Donkey Kong Jr. (game): Difference between revisions

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*The first cutscene in the arcade version of the game uses part of "{{wp|Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565}}" by {{wp|Johann Sebastian Bach}} for its music.
*The first cutscene in the arcade version of the game uses part of "{{wp|Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565}}" by {{wp|Johann Sebastian Bach}} for its music.
**The arcade version also uses part of "Le Galop infernal d'Orphée aux Enfers," a song created in 1858 by the French composer {{wp|Jacques Offenbach}}, for its second cutscene.
**The arcade version also uses part of "Le Galop infernal d'Orphée aux Enfers," a song created in 1858 by the French composer {{wp|Jacques Offenbach}}, for its second cutscene.
*The game is speculated to be the debut of [[Luigi]], since there are two Marios pushing Donkey Kong's cage away in the intro of the arcade version.
*During the intro of the arcade version of ''Donkey Kong Jr.'', there are two Marios seen pushing Donkey Kong's cage away.
*Most versions of ''Donkey Kong Jr.'', including the Family Computer and Nintendo Entertainment System version, has the ending theme truncated to one phrase. The four versions to have the full theme are the arcade, Intellivision, Coleco Adam, and Atari 8-bit computer ports.  
*Most versions of ''Donkey Kong Jr.'', including the Family Computer and Nintendo Entertainment System version, has the ending theme truncated to one phrase. The four versions to have the full theme are the arcade, Intellivision, Coleco Adam, and Atari 8-bit computer ports.  
*Coleco's 1983 TV commercial for their console ports featured a live action rendition of Mario as a cartoonish Vaudeville villain.<ref>{{cite|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNTpXX43QxY|title=Donkey Kong Jr. - "Help Save Papa!" (Commercial, 1983)|date=June 11, 2018|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=June 1, 2024|author=The Museum of Classic Chicago Television (www.FuzzyMemories.TV)}}</ref>
*Coleco's 1983 TV commercial for their console ports featured a live action rendition of Mario as a cartoonish Vaudeville villain.<ref>{{cite|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNTpXX43QxY|title=Donkey Kong Jr. - "Help Save Papa!" (Commercial, 1983)|date=June 11, 2018|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=June 1, 2024|author=The Museum of Classic Chicago Television (www.FuzzyMemories.TV)}}</ref>

