Donkey Kong is the first arcade game to utilize a storyline and cut scenes throughout its gameplay. It is also one of the most classic video games of all time, even spawning clones and wannabes at the time.
Object of the game was pretty simple, get Jumpman (Mario’s early incarnation) up the ladders while dodging rolling barrels that are tossed by the gorilla and rescue the damsel in distress (possibly an early Princess Peach for the time? Just saying).
Gameplay is very simple; one joystick and one button controls it all, basically make it through the game grid by jumping and climbing your way to the top.
Donkey Kong was also the subject of an unsuccessful lawsuit brought on by Universal against Nintendo claiming the game was a trademark infringement upon the film King Kong. Unfortunately the imbecile who tried to sue Nintendo on behalf of Universal had failed to realize that King Kong had gone into public domain, and having the trial win in favor of Nintendo and Universal having to pick up the tab.
Boy! I don’t how I could possibly distinguish the difference between a fucking video game and a black & white Hollywood movie. That is really tough to figure out.
Anyways…
I have always enjoyed playing Donkey Kong. One of the many classic arcade games that I find myself enjoying whether it is playing on an actual coin-op machine in an arcade somewhere or on a home console. It is still a very challenging game over the course of its levels. I did like the sequel Donkey Kong Jr. but felt that the third installment in the series, Donkey Kong 3, was rather forgettable and didn’t have the impact that the first two games had.
The Heretic
I had no idea Donkeykong or Jumpman was the early incarnation of Mario. You always teach me stuff.
I was interested to read this one especially as I’d watched a film once about Steve Wiebe & how he had beat the other guy (can’t remember HIS name!!!) but there was a rematch as it was thought Steve’s game was fiddled with or something. I believe Steve Wiebe won. I feel the record books wrongly show the other guy as winner. It is simply wrongly recorded history (to me).
“King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters”, that was a good doc. The other guy’s name is Billy Mitchell. Yeah, I couldn’t believe the people running the competition allowed Billy to cheat by submitting a glitchy video instead of coming in to compete himself. Every time I watch an interview with that guy he seems like he is so full of himself. Wiebe should’ve won for the fact he was there in person for the competition.
I totally agree, Michael. Every time he spoke in the show I was watching, he looked awfully, AWFULLY full of himself. I didn’t like him a bit. And soon as you said Billy Mitchell – yep, that was the one.
I’m glad you could see what I saw in it. Yes, Wiebe was there in person.