Editing Donkey Kong (game)

|developer=[[Nintendo Research & Development 1]]<br> [[Nintendo Research & Development 2]] (Famicom/NES port)<ref name="Iwata">Iwata, Satoru et al. [http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/nsmb/1/0 Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. Wii]. ''Nintendo''. Retrieved May 01 2015</ref> <br> [[Ikegami Tsushinki]]<ref name="Gamasutra">Fahs, Travis.[http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134790/the_secret_history_of_donkey_kong.php?page=3 The Secret History of Donkey Kong], ''Gamasutra''</ref><ref name="Sore wa">Akagi, Masumi. ''Sore wa “Pong” kara Hajimatta'', p. 305-307 (Translation available [http://jotaroraido.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/the-battle-of-donkey-kong/ here])</ref> <br>{{wp|Coleco}} (ColecoVision, Atari 2600, Intellivision, and Coleco Adam ports) <br> {{wp|Atari, Inc.}} (Atari 8-bit, Apple II, TI-99/4A, MS-DOS, Commodore VIC-20, and 1983 Commodore 64 ports)<br> [[Sentient Software Ltd]] (ZX Spectrum  and MSX ports)<br>[[Arcana Software Design (game)|Arcana Software Design]] (Amstrad CPC and 1986 Commodore 64 ports)<br> [[International Technology Development Corporation|ITDC]] (Atari 7800 port) <br>{{wp|Hamster Corporation|Hamster}} (''Arcade Archives'')

|publisher=[[Nintendo]]<br> {{wp|Coleco}} (ColecoVision, Atari 2600, Intellivision, and Coleco Adam ports)<br> {{wp|Atari, Inc.}} (Atari 8-bit, Apple II, TI-99/4A, MS-DOS, Commodore VIC-20, and 1983 Commodore 64 ports) <br> {{wp|Ocean Software}} (Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, MSX, and 1986 Commodore 64 ports)<br> {{wp|Atari Corporation|Atari Corporation}} (Atari 7800 port)<br>{{wp|Hamster Corporation|Hamster}} (''Arcade Archives'')

 

