokota | Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (GameCube) Title Theme |
スターフォックス (Star Fox's Theme | Yoshie Arakawa & Yoshinori Kawamoto | Star Fox: Assault (GameCube) Main Theme |
DONKEY'S GROOVE | - | Donkey Konga 3 (GameCube) Theme Song |
見よ、勇者は帰る (See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes!) | Judas Maccabaeus | - |
Famicom music | ||
Title | Artist | Notes |
ドンキーコンガ (Donkey Konga) | - | Donkey Konga Theme 8-Bit Edition |
MAPPY | - | - |
PAC-MAN | - | - |
Dig Dug | - | - |
ドルアーガの塔 (The Tower of Druaga) | - | - |
SkyKid | - | - |
スーパーマリオブラザーズ 地上BGM (Super Mario Bros. (Ground Theme)) | - | - |
スーパーマリオブラザーズ 水中BGM (Super Mario Bros. (Underwater Theme)) | - | - |
ゼルダの伝説 (The Legend of Zelda) | - | Family Computer Disk System Version |
バルーンファイト (Balloon Fight) | - | - |
ドクターマリオ Dr. Mario | - | - |
スーパーマリオブラザーズ3 (Super Mario Bros. 3) | - | - |
星のカービィ 夢の泉の物語 (Kirby's Adventure) | - | - |
謎の村雨城 (The Mysterious Murasame Castle) | - | - |
パルテナの鏡 (Kid Icarus) | - | - |
マリオブラザーズ (Mario Bros.) | - | - |
XEVIOUS | - | - |
ドンキーコング (Donkey Kong) | - | - |
ドンキーコングJR. (Donkey Kong Jr.) | - | - |
クルクルランド (Clu Clu Land) | - | - |
アイスクライマー (Ice Climber) | - | - |