I herd the first Donkey Kong Land is different then the rest are closer to being ports. Or pretty much the same games? I know the some levels might be a tad different but that's not enough for me to purchase them. Like the Dr. Wily being a mish mash of Megaman 1 & 2 but with different levels.

Nope, they're original games heavily influenced by the Donkey Kong Country games. Even though some of the Donkey Kong Land 1-3 environments and bosses might be the same as the DKC games, the worlds and stage layout are unique. They're not enhanced (or watered-down) ports like the GBC or GBA DKC games. They're certainly worth purchasing. The bigger question that you should be asking yourself is it worth waiting for the eShop releases of DKL 1-3 or just buy the carts instead?

The first DKL is very much a different game. The 2nd is almost the same as Donkey Kong Country 2. The 3rd is somewhere between the two, not being as unique as DKL, but not as much of a port as DKL2. I'd say if you have all 3 Donkey Kong Country games, that Donkey Kong Land and Donkey Kong Land 3 are worth getting.

I don't have a system to play Gameboy games on. I rather wait and have it all on the 3DS then buying things separate and spending more money.

Also thanks CowLaunch.

In the cases of the first and third games, they are sequels to their SNES counterparts. The second is pretty much the same in plot, however. Here's hoping Nintendo can release these games on the 3DS VC.

Thanks Kirby Block Ball Title Screen.

Seriously, the plot of the first DKL is that Donkey and Diddy got in an argument with Cranky about whether DKC1 sold well entirely because of the graphics, so Cranky told K.Rool to steal the banana hoard again so that DK and Diddy could retrieve it in a Game Boy game.

The first game might be more playable on SGB or GBA SP (or 3DS if they get re-released) but the graphics are so detailed it actually makes it hard to see on systems without lighting (like the original GB). Luckily Nintendo removed most of the background detail in the second and third for better playability.

....... but that's half the fun isn't it? Or is that just my nostalgia talking?

That's just your nostalgia talking. The graphics dont work well on a GB.

@Geonjaha I would have to disagree, the graphics look remarkable on the GB, the only reason why you don't like it is that it's not in colour and the music isn't 16-bit.
I like the look of the games even though i've never played the DKC or DKL games before, If they come out on the 3DS VC then i'll buy the lot.

Games don't need to be in color or have better musical quality to be great. But making graphics too detailed on a console limited to 4 shades of black and white can be a bad thing.

Even in that video, the part on the ship looks better because of the lack of the rocky background.

Looks like a Game Gear game.
Besides, y'know, the color.

It's all subjective. I just think they tried to put too much detail into it, and it's a GB game - it can only have 4 colours...
It just looks like a bad fit in my opinion.

I had Donkey Kong Land and loved it. I played it so much the timer which kept track of your playtime went back to 00:00. The only bad thing about it was that they tried to cram in all sorts of detail on a monochromatic screen, which is not a good idea. It was extremely hard to see what was going on, and when the game was in motion things looked even worse. Talk about eye strain. Playing on a Game Boy Color with the default color scheme helped, but it was still pretty bad. I never played 2 or 3 but I'd love to see a remake of the entire DKL trilogy on one of the newer systems, with either SNES or Wii style graphics. So much potential.

I hate DKC'S graphics to death, but I love this series a lot. Seriously, seeing how impressive and clear it looks on a black and white gameboy (Not the same on GBC, however) Here's hoping it comes to the VC soon. (Rare doesn't own anything in DKL games that would stop it from being on VC, unlike DK 64)

Not exactly. The second is the closest to a port, but the first is definitely a different game and the third is somewhere in the middle.

I only played the first Donkey Kong Land on the GBA SP, and since the game was not colored, it was hard for me to play. While the graphics were great back in their day, they were too much when I first played it. However, if it ever came to the eShop, I would buy it and try again.

Rare has noting do with DK64 it's just a game Nintendo don't want to put on Wii like Star fox and Yoshi island.

^Incorrect.
DK64 includes a fully playable version of Rare's "Jetpac" game, and if i remember correctly you need to play the game in order to progress and complete DK64.

Recently (a few months ago) I played Donkey Kong Land 3 on the GBC and loved it. But I'll never beat it I have have to go back and collect all the coins. Still a fun game.

What about 'Donkey Kong Country' on the GBC? What is that supposed to be? a port or a de-make?