You know, sometimes it's hard to keep an open mind. Over the years we've seen enough 'me too' games to last a lifetime. Bandwagon jumpers clinging to the hope of generating a few sales off the back of one innovative title. Sometimes playing games doesn't seem the rewarding pastime it should be.
Which is why we applaud Nintendo for breathing new life into a peripheral that seemed doomed to gather dust once you'd gone off Donkey Konga. Regular readers will know that you use the bongos to control Donkey Kong in this side-scrolling platformer. It's not as unwieldy as it sounds.
Hit the left or right skins to make DK move in the respective direction. Slapping them both together makes him jump, while clapping (or tapping the side of the drums) makes the stinking ape lash out with a punch. You'll soon work out combos where moves link together in one spectacular blur of sprints, leaps and spins - and these bring you the most points as well. Boss encounters certainly give you a real workout. It's definitely the best way we've seen to keep fit with your Gamecube.
And it's a pleasing experience for your eyes as well. Beautifully rendered BIG enemies. A camera that zooms in and out to capture every last drop of detail. Lovely. Could be a sleeper hit, this...
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is out now in Japan and will be released for your UK Gamecube on 4 February
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
After 4 years, Tom Hardy’s long-awaited Netflix action thriller finally gets a first look and release date
Zelda cosplayer struggling with "impossible" Link design flaw finds solution after Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai steps in to help
After 7 years, a forgotten Team Fortress 2 taunt is in the spotlight as the ultimate meme expression of FPS dominance: "You either Yeti cancel or the Yeti cancels you"