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{{italic title|''Donkey Kong'' (game)}}
{{italic title|''Donkey Kong'' (game)}}
{{articleabout|the 1981 arcade game|the 1994 remake|[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)]]|the character|[[Donkey Kong]]}}
{{articleabout|the original 1981 arcade game|the 1994 Game Boy game|[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)]]|the character|[[Donkey Kong]]}}
{{Infobox Arcade Game
{{Infobox Arcade Game
|title=Donkey Kong
|title=Donkey Kong
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|developer=[[Nintendo Research & Development 1]]<br>[[Intelligent Systems]] (NES port) <br> [[Nintendo Research & Development 2]] (NES port)<ref>Iwata, Satoru et al. [http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/nsmb/1/0 Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. Wii]. ''Nintendo''. Retrieved May 01 2015</ref> <br> [[Ikegami Tsushinki]] <ref name="Gamasutra">Fahs, Travis.[http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134790/the_secret_history_of_donkey_kong.php?page=3 The Secret History of Donkey Kong], ''Gamasutra''</ref><ref name="Sore wa">Akagi, Masumi. ''Sore wa “Pong” kara Hajimatta'', p. 305-307 (Translation available [http://jotaroraido.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/the-battle-of-donkey-kong/ here])</ref>
|developer=[[Nintendo Research & Development 1]]<br>[[Intelligent Systems]] (NES port) <br> [[Nintendo Research & Development 2]] (NES port)<ref>Iwata, Satoru et al. [http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/nsmb/1/0 Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. Wii]. ''Nintendo''. Retrieved May 01 2015</ref> <br> [[Ikegami Tsushinki]] <ref name="Gamasutra">Fahs, Travis.[http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134790/the_secret_history_of_donkey_kong.php?page=3 The Secret History of Donkey Kong], ''Gamasutra''</ref><ref name="Sore wa">Akagi, Masumi. ''Sore wa “Pong” kara Hajimatta'', p. 305-307 (Translation available [http://jotaroraido.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/the-battle-of-donkey-kong/ here])</ref>
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|release='''Arcade'''<br>{{releasedate|Japan|July 9, 1981|USA|1981}} '''Intellivision'''<br>March 3, 1982 <br>'''ColecoVision'''<br>December 31, 1982<br>'''Atari 2600'''<br>1982<br>'''Atari 8-bit Computers''' <br>1982<br>'''TI-99/4a'''<br>1983<br>'''IBM PC Booter'''<br>1983<br>'''Commodore 64 & VIC-20'''<br>1983<br> '''[[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] port'''<br>{{releasedate|Japan|July 15, 1983|USA|June, 1986|Europe|October 15, 1986}} '''MSX'''<br>1986<br>'''ZX Spectrum'''<br>1986<br>'''Amstrad CPC'''<br>1986<br>'''[[Famicom Disk System]]:'''<br>{{releasedate|Japan|April 8, 1988 <ref>[http://themushroomkingdom.net/games/dk-fds Date info of Donkey Kong (FDS) from TMK], retrieved 11/25/2012</ref>}} '''Atari 7800'''<br>1988<br>'''e-Reader:'''<br>{{releasedate|USA|September 16, 2002 <ref>[http://themushroomkingdom.net/games/dk-e Date info of Donkey Kong (e-Reader) from TMK], retrieved 11/25/2012</ref>}} '''[[Game Boy Advance]]'''<br>{{releasedate|Japan|February 14, 2004|USA|June 7, 2004|Europe|July 10, 2004}} '''[[Virtual Console#List of Mario games for the Virtual Console|Virtual Console]] ([[Wii]])'''<br>{{releasedate|USA|November 19, 2006|Japan|December 2, 2006|Australia|December 7, 2006|Europe|December 8, 2006}} '''[[Virtual Console#Nintendo 3DS|Virtual Console]] ([[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]])'''<br>{{releasedate|Japan|October 17, 2012|USA|August 15, 2013|Europe|November 21, 2013|Australia|November 21, 2013<ref>[http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/r3qMB2ZdHdIFXlDDoA6MYGLaDV-8jZNg Nintendo.com - Donkey Kong - Game Info]</ref>|Europe|September 18, 2014 (''Original Edition'')}}'''[[Virtual Console#Wii U|Virtual Console]] ([[Wii U]])'''<br>{{releasedate|Japan|July 15, 2013|USA|July 15, 2013|Europe|July 15, 2013|Australia|July 15, 2013}}