|release='''Arcade:'''<br>{{release|Japan|July 9, 1981|USA|July 31, 1981}} '''Atari 2600:'''<br>{{release|USA|July 1982<ref name = "Arcade Express Aug 30">[https://archive.org/details/arcade_express_v1n2/mode/2up Arcade Express Volume One Number Two] Pages 1 & 3.</ref>|Europe|1983|Australia|1983}} '''ColecoVision:'''<br>{{release|USA|July 1982<ref>[https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d0/ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.1_05.pdf The Video Game Update Volume One #5] Page 1.</ref>|Europe|July 1983|Australia|1983}} '''Coleco Tabletop:'''<br>{{release|USA|August 1982<ref>[https://archive.org/details/arcade_express_v1n1/page/n3/mode/2up Arcade Express Vol1, No1, p.4]</ref>}} '''Intellivision:'''<br>{{release|USA|October 1982|Europe|1983|Australia|1983}} '''Atari 8-bit Computers:''' <br>{{release|USA|June 1983|Europe|1983}} '''[[Family Computer|Famicom]]/[[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] port:'''<br>{{release|Japan|July 15, 1983|USA|June 15, 1986|Europe|October 15, 1986}}'''TI-99/4A:'''<br>{{release|USA|November 1983<ref>[https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b6/ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.2_09.pdf The Video Game Update, December 1983. Pages 137 & 144]</ref>}} '''MS-DOS:'''<br>{{release|USA|November 1983}} '''Apple II:'''<br>{{release|USA|December 1983}} '''Commodore VIC-20:'''<br>{{release|USA|February 1984<ref name=3/84>[https://retrocdn.net/images/4/43/ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.2_12.pdf The Video Game Update, March 1984. Pages 190 & 192]</ref>}} '''Commodore 64:'''<br>{{release|USA|February 1984 (Atarisoft)<ref name=3/84/>|Europe|1986 (Ocean Software)}} '''Coleco Adam:'''<br>{{release|USA|June 1984}} '''MSX:'''<br>{{release|Europe|1986}} '''ZX Spectrum:'''<br>{{release|Europe|1986}} '''Amstrad CPC:'''<br>{{release|Europe|1986}} '''[[Family Computer Disk System]]:'''<br>{{release|Japan|April 8, 1988<ref>[http://themushroomkingdom.net/games/dk-fds Date info of Donkey Kong (FDS) from TMK], retrieved 11/25/2012</ref>}} '''Atari 7800:'''<br>{{release|USA|November 1988|Europe|1988}} '''e-Reader:'''<br>{{release|USA|November 11, 2002<ref>[http://themushroomkingdom.net/games/dk-e Date info of Donkey Kong (e-Reader) from TMK], retrieved 11/25/2012</ref>}} '''[[Game Boy Advance]]:'''<br>{{release|Japan|February 14, 2004|USA|June 7, 2004|Europe|July 9, 2004}} '''[[Virtual Console#Wii|Virtual Console]] ([[Wii]]):'''<br>{{release|USA|November 19, 2006|Japan|December 2, 2006|Australia|December 7, 2006|Europe|December 8, 2006}} '''[[Virtual Console#Nintendo 3DS|Virtual Console]] ([[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]]):'''<br>{{release|Japan|October 17, 2012|USA|August 15, 2013|Europe|November 21, 2013|Australia|November 21, 2013<ref>[http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/r3qMB2ZdHdIFXlDDoA6MYGLaDV-8jZNg Nintendo.com - Donkey Kong - Game Info]</ref>|Europe|September 18, 2014 (''Original Edition'')|Australia|September 19, 2014 (''Original Edition'')|South Korea|March 2, 2016}} '''[[Virtual Console#Wii U|Virtual Console]] ([[Wii U]]):'''<br>{{release|Japan|July 15, 2013|USA|July 15, 2013|Europe|July 15, 2013|Australia|July 15, 2013}} '''[[Classics#NES Classic Edition|NES Classic Edition/Famicom Mini]]:'''<br>{{release|Japan|November 10, 2016|Australia|November 10, 2016|USA|November 11, 2016|Europe|November 11, 2016}} '''[[Nintendo Switch]] (''[[Arcade Archives]]''):'''<br>{{release|USA|June 14, 2018|Japan|June 15, 2018|Europe|June 15, 2018|Australia|June 15, 2018}} '''[[Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online]]:'''<br>{{release|USA|September 18, 2018|Japan|September 19, 2018|Europe|September 19, 2018|Australia|September 19, 2018|HK|April 23, 2019|South Korea|April 23, 2019}}

|input={{input|arcade=<nowiki>Joystick and Pushbuttons</nowiki>|nes=1|gba=1|wmsideways=1|classic=1|wiigcn=1|3ds=1|wiiuclassic=1|wiiupro=1|wiiusideways=1|joy-con=1|switchpro=1|switchnes=1|switchgcn=1|nesclassic=1}}

'''''Donkey Kong''''' is an arcade [[List of games|game]] that was [[Nintendo]]'s first big hit in North America. It marked the beginning of the ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong (franchise)|Donkey Kong]]'' franchises and introduced several of their earliest characters, including [[Mario]] himself (a carpenter rather than a plumber), the original [[Donkey Kong]] (who, in later games, would become [[Cranky Kong]], the current Donkey Kong's grandfather<ref>''Donkey Kong Country'' instruction booklet, pages 6 & 27</ref>), and [[Pauline|Lady]] (later renamed Pauline). A port of this game was one of the three launch titles for the [[Family Computer]] in 1983. This port was released on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] as part of the [[Arcade Classics Series]] in 1986. The game sold very well in the United States, becoming one of four games to be inducted into the Nintendo Hall of Fame. The original arcade version had four screen levels, but the Nintendo Entertainment System version only has three, with the stage [[50m|50 m]] cut. This game was also the first title to be released on [[Virtual Console]]. ''Donkey Kong'' was the second platforming game ever made; the 1980 game ''{{wp|Space Panic}}'' was the first. However, ''Donkey Kong'' was the first to include [[jump]]ing as an ability.

