Donald Duck: Goin’ Quackers (or Quack Attatck in Europe) is a Crash Bandicoot-inspired platform game. While a few N64 platformers have used the Crash style for a single level (such as Tarzan or Blues Brothers), this is the first out-and-out Crash Bandicoot clone, with a mixture of 3D levels where you go in a long and straight line, and 2D levels which offer a bit more in the way of navigation.

For a cheap kids tie-in platformer, it’s interesting to see that the developers cared about the overall product. The PS1 version was developed separately and, while built around the same design ideas, features different level designs (with the same themes) and FMV sequences. Instead of slapping screenshots of the FMV onto the N64 cartridge, UbiSoft decided to re-do the cutscenes in-engine and retained the voice acting. Incidentally, the Dreamcast and PC versions are the N64 version with the FMVs added (and I’ll look at the PS2/GameCube version, which seems to have more differences, when I play all GameCube games).

As you would expect, Goin’ Quackers is fairly basic and easy, but it manages to avoid two big things that plague a ton of licensed platformers: frustration and boredom. Instead, the levels are interesting enough (if nothing special) and the controls work really well, and judging where you are in the level is never an issue. There is some hidden stuff to find in each level, and then a timed version to complete after. It’s nothing mind blowing, but it gets the job done.

You do get a few bonus levels for finding these, such as one where you have to escape from the city, and from a large truck. In these, you can’t stick around and have to keep moving on, but as you’re heading towards the camera, you have to guess what lies ahead as there’s only one way to find out.

So, while this is aimed at kids and is a shameless copy of Crash Bandicoot, it’s still a decent effort and fun to play.

Fun

Obviously, there’s a distinct feeling of déjà-vu here. We’ve seen all this before, and in some cases it’s been done far better – but it’s also been done so much worst. The more experienced gamer will whip through this in a few days, tops, but this isn’t aimed at older gamers, and if you bear that in mind, Quack Attack is a perfectly competent Disney adventure, beautifully executed and challenging enough without being too frustrating.

Geraint Evans, N64 Magazine #49. Review Score: 69%

Remake or remaster?

It would be worth including in a collection of Disney platformers.

Official ways to get the game.

There is no official way to play Donald Duck: Goin’ Quackers