|release='''Arcade'''<br>{{releasedate|Japan|July 9, 1981|USA|July 31, 1981}} '''Intellivision'''<br>March 3, 1982 <br>'''ColecoVision'''<br>December 31, 1982<br>'''Atari 2600'''<br>March 12, 1982<br>'''Atari 8-bit Computers''' <br>October 18, 1982<br>'''TI-99/4a'''<br>January 1, 1983<br>'''IBM PC Booter'''<br>June 23, 1983<br>'''Commodore 64 & VIC-20'''<br>December 15, 1983<br> '''[[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] port'''<br>{{releasedate|Japan|July 15, 1983|USA|June 15, 1986|Europe|October 15, 1986}} '''MSX'''<br>July 10, 1986<br>'''ZX Spectrum'''<br>November 15, 1986<br>'''Amstrad CPC'''<br>July 26, 1986<br>'''[[Famicom Disk System]]:'''<br>{{releasedate|Japan|April 8, 1988 <ref>[http://themushroomkingdom.net/games/dk-fds Date info of Donkey Kong (FDS) from TMK], retrieved 11/25/2012</ref>}} '''Atari 7800'''<br>June 21, 1988<br>'''e-Reader:'''<br>{{releasedate|USA|September 16, 2002 <ref>[http://themushroomkingdom.net/games/dk-e Date info of Donkey Kong (e-Reader) from TMK], retrieved 11/25/2012</ref>}} '''[[Game Boy Advance]]'''<br>{{releasedate|Japan|February 14, 2004|USA|June 7, 2004|Europe|July 10, 2004}} '''[[Virtual Console#List of Mario games for the Virtual Console|Virtual Console]] ([[Wii]])'''<br>{{releasedate|USA|November 19, 2006|Japan|December 2, 2006|Australia|December 7, 2006|Europe|December 8, 2006}} '''[[Virtual Console#Nintendo 3DS|Virtual Console]] ([[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]])'''<br>{{releasedate|Japan|October 17, 2012|USA|August 15, 2013|Europe|November 21, 2013|Australia|November 21, 2013<ref>[http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/r3qMB2ZdHdIFXlDDoA6MYGLaDV-8jZNg Nintendo.com - Donkey Kong - Game Info]</ref>|Europe|September 18, 2014 (''Original Edition'')}}'''[[Virtual Console#Wii U|Virtual Console]] ([[Wii U]])'''<br>{{releasedate|Japan|July 15, 2013|USA|July 15, 2013|Europe|July 15, 2013|Australia|July 15, 2013}}
|genre=Platform
|genre=Platform
|modes=Up to 2 players, alternating turns
|modes=Up to 2 players, alternating turns
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|notes=Introduced the [[Mario]] and [[Donkey Kong]] characters; #3 most popular game in the [[KLOV]]
|notes=Introduced the [[Mario]] and [[Donkey Kong]] characters; #3 most popular game in the [[KLOV]]
}}
}}
'''''Donkey Kong''''' is an arcade game that was [[Nintendo]]'s first big hit in North America. It marked the beginning of the ''[[Mario (series)|Mario series]]'' games, and introduced several of the earliest characters, including [[Mario]] himself (originally known as "Jumpman"<ref>[http://www.arcade-museum.com/manuals-videogames/D/dk-tkg4u.pdf ''Donkey Kong'' Operation Manual], page 2</ref>, a carpenter rather than a plumber), the original [[Donkey Kong]] (who, in later games, would become [[Cranky Kong]], the current Donkey Kong's grandfather<sup><ref>[http://www.world-of-nintendo.com/manuals/super_nes/donkey_kong_country.shtml]</ref>]</sup>), and [[Pauline]], who now frequently appears in the [[Mario vs. Donkey Kong]] series. A version of the game was also created later for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], Nintendo's first home console. The game sold very well in the United States, becoming one of four games to be inducted into the Nintendo Hall of Fame. The original arcade version had four screen levels, but the Nintendo Entertainment System version only has three, with the stage [[50m]] cut from this version. This game was also the first title to be released on [[Virtual Console]].
'''''Donkey Kong''''' is an arcade game that was [[Nintendo]]'s first big hit in North America. It marked the beginning of the [[Mario (series)|''Mario'' series]] games, and introduced several of the earliest characters, including [[Mario]] himself (originally known as "Jumpman"<ref>[http://www.arcade-museum.com/manuals-videogames/D/dk-tkg4u.pdf ''Donkey Kong'' Operation Manual], pages 2 & 5</ref>, a carpenter rather than a plumber), the original [[Donkey Kong]] (who, in later games, would become [[Cranky Kong]], the current Donkey Kong's grandfather<ref>''Donkey Kong Country'' instruction booklet, pages 6 & 27</ref>), and [[Pauline]] (originally known as the Lady), who now frequently appears in the ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'' series. A version of the game was also created later for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], Nintendo's first home console. The game sold very well in the United States, becoming one of four games to be inducted into the Nintendo Hall of Fame. The original arcade version had four screen levels, but the Nintendo Entertainment System version only has three, with the stage [[50m]] cut from this version. This game was also the first title to be released on [[Virtual Console]].


