Donkey Kong is a video game franchise that follows the adventures of an anthropomorphic gorilla named
Donkey Kong and his various friends. Created in 1981 by famed
Nintendo game designer
Shigeru Miyamoto, it mainly consists of
platform games and
action puzzle games, but has branched out into other genres, including rhythm games, racing games, and edutainment. The games of the first generation are single-screen platform/action puzzle games, where Donkey Kong features as the opponent in an industrial construction setting. The first game in the franchise, the 1981 arcade machine
Donkey Kong, not only introduced the title character but also his rival
Mario. After four years of success on arcades and in the "
Game & Watch" handheld line, the franchise was brought to an end as Mario went on to star in
Super Mario Bros., for which he is much better known, and take his place as Nintendo's flagship character.
Donkey Kong was put on hiatus until 1994, when
Rare Ltd. revived the property with its side-scrolling platform game
Donkey Kong Country. That game and its follow-ups focus on the adventures of Donkey Kong and the various members of his clan as they work to defend
their native jungle setting from a variety of other anthropomorphic-animal characters who serve as villains. They are most frequently antagonized by the
Kremlings, a race of crocodiles, and their leader
King K. Rool. A hallmark of this franchise is the
barrels used by the Kongs as weapons, vehicles, furniture, and lodging. The Donkey Kong character is highly recognizable and popular, and the games have sold over 40 million units worldwide.