Donkey Kong has kidnapped the beautiful [[Pauline|Lady]] and taken her to a dangerous construction site somewhere in [[New York]]<ref>[https://www.ndw.jp/mario-interview-230425/2/  インタビュー  マリオ映画公開記念！宮本茂さんインタビュー 制作の始まりから驚きの設定まで] (April 25, 2023). ''Nintendo Dream Web''. Retrieved April 25, 2023</ref>. [[Mario]] must climb to the top of the construction site and rescue Lady from the giant ape.

{|width=fit border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;"

|align=center|'''[[Mario]]'''

|A carpenter, Mario serves as the protagonist of the game, possessing the ability to jump over obstacles and wield hammers. Certain materials for the arcade version use the alternate name Jumpman.<ref>[http://www.arcade-museum.com/manuals-videogames/D/dk-tkg4u.pdf ''Donkey Kong'' Operation Manual], pages 2 & 5</ref><ref>[[:File:DK Arcade Instructions Card.png|Control panel instructions for upright cabinets]]</ref><ref>[[:File:DK Instruction Page.jpg|Instructions for cocktail cabinets]]</ref><ref>[[:File:DK Instruction Banner.jpg|''Donkey Kong'' instruction sticker]]</ref> The ''[[Arcade Archives]]'' release revives the Jumpman name in its manual.<ref>[https://youtu.be/KumJPLR_wb8?t=56 Arcade Archives Donkey Kong (Switch eShop)- Gameplay Footage]</ref>

|align=center|25 m

|align=center|25 m

|The main antagonist, Donkey Kong appears in every level at the end of each stage, throwing obstacles at Mario or guarding Lady. This particular Donkey Kong is later revealed to be a younger [[Cranky Kong]].

{|width=fit border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;"

|align=center|25 m

|Barrels are thrown by Donkey Kong throughout 25 m. Mario can easily jump over these barrels, or destroy them with a Hammer. Certain barrels appear to be blue, which will spawn a [[Fireball (Donkey Kong)|Fireball]] if they reach the [[Oil Drum]] at the beginning of the stage.

|align=center|25 m

|Cement contained in blue tubs. They are moved along conveyor belts and defeat Mario if he touches them.

|align=center|'''[[Fire (100m)|Fire]]'''

{|width=fit border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;"

*[[100m|100 m]] (removed in Game & Watch version)

===Kill screen in Level 22===

Although the game is intended to be playable indefinitely by not having a level cap, it is impossible to complete the first screen of level 22 (this is the 85th screen in the later Japanese versions and 117th screen in the international versions), due to a [[glitch]] within the process of calculating the time limit. Said time limit is calculated using the formula ''(10 &times; level number) + 40'' and shown in hundreds as a bonus counter in the top-right edge of the screen. Because the calculated value is stored as an 8-Bit integer, which can only save 256 different values ranging from 0 to 255, and the formula results in a value of 260 for level 22, an integer overflow occurs and the value is saved modulo 256, which means 260 is saved as 4. This leads to a starting value of 400 for the timer of level 22 so that Mario dies a few seconds after starting the level, being unable to finish it.<ref>http://donhodges.com/how_high_can_you_get.htm</ref> In the first Japanese version, it is possible to get past the kill screen by exploiting another glitch which lets Mario warp to the top of the screen by jumping off the first girder and through the floor. However, the 88th screen cannot be beaten as there is not enough time to remove all the [[bolt (object)|bolt]]s.

[[File:Jumpmanconcept.jpg|thumb|left|Concept art for Mario.]]