Revision as of 07:41, December 19, 2024

This article is about the arcade game. For the Game & Watch game of the same name, see Donkey Kong Jr. (Game & Watch).
Donkey Kong Jr.
Donkey Kong Jr - cabinet side art
Art of the arcade cabinet.
For alternate box art, see the game's gallery.
Developer Nintendo Research & Development 1
Iwasaki Engineering[1]
Nintendo Research & Development 2 (Famicom/NES port)[2]
Coleco (ColecoVision and Coleco Adam ports)
Woodside Design Associates (Atari 2600 port)[3]
Roklan (Intellivision port)[4][5]
Atari, Inc. (Atari 8-bit computer port)
ITDC (Atari 7800 port)
HAMSTER (Arcade Archives)
Publisher Nintendo
Coleco (ColecoVision, Atari 2600, Intellivision, and Coleco Adam ports)
Atari, Inc. (Atari 8-bit computer port)
Atari Corporation (Atari 7800 port)
HAMSTER (Arcade Archives)
Release date Arcade:
Japan August 2, 1982[6]
USA September 1982[7]
ColecoVision:
USA February 1983[8]
Europe 1983[?]
Famicom/NES:
Japan July 15, 1983[9]
USA June 1986[?]
Europe June 15, 1987[10]
Atari 2600:
USA September 1983[11]
Europe 1983[?]
Australia 1983[?]
Intellivision:
USA October 1983[12]
Europe 1983[?]
Atari 8-bit computers:
USA March 1984[13]
Europe 1985[?]
Coleco Adam:
USA April 1984[13]
Family Computer Disk System:
Japan July 19, 1988[14]
Atari 7800:
USA November 1988[?]
Europe 1989[15]
e-Reader:
USA September 16, 2002[16]
Mexico October, 2002[17]
Virtual Console (Wii):
Japan December 2, 2006[?]
USA December 4, 2006[?]
Europe December 22, 2006[?]
Virtual Console (3DS) (Ambassador Program Release):
Japan August 31, 2011[?]
USA September 1, 2011[?]
Europe September 1, 2011[?]
Australia September 1, 2011[?]
Virtual Console (3DS) (Full Release):
Japan April 18, 2012[?]
USA June 14, 2012[?]
Europe August 23, 2012[?]
Australia August 23, 2012[?]
South Korea April 6, 2016[18]
Virtual Console (Wii U):
USA April 26, 2013[?]
Europe April 27, 2013[?]
Australia April 28, 2013[?]
Japan July 15, 2013[?]
NES Classic Edition:
Australia November 10, 2016[?]
USA November 11, 2016[?]
Europe November 11, 2016[?]
Nintendo Switch (Arcade Archives):
Japan December 21, 2018[?]
USA December 21, 2018[?]
Europe December 21, 2018[?]
Australia December 21, 2018[?]
Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online:
Japan May 15, 2019[19]
USA May 15, 2019[20]
Europe May 15, 2019[21]
Australia May 15, 2019[22]
HK May 15, 2019[?]
South Korea May 15, 2019[?]
Language(s) English (United States)
Genre Retro/Platform
Rating(s)
ESRB:E - Everyone
PEGI:3 - Three years and older
CERO:A - All ages
ACB:G - General
USK:0 - All ages
ClassInd:L - General audience
GRAC:All - All ages
Mode(s) Up to 2 players, alternating turns
Format
Arcade:
Built-in
Famicom:
Cartridge
NES:
Game Pak
FDS:
Disk Card
Wii:
Digital download
Wii U:
Digital download
Nintendo Switch:
Digital download
Game Boy Advance:
e-Reader card
Nintendo 3DS:
Digital download
NES Classic Edition:
Built-in
Cabinet Upright and cocktail
Monitor Raster, standard resolution
Input
Arcade:
Joystick
Famicom:
NES:
Wii:
Wii Remote (horizontal)
Wii U:
Wii Remote (horizontal)
Nintendo Switch:
Joy-Con (horizontal)
Nintendo 3DS:
NES Classic Edition:
Serial code(s) Famicom:
HVC-JR
FDS:
FMC-JRD

Donkey Kong Jr., also spelled Donkey Kong Junior in early arcade releases and home ports, is an arcade game starring Donkey Kong Jr. It is the direct sequel to Donkey Kong, and it and the similar Donkey Kong II, as well as Donkey Kong Circus, are the only games in the Super Mario franchise where Mario is the antagonist. Though Donkey Kong Jr. did not have as many sales or the same amount of a following as the original Donkey Kong did, it did well enough to warrant a second sequel, Donkey Kong 3.

Story

After the events of Donkey Kong, Mario has captured Donkey Kong as revenge for kidnapping his lady friend and Donkey Kong Jr. has to save him. Donkey Kong Jr. travels through four stages from the jungle to the big city to rescue his father, climbing vines, avoiding enemies and jumping on platforms along the way. However, every time Donkey Kong Jr. gets close to freeing his father, Mario just pushes him further away.

In the arcade version, between the second and third stages, Mario carries Donkey Kong away in a yellow helicopter, with Jr. following close behind with a parasol. Finally in his hideout, Mario appears to be atop a skyscraper similar to 100m from the last game. Donkey Kong Jr. has to put six keys into their keyholes to free his dad and make the platform they are standing on disappear. Donkey Kong and Mario both fall down and Donkey Kong Jr. catches Donkey Kong but Mario just hits the ground. Donkey Kong Jr. carries his dad off-screen as Mario gets up and runs after them, only to be kicked right back out by Donkey Kong, forcing him to flee. In the NES version, this is altered to Mario falling to his apparent death.

Story from the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console manual

Poor Donkey Kong™ has been captured by Mario™ and now finds himself locked up in a cage! It's up to Donkey Kong's son, Junior, to rescue him by snatching the keys to the cage away from Mario. Unfortunately for Junior, Mario won't give up those keys easily, and dangerous snapjaws, nitpickers, and sparks will attack him along the way. Will Junior be able to help his father...? That all depends on you!

