Aaron Nash (Jimmy’s Mob)
Donkey Kong is an iconic video game owned and distributed by Nintendo in 1981 originally for arcade systems. And is the title that put Nintendo on the main stage of the video game world. Shigeru Miyamoto designed and directed the game entirely by himself, and was his first time directing a project.[1] The success of Donkey Kong led to numerous hardware ports, re-releases, sequels, spin offs and merchandise, some with varying success than others. The name Donkey Kong originates from Miyamoto choosing a name for his game for the western market using a dictionary, stubborn – Donkey, Kong, the Japanese slang for gorilla.[2] The arcade version of Donkey Kong was first released by Nintendo in 1981, and it became an instant success selling approximately 90,000 arcade machines overall netting the company over $280 million. The original story of Donkey Kong varies on who you talk to and where you read, there seem to be three slightly different versions, which all still result in setting the same atmosphere for the game. One version starts with Donkey Kong escaping from the zoo and kidnapping Jumpman’s(who in later games would later become known as Mario) girlfriend, Lady (named Pauline in later versions) and taking her to a construction site. The second is Donkey Kong has fallen in love and kidnapped Lady, the girlfriend of Jumpman, and is holding Lady captive at the top of a construction site[3]. The last one is, Donkey Kong is mistreated by his owner Jumpman and escapes. In a fit of rage kidnaps Jumpman’s girlfriend Lady and takes her to the top of a construction site. In all three it still results with Jumpman climbing to the top rescuing Lady. Donkey Kong is considered the first to have used the “damsel in distress” scenario in a video game.
The game involves moving Jumpman around various platforms while avoiding obstacles. The game is set on a 100m tower, split into 4 stages each representing 25m of the tower, each with a unique set of challenges that are presented to the player which they must overcome to beat the game. There is a very small ruleset for the game. One touch from the hostile entities or falling from a height will result in death reducing the player’s life count and an overall objective of defeating Donkey Kong and saving Lady. Interaction by the user in the game is very simply by todays standards. A single 4 way joystick controls the movement and a button to jump. This allows the player to move Jumpman left and right along the platforms, up and down ladders and jump over various obstacles to reach the end of the level. Obstacles vary from ladders, elevators, sliding conveyor belts, holes in the floors, rolling barrels, sentient flames and bouncing rivets.
The game involves moving Jumpman around various platforms while avoiding obstacles. The game is set on a 100m tower, split into 4 stages each representing 25m of the tower, each with a unique set of challenges that are presented to the player which they must overcome to beat the game. There is a very small ruleset for the game. One touch from the hostile entities or falling from a height will result in death reducing the player’s life count and an overall objective of defeating Donkey Kong and saving Lady. Interaction by the user in the game is very simply by todays standards. A single 4 way joystick controls the movement and a button to jump. This allows the player to move Jumpman left and right along the platforms, up and down ladders and jump over various obstacles to reach the end of the level. Obstacles vary from ladders, elevators, sliding conveyor belts, holes in the floors, rolling barrels, sentient flames and bouncing rivets.
Points are earned a number of ways at the start of the level a bonus point counter starts counting down, if the level is completed before this runs out, the remaining points are awarded, 5000 points for level 1, 6000 for level 2, 7000 for level 3, and 8000 for level 4. Jumping over one barrel or fireball will award 100 points, two barrels awards 300 points and three barrels awards 500 points. Destroying barrels or fireballs with the hammer is worth 300 points, destroying any other objects awards between 300 to 800 points. Picking up an items awards 300 points in level one, in level two 500 and in level three or four it will award 800 points. Removing rivets on stage 4 will earn 100points and jumping close to Donkey Kong on stage 4 will earn 100 points [4].
The apparent randomness of some elements of the game can add a great deal of tension to the gameplay. Will the barrel come down the ladder I’m climbing up or continue past? This can result in second guessing actions and more often results in death of Jumpman. The music when Jumpman reaches Lady just portrays this menacing feeling coming from Donkey Kong. For the skilled player there is a great opportunity to complete the levels at speed as this will result in bonus points, after 10 000 points the player is awarded their first and last extra life. Jumping over multiple barrels in a single bound is difficult but results in a great deal more points. After spending a bit of time playing Donkey Kong I managed to gather a few tricks to either speed run the levels or rack up points. On the barrel stage (stage 1 - 25m) it is possible to reasonably predict and force barrels down certain ladders, the barrels 80% of the time go down the nearest ladder to Jumpman, so if the player positions him in a spot it can force the barrel down and past Jumpman without any fear of being killed. A trick I found when speed running is to run in the desired direction and hold up when approaching the ladder, this will stop Jumpman over shooting the ladder and having to back pedal. On the rivet level (stage 4 – 100m) it is possible to jump off the walls, this is useful if cornered by a fireball, jump at the wall and Jumpman will bounce off the wall, during this time the fireball has probably turned around and heading in the other direction.
