LaunchBox Logo Back to Home Page
Illustration of Donkey Kong (Ocean Software)

Donkey Kong (Ocean Software)

Overview

Released in the arcades in 1981, Donkey Kong was not only Nintendo's first real smash hit for the company, but marked the introduction for two of their most popular mascots: Mario (originally "Jumpman") and Donkey Kong.

Donkey Kong is a platform-action game that has Mario scale four different industrial themed levels (construction zone, cement factory, an elevator-themed level, and removing rivets from girders) in an attempt to save the damsel in distress, Pauline, from the big ape before the timer runs out. Once the rivets are removed from the final level, Donkey Kong falls, and the two lovers are reunited. From there, the levels start over at a higher difficulty.

Along the way, Mario must dodge a constant stream of barrels, "living" fireballs, and spring-weights. Although not as powerful as in other future games, Mario can find a hammer which allows him to destroy the barrels and fireballs for a limited amount of time. Additionally, Mario can also find Pauline's hat, purse and umbrella for additional bonus points.

Donkey Kong is also notable for being one of the first complete narratives in video game form, told through simplistic cut scenes that advance the story. It should also be noted that in many conversions of the original coin-op game for early 1980's consoles and computer-systems, Donkey Kong only used two or three of the original levels, with the cement factory most often omitted.

Alternate Names
  • Donkey Kong
Video
No information available

Media

Banner

Donkey Kong (Ocean Software) - Banner (Spain) - 614x72
Spain -  614 x 72

Box - Back

Donkey Kong (Ocean Software) - Box - Back (Europe) - 284x1536
Europe -  284 x 1536
Donkey Kong (Ocean Software) - Box - Back (Spain) - 1161x468
Spain -  1161 x 468

Box - Front

Donkey Kong (Ocean Software) - Box - Front (Spain) - 471x715
Spain -  471 x 715
Donkey Kong (Ocean Software) - Box - Front (Europe) - 800x1038
Europe -  800 x 1038

Cart - Front

Donkey Kong (Ocean Software) - Cart - Front (Europe) - 800x507
Europe -  800 x 507
Donkey Kong (Ocean Software) - Cart - Front (Spain) - 1182x749
Spain -  1182 x 749

Clear Logo

Donkey Kong (Ocean Software) - Clear Logo (null) - 400x175
400 x 175

Fanart - Background

Donkey Kong (Ocean Software) - Fanart - Background (null) - 1920x1080
1920 x 1080

Screenshot - Game Title

Donkey Kong (Ocean Software) - Screenshot - Game Title (null) - 272x240
272 x 240

Screenshot - Gameplay

Donkey Kong (Ocean Software) - Screenshot - Gameplay (null) - 272x240
272 x 240