==Story==
==Story==
Donkey Kong has taken the beautiful [[Pauline|lady]] (Pauline in the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] conversion) to a dangerous construction site. Jumpman (Mario in home ports and promotional materials) must climb to the top of this construction site and rescue the lady from the giant ape.
Donkey Kong has kidnapped the beautiful [[Pauline|Lady]] (Pauline in the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] conversion) to a dangerous construction site. Jumpman (Mario in home ports and promotional materials) must climb to the top of this construction site and rescue the Lady from the giant ape.


===Official story quoted from Nintendo of America===
===Official story quoted from Nintendo of America===
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==Characters==
==Characters==
*[[Mario|Jumpman]] (Mario) (Hero, Playable)
*[[Mario|Jumpman]] (Mario) (Hero, Playable)
*[[Pauline|Lady]] (Pauline) (Goal, Unplayable)
*[[Pauline|Lady]] (Pauline) (Heroine, Unplayable)
*[[Donkey Kong]] (Villain, Unplayable)
*[[Donkey Kong]] (Cranky Kong) (Villain, Unplayable)


===Enemies===
===Enemies===
*[[Barrel]]
*[[Barrel]]
*[[Fire|Fireball]]
*[[Fire]]
*[[Sand Pile]]
*[[Sand Pile]]
*[[Springboard]]
*[[Springboard]]
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==Items==
==Items==
*[[Hammer]]
*[[Hammer]]
*[[Lady's lost articles]]
*[[Pauline's lost items|Lady's lost articles]]
*[[Rivet]]s
*[[Rivet]]s


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[[File:DKMachineBlue.jpg|thumb|153px|The cabinet]]
[[File:DKMachineBlue.jpg|thumb|153px|The cabinet]]
[[File:Jumpmanconcept.jpg|thumb|left|Concept art for Jumpman.]]
[[File:Jumpmanconcept.jpg|thumb|left|Concept art for Jumpman.]]
''Donkey Kong'' was created when [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], under the supervision of the late [[Gunpei Yokoi]], was assigned by Nintendo to convert ''Radar Scope'', a poorly selling arcade game in North America, into a game that would have more appeal to gamers. Shigeru Miyamoto later admitted that he did not focus on the story of the game, instead creating a basic plot with colourful characters and music that he himself penned<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz0P_TcikwA&t=1847 A Discovery Channel documentary on videogames] reveals that Miyamoto wanted to make ''Donkey Kong'' tell a story, and also wrote the music for the game. ''YouTube''. Referenced March 22, 2015</ref>. He said that Jumpman (later to be renamed Mario) and the lady were not intended to have a relationship, and he did not know where the connection idea came from, but he thought that it did not matter much. Regardless, the resulting game was a major breakthrough for Nintendo and for the video game industry, becoming one of the best selling arcade machines of its time. Its platforming gameplay also distinguished it from most other arcade games at the time.
''Donkey Kong'' was created when [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], under the supervision of the late [[Gunpei Yokoi]], was assigned by Nintendo to convert ''Radar Scope'', a poorly selling arcade game in North America, into a game that would have more appeal to more gamers. Shigeru Miyamoto later admitted that he did not focus on the story of the game, instead creating a basic plot with colourful characters and music that he himself penned<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz0P_TcikwA&t=27m24s A Discovery Channel documentary on video games] reveals that Miyamoto wanted to make ''Donkey Kong'' tell a story, and also wrote the music for the game. ''YouTube''. Referenced March 22, 2015</ref>. He said that Jumpman (later to be renamed Mario) and the Lady were not intended to have a relationship, and he did not know where the connection idea came from, but he thought that it did not matter much. Regardless, the resulting game was a major breakthrough for Nintendo and for the video game industry, becoming one of the best selling arcade machines of its time. Its platforming gameplay also distinguished it from most other arcade games at the time.


==Lawsuits==
==Lawsuits==
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*''[[Donkey Kong II]]'' (Game & Watch)
*''[[Donkey Kong II]]'' (Game & Watch)
*''[[Donkey Kong 3]]''
*''[[Donkey Kong 3]]''
*''[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)]]''
*[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|''Donkey Kong'' (Game Boy)]]


