Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · 10d

Spent my birthday at Galloping Ghost arcade, always a great time. Also had to pull out my Switch 2 in the presence of an OG Donkey Kong cabinet, y'know, to appreciate how far we've come. Been through a lot 🦍

2 1 16

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · 10d

It's gotta be Aquatic Ambiance. What can be said that hasn't been said before, it's one of the most well known and iconic songs in gaming. It's transcendent, it's beautiful, it's spiritual, melancholic, melodic, heavenly, you name it. When I leave this earth, I want to go out with this song playing.

two monkeys are swimming in a video game scene

ALT: two monkeys are swimming in a video game scene

media.tenor.com

2

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · 15d

RIP Jane Goodall. An incredible force in animal conservationism, primatology and zoology. A big personal influence as well, as I do zoo monitor work to help with habitats and enrichment. Her work shed light on just how alike all of us apes really are, and how empathy is integral. Also inspired this!

2 11

Reposted by Michael Julius

DK Vine @dkvine.com · 22d

Happy World Gorilla Day! While Donkey Kong fans always have gorillas on the brain, take some time today to read up on the work being done to preserve our magnificent relatives in their natural habitat, whether that be a tropical jungle or Sublayer 100.

gorillafund.org

Donkey Kong (in his Kong Bananza form) & Pauline stand before the enormous Kong Elder, a towering gorilla sitting on a throne surrounded by loudspeakers. Screenshot from Donkey Kong Bananza.

3 24 54

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · 22d

Love a good hub world. The Mario series is full of them, the SMG ones have the best music, but Peach's Castle in 64 is an all timer. Gruntilda's Lair, DK Island (especially in Bananza), Waddle Dee Town, Timber's Island, Carrington Institute, the Rescue Command in Pikmin 4! So many iconic locales!!

1

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · 28d

Finding myself in a moment of deep contemplation and gratitude. Had one told me a year ago I'd be experiencing this, I would not have believed it for a second.

2 23 78

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Sep 15

Donkey Kong Country 2025

2 54 210

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Sep 5

6

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Sep 1

The Harvest Moon series has a few fall themes I love. Harvest Moon 64's has a 'workin from sunrise to sunset' vibe to it with a catchy ranch flavored tune, but Magical Melody has the soft jazzy bossa nova flair that really make me feel the coziness of the season.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=izq0...

Fall Theme [Harvest Moon: Magical Melody Soundtrack]

YouTube video by DisgruntledGoblin

www.youtube.com

1 2

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Aug 31

Macbeth!!

3

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Aug 29

Landfill drill!! Zebra really is fast!

5

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Aug 24

So many Arcade/NES games that came out before 1987 I could choose from. The easy answer would be Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt, but my heart wants to go with the original arcade Donkey Kong. Over the years I've grown more and more attached to it.

2

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Aug 21

Finally mastered the Kiddy Kong water skip technique in Bananza. Too much fun!

1 9

Reposted by Michael Julius

BoonanaMeteor 👻 @bananameteor.bsky.social · Aug 17

🎸 Now We're Jammin'! 🎶

( 8 x 10, Markers on Bristol )

Commission for @bumperthebadger.bsky.social!

#DonkeyKong #DiddyKong #DixieKong #DonkeyKongCountry #DrawingGuitarsIsHard

Dixie Kong and Diddy Kong have a jam session! Two colorful triangles make up the composition, with a kong popping out of either one. Dixie is wielding her blue fender stratocaster, while Diddy has his 90's era black boombox. They face each other happily, each vibing to their own tunes. Both are framed by large blue musical notes.

10 220 540

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Aug 14

Not words... But certainly naughty

3

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Aug 7

Ah yes, quite familiar with this. Also, if you use a Elephant Bananza to suck up bits of the animal Fractone, you can then use balls of that pattern to throw back at them, if you're a fan of ball shaped projectiles anyway...

1 3 38

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Aug 7

To my knowledge it's the only zebra that's ever been in the DK series, and it was also referred to as an animal friend in the game it's in, like the rest of the animals that inspired Bananza transformations. And the team references the Retro games in some places. So, it's certainly possible!

1

Reposted by Michael Julius

Cam-of-Rot Reigle @camreigle.bsky.social · Aug 6

Hardest secret I've ever had to keep. Extremely grateful to the crew at Rare for providing me with such a cool opportunity. Happy 40th!

Chris Allcock @taskbaarchitect.com · Aug 6

The latest SoT News is here, and its final seconds unveil some stunning Anniversary artwork (soon to come to Spotify and other places) by @camreigle.bsky.social! So many easter eggs...

A colourful image of a street outside of a theatre, packed with characters from Rare games getting up to mischief, enjoying attractions and generally causing mayhem. A sign over the theatre door reads 'Rare 40th Anniversary'.

8 22 78

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Aug 6

Heh. I believe fans have dubbed him "Zigmund", or at least the fine folks over at @dkvine.com have.

5

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Aug 6

Donkey Kong Country Returns! It's one of the animal buddies that are hypnotized at the beginning of the game, and seen at various points on the adventure... Unfortunately we never get to ride them.

9

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Aug 6

Zebra! Ostrich! Snake! Elephant! KONG!!!

The Animal Buddies that inspired the Bananza forms! From DKC 1, 2, 3, and Returns!

3 120 320

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Aug 2

The old ape can boogie!

10

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Aug 2

Yep, the real stuff from childhood right here.

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Aug 1

Donkey Kong through the years!!

3 37 130

Michael Julius @juliusaurus.bsky.social · Jul 27

DK's table needs a new leg

2