Since I’m going to spend my summer holiday in Panama, I thought it was a fun idea to make a top 10 jungle levels in games. Let’s jump in!
10: Jungle Strike
I’m kicking off the list with a classic. Jungle Strike is a retro EA game that was released way back in 1993 on Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. The goal of Jungle Strike was rather straightforward, you controlled a helicopter and had to take down tons of targets in a jungle setting. Flying around with your helicopter and taking out those targets resulted in a very addictive shoot ’em up that got ported to a lot of different consoles later on. Although it’s not only jungle-themed, this classic did offer some fun retro jungles to explore and shoot to bits.
9: Forbidden Jungle – Jak and Daxter
Oh Jak and Daxter, how I miss you guys! This classic platformer had a lot of great levels and was a blast to play. I loved the crazy duo and I hope we’ll see them reappear on PlayStation 5 one day. One of my favorite levels from the original game is without a doubt the Forbidden Jungle. A rather classic jungle level, including some hanging bridges and tons of secrets. A true joy to explore and one of the game’s most rewarding levels overall. The atmosphere of this level was amazing and brings back some nice memories just thinking of it.
8: White Jungle – Sonic Adventure 2
Back in the PlayStation 3 days, I was a sucker for immersive levels. With Sonic Adventure 2 being one of my favorite games at that time, the White Jungle level couldn’t be missed on the list. This level is the pinnacle of what a jungle level should be. It’s filled with plants, trees, and a lot of green combined with interesting loops, traps, and challenging platform segments. One of the better jungle levels that ever graced the Sonic franchise!
7: Boulder Dash – Crash Bandicoot
There are a lot of great jungle levels in the Crash Bandicoot franchise but none are as iconic as the Boulder Dash level. Clearly taking inspiration from Raiders of the Lost Ark, this level is an instant classic. With Crash Bandicoot running towards the player, trying to avoid all those traps before a giant boulder crashes into them. A stressful but rewarding level that’s often copied in other games. A prime example of an instant classic.
6: Lost Valley – Tomb Raider
Before we had Nathan Drake and the Uncharted franchise, Tomb Raider was one of PlayStation’s main exploration franchises. Lara Croft was an iconic explorer who traveled to a lot of thrilling places. I played a lot of Tomb Raider on my original PlayStation and Lost Valley was without a doubt my favorite level. It featured an unexplored jungle where time stood still, delivering one of the original game’s most iconic enemies. Fighting off the crazy raptors and facing off with the T-Rex are perhaps some of the best moments in the long-running Tomb Raider franchise.
5: A Surprising Find – Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
Time to meet Lara Croft’s successor. Nathan Drake and the Uncharted franchise really blew up and quickly become one of PlayStation’s most iconic key franchises. In the first PlayStation 3 game, we were treated to a very immersive and over-the-top exploration game. The original game featured a lot of tropical environments but when it came down to the jungle setting, a surprising find truly had it all. From swinging from vines to descending down cliffsides while gunning at some mercenaries, this jungle level certainly brought back the heat. It also helps that the level has one big hidden secret to make it even more interesting.
4: Faron region – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
We’re getting closer to the end of the list so the jungle settings are getting a lot more impressive. The Faron region had to be on the list since it’s one of the more unique jungle settings in gaming. This unique region starts off with some regular forests but the more you advance and the higher you go, the more tropical it all gets, resulting in a full-blown jungle eventually. It’s one of the game’s most unique regions, offering an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else in the game. Staying true to the jungle setting, the region offers some heavy storms, wildlife sounds, and a mysterious creature lurking in the river. It’s by far my favorite region in Breath of the Wild, there’s something truly relaxing about spending a couple of hours there.
3: Noctilum – Xenoblade Chronicles X
Xenoblade Chronicles X is one of the last remaining Wii U exclusives. I still don’t truly understand why this was never ported to the Nintendo Switch since it’s clearly a stellar game. That being said, if you’re looking for a fun jungle to explore, Noctilum ticks a lot of boxes. This alien jungle reminded me a lot of the impressive jungle found in the Avatar movies. It’s a magical place that comes to life during the night. It’s a rather hostile place at times but if you manage to get through that, you can start appreciating this wonderful environment.
2: Jungle – Crysis
Crysis really perfected a good jungle. When the game first came out, it melted a lot of gaming PCs with its impressive graphics, and even today, the original really holds up rather nicely. The jungle setting in Crysis was a true next-gen experience with moving grass and leaves and just overall impressive visuals. Activating your cloaking device while hiding in the vegetation to strike down your enemies when the time was right offered a lot of memorable moments.
1: Jungle Hijinx – Donkey Kong Country
Time to reveal our number one. The Jungle Hijinx level from Donkey Kong Country set the bar for a lot of different jungle levels. This is the perfect blueprint of what a jungle level should be and is a classic level without any doubt. Back in 1994, this was one of the best-looking game levels ever created and people simply couldn’t wrap their heads around it. It’s a perfect example of how well technology can work together with creativity to deliver one of the most iconic levels ever created.
