Donkey Kong Jr. Math

From the Super Mario Wiki, the Mario encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
Donkey Kong Jr. Math
Dk jr math box.jpg
Developer Nintendo Research & Development 2[1]
Publisher Nintendo
Platform(s) Family Computer/Nintendo Entertainment System, Virtual Console (Wii, Wii U)
Release date Famicom/NES:
Japan December 12, 1983
USA October 1985[2] or June 1986[3]
Virtual Console (Wii):
Japan March 27, 2007
Europe April 20, 2007
Australia April 20, 2007
USA September 3, 2007
Virtual Console (Wii U):
USA August 28, 2014
Europe January 22, 2015
Australia January 23, 2015
Japan April 15, 2015[4]
Genre Educational
Rating(s)
ESRB:E - Everyone
PEGI:3 - Three years and older
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer (up to two players)
Media
NES:
Game Pak
Wii:
Digital download
Wii U:
Digital download
Input
NES:
Wii:
Wii Remote (horizontal)
Wii U:

Donkey Kong Jr. Math is an educational game in the Donkey Kong series for the Family Computer released in 1983. Donkey Kong holds up a sign, and Donkey Kong Jr. must find the numbers and math sign to get to that number to get a point. A preview of this game was released as a compilation called Donkey Kong Jr. + Jr. Sansū Lesson, which included both a prototype of Donkey Kong Jr. Math and Donkey Kong Jr. a few months earlier.

Donkey Kong Jr. Math was met with negative reviews and was the worst-selling launch title for the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America. This game was recreated as an obtainable item in Animal Crossing, and it was rereleased the first time on the Virtual Console for the Wii (500 Wii Points) on September 3, 2007, and the Virtual Console for the Wii U ($4.99) in North America on August 28, 2014.

Donkey Kong Jr. Math was the only game to be released under the "Educational Series" label of North American NES titles. While Donkey Kong no Ongaku Asobi was intended to be released around the same time, it was canceled, and no other educational games in the Donkey Kong series were made.

Gameplay[edit]

Calculate A mode

The game features three modes: Calculate A, Calculate B, and +-×÷ Exercise. In Calculate A, the player controls Donkey Kong Jr. and has to move around the screen to collect numbers on the chains and mathematical symbols on the platforms to create equations whose solution matches the number shown on Donkey Kong's placard. The solution of an equation is carried over to the next equation as the first number. Aside from the number calculated from previous equations, the player can only use single-digit numbers in equations. The game is over when the player matches Donkey Kong's number five times. The gameplay of Calculate B is similar, but the player starts with a number already in their equation and negative numbers can appear on Donkey Kong's placard. Both of these modes can be played with a second player. The second player controls a pink version of Donkey Kong Jr. named Junior (II). The first to match Donkey Kong's number five times is the winner.

In +-×÷ Exercise, the player's goal is to enter the answers to ten mathematical problems in order to receive points. To insert the digits of the answer, the player has to climb up or down the chains until the desired number shows up. The player can clear all of the entered digits by pressing B Button. The player can also push the question mark to the keyhole to show the correct solution, though this does not give the player any points. Up to 100 points are given for each problem with points being deducted for answering incorrectly and taking too long to answer. The player can earn a maximum of 1,000 points. The following problem types are available in this mode:

  • Adding two two-digit numbers
  • Subtracting two three-digit numbers
  • Adding two four-digit numbers
  • Subtracting two four-digit numbers
  • Multiplying two one-digit numbers
  • Adding two six-digit numbers
  • Subtracting two six-digit numbers
  • Multiplying a three-digit number by a two-digit number
  • Dividing a two-digit number by a one-digit number

Characters[edit]

Playable[edit]

Non-playable[edit]

Nintendo eShop description[edit]

Learning can be fun, especially when you play along with Donkey Kong Jr.!

Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division by directing Junior, a cute little monkey, who must climb up and down vines to collect numbers and symbols in order to solve the math problems his father gives him.

Compete with a friend in a race to solve problems in Game A, or add more challenge with Game B. Of course, you can also practice on your own!

This game is perfect for younger players who are looking for a fun and easy way to develop their math skills!

Gallery[edit]

Logo/artwork[edit]

Sprites[edit]

Screenshots[edit]

Box art/Virtual Console icon[edit]

Media[edit]

Audio.svg Title Theme
File infoMedia:DKJM Title Theme.oga
0:12
Audio.svg Stage Theme
File infoMedia:DKJ NES Stage 1 Theme.oga
0:30
Audio.svg Success Theme
File infoMedia:DKJ NES Stage 1 Clear Theme.oga
0:05
Audio.svg Match Won Theme
File infoMedia:DKJ NES Stage 4 Clear Theme.oga
0:06
Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

References to other games[edit]

  • Donkey Kong Jr. – The game's cast, its setting, and many of its graphical elements are reused from the NES version of its predecessor. Calculate A and B's setting resembles the Jump Board Scene and +-×÷ Exercise's setting resembles the Chain Scene. In fact, the game's ROM image was copied and hacked directly from Donkey Kong Jr., as evidenced by the presence of unused Donkey Kong Jr.-exclusive graphics in the ROM, among other things.[5]

References in later games[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese ドンキーコングJR.の算数遊び
Donkī Kongu Junia no Sansū Asobi
Donkey Kong Jr.'s Math Play

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Iwata, Satoru et al. Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Nintendo. Retrieved May 1, 2015
  2. ^ Nintendo NES Games release chart. Archived September 21, 2008.
  3. ^ M. Arakawa. Nintendo Power Pak Source. Page 12.
  4. ^ https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/game/38376/donkey-kong-jr-math-wii-u-vc-nes
  5. ^ Donkey Kong Jr. Math. The Cutting Room Floor. Retrieved April 4, 2015.