Gameplay

DKJ Arcade Stage 1 Screenshot.png

As a direct sequel, Donkey Kong Jr. retains many elements from Donkey Kong, although the two games are significantly different. While the original installment took place in a construction setting, Donkey Kong Jr. takes place in a jungle-like setting, from which Donkey Kong Jr. can climb up vines, drop fruit, or jump from place to place.

In order to free his father, Donkey Kong Junior must collect the key being kept at the end of each level, eventually using those keys to free his father in the end. All the while, however, Mario will sit near the Key as well as Donkey Kong's cage, summoning waves of monsters after Donkey Kong Junior from his position. After Donkey Kong Jr. gains a key, Mario will take Donkey Kong to the next location.

Levels

In the Japanese arcade version, the stages follow each other in each other in the same order for every loop.

In the international arcade version, the middle stages are only revealed during the second and third loop with the fourth loop onward matching the Japanese version. The Atari 8-bit computers, ColecoVision, Coleco Adam, and Intellivision ports follow this progression. The Atari 2600 port put Mario's Hideout after the Chain Scene for every loop.

Kill screen on Level 22

Like its predecessor, this game also has a kill screen on level 22 (screen 89 on Japanese versions and screen 82 on international versions) based on the same integer overflow glitch.

On the Nintendo Entertainment System and Family Computer ports, the kill screen is likewise encountered on level 133 (screen 529) instead, but has rather different effects compared to the arcade version.[23] The two levels that precede the kill screen, levels 131 and 132 (screens 521-528), overflows the time limit so much that the "low time" sound continuously plays, although the player has a much larger amount of time to clear the stages. On level 133 itself, the game crashes.

Characters

Character Name Debut Information
Donkey Kong Jr.'s sprite in the arcade version of Donkey Kong Jr. Donkey Kong Jr. Vine Scene The son of Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Junior is the titular protagonist of Donkey Kong Jr., who has the ability to climb up vines.
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Vine Scene Donkey Kong Jr.'s father, held by Mario at the end of every level.
Mario Mario Vine Scene The main antagonist, Mario appears in every level at the end of each stage, throwing obstacles at Donkey Kong Jr. or guarding Donkey Kong. In the intro of the arcade version, a second Mario appears to help carry Donkey Kong away.

Enemies

Enemy Name Debut Information
A blue Snapjaw from Donkey Kong Jr.
A red Snapjaw from Donkey Kong Jr.
Snapjaw Vine Scene Crocodile-like enemies that move after Donkey Kong Junior. Red ones will stay in one particular area, while the blue ones, which are summoned by Mario, will move aimlessly until they reach a vine, where they will continuously move down until they fall off.
Sprite of a Nitpicker from Donkey Kong Jr. Nitpicker Jump Board Scene Vulture-like birds that fly down once in an attempt to ram into Donkey Kong Junior. Some may also drop eggs at random intervals.
Sprite of a Spark from Donkey Kong Jr.
Sprite of a Spark summoned by Mario in Donkey Kong Jr.
Spark Mario's Hideout Electrical balls of energy that travel around a set platform. Blue ones, summoned by Mario, will constantly move downwards.
Sprite of a Bird from Donkey Kong Jr. Bird Chain Scene Raven-like Nitpickers that fly down the screen in a zigzag-like pattern in an attempt to ram into Donkey Kong Junior.

Items

Image Name Description

A banana from Donkey Kong Jr.
A Cherry (I think) from Donkey Kong Jr.
A fruit sprite from Donkey Kong Jr.
Fruit Fruit can be dropped onto enemies directly below Donkey Kong Jr., otherwise gaining a point bonus if no enemy is hit.
A blue key from Donkey Kong Jr. Key Keys are guarded by Mario at the end of each stage. It is mandatory for Donkey Kong Junior to grab these items in order to free his father.

Re-releases

Ports

Donkey Kong Jr. was also ported to various game consoles and home computers.[25]

Cheat mode

In the Atari 800 version, holding the Shift key while typing "BOOGA" activates a cheat mode where the player can do the following:[28]

  • Press K to become invincible.
  • Press S to skip the current level.