===Ports===
===Ports===
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==References in later games==
==References in later games==
*''[[Donkey Kong II]]'': A sequel to this game.
*[[Donkey Kong (Game & Watch)|''Donkey Kong'' Game & Watch]]: A remake of this game for the [[Game & Watch]] line of systems.
*''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'': Clawgrip tosses down rocks and beats his chest in a similar manner to Donkey Kong in this game. The remakes of this game also feature girders in the backgrounds of the indoor areas.
*''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'': Clawgrip tosses down rocks and beats his chest in a similar manner to Donkey Kong in this game. The remakes of this game also feature girders in the backgrounds of the indoor areas.
*[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|''Donkey Kong'' (Game Boy)]]: The four levels from the arcade version of this game are remade in this game. The Hammer and Pauline's dropped items also appear. The plot is also identical for the first four stages.
*[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|''Donkey Kong'' (Game Boy)]]: The four levels from the arcade version of this game are remade in this game. The Hammer and Pauline's dropped items also appear. The plot is also identical for the first four stages.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'': [[Cranky Kong]] is said to be an elder version of the Donkey Kong that appears in this game and its sequels. The intro of this game has Cranky using a phonograph and playing the title song from the arcade version of this game, on a structure made of girders resembling the ones from 25m. The oil drums from [[Oil Drum Alley]] are the same as the ones in 25m.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'': [[Cranky Kong]] is said to be an elder version of the Donkey Kong that appears in this game and its sequels. The intro of this game has Cranky using a phonograph and playing the title song from the arcade version of this game, on a structure made of girders resembling the ones from 25m. The oil drums from [[Oil Drum Alley]] are the same as the ones in 25m.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]: Cranky's line, "Whisking off maidens and chucking barrels seven days a week, I was!" is a direct reference to this game.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'': Cranky's line, "Whisking off maidens and chucking barrels seven days a week, I was!" is a direct reference to this game.
*''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'': One of the challenge rooms in [[Bowser's Castle|Bowser's Keep]] late in the game involves Mario having to dodge barrels thrown down by a [[Chained Kong]].
*''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'': One of the challenge rooms in [[Bowser's Castle|Bowser's Keep]] late in the game involves Mario having to dodge barrels thrown down by a [[Chained Kong]].
*''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]'': One of Wario's alternate costumes is based on Jumpman's outfit.
*''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'': A direct port of the arcade game is playable by accessing an arcade machine in [[Frantic Factory]]. The song that plays in [[Creepy Castle]] is also a remade version of the music that plays when Donkey Kong is climbing up the construction site with Pauline.
*''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'': A direct port of the arcade game is playable by accessing an arcade machine in [[Frantic Factory]]. The song that plays in [[Creepy Castle]] is also a remade version of the music that plays when Donkey Kong is climbing up the construction site with Pauline.
*''[[Donkey Konga]]'': When choosing to display in 50hz or 60hz, Mario's sprite acts as the cursor; Donkey Kong's sprite can be seen to the left.
*''[[Donkey Konga]]'': When choosing to display in 50hz or 60hz, Mario's sprite acts as the cursor; Donkey Kong's sprite can be seen to the left.
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*''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]'': Mario's baller name in this game is "The Jumpman".
*''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]'': Mario's baller name in this game is "The Jumpman".
*''[[Donkey Kong Barrel Blast]]'': The theme of Cranky's flight school and part of [[Cosmic Highway]] feature this game's opening theme.
*''[[Donkey Kong Barrel Blast]]'': The theme of Cranky's flight school and part of [[Cosmic Highway]] feature this game's opening theme.
*''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'': 75m appears as a stage in this game. The title theme appears as a remix song in this game, and the 25m theme also appears in its original format. A demo of this game is also available as a Masterpiece.
*''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'': 75m appears as a stage in this game. The title theme appears as a cover version in this game, and the 25m theme also appears in its original format. A demo of this game is also available as a Masterpiece. Mario's down taunt, in which he spins around in midair and falls on his back, is a reference to his death animation in this game. Also, one of Wario's costumes is based on Mario's outfit from his first appearance.
*''[[WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase]]'': There is a [[Donkey Kong (WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase)|microgame]] based upon this game in which the player must destroy a barrel rolling toward Mario by tapping it.
*''[[WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase]]'': There is a [[Donkey Kong (WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase)|microgame]] based upon this game in which the player must destroy a barrel rolling toward Mario by tapping it.
*''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'': [[Broozer]]s can pick up and throw barrels similar to Donkey Kong in this game.
*''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'': [[Broozer]]s can pick up and throw barrels similar to Donkey Kong in this game.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'': The 25m stage can be seen in the background of [[Foggy Fumes]]. A statue of the Donkey Kong sprite from this game holding up a [[Wii#Wii Remote|Wii Remote]] can be seen in [[Wonky Waterway]]. Some of the secret temple stages feature paintings on pillars and platforms resembling the stages from this game.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'': The 25m stage can be seen in the background of [[Foggy Fumes]]. A statue of the Donkey Kong sprite from this game holding up a [[Wii#Wii Remote|Wii Remote]] can be seen in [[Wonky Waterway]]. Some of the secret temple stages feature paintings on pillars and platforms resembling the stages from this game.
*''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'': Part of the final battle with Bowser features Bowser moving from side to side and tossing barrels at Mario.
*''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'': Part of the final battle with Bowser features Bowser moving from side to side and tossing barrels at Mario in a similar manner to Donkey Kong in this game.
*''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'': Donkey Kong's sprite can be seen holding a [[Wii U#Wii U GamePad|Wii U GamePad]] at the end of [[Aqueduct Assault]].
*''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'': Donkey Kong's sprite can be seen holding a [[Wii U#Wii U GamePad|Wii U GamePad]] at the end of [[Aqueduct Assault]].
*''[[Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker]]'': The music played and animation when the player picks up a [[Super Pickaxe]] are identical to when Mario grabs a Hammer in this game. Also, the level [[Retro Ramp-Up]] is based on this game, but replacing Donkey Kong with a [[Spike]] throwing spiked balls.  
*''[[Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker]]'': The music played and animation when the player picks up a [[Super Pickaxe]] are identical to when Mario grabs a Hammer in this game. Also, the level [[Retro Ramp-Up]] is based on this game, but replacing Donkey Kong with a [[Spike]] throwing spiked balls.  
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*Donkey Kong was the second platformer ever made; the 1980 game ''[[wikipedia:Space Panic|Space Panic]]'' was the first.
*Donkey Kong was the second platformer ever made; the 1980 game ''[[wikipedia:Space Panic|Space Panic]]'' was the first.
*Even though Jumpman wears his signature red and blue clothing in the game, he wears blue and white clothing on the boxart for the NES port.
*Even though Jumpman wears his signature red and blue clothing in the game, he wears blue and white clothing on the boxart for the NES port.
*''Donkey Kong'' was conceived as a Popeye game, with Bluto replacing Donkey Kong, Popeye replacing Jumpman, and Olive Oyl replacing the lady.<ref>http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/iwata/iwata_asks_new_super_mario_bros_wii_16795_16846.html</ref>
*''Donkey Kong'' was originally conceived as a Popeye game, with Bluto being in the spot of Donkey Kong, Popeye being Jumpman/Mario, and Olive Oyl being Lady/Pauline. The game ended up being changed due to Nintendo being unable to secure the license for Popeye, but Nintendo would later make the Popeye arcade game (1982) due to being able to get the rights. <ref>http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/iwata/iwata_asks_new_super_mario_bros_wii_16795_16846.html</ref>
*All three major characters were renamed in later appearances, with Jumpman changed to Mario in Nintendo of America's promotions, Lady changed to Pauline in ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'', and lastly this game's Donkey Kong becoming [[Cranky Kong]] by the release of ''Donkey Kong Country''.
*All three major characters were renamed in later appearances, with Jumpman changed to Mario in Nintendo of America's promotions, Lady changed to Pauline in ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'', and lastly this game's Donkey Kong becoming [[Cranky Kong]] by the release of ''Donkey Kong Country''.
*Jumpman's outfit would later be used as Mario's outfit in the DIC cartoons and an alternate costume for Mario in the first three ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' games and an alternate costume for Wario in ''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl|Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]'' as well as [[Ice Mario]]'s outfit in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' and ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]''.