Development on ''Donkey Kong'' began in March 1981 when [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], under the supervision of the late [[Gunpei Yokoi]], was assigned by Nintendo to convert ''{{wp|Radar Scope}}'', a poorly selling arcade game in North America, into a game that would have more appeal to more gamers. Shigeru Miyamoto later admitted that he did not focus on the story of the game, instead creating a basic plot with colorful characters and music that he himself penned<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz0P_TcikwA&t=27m24s A Discovery Channel documentary on video games] reveals that Miyamoto wanted to make ''Donkey Kong'' tell a story, and also wrote the music for the game. ''YouTube''. Referenced March 22, 2015</ref>. He said that Mario and Lady were not intended to have a relationship, and he did not know where the idea came from, but he thought that it did not matter much.{{ref needed}} The game was also originally designed to have Mario escape from a maze, and jumping was not yet implemented, making platforming too difficult.<ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/11/25/news-miyamoto-mario-initially-couldn-t-jump.aspx GameInformer interview with Shigeru Miyamoto]</ref> In a time where arcade games took around two to three months to build, ''Donkey Kong'' was built in four or five months and Shigeru Miyamoto was focused on developing it for a global market rather than just for Japan.<ref name=NESClassic>[http://web.archive.org/web/20220425234630/https://www.nintendo.com/nes-classic/donkey-kong-developer-interview Donkey Kong Developer Interview]</ref> The working title during development was ''Table Kong Game'' until export manager Shinichi Todori came up with the name for both the game and the antagonist at the end of May.<ref>[https://youtu.be/aTyxQfpOEbE?t=749 How the Mario Characters Got Their Names | Gaming Historian] Retrieved October 25, 2021.</ref><ref name=GHTwitter>[https://twitter.com/GamingHistorian/status/1220101899455692801?s=20 Gunpei Yokoi deposition, 1983]</ref> Due to the late name change, the printed circuit boards (PCB) retain the "TKG" part numbering. The final version of the game was a major breakthrough for Nintendo and the video game industry, becoming one of the best selling arcade machines of its time. Its platforming gameplay also distinguished it from most other arcade games at the time.  

''Donkey Kong'' was originally conceived as a ''{{wp|Popeye}}'' game, with Bluto being in the spot of Donkey Kong, Popeye being Mario, and Olive Oyl being Lady. The particular ''Popeye'' short that inspired Yokoi is ''A Dream Walking'' which is set in a construction site.<ref>[https://thedoteaters.com/?bitstory=bitstory-article-2%2Fdonkey-kong&all=1 Donkey Kong & Nintendo - Let There Be Mario]</ref> Although Nintendo held the license to produce ''Popeye'' branded products,<ref>[http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/nsmb/0/0 Iwata Asks:New Super Mario Bros: Volume 1]</ref> the characters ended up being changed for technical reasons.<ref name=GHTwitter/> A ''Popeye'' [[Game & Watch]] game was developed at the same time and was released only a few weeks after ''Donkey Kong''. The {{wp|Popeye (video game)|''Popeye'' arcade game}} came out a year later in 1982 and was followed by two more ''Popeye'' Game and Watch releases in 1983.

[[Nintendo Research & Development 1]] worked on ''Donkey Kong'', multiple Game & Watch titles, and the arcade game {{wp|Sky Skipper|''Sky Skipper''}} simultaneously. Like ''Donkey Kong'', ''Sky Skipper'' is also about rescuing captives from gorillas. Miyamoto did cabinet artwork for both games.

Miyamoto envisioned Mario to be a young man at around 24 or 26 years old, describing Donkey Kong as Mario's pet who escaped and kidnapped his girlfriend.<ref name=NESClassic/>

In 1982, around a year after the game's release, {{wp|Universal Studios}} sued [[Nintendo]], claiming that ''Donkey Kong'' infringed on Universal Studios's intellectual property rights to the film ''{{wp|King Kong}}''. {{wp|Howard Lincoln}}, attorney and future president of [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]], decided to fight the case and hired seasoned attorney {{wp|John Kirby (attorney)|John Kirby}} to represent Nintendo. When Kirby showed that not only was Nintendo not likely in violation of any trademarks but also that Universal Studios themselves had sued RKO Pictures in 1975 to prove that the plot of ''King Kong'' was in fact in the public domain, Judge Robert W. Sweet ruled in Nintendo's favor, ordering Universal to pay Nintendo $1.8 million in legal fees. In an ironic twist, Judge Sweet also ruled that Tiger's ''King Kong'' video game, licensed by Universal, infringed on ''Donkey Kong''. After the victory, Nintendo awarded John Kirby with a $30,000 sailboat, christened the ''Donkey Kong'', and gave him "exclusive worldwide rights to use the name for sailboats."<ref>Sheff, David (1999). ''Game Over: Press Start to Continue: The Maturing of Mario''. Wilton, Connecticut: Gamepress. Page 126.</ref><ref name=Universal>[https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/615/838/1515073/ Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Nintendo Co. Ltd.] at Justia. Retrieved March 19, 2021.</ref>

