Donk - The Samurai Duck

STORY / GAMEPLAY
Donk is a duck who trained the mighty way of the Samurai by a kind, old man named Spidore who saved Donk when he found him stranded in a river. Along with those skills, Donk also learned how to use a sword, an egg shell shield and Egg bombs. After what seemed like an eternity, he completed his training as a ninja warrior. Spidore discovered that somewhere in the universe lies a secret to Samurai powers. These magical gems protect the Earth's precious atmosphere and without them the planet would be doomed. So, Spidore leaves Donk behind in an effort to reach the mystical treasure before his arch rival Eider Downs does. But Donk decides to follow his tutor's footsteps and starts searching his long lost friend and mentor.
The game has 7 worlds, each divided into 15 sub levels. As soon as all of the jewels are collected, the exit will open. Donk can only jump and swirl his sword in to get rid of the enemies. There are various nasty things to avoid, like water hazards, green blobby things that fall from the ceilings, flying enemies, spikes, flames and the like. Donk must also activate switches to open doors or trigger solid platforms to get on higher ground. Donk has also the ability to float, shield, explode or jump higher than the average ninja. Each of these abilities are limited and can be collected through the game.
Although the gameplay is highly engaging, it gets rather frustrating at times as it requires great concentration to avoid hazards.
The game also plays in a split-screen two players mode, in which you and a friend compete in a flat out race to get to the exit first.
The game's disk supports either the OCS/ECS or the AGA version of the game.

GRAPHICS / SOUND
The game comes in three disks and has the option to select between the OCS/ECS or the AGA version. That's an interesting idea to put both versions on the same disks and no separated boxes ever needed to market. The graphics on the OCS/ECS are nice and the differences to the AGA version are limited only to the number of colors and a few extra backdrops. In any case the game looks and plays equally good in both versions. The sprites move fast and the backdrops scroll smoothly in all eight directions.
The game's sound is catchy and includes a, rather lengthy, introductory tune, a variety of sampled sound effects along with in-game music.