==External links==
==External links==
Line 175: Line 175:


==References==
==References==
{{NIWA|StrategyWiki=Donkey Kong|DKWiki=1}}
<references/>
<references/>
{{NIWA|StrategyWiki=Donkey Kong|DKWiki=1}}
{{BoxTop}}
{{BoxTop}}
{{DK}}
{{DK}}

Revision as of 18:25, January 29, 2016

Template:Articleabout Template:Infobox Arcade Game Donkey Kong is an arcade game that was Nintendo's first big hit in North America. It marked the beginning of the Mario series games, and introduced several of the earliest characters, including Mario himself (originally known as "Jumpman"[1], a carpenter rather than a plumber), the original Donkey Kong (who, in later games, would become Cranky Kong, the current Donkey Kong's grandfather[2]), and Pauline (originally known as the Lady), who now frequently appears in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. A version of the game was also created later for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo's first home console. The game sold very well in the United States, becoming one of four games to be inducted into the Nintendo Hall of Fame. The original arcade version had four screen levels, but the Nintendo Entertainment System version only has three, with the stage 50m cut from this version. This game was also the first title to be released on Virtual Console.

Story

Donkey Kong has kidnapped the beautiful Lady (Pauline in the NES conversion) to a dangerous construction site. Jumpman (Mario in home ports and promotional materials) must climb to the top of this construction site and rescue the Lady from the giant ape.

Official story quoted from Nintendo of America

File:Donkeykongflier.jpg
The flier for the game, which was handed out in arcades, toy stores and such.

"HELP! HELP!" cries the beautiful maiden as she is dragged up a labyrinth of structural beams by the ominous Donkey Kong. "SNORT. SNORT." Foreboding music warns of the eventual doom that awaits the poor girl, lest she somehow be miraculously rescued. "But wait! Fear not, fair maiden. Little Mario, the carpenter, is in hot pursuit of you this very moment."