To meet the unexpectedly high demand for arcade machines, Nintendo licensed production to other companies.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19811001p/page/n12/mode/1up Game Machine #174 October 1, 1981 issue, page 24]</ref> ''[[Crazy Kong]]'' was an officially-licensed clone of ''Donkey Kong'' manufactured by Falcon. They were allowed to produce a certain amount of printed circuit boards (PCB) and were banned from exporting them. Falcon breached this agreement by producing more than 9000 excess units and also by exporting them to the US. On January 29, 1982, Nintendo terminated their license agreement. On June 1, Nintendo Japan filed for an injunction against Falcon in Kyoto District Court, which was granted on June 5. A countersuit by Falcon was won by Nintendo.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19820815p/page/n13/mode/1up Game Machine #194 August 15, 1982 issue, page 26]</ref> On October 13, Nintendo launched a lawsuit seeking damages against Falcon.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19821201p/page/n13/mode/1up Game Machine #202 December 1, 1982 issue, page 26]</ref> This experience led Nintendo to decide to produce all ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]'' machines by themselves.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19820915p/page/n15/mode/1up Game Machine #196 September 15, 1982 issue, page 30]</ref> Falcon's president was later arrested for unauthorized copying of ''Donkey Kong Jr.'' PCBs.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19830301p/page/n15/mode/1up Game Machine #207 March 1, 1983 issue, page 30]</ref>

On June 30, 1982, [[Nintendo]] of America filed a complaint toward Elcon Industries Inc., an arcade hardware manufacturer based in Michigan that sold ''Crazy Kong'' boards. The complaint alleged that the licensing agreement with Falcon explicitly forbade the manufacturing or export of ''Crazy Kong'' outside Japan. The case was taken to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, which quickly ruled in favor of Nintendo<ref>''Nintendo of America, Inc. v. Elcon Industries, Inc.'' (October 4, 1982). [https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=14413211357527714092&q=564+F.+Supp.+937&hl=en&as_sdt=2,5 Google Scholar archive]</ref>.

As Nintendo's newly established video game division lacked programming manpower, the arcade version of ''Donkey Kong'' was programmed by [[Ikegami Tsushinki]], a contractor that had worked for Nintendo for several of its arcade releases<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>. For ''Donkey Kong'''s development, the two companies signed a contract which gave Ikegami Tsushinki exclusive rights to the manufacturing of ''Donkey Kong'' arcade boards<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>.

In 1983, Ikegami Tsushinki sued Nintendo on the ground that the company had violated the contract and produced around 80,000 arcade boards on its own<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>. Ikegami Tsushinki also sought compensation for the use of reverse-engineered ''Donkey Kong'' code in ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]''<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref> and claimed it owned the copyright on <i>Donkey Kong</i>'s code (while the contract did not specify ownership of the code, a judgment relating to ''{{wp|Space Invaders Part II}}'' set a precedent establishing computer code can be copyrighted<ref name="Sore wa"></ref>). In response, Nintendo claimed it owned ''Donkey Kong'''s code as Ikegami Tsushinki was hired as a sub-contractor<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>.

The case went to the Tokyo District Court until March 26, 1990, at which point the two companies settled out of court<ref name="Gamasutra"></ref><ref name="Sore wa"></ref>.

