New Play Control!: Donkey Kong - Jungle Beat is a re-imagining of the GameCube game designed as a more traditional platformer that can be played in a standard control scheme and without the DK Bongos. This means that several levels have had minor design adjustments made, some bosses appear in different kingdoms then they did originally, and Donkey Kong now has 3 hitpoints before he loses a life (as opposed to the original game, where his score would be reduced instead).

There are now only 3 kingdoms per letter barrel. The fourth kingdom in each barrel needs to be unlocked by collecting all of the crests in a letter barrel's kingdoms. These bonus kingdoms made up the original games B barrel.. This version of the game also doesn't require the player to earn crests to open new kingdoms as the kingdoms will unlock one after another once beaten. This version of the game also includes two exclusive kingdoms; Kong of the Mountain and Banana Banquet.

The game follows Donkey Kong on his mission to defeat some powerful intruders and restore peace to the Jungle. This is different to the GameCube game, which merely resolves around Donkey Kong becoming king of the jungle.