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{{Infobox Arcade Game
{{Infobox Arcade Game
|title=Donkey Kong
|title=Donkey Kong
|image=[[File:Donkey Kong NES Cover.PNG|250px]]
|image=[[File:Donkey Kong NES Cover.PNG|250px]]<br>Boxart for the NES version of the game.
The NES boxart.
|developer=[[Nintendo Research & Development 1]]<br>[[Intelligent Systems]] (NES port) <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> [[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]]
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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''''' was an arcade game that was [[Nintendo]]'s first big hit in North America and was also the very first ''[[Mario (series)|Mario]]'' game. It also marked the first appearance of [[Mario]] (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) and of the original [[Donkey Kong]] (who, in later games, would become [[Cranky Kong]], the current Donkey Kong's grandfather). A version of the game was also created later for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], Nintendo's first home console. The game sold 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 is also the first game to be released on [[Virtual Console]].
'''''Donkey Kong''''' is an arcade game that was [[Nintendo]]'s first big hit in North America and was also the very first ''[[Mario (series)|Mario]]'' game. It also marked the first appearance of [[Mario]] (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) and of the original [[Donkey Kong]] (who, in later games, would become [[Cranky Kong]], the current Donkey Kong's grandfather). 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 is also the first game to be released on [[Virtual Console]].


==Story==
==Story==
Donkey Kong has taken the beautiful [[Pauline|Lady]] (later known as Pauline in home ports) 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 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.


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


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==Items==
==Items==
*[[Hammer]]
*[[Hammer]]
*[[Pauline's 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. He also 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 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.


==Lawsuits==
==Lawsuits==
===Universal===
===Universal===
In 1982, around a year after the game's release, [[wikipedia:Universal Studios|Universal Studios]] sued Nintendo, claiming that ''Donkey Kong'' infringed on Universal Studios' intellectual property rights to the film ''[[Wikipedia:King Kong|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."{{refneeded}}
In 1982, around a year after the game's release, [[wikipedia:Universal Studios|Universal Studios]] sued Nintendo, claiming that ''Donkey Kong'' infringed on Universal Studios' intellectual property rights to the film ''[[Wikipedia:King Kong|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."{{refneeded}}
===Ikegami Tsushinki===
===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<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>. 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<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>.
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<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>. 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<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>.
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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<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>. Ikegami Tsushinki also sought compensation for the use of reverse-engineered ''Donkey Kong'' code in ''[[Donkey Kong Jr.]]''<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref> and claimed it owned the copyright on <i>Donkey Kong</i>'s code (while the contract did not specify ownership of the code, a judgment relating to ''[[wikipedia:Space Invaders Part II|Space Invaders Part II]]'' set a precedent establishing computer code can be copyrighted<ref name="Sore wa"></ref>). In response, Nintendo claimed it owned ''Donkey Kong'''s code as Ikegami was hired as a sub-contractor<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>.
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<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>. Ikegami Tsushinki also sought compensation for the use of reverse-engineered ''Donkey Kong'' code in ''[[Donkey Kong Jr.]]''<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref> and claimed it owned the copyright on <i>Donkey Kong</i>'s code (while the contract did not specify ownership of the code, a judgment relating to ''[[wikipedia:Space Invaders Part II|Space Invaders Part II]]'' set a precedent establishing computer code can be copyrighted<ref name="Sore wa"></ref>). In response, Nintendo claimed it owned ''Donkey Kong'''s code as Ikegami was hired as a sub-contractor<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>.


The case went to the Tokyo District Court until March 26, 1990, at which point the two companies settled out of court<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>. 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]]'' neverthless features a full port of the arcade version.
The case went to the Tokyo District Court until March 26, 1990, at which point the two companies settled out of court<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>. 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==
==Documentary==
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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.
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==
==Sequels and ports==
[[File:Donkey Kong arcade.PNG|frame|Jumpman about to jump over a barrel.]]
[[File:Donkey Kong arcade.PNG|frame|Jumpman about to jump over a barrel.]]
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File:50m 3.png|<center>[[50m]], the second level of the game.
File:50m 3.png|<center>[[50m]], the second level of the game.
</gallery></center>
</gallery></center>
==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.
*[[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 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]].
*''[[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$!]]'': There is a [[Donkey Kong (WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!)|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 Bro]]s 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 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.
*''[[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.
*''[[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.
*''[[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.
*''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / Nintendo 3DS|Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'': 75m returns as a stage. This game is also once again featured as a Masterpiece.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
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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 almost a Popeye game, with Bluto replacing Donkey Kong, Popeye replacing Jumpman, and Olive Oyl replacing 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 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>
*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''.


==External links==
==External links==
Retrieved from "https://www.mariowiki.com/Special:MobileDiff/1745831...1812982"