Announced at E3 2018 for the [[Nintendo Switch]] and released as part of {{wp|Hamster Corporation}}'s ''[[Arcade Archives]]'' brand, an emulation of the original arcade game titled '''''Arcade Archives: Donkey Kong''''' was released through the [[Nintendo eShop#Nintendo Switch|eShop]] on June 14, 2018, marking the first official release of the full arcade version of ''Donkey Kong'' for a home console since its original release 37 years earlier. The player can choose between playing the original Japanese release, the later Japanese release, and the international release of the game.

{{wp|Coleco}} won the rights for the tabletop and home console ports, first as an oral agreement in November 1981, then formally on February 1, 1982.<ref name=Universal></ref> All were published in 1982 except for the {{wp|Coleco Adam}} port which was released in 1984.

**Shortly after its release, Coleco recalled this port due to it not working on original Atari 2600 models. <ref name = "Arcade Express Aug 30"></ref>

**Coleco missed their intended late August 1982 release date.<ref name = "Arcade Express Aug 30"></ref><ref>[https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d0/ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.1_05.pdf The Video Game Update, August 1982. Page 1]</ref> It came out in October instead.<ref>[https://retrocdn.net/images/2/2e/ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.1_07.pdf The Video Game Update, October 1982. Page 6.]</ref><ref>[https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c7/ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.1_08.pdf The Video Game Update, November 1982. Page 5.]</ref>

**The Intellivision staff were very angry about the release of this port, speculating that Coleco made the game intentionally look bad visually so the ColecoVision version would look superior. The more likely outcome is that Coleco simply did not have much experience programming for the Intellivision hardware.<ref>http://www.beeslife.com/intvlibrary/Games/Trivia/games_coleco.htm#Anchor-Donkey-57224</ref>

**A prototype made its debut at the June 1983 Consumer Electronics Show and caused a dispute with Atari which held the rights for home computer releases. Atari canceled a nearly finished deal to distribute a localized version of the upcoming [[Family Computer]] in North America in retaliation on the mistaken belief that Nintendo gave its blessing to Coleco's port.<ref>[https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/02/feature_remember_when_atari_turned_down_nintendo_and_sega Remember When Atari Turned Down Nintendo And Sega?]</ref> Coleco justified its existence in that the prototype used a ColecoVision cartridge as opposed to a cassette or floppy disk. Coleco agreed to not bundle this port as a pack-in game for the Adam so its release was pushed back to 1984, which by then the disastrous faults of the Adam had become well known. The released version, part of Coleco's Super Game series, uses a proprietary cassette. Nintendo awarded Atari the rights to publish ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' for both home consoles and computers outside of Japan one week after the CES.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19830815p/page/n14/mode/1up Game Machine #218 August 15, 1983 issue, page 28]</ref> These events, along with the {{wp|video game crash of 1983}}, caused Nintendo to push back the development and release of the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] in North America for two years.

{{wp|Atari, Inc.}} won the rights for home computer ports for both ''Donkey Kong'' and its [[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|sequel]] in November 1982.<ref name=Universal></ref><ref>[https://mcurrent.name/atarihistory/wci_games.html#1983 Atari History Timelines] Retrieved March 19, 2021.</ref> Atari, Inc. created the {{wp|Atarisoft}} brand for titles published on competing computer systems. All were published in 1983 or 1984.

*{{wp|MS-DOS}} (marketed for the {{wp|IBM-PC}})

Atari, Inc. was partitioned in July 1984 with the home computer and console division becoming {{wp|Atari Corporation}}. During the June 1988 Consumer Electronics Show, Atari Corporation announced that it would release ''Donkey Kong'', ''Donkey Kong Jr.'', and ''Mario Bros.'' for the Atari 7800.<ref>[https://mcurrent.name/atarihistory/tramel_technology.html#1988 History of Tramel Technology/Atari] Retrieved March 20, 2021.</ref>

====Game & Watch version====

====Famicom / NES version====

**[[50m|50 m]] and most cutscenes have been removed.

**The kill screen is on level 133 (screen 397).

**Port of the NES version but with one minor difference, when Mario scores, the points are orange instead of white.<ref>https://pony.velvet.jp/fcdisk/fmcmdskw17.html</ref>

