The player starts with three lives with a bonus life awarded at 7,000 points, adjustable via DIP switches. Points are awarded for the following: leaping over obstacles destroying objects with a hammer power-up collecting items such as hats, parasols, and purses (presumably belonging to Pauline) removing rivets from platforms and completing each stage according to a steadily decreasing bonus counter. In addition to the goal of saving Pauline, the player has a score. With its four unique stages, Donkey Kong is the most complex arcade game of the time, and one of the first arcade games with multiple stages, following games such as 1980's Phoenix and 1981's Gorf and Scramble. As the first platform game to feature jumping, Donkey Kong requires the player to jump between gaps and over obstacles or approaching enemies, setting the template for the future of the genre. gaming press used climbing game for games with platforms and ladders. Donkey Kong is one of the most important titles from the Golden Age of Video Arcade Games, and became one of the most popular arcade games of all time.įollowing 1980's Space Panic, Donkey Kong is one of the earliest examples of the platform game genre even prior to the term being coined the U.S.
The hero and ape later became two of Nintendo's most popular and recognizable characters.
In the game, Jumpman (since renamed Mario) must rescue a damsel in distress, Lady (now named Pauline), from a giant ape named Donkey Kong (who would later become Cranky Kong). It is an early example of the platform game genre, as the gameplay focuses on maneuvering the main character across a series of platforms while dodging and jumping over obstacles. This game can be played also in a versions for Atari 2600, Atari 7800 and DOS.ĭonkey Kong is an arcade game released by Nintendo in 1981. If you think that the game in your browser doesn't work as it should, try to choose another online emulator from this table.