Donkey Kong

About Donkey Kong (NES)

Donkey Kong is a platform game developed and published by Nintendo, first released as an arcade game in 1981 and ported to the NES in 1983 in Japan. Designed by Shigeru Miyamoto, it stars a carpenter named Jumpman - soon to be renamed Mario - climbing a construction site to rescue Pauline from a giant ape hurling barrels. It was the first video game to feature jumping as a core mechanic and the debut of both Mario and Donkey Kong.

The NES port packs in the arcade action with three of the four original stages, bringing one of gaming’s founding classics to home consoles. Its simple, readable design - climb, jump, dodge - still plays beautifully today.

Series lore later revealed this ape as Cranky Kong, grandfather of the Donkey Kong Country hero, while Jumpman grew into Mario, gaming’s most famous plumber. From these few single screens grew two of Nintendo’s biggest franchises.

Detailed Gameplay

Each stage is a single screen of girders, ladders, and hazards. Reach Pauline at the top before the bonus timer runs out, jumping over or smashing obstacles and grabbing bonus items for extra points.

The Stages

• 25m: Dodge and jump the barrels Donkey Kong rolls down the ramps
• 100m: Ride and leap between rising elevators while avoiding bouncing springs
• 50m: Remove every rivet from the girders to send Donkey Kong tumbling down
• The NES port omits the arcade’s 75m pie factory stage

Hammers and Bonus Items

• Grab a hammer to smash barrels and fireballs for big points - but you cannot climb ladders while holding one
• Collect Pauline’s hat, umbrella, and purse for bonus points
• Jumping over barrels scores points too, rewarding bold leaps

How High Can You Get

• Stages loop with faster barrels and trickier patterns at higher levels
• The bonus timer constantly ticks down, so dawdling costs points
• The arcade’s infamous kill screen awaits at level 22 for the truly skilled

Game Highlights

• Gaming History: The debut of Mario and the first game built around jumping.
• Miyamoto’s Debut: The legendary designer’s first hit, with Donkey Kong as the villain.
• Pure Arcade Tension: One screen, one goal, endlessly replayable score chasing.
• Iconic Moments: Barrel jumps, hammer smashes, and the “How high can you get?” challenge.

Controls

Climb and jump with the NES controller. - D-Pad: Move left and right, climb ladders up and down - A Button: Jump over barrels and gaps - B Button: Unused in most stages - Jumping is automatic in direction - time your leaps with the barrel patterns

Tips and Strategies to Win

Barrel patterns are learnable - patience beats speed. - Watch Donkey Kong’s throwing rhythm before moving; barrels come in predictable waves. - Use hammers on the 25m stage but drop them before climbing - you cannot climb while holding one. - On 100m, ride elevators to the top and jump the springs at the last moment. - On 50m, plan a route that clears rivets efficiently while fireballs patrol the girders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How many stages are in Donkey Kong? A: The arcade original has four stages; the NES port includes three - 25m, 100m, and 50m.

Q: Who is Jumpman? A: Jumpman is Mario’s original name. He was renamed Mario in later games, making Donkey Kong his debut.

Q: Can I play Donkey Kong online for free? A: Yes, you can play it online for free in your browser on RiveGame with no downloads or installation required.