Congo Bongo

Game review

Congo Bongo is an early example of a 3D isometric platformer game, developed and published by SEGA. Originally created as an arcade game, its adaptation to DOS captured the essence of the arcade experience while making it accessible to a broader home computing audience. 

Set in an African jungle, Congo Bongo presents a whimsical and adventurous narrative where the player embarks on a journey to chase and confront a mischievous gorilla named Bongo. The game's premise, while simple, is engaging, inspired by the popularity of jungle and safari-themed games of that era.

The gameplay of Congo Bongo is divided into several distinct levels, each offering different challenges and environments. The player navigates through these levels, avoiding obstacles and enemies such as monkeys, snakes, and rhinos. The isometric perspective of the game, which was relatively novel at the time, provides a three-dimensional feel to the environments, adding complexity and depth to the platforming challenges.

One of the game's most distinctive features is its use of varied viewpoints and perspectives across different levels. Unlike many games of its time, which often used a single fixed perspective, Congo Bongo shifts its point of view, adding variety and a unique flavor to each stage. This design choice not only showcases the technical capabilities of the era but also enhances the gameplay experience by providing diverse visual and navigational challenges.

Congo Bongo was well-received for its creative design and enjoyable gameplay. It is remembered for its early adoption of the isometric perspective in platform games, a feature that would become more common in later titles. The game's blend of humor, adventure, and innovative design has earned it a place as a memorable and influential title in the history of early video gaming.