Throwing fate to the wind, risking life and limb, or worse, little Mario tries desperately to climb the mighty fortress of steel, to save the lovely lady from the evil Mr. Kong. Little Mario must dodge all manner of obstacles- fireballs, plummeting beams and a barrage of exploding barrels fired at him by Donkey Kong. Amidst the beautiful girl's constant pleas for help, your challenge is to maneuver little Mario up the steel structure, while helping him to avoid the rapid-fire succession of hazards that come his way.

As little Mario gallantly battles his way up the barriers, he is taunted and teased by Donkey Kong, who brazenly struts back and forth, beating his chest in joyful exuberance at the prospect of having the beautiful girl all to himself. It is your job to get little Mario to the top. For it is there, and only there, that he can send the mighty Donkey Kong to his mortal doom. Leaving Little Mario and the beautiful girl to live happily ever after. "SIGH. SIGH."

So, if you want the most exciting, most fun-filled, most talked about family video game on the market, don't monkey around with anything but the original Donkey Kong.

Characters

  • Jumpman (Mario) (Hero, Playable)
  • Lady (Pauline) (Heroine, Unplayable)
  • Donkey Kong (Cranky Kong) (Villain, Unplayable)

Enemies

Items

Levels

Development

The cabinet
Concept art of Mario for the arcade game Donkey Kong
Concept art for Jumpman.

Donkey Kong was created when Shigeru Miyamoto, under the supervision of the late Gunpei Yokoi, was assigned by Nintendo to convert Radar Scope, a poorly selling arcade game in North America, into a game that would have more appeal to more gamers. Shigeru Miyamoto later admitted that he did not focus on the story of the game, instead creating a basic plot with colourful characters and music that he himself penned[3]. He said that Jumpman (later to be renamed Mario) and the Lady were not intended to have a relationship, and he did not know where the connection idea came from, but he thought that it did not matter much. Regardless, the resulting game was a major breakthrough for Nintendo and for the video game industry, becoming one of the best selling arcade machines of its time. Its platforming gameplay also distinguished it from most other arcade games at the time.

Lawsuits

Universal

In 1982, around a year after the game's release, Universal Studios sued Nintendo, claiming that Donkey Kong infringed on Universal Studios' intellectual property rights to the film King Kong. Howard Lincoln, attorney and future president of Nintendo of America, decided to fight the case and hired seasoned attorney John Kirby to represent Nintendo. When Kirby showed that not only was Nintendo not in violation of any copyrights, but also that Universal Studios themselves had sued RKO Pictures in 1975 to prove that the plot of King Kong was in fact in the public domain, Judge Robert W. Sweet ruled in Nintendo's favor, ordering Universal to pay Nintendo $1.8 million in legal fees. In an ironic twist, Judge Sweet also ruled that Tiger's King Kong video game, licensed by Universal, infringed on Donkey Kong. After the victory, Nintendo awarded John Kirby with a $30,000 sailboat, christened the Donkey Kong, and gave him "exclusive worldwide rights to use the name for sailboats."[4]

Ikegami Tsushinki

As Nintendo's newly established video game division lacked programming manpower, the arcade version of Donkey Kong was programmed by Ikegami Tsushinki, a contractor that had worked for Nintendo for several of its arcade releases[5][6]. For Donkey Kong's development, the two companies signed a contract which gave Ikegami Tsushinki exclusive rights to the manufacturing of Donkey Kong arcade boards[5][6].

In 1983, Ikegami Tsushinki sued Nintendo on the ground that the company had violated the contract and produced around 80,000 arcade boards on its own[5][6]. Ikegami Tsushinki also sought compensation for the use of reverse-engineered Donkey Kong code in Donkey Kong Jr.[5][6] and claimed it owned the copyright on Donkey Kong's code (while the contract did not specify ownership of the code, a judgment relating to Space Invaders Part II set a precedent establishing computer code can be copyrighted[6]). In response, Nintendo claimed it owned Donkey Kong's code as Ikegami was hired as a sub-contractor[5][6].

The case went to the Tokyo District Court until March 26, 1990, at which point the two companies settled out of court[5][6]. The lawsuit has often been stated to be the reason behind the lack of rereleases of the arcade version of Donkey Kong and the existence of Donkey Kong: Original Edition, although Donkey Kong 64 nevertheless features a full port of the arcade version, albeit with slight differences as it closely imitates the source code.

Documentary

Main article: The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

In 2007, a documentary film directed by Seth Gordon based off Donkey Kong was released. The film centers around high school teacher Steve Wiebe as he tries to achieve a world record for obtaining the highest score in the game, which is held by Billy Mitchell at the time.

Sequels and ports

File:Donkey Kong arcade.PNG
Jumpman about to jump over a barrel.

Sequels

Donkey Kong has four sequels to date.

