Which 2004 GameCube game used the DK Bongos controller for a rhythm game?

The 2004 GameCube rhythm game that used the DK Bongos controller was Donkey Konga.

Developed by Namco and published by Nintendo, Donkey Konga turned the GameCube into a rhythm-game machine. Players followed on-screen prompts by striking the left or right drum, hitting both drums together, or clapping near the controller’s built-in microphone. The DK Bongos could also be replaced with a standard GameCube controller.

The regional release dates explain why the game is often associated with 2004: Donkey Konga debuted in Japan in 2003, then reached North America and Europe in 2004. Its licensed and Nintendo-themed songs varied by region, with examples including “Louie Louie,” “Rock Lobster,” and music from Nintendo franchises.

A common mix-up is Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, another GameCube title designed around the DK Bongos. Jungle Beat was a platformer, however, while Donkey Konga was the dedicated rhythm game. The controller itself was created for Donkey Konga and later reused by other Nintendo games.