Staff

Main article: List of Donkey Kong Jr. staff
Produced by
Original Music by
  • Yukio Kaneoka
Programming by

Pre-release and unused content

Main article: List of Donkey Kong Jr. pre-release and unused content

The arcade version includes an unused lightbulb object as well as several graphical leftovers from the original Donkey Kong. In addition, the Coleco Adam port is notable for originally featuring an unlockable stage, but it was cut at Nintendo's request.

Reception

Reviews
Release Reviewer, Publication Score Comment
Wii Damien McFerran, Nintendo Life 4/10 "After all these years, Donkey Kong Jr.'s levels can still be a slight challenge and hold replayability, and hardcore fans will no doubt argue that it's all about setting as high a score as possible, but it's clear that this is a game more suited for those who enjoyed it at the time of its original release in the arcades. The gameplay is far too basic to recommend this wholeheartedly when there are so many better alternatives on the Virtual Console; after watching King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters you might be inspired to give this a whirl, but it won't keep you entertained for very long."
NES Lucas M. Thomas, IGN 5/10 "The son of Kong arrives here in a complete conversion of his arcade debut, but this game's too short of an experience to recommend (never mind that it's already been made available through Animal Crossing and as the packed-in "launch title" for the Game Boy Advance e-Reader just a few years ago.) It's nice to see Junior, but not enough to warrant a purchase on his own."
Wii Alex Navarro, GameSpot 4.9/10 "It was a very fun game for its time, but it hasn't held up very well over the years. The only multiplayer is a two-player, trade-off mode, and as fun as some of the levels can be, with only four to play through, you're over and done with the game before you know it. Apart from DK Jr.'s cute character sprite, the graphics are rather archaic, and the audio isn't all that enjoyable, despite a decently catchy soundtrack. The short length and crusty graphics and sound are to be expected from a perfect port of a game from 1986, but for the $5 that's being charged for it, it's tough to recommend to anyone that didn't count Donkey Kong Jr. among their most favorite of NES games. If you're on a nostalgia hunt, there are far stronger options available on the Virtual Console.'"
Aggregators
Compiler Platform / Score
GameRankings 58.17%

Sales

After the fiasco involving Crazy Kong, Nintendo decided not to license production of the arcade version to other companies and not to sell printed circuit boards but only whole machines. A private showing of the game was held on July 28, 1982 before its rollout the following month.[29]

According to The Ultimate History of Video Games, the arcade version of Donkey Kong Jr. sold 30,000 units in North America, half of its predecessor.[30]

Nintendo eShop description

Original Release Date: June 1986

Based on the popular arcade game, Donkey Kong Jr. is the sequel to the immensely successful Donkey Kong™. Play as Donkey Kong's son, and rescue your dad who has been kidnapped and imprisoned in a cage by Mario™. Use your jumping and climbing abilities to clamber up vines and chains, gather vital fruit and keys, and open the cage to free your father. Make sure you avoid the pesky birds, nasty electric sparks, and creepy chompers! Four different worlds filled with numerous climbing and jumping puzzles await you in this timeless classic.

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Donkey Kong Jr. (game).

Media

For a complete list of media for this subject, see List of Donkey Kong Jr. media.

Arcade

Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

Quotes

In-game

  • "Get A blue key from Donkey Kong Jr. key from Mario from the intro cutscene from Donkey Kong Jr. Mario. Save your papa !" — Opening cutscene
  • "Keep going to Mario's Hideout. Be careful !" — Mario's Hideout cutscene

Commercial

  • "I'm Donkey Kong Jr., and that's my papa. I'm trying to save him, and boy do I need your help!" — Donkey Kong Jr.
  • "He's chasing me with snapping jaws, and I could fall!" — Donkey Kong Jr.
  • "Getting players everywhere, please help me save my papa!" — Donkey Kong Jr.
  • "I've got Donkey Kong, and now I'll get you too, Junior!" — Mario
  • "Save your papa? Ha! Save yourself first!" — Mario

References in later games

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ドンキーコング ジュニア (arcade)[?]
Donkī Kongu Junia
Donkey Kong Junior or Donkey Kong Jr.
ドンキーコングJR. (Famicom)[?]
Donkī Kongu Junia
ドンキーコングJr. (newer)[?]
Donkī Kongu Junia