Ports

In addition to the arcade version, Donkey Kong was ported into several other gaming systems and computers:

  • NES
  • Game & Watch
  • GBA as Classic NES Series: Donkey Kong. This version, as the title implies, is not based on the arcade version, but rather the NES version, meaning 50m is also omitted.
  • e-Reader for the GBA
  • Famicom Disk System
  • Atari 2600
  • Atari 7800
  • Atari 8-bit computers
  • ColecoVision
  • Intellivision
  • Commodore VIC-20
  • Commodore 64 (Two official ports exist, one released in 1983 in North America by Atarisoft, and another released in 1986 in Europe by Ocean.)
  • Texas Instruments TI-99/4A
  • Amstrad CPC
  • ZX Spectrum
  • MSX
  • Coleco Adam
  • Amiga (Port is not official but rather a homebrew ported directly from the Commodore 64 version)
  • Coleco Tabletop
  • Apple II
  • MS-DOS
  • In Game & Watch Gallery 2 and Game & Watch Gallery 4, Donkey Kong was one of the minigames. It could be played in both modern and classic modes.
  • Two different ports of Donkey Kong have appeared on Virtual Console. The first, released in 2006, is essentially a direct port of the NES version, while the second, entitled Donkey Kong Original Edition (ドンキーコング オリジナルエディション), attempted to adhere to the arcade version, and was pre-installed for the European release of the Mario 25th Anniversary limited edition red Wii in 2010. This version restored some missing animations and the level 50m, which was cut from the NES version, although Donkey Kong mistakenly stands still in this level, and while the port's graphics are an improvement to the NES port, it is still inferior to the true arcade version, which remains unavailable on Virtual Console. The latter port was made available on the Nintendo eShop in Japan when a Club Nintendo member purchased the download version of one of two games, one of which was New Super Mario Bros. 2[7], from July 28, 2012 to September 2, 2012.[8] A similar promotion took place in the US between October 1, 2012 and January 6, 2013, exclusively to members of Club Nintendo who have, within the aforementioned time frame, linked their systems to their Club Nintendo accounts and have purchased the downloadable version of one of five select 3DS titles (one of which was Paper Mario: Sticker Star). There are currently no plans for a wide release of this version in the U.S., although it was released in Europe for the 3DS eShop on September 18, 2014.

Donkey Kong was also re-released as part of two compilation games, Donkey Kong Classics and Donkey Kong/Donkey Kong Jr./Mario Bros., and it is featured as a playable extra in the following titles:

Staff

Main article: List of Donkey Kong staff

The arcade version was produced by Gunpei Yokoi. Shigeru Miyamoto and Hiroshi Yamauchi directed the game while an uncredited Ikegami Tsushinki did programming duties, later leading to a lawsuit over which company owned the arcade code's rights. Intelligent Systems' own website claims credit for developing the NES port for Nintendo, though neither the cartridge nor title screen mentions the company and the Iwata Ask interview released for New Super Mario Bros. Wii states the game was developed by Nintendo Research & Development 2[9]. Landon Dyer programmed the DOS Version.