**The NES version, with added online play, was one of the 20 NES titles made available at the [[Nintendo Switch#Nintendo Switch Online|Nintendo Switch Online]] subscription service's launch in September 2018.<ref>[https://www.nintendo.com/switch/online-service/nes/ Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online]. ''Nintendo''. Retrieved May 8, 2018.</ref>

**The second port, entitled ''Donkey Kong Original Edition'' (ドンキーコング オリジナル・エディション), attempted to adhere to the arcade version and was pre-installed for the European release of the Mario 25th Anniversary limited edition red [[Wii]] in 2010. This version restored some missing animations and the level 50 m, which was cut from the NES version, although Donkey Kong mistakenly stands still in this level, and the graphics more closely resemble the arcade version, though still not quite identical to the latter.  This port was made available on the [[Nintendo 3DS#Nintendo eShop|Nintendo eShop]] in Japan when a [[Club Nintendo (rewards program)|Club Nintendo]] member purchased the download version of one of two games, one of which was ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]''<ref>http://nadgame.blogspot.com/2012/07/new2dl.html#!/2012/07/new2dl.html</ref>, from July 28, 2012, to September 2, 2012.<ref>http://themushroomkingdom.net/games/dkoe-3ds</ref> A similar promotion took place in the US between October 1, 2012, and January 6, 2013, exclusively to members of Club Nintendo who have, within the aforementioned time frame, linked their systems to their Club Nintendo accounts and have purchased the downloadable version of one of five select 3DS titles (one of which was ''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]''). There are currently no plans for a wide release of this version in the U.S., although it was released in Europe for the 3DS eShop on September 18, 2014.

*''[[nookipedia:Animal Crossing (GCN)|Animal Crossing]]'' (NES version included as minigame)

*''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' (NES version included as a [[Masterpiece]]; it starts on the third level, 75 m, which is also an [[75 m (stage)|unlockable stage]] in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' and a starter in ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'')

*''[[amiibo tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits]]'' (NES version included as a "highlight"; the player can play on 25 m, 75 m, and 100 m in three separate "scenes", each of which is 180 seconds long)

''Donkey Kong'' has three sequels:

*[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|''Donkey Kong'' (Game Boy)]]

*First, the player has to achieve a score in the 37,000s, 73,000s, or 77,000s, then lose all of their remaining lives, with the last life lost by falling off a platform. After returning to the title screen, the player should set the game difficulty to level 4, then wait for the title screen to appear again after the demo. The initials "LMD", which stands for "Landon M. Dyer", the creator of the game, will appear at the bottom of the title screen.<ref>GameTrailers (October 28, 2013). [https://youtu.be/Dp4HsXCb4vA Pop Facts - Donkey Kong: LMD Initials]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved January 1, 2023.</ref>

The arcade version was produced by [[Gunpei Yokoi]], while [[Hiroshi Yamauchi]] received executive producer credit as courtesy of being Nintendo's president. [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] directed the game while an uncredited [[Ikegami Tsushinki]] did programming duties, later leading to a lawsuit over which company owned the arcade code's rights. An older version of [[Intelligent Systems]]' own [https://web.archive.org/web/20080825131340/http://www.intsys.co.jp/english/software/index.html website] claims credit for developing the NES port for Nintendo, but the current version changes it to ''[[Donkey Kong 3]]''.<ref>[https://www.intsys.co.jp/works/games/ Intelligent Systems website], retrieved November 1, 2021.</ref> The Iwata Ask interview released for ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' states the port was developed by [[Nintendo Research & Development 2]]<ref name="Iwata"/>. Landon M. Dyer programmed the Atari 8-bit port which served as the basis for several Atarisoft ports.

Although Ikegami Tsushinki is uncredited, a 1996 article published in Bit Magazine and written by one of the programmers involved, Hirohisa Komanome, reveals the name of the programmers who worked on the game<ref>Hirohisa Komanome, [http://www7b.biglobe.ne.jp/~ninten-zatsugaku/donkeykong.html ドンキーコング・池上通信機器事件], web transcript published on December 26, 2002. Retrieved April 21, 2016.</ref>.

