Donkey Kong

"Barrels, Monkey's, Hammers, Oh My!"

Before Mario Kart, before Donkey Kong 1-3, and 64 there was a game that debuted two of the most famous game icons today. Those names are Mario, and Donkey Kong. While you might not know it, If you have played the DK games on SNES, and 64, this Donkey Kong is actually Cranky Kong in those games but obviously a lot older. This is one of the most fun classic arcade games and here is why.

GRAPHICS:9

Believe me, they were very good for the time it was made. Early 80's it was made I believe and I have to say they are nicely made by Nintendo. Mario, DK, and the Princess are all made very well, and if you think about it, they are nice looking. While now you might look at the graphics, and think I'm crazy because I gave them a 9, I think it's a fair score because they were about as good as they could have been for back then.

SOUND:6

Well, there isn't much sound in this game at all. I know there is some sound, but not much. One of the coolest tunes in the game is when Mario has his hammer and plays that hammer music which is also featured in games such as Super Smash Brothers for the Nintendo 64. If you really look past that, there is no music I can talk about because there really isn't any at all. With the music that is there, it is fairly well done.

GAMEPLAY:7

The gameplay is good for the most part but this game can be insanely frustrating. Mario moves, goes up ladders trying to make his way up to Donkey Kong. On the way he must avoid the barrels that gets thrown at him, and do everything possible to make his way up. The bad part about this is that Mario moves really sluggish and causes you to mess up. You need to get used to the way he moves because that can be difficult at times. The coolest feature of the gameplay has to be the hammer. If you get one, you can be invulnerable taking down barrels, flames or anything in your way in a limited amount of time. Good gameplay, but again can be frustrating.

STORY:9

You are Mario the plumber. The princess has just been stolen from Donkey Kong, and it is your job to save her. On the way though, DK will not give in, and well try and delay you by throwing things such as barrels to get you not to make it to him. Challenging levels, and puzzles await in this game.

CHALLENGE:9

This game can be really hard at times, and frustration factor is high. While the first level might be slightly easy, it gets real hard. Sometimes there is no way to avoid a barrel or something and you will be defeated. Stuff like that happens and it really stinks. The trick is to learn the game well, and try to master it and the levels.

REPLAY:10

If I see this game in an arcade somewhere, I'm going to want to spend about $100 dollars on it. Even though I can't do that I would want to because this game is always fun to play no matter the occasion. It is always cool to try and save the Princess from Donkey Kong as many times as you can, and it doesn't get old either.

PLAY/MISS:PLAY

This game is a classic at it's best and deserves to have coins deposited into it regularly still to this day. If you see this game I really think you should stop, and play it because I believe you will have an excellent time with this game for sure.

OVERALL:9

This game is awesome in about every aspect, and if you have never played this game you have no idea what you are missing out on. This is seriously one of the best classic arcade games I have ever played let alone one of the best in the arcade room. If you see it play it because I know you will go bananas over it!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/30/01, Updated 08/30/01