Gallery

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References in later games

  • Super Mario Bros. 2: Clawgrip tosses down rocks and beats his chest in a similar manner to Donkey Kong in this game. The remakes of this game also feature girders in the backgrounds of the indoor areas.
  • Donkey Kong (Game Boy): The four levels from the arcade version of this game are remade in this game. The Hammer and Pauline's dropped items also appear. The plot is also identical for the first four stages.
  • Donkey Kong Country: Cranky Kong is said to be an elder version of the Donkey Kong that appears in this game and its sequels. The intro of this game has Cranky using a phonograph and playing the title song from the arcade version of this game, on a structure made of girders resembling the ones from 25m. The oil drums from Oil Drum Alley are the same as the ones in 25m.
  • Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest: Cranky's line, "Whisking off maidens and chucking barrels seven days a week, I was!" is a direct reference to this game.
  • Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars: One of the challenge rooms in Bowser's Keep late in the game involves Mario having to dodge barrels thrown down by a Chained Kong.
  • Mario Golf: One of Wario's alternate costumes is based on Jumpman's outfit.
  • Donkey Kong 64: A direct port of the arcade game is playable by accessing an arcade machine in Frantic Factory. The song that plays in Creepy Castle is also a remade version of the music that plays when Donkey Kong is climbing up the construction site with Pauline.
  • Donkey Konga: When choosing to display in 50hz or 60hz, Mario's sprite acts as the cursor; Donkey Kong's sprite can be seen to the left.
  • WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!: There is a microgame based upon this game in which the player as Mario must jump over barrels.
  • Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga: If Mario jumps when the Border Bros tell Luigi to jump, one of them says, "give the jumpman thing a rest", a reference to Mario's original name for this game. Mario rescues Luigi at Woohoo Hooniversity by traversing a stage with rolling barrels. There is also a skeletal pirate who tosses barrels in a minigame.
  • Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door: One of the badges in this game is the Jumpman Badge. In addition, if the player returns to the Glitz Pit and reaches first place again, one audience member says, "JUMPMAN!!! Wait, who?"
  • Mario Power Tennis: The music that plays when Donkey Kong wins a trophy is the title theme from this game.
  • Donkey Kong Jungle Beat: During the fights with Ghastly King and Cactus King, a portion of their battle music consists of the music that plays when Donkey Kong takes Pauline up the construction site.
  • Donkey Konga 3: Tabehōdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku: One of the songs from this game is featured.
  • Mario Hoops 3-on-3: Mario's baller name in this game is "The Jumpman".
  • Donkey Kong Barrel Blast: The theme of Cranky's flight school and part of Cosmic Highway feature this game's opening theme.
  • Super Smash Bros. Brawl: 75m appears as a stage in this game. The title theme appears as a cover version in this game, and the 25m theme also appears in its original format. A demo of this game is also available as a Masterpiece. Mario's down taunt, in which he spins around in midair and falls on his back, is a reference to his death animation in this game. Also, one of Wario's costumes is based on Mario's outfit from his first appearance.
  • WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase: There is a microgame based upon this game in which the player must destroy a barrel rolling toward Mario by tapping it.
  • New Super Mario Bros. Wii: Broozers can pick up and throw barrels similar to Donkey Kong in this game.
  • Donkey Kong Country Returns: The 25m stage can be seen in the background of Foggy Fumes. A statue of the Donkey Kong sprite from this game holding up a Wii Remote can be seen in Wonky Waterway. Some of the secret temple stages feature paintings on pillars and platforms resembling the stages from this game.
  • Super Mario 3D Land: Part of the final battle with Bowser features Bowser moving from side to side and tossing barrels at Mario in a similar manner to Donkey Kong in this game.
  • Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: Donkey Kong's sprite can be seen holding a Wii U GamePad at the end of Aqueduct Assault.
  • Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker: The music played and animation when the player picks up a Super Pickaxe are identical to when Mario grabs a Hammer in this game. Also, the level Retro Ramp-Up is based on this game, but replacing Donkey Kong with a Spike throwing spiked balls.
  • Super Smash Bros. for Wii U: 75m returns as a stage. This game is also once again featured as a Masterpiece.

Trivia

File:Dkmachine64.jpg
The arcade machine found in the Frantic Factory.
  • The twenty-second board is the final level of the game; Jumpman instantly dies within eight seconds of playing in the level, regardless of how many lives the player has left. This bug, known as a kill screen, happens due to a programming oversight in which the game does not have enough memory to continue. Games such as Pac-Man and Duck Hunt also have kill screens.
  • Donkey Kong was the second platformer ever made; the 1980 game Space Panic was the first.
  • Even though Jumpman wears his signature red and blue clothing in the game, he wears blue and white clothing on the boxart for the NES port.
  • Donkey Kong was originally conceived as a Popeye game, with Bluto being in the spot of Donkey Kong, Popeye being Jumpman/Mario, and Olive Oyl being Lady/Pauline. The game ended up being changed due to Nintendo being unable to secure the license for Popeye, but Nintendo would later make the Popeye arcade game (1982) due to being able to get the rights. [10]
  • All three major characters were renamed in later appearances, with Jumpman changed to Mario in Nintendo of America's promotions, Lady changed to Pauline in Saturday Supercade, and lastly this game's Donkey Kong becoming Cranky Kong by the release of Donkey Kong Country.
  • Jumpman's outfit would later be used as Mario's outfit in the DIC cartoons and an alternate costume for Mario in the first three Super Smash Bros. games and an alternate costume for Wario in Mario Golf, Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U as well as Ice Mario's outfit in New Super Mario Bros. Wii and New Super Mario Bros. U.

External links

References

  1. ^ Donkey Kong Operation Manual, pages 2 & 5
  2. ^ Donkey Kong Country instruction booklet, pages 6 & 27
  3. ^ A Discovery Channel documentary on video games reveals that Miyamoto wanted to make Donkey Kong tell a story, and also wrote the music for the game. YouTube. Referenced March 22, 2015
  4. ^ Sheff, David (1999). Game Over: Press Start to Continue: The Maturing of Mario. Wilton, Connecticut: Gamepress. Page 126.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Gamasutra
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Sore wa
  7. ^ http://nadgame.blogspot.com/2012/07/new2dl.html#!/2012/07/new2dl.html
  8. ^ http://themushroomkingdom.net/games/dkoe-3ds
  9. ^ Iwata, Satoru et al. Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Nintendo. Retrieved May 01 2015
  10. ^ http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/iwata/iwata_asks_new_super_mario_bros_wii_16795_16846.html

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