You know what’s rare?
When a game so completely dominates its own concept to the point that there’s essentially nowhere for any sequels to go.
Think about that for a moment. Yes, the Donkey Kong sequels eventually came into existence (there have been few things so inevitable as this), and yes, they each succeeded to varying degrees. Donkey Kong ’94 has been hailed as an under-the-radar gem as an extension of the original concept, the Donkey Kong Country games as a reinvention carved out new ground in the gigantic platforming genre, and even the 1980s era sequels had their pluses (and definite minuses).
But has Donkey Kong ever again been as good as this?
Many (most?) people would tell you no. And for that to still be the case, 40 years later, is nothing short of remarkable.
Donkey Kong
Genre: Platformer
Released: 1981
Platform: Arcade
No. 50 on Next Generation’s Top 100 of all time
Most people know some of the backstory surrounding Nintendo and how THIS game essentially launched the company into being a financial success and industry powerhouse. Honestly, many of the details surrounding the game are fairly common knowledge, so apologies for treading over some common ground here.
The short version is Donkey Kong, developed as one of the first ever platformers — so early in the genre’s history that the games weren’t even called that yet; they were called “climbing games” — was spearheaded to fill a glut of empty arcade cabinets that were losing Nintendo money and as a placeholder since negotiations for the license to “Popeye” weren’t coming together quickly enough.
It worked. Nintendo earned a reported $280 million within the first two years of the game’s release, launching what would become a video game empire.
The object of the game is for our hero, Mario (in his original debut!), to climb to the top of a maze of girders and ladders to rescue his girlfriend, Pauline, from the clutches of a big, silly ape. Said ape is making things more difficult by throwing obstacles in Mario’s way.
Bad ape!
Anyway, that’s about as deep as it goes, though it should be noted that this game featured four uniquely designed levels … something that was basically unheard of at the time (and missing from certain home console ports, ahem).
The actual name “Donkey Kong,” itself a source of continued rumor and speculation, was derived as a literal translation, not a mistake as some people continue to think (Donkey Kong does not = Monkey Kong). The idea was to convey a stubborn or stupid (like a donkey) ape … certainly a creature worth knocking to the bottom of some girders by our hero, Mario.*
* I also remain personally convinced that ANY distancing they could do from “King Kong,” an inspiration source and inevitable legal challenger, was a welcome change that probably was encouraged.
Yes, animal cruelty was a slightly different animal (ha!) back then. Though it must also be stated that given the nature of violence in many of today’s games … Donkey Kong still seems rather tame and quaint despite its depictions re: its titular character.
That tameness is actually somewhat the point, when one thinks on it, as Nintendo has by now established itself as one of the most family friendly developers around. Those initial steps back in the early 1980s still inform that image today … and continue to give games like this sustained life.
Would I rather have my kid playing Donkey Kong or Call of Duty?
As a parent, that’s an easy choice.
So what makes it worth playing today?
On a personal level, this was an important game for me growing up, as I’m sure it was for many others. I recall very vividly playing this in the arcades, being very bad at it, and eventually playing it at home when my Dad dipped his toe in on a home “console” with an old-school Texas Instruments. I think my mind was blown when I discovered there was more than one level (the very first time I made it to the top of Level 1). That sense of achievement mixed with the thrill of a whole new world opening up … it’s a sensation the industry continues to aspire to, and it’s why folks like me keep coming back.
Above and beyond the historical significance, which is reason enough to want to give this game a proper go, or the nostalgia (for those of us who constantly desire to play it again), Donkey Kong’s simple dynamics of “jump over obstacle” and “climb to victory” are approachable for any gamer, be they completely clueless and hopelessly noobish about video games, or whether they’re someone who’s been immersed in the stuff for years.
The object of the game is easy to grasp (Hooray, noobs!), and yet true mastery takes practice (Yay, hobbiests!). Drawing more on reaction time than memorization of pattern, it’s also a game that puts significant demands on your reflexes … which is huge plus for many gamers. Also, you’ve got the whole family friendly thing going on here.
And that really sort of sums it up. It’s another perfect score from me, because yes, nostalgia, but also because it’s friggin’ Donkey Kong, one of the most important titles in the history of the medium.
Dave’s Score: 10/10
Check out the whole Retro Gaming Essentials list here!
How to play
Whew, this has been ported a LOT. You can still find it in arcades pretty much everywhere, on your phone in the app store, and on a billion different compilation/play at home setups.