Some Random Thoughts on Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers

So, after watching YouTuber Caddicarus, I purchased and played Donald Duck: Goin’ Quackers for the N64.  An unsurprisingly lesser known entry in Ubisoft’s history, I was fascinated by the game and thought I would add my thoughts on the game as well.  I will admit, however, that I will only be parroting a decent number of points he made so instead of doing a review, I’m just going to say whatever came to mind while playing.

For starters, the game really is a ripoff of Crash Bandicoot.  The control scheme, level layout, and goals are representative of what one would expect from a N64 port of Crash Bandicoot.  There are even time trials for those who want a 100% score, something synonymous with Crash 3.  Partner that with running from oncoming objects such as bears and trucks instead of boulders, the game clearly takes inspiration from Crash Bandicoot.

However, the game is clearly aimed at a younger demographic than Crash, so the levels are shorter and there are fewer if you do not want to 100% the game.  The only actual increase in challenge is that the tokens needed to get to the boss battle are at times harder to find than the crystals.  There are cosmetic differences, though few of those are an improvement.

Also, the story does not matter in this game.  Yes, Donald Duck has to go save Daisy who has been kidnapped, but that is as standard a game origin as one can get.  So realistically, the game lives and dies by its gameplay.

Nevertheless, I still found the game surprisingly fun to play.  It does follow the Crash formula pretty well, the gameplay is simple and fun, and there are enough elements like collecting toys or time trials that justify replay if you are a completionist.  So despite those criticisms, it does accomplish exactly what it sets out to do.

The more fascinating realization is that it is actually a better Crash game than some of the following ones.  Crash 4 failed to follow up the original by trying to increase the variety of gameplay  and widening the levels, while after that the series tried to try a new formula that worked for some and not for others but was a departure from the original formula.  So Donald Duck: Goin’ Quackers is a surprisingly better Crash 4 than Wrath of Cortex.

At the end of the day, the game is a pretty decent platformer.  It was fun to go throw and I can see myself playing it again, but will admit that if a Donald Duck rip-off of a beloved platformer does not immediately interest you like it did me (I am weird), then there is not a reason to go out and buy it.  Still, I thought it deserved some attention.

All the same, it is interesting to see what used to exist in far more successful companies used to make earlier on in their careers.  Nowadays Ubisoft makes Assassins Creed, Far Cry, and the Tom Clancy games among others, but they used to make licensed games as well that were pretty decent.  This does show where a company can go when given enough time and effort.