''Donkey Kong'' was an immediate hit when released. In the US, the game was introduced through a test run at two Seattle bars at the end of July 1981. Nintendo of America sold its first machine on September 10.<ref>''[[Nintendo Power]]'' Issue 2, page 1.</ref> Around 132,000 arcade machines were sold in Japan and North America, making it one of the most successful arcade games during the {{wp|golden age of arcade video games}}.<ref>Cuthbertson, Anthony. [https://www.newsweek.com/donkey-kong-inducted-world-video-game-hall-fame-595026 Donkey Kong Inducted into World Video Game Hall of Fame]. ''Newsweek''. May 5, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2021.</ref> In addition, Nintendo reaped millions of dollars from royalties through third-party ports. It was by far the most profitable game Nintendo had produced up till then and would not be surpassed until ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' One year from September 30, 1981, the sales of Nintendo of America went from $4.7 million to $111 million. Net revenues jumped from $64,000 to $22 million.<ref name=Universal></ref>

Starting from 1982, Nintendo of America began licensing deals for ''Donkey Kong'' related merchandise and media. This led to the creation of ''Donkey Kong'' branded toys, food, a {{media link|DK board game.jpg|board game}}, a [[Donkey Kong Card Game|card game]], collectible stickers/cards, [[Donkey Kong (coloring/activity books)|activity books]], and other goods. This culminated in the ''Donkey Kong'' and ''Donkey Kong Junior'' segments of ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'' which ran from 1983 to 1984. Most of the licensed products used the character designs from the {{media link|DK Arcade Flyer Front.jpg|North American flyer}} illustrated by Zavier Leslie Cabarga.

*''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'': 75 m appears as a stage in this game. The title theme appears as a cover version in this game, and the 25 m theme also appears in its original format. A demo of this game is also available as a Masterpiece. Mario's down taunt, in which he spins around in midair and falls on his back, is a reference to his dying animation in this game. Also, one of Wario's costumes is based on Mario's outfit from his first appearance, one of Donkey Kong's alternate costumes is based on his sprite from his first appearance and one of Peach's alternate costumes is based on Pauline's original appearance. Pauline and Donkey Kong also appear as a sticker, using their original artwork.

*''[[NES Remix]]'' / ''[[Ultimate NES Remix]]'': Several challenges are based on this game.

*''[[Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle]]'': The [[Phantom (boss)|Phantom]] mentions ''Donkey Kong'' in [[Phantom of the Bwahpera|his song]]. The Barrel Bonker references how Donkey Kong tries to hit Mario with barrels in this game. In an area of the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC, a stone structure resembling the 25 m stage can be seen, where a [[Rabbid]] is found jumping over barrels that another Rabbid is throwing while imitating Donkey Kong's movements and the 25 m theme plays in the background. [[Beep-0]] remarks that the Rabbid would be lucky to get to 125 meters unless he finds a [[Hammer]].

*''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'': ''Donkey Kong'' is referenced as an arcade game called ''Jump Man''. A character named [[Giuseppe]] also resembles Mario's look from ''Donkey Kong'' and can be seen playing it in the movie.

*In 2007, a documentary film, ''[[List of Mario references in film#The King of Kong|The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters]]'', directed by {{wp|Seth Gordon}} was released. The film centers around high school teacher {{wp|Steve Wiebe}} as he tries to achieve a world record for obtaining the highest score in the game, which was held by {{wp|Billy Mitchell (gamer)|Billy Mitchell}} at the time.

{{NIWA|Nookipedia=Item:Donkey Kong (Animal Crossing)|SmashWiki=1|StrategyWiki=Donkey Kong}}

*[https://tcrf.net/Donkey_Kong_(Arcade) Unused content at The Cutting Room Floor's entry for ''Donkey Kong'']

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170314120506/http://www.dmoz.org/Games/Video_Games/Platform/Donkey_Kong_Series/ Category at ODP] (Wayback Machine)

{{Mario games}}

[[Category:2004 games]]