The apparent randomness of some elements of the game can add a great deal of tension to the gameplay. Will the barrel come down the ladder I’m climbing up or continue past? This can result in second guessing actions and more often results in death of Jumpman. The music when Jumpman reaches Lady just portrays this menacing feeling coming from Donkey Kong. For the skilled player there is a great opportunity to complete the levels at speed as this will result in bonus points, after 10 000 points the player is awarded their first and last extra life. Jumping over multiple barrels in a single bound is difficult but results in a great deal more points. After spending a bit of time playing Donkey Kong I managed to gather a few tricks to either speed run the levels or rack up points. On the barrel stage (stage 1 - 25m) it is possible to reasonably predict and force barrels down certain ladders, the barrels 80% of the time go down the nearest ladder to Jumpman, so if the player positions him in a spot it can force the barrel down and past Jumpman without any fear of being killed. A trick I found when speed running is to run in the desired direction and hold up when approaching the ladder, this will stop Jumpman over shooting the ladder and having to back pedal. On the rivet level (stage 4 – 100m) it is possible to jump off the walls, this is useful if cornered by a fireball, jump at the wall and Jumpman will bounce off the wall, during this time the fireball has probably turned around and heading in the other direction.
The goal is quite simple, defeat Donkey Kong and save the damsel in distress before the counter runs out. The goal doesn’t present itself like it would in games today, a pop up window, an animated cut scene or a voice in your ear telling you your objectives, a counter slowly ticking down andsomeone at the top of the level yelling “Help!”
As you progress upwards towards Donkey Kong and reach the end point of the first 3 levels a cut scene triggers Donkey Kong snatches Lady and climbs upwards, the player is then presented with an image to indicate game progression.
Once the final level is cleared and Donkey Kong lays in the ruins of the building after you remove the rivets and cause the platform to collapse, Jumpman is finally reunited with Lady and the game is over, the game then restarts from stage 1 with the current scores and lives and the player continues on.
As you progress upwards towards Donkey Kong and reach the end point of the first 3 levels a cut scene triggers Donkey Kong snatches Lady and climbs upwards, the player is then presented with an image to indicate game progression.
Once the final level is cleared and Donkey Kong lays in the ruins of the building after you remove the rivets and cause the platform to collapse, Jumpman is finally reunited with Lady and the game is over, the game then restarts from stage 1 with the current scores and lives and the player continues on.
As you progress upwards towards Donkey Kong and reach the end point of the first 3 levels a cut scene triggers Donkey Kong snatches Lady and climbs upwards, the player is then presented with an image to indicate game progression.
Once the final level is cleared and Donkey Kong lays in the ruins of the building after you remove the rivets and cause the platform to collapse, Jumpman is finally reunited with Lady and the game is over, the game then restarts from stage 1 with the current scores and lives and the player continues on.
As you progress upwards towards Donkey Kong and reach the end point of the first 3 levels a cut scene triggers Donkey Kong snatches Lady and climbs upwards, the player is then presented with an image to indicate game progression.
Once the final level is cleared and Donkey Kong lays in the ruins of the building after you remove the rivets and cause the platform to collapse, Jumpman is finally reunited with Lady and the game is over, the game then restarts from stage 1 with the current scores and lives and the player continues on.
I have played quite a lot of Donkey Kong in the past and it’s still just as enjoyable. It keeps me content for an hour or two at a time, I usually start getting frustrated at that point and quit. I find the overall environment of the game quite nice, the sound effects and music add a lot to the game and really sets the atmosphere for the game, unlike other games of the same era, the colors are bright, the graphics crisp(for 1982) and appealing. I was quite satisfied after playing, beating the previous high score or getting out of a tight situation is a great feeling. The game is extremely challenging and downright frustrating at time, it lead to quite a few choice words being yelled at the screen. The game does seem dated, but so does a game from 3 years ago, the technology and effort put into games these days is just astonishing, but it’s not a reason to ignore the game. My only criticism would be the content, there really isn’t to much there when you step back and look, only increased difficulty and incentive of beating the high score. If I was to rate Donkey Kong for enjoyment I would give it an 8 out of 10.
[1] Travis Fahs, “The Secret History of Donkey Kong”
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6422/the_secret_history_of_donkey_kong.php?print=1
[2] Travis Fahs, “The Secret History of Donkey Kong” http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134790/the_secret_history_of_donkey_kong.php?page=2
[3] D.S. Cohen, “Donkey Kong – The Story of a Big Ape and An Arcade Legend“
http://classicgames.about.com/od/arcadegames/p/Donkey-Kong-The-Story-Of-A-Big-Ape-And-An-Arcade-Legend.htm
[4] Unknown, “Donkey Kong Game Rules” http://www.donkeykong1.com/donkeykong-rules.php
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6422/the_secret_history_of_donkey_kong.php?print=1
[2] Travis Fahs, “The Secret History of Donkey Kong” http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134790/the_secret_history_of_donkey_kong.php?page=2
[3] D.S. Cohen, “Donkey Kong – The Story of a Big Ape and An Arcade Legend“
http://classicgames.about.com/od/arcadegames/p/Donkey-Kong-The-Story-Of-A-Big-Ape-And-An-Arcade-Legend.htm
[4] Unknown, “Donkey Kong Game Rules” http://www.donkeykong1.com/donkeykong-rules.php