Trivia

A screenshot of what appears to be two Marios in the intro.
  • The first cutscene in the arcade version of the game uses part of "Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565" by Johann Sebastian Bach for its music.
    • The arcade version also uses part of "Le Galop infernal d'Orphée aux Enfers," a song created in 1858 by the French composer Jacques Offenbach, for its second cutscene.
  • During the intro of the arcade version of Donkey Kong Jr., there are two Marios seen pushing Donkey Kong's cage away.
  • Most versions of Donkey Kong Jr., including the Family Computer and Nintendo Entertainment System version, has the ending theme truncated to one phrase. The four versions to have the full theme are the arcade, Intellivision, Coleco Adam, and Atari 8-bit computer ports.
  • Coleco's 1983 TV commercial for their console ports featured a live action rendition of Mario as a cartoonish Vaudeville villain.[31]

References

  1. ^ Fahs, Travis (July 6, 2011). The Secret History of Donkey Kong. Gamasutra. Archived May 11, 2012, 00:01:42 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  2. ^ Iwata, Satoru et al. Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Nintendo of America (American English). Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  3. ^ Woodside Design Associates. Game Developer Research Institute. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  4. ^ Roklan. Game Developer Research Institute. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  5. ^ The History of Roklan Corporation | VCFMW 17 (2022).YouTube. Retrieved November 2,2024.
  6. ^ Game Machine August 15, 1982 issue. Page 7 and 13.
  7. ^ Cash Box September 18, 1982 issue. Page 40.
  8. ^ March 1983. The Video Game Update. Page 6 and 8.
  9. ^ ドンキーコングJR.. Nintendo Japan (Japanese).
  10. ^ Date info of Donkey Kong Jr.. The Mushroom Kingdom (English). Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  11. ^ September 1983. The Video Game Update. Page 82 and 96.
  12. ^ October 1983. The Video Game Update. Page 101 and 112.
  13. ^ a b April 1984. The Video Game Update. Page 16.
  14. ^ Donkey Kong Jr. (FDS). The Mushroom Kingdom (English). Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  15. ^ Atari UK 1989 catalog.
  16. ^ Donkey Kong Jr. (e-Reader). The Mushroom Kingdom. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  17. ^ Donkey Kong Jr.-e. Nintendo of Mexico (Mexican Spanish). Archived October 13, 2002, 12:54:48 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  18. ^ Donkey Kong Jr. (Virtual Console, 3DS). The Mushroom Kingdom (English). Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  19. ^ Nintendo (May 7, 2019). ファミリーコンピュータ Nintendo Switch Online 追加タイトル [2019年5月]. YouTube. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  20. ^ Nintendo of America (May 7, 2019). Nintendo Entertainment System - May Game Updates - Nintendo Switch Online. YouTube. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  21. ^ NintendoEurope (May 8, 2019). #DonkeyKong Jr., VS. Excitebike, and Clu Clu Land are coming to #NintendoSwitchOnline – Nintendo Entertainment System on 15/05! #NES. X. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  22. ^ May 15, 2019. New #NES games have been added to #NintendoSwitchOnline – Nintendo Entertainment System! Rescue DK in #DonkeyKong Jr., face off against friends in VS. Excitebike & explore a maze in Clu Clu Land!. X (Australian English). Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  23. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJFXJ1QXyZ0
  24. ^ December 19, 2018. Arcade Archives Donkey Kong Jr. heading to Switch this week. Nintendo Everything (English). Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  25. ^ retrosutra (May 2, 2020). Donkey Kong Jr. - Versions Comparison (HD). YouTube. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  26. ^ The Atarisoft FAQ V0.34, 17-Dez-07. Digital Press. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  27. ^ Donkey Kong Jnr.. BBC Micro Games Archive. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  28. ^ Donkey Kong Junior. Atari Mania (English). Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  29. ^ September 15, 1982. Game Machine. Page 30.
  30. ^ October 2, 2001. The Ultimate History of Video Games: from Pong to Pokémon and beyond...the story behind the craze that touched our lives and changed the world. ISBN 0-7615-3643-4. Page 352.
  31. ^ The Museum of Classic Chicago Television (www.FuzzyMemories.TV) (June 11, 2018). Donkey Kong Jr. - "Help Save Papa!" (Commercial, 1983). YouTube. Retrieved June 1, 2024.

External links