I wouldn't actually mind seeing the peg swinging element used in the mainstream Donkey Kong Country series, if perhaps another such game is ever made. Maybe it could be used for in bonus levels, or some such? But as that is probably not to be any time soon, then I'd have no objection to an appearanc...
The GBA version took me about 3 days of on/off playing.
The GBC version took me about a week because of its difficulty.
The original SNES version (played on the Virtual Console) took me about a week as well, because I can never get used to playing SNES games with a Gamecube controller lol.
I personally like this version of the game better than the others. But that's only because I oddly find restriction quite amusing. They call it 'a limited palette' in the art world. I think the graphics are pretty good given the limitations of the Game Boy Color. It has totally different restriction...