Donkey Kong (game)

Donkey Kong
Developer(s)	Nintendo
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Designer(s)	Shigeru Miyamoto
Released	Arcade July 9, 1981 July 31, 1981 August 2, 1981 September 11, 1981 November 22, 1981 Nintendo Entertainment System July 15, 1983 June 1986 October 15, 1986
Genre(s)	Platformer
Platform(s)	Arcade Nintendo Entertainment System various others
Article on Super Mario Wiki	Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong (ドンキーコング, Donkey Kong) is an arcade game released by Nintendo on July 9, 1981. It was designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and was one of the first games he produced for Nintendo. It was the first appearance of Mario, back then known as Jumpman, the first appearance of Donkey Kong and the first appearance of Pauline, the damsel-in-distress.

In the Super Smash Bros. series

Screenshot from Donkey Kong.

Fighters

Mario and an early portrayal of the Donkey Kong character debuted in this game. Donkey Kong kidnapped Pauline, and Mario had to rescue her.

Stage

The stage 75m, first introduced in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, comes from this game. It is the third level in the original arcade version, and the second one in the NES version.

Item

The Hammer comes from this game. When grabbed, Mario swings it around and instantly defeat any enemy he touches. However, he can't jump while using it.

Music

"Donkey Kong", "Opening (Donkey Kong)" and "25m BGM" come from this game. "Donkey Kong" is a remix of the 25m level theme. "Opening (Donkey Kong)" is a remix/medley of several pieces of music from Donkey Kong. Starting off with the track that plays during the opening in this game, then the soundbyte that plays during the 'Game Start', the 25m level music and the music that played when Mario picks up and starts flailing the Hammer. "25m BGM" is the original version of the 25m level theme.

Trophies

In Melee

Name	Image	First Game	Description
Mario		Donkey Kong Arcade 1981	Known worldwide as Mr. Nintendo, Mario uses his incredible jumping ability to thwart the evil Bowser time after time. While he's best known as a hero, Mario has played many roles, including racer, doctor, golfer, and villain. His tastes have changed over 20 years of gaming; he long ago swapped the colors of his shirt and overalls.
Donkey Kong		Donkey Kong Arcade 1981	While he now prefers the laid-back jungle lifestyle to construction site mischief, DK is often forced back into action by the Kremling Krew. The great ape is quite fast despite his burly physique, and he keeps his strength up with a steady diet of his favorite food: bananas. His one extravagance (and only piece of clothing) is a monogrammed necktie.
Hammer		Donkey Kong Arcade 1981	If you grab the Hammer, you'll run across the screen swinging it back and forth nonstop. In Donkey Kong, Mario used the Hammer in exactly the same fashion. It's an extremely powerful item, but you have no recovery move when carrying it. Every now and then, the mallet head will fall off, and you'll end up completely vulnerable, swinging just the handle.

In Brawl

Name	Type	Picture	Description
Mario	Fighter		A familiar overall-clad figure who is Nintendo's flagship character. His courage and jumping ability have seen him through countless adventures. He's a multitalented plumber with the knowledge of a physician, a top-notch golfer, and a veteran tennis umpire. Is his jumping prowess a boon from his girder-climbing days? : Donkey Kong : Super Mario Bros.
Hammer	Item		An item that, once grabbed, makes you swing nonstop. It's a powerful attack item that does terrific damage and sends opponents sailing. Once in a great while, the hammer's head will fall off, leaving you nothing but the handle. Of course, you can't tell whether the head is securely fastened just by looking. Hammerheads that fall off can be picked up and thrown as weapons. An item that, once grabbed, makes you swing non-stop. It's a powerful attack item that does terrific damage and sends opponents sailing. Once in a great while, the hammer's head will fall off, leaving you nothing but the handle. Of course, you can't tell whether the head is securely fastened just by looking. Hammerheads that fall off can be picked up and thrown as weapons. : Donkey Kong

In Smash 4

Both versions

Name	Category	Picture	Picture	Description
Mario	Fighter			As iconic as iconic gets, this gaming celebrity is known for saving the world from Bowser. He's got amazing jumping skills and makes use of a wide range of transformations. In his free time, he plays too many sports to count. In Smash Bros., he's a well-rounded fighter you can rely on. Say it with me: "It's-a me, Mario!" : Donkey Kong Classics (09/1988) : Super Mario Bros. (10/1985) It's-a him! Maaario! Whether he's wearing one of his special outfits or just his normal blue dungarees, this running, jumping, Bowser-bashing, princess-saving hero is an all-round superstar. And in this game, he's got enough tricks up his sleeve to deal with anything. If you don't know which fighter to pick, Mario's a solid choice. Arcade: Donkey Kong (1981 (JP)) : Super Mario Bros. (05/1987)
Mario (Alt.)	Fighter			Super Jump Punch is an up-special move that lets you leap high into the air, carrying any fighters you strike along with you. You'll be invincible for a moment after you launch this attack. The default side-special move, Cape, will flip a fighter around. Keep a foe from returning with this move! Super Jump Punch is an up-special move that lets you leap high into the air, carrying any fighters you strike along with you. You'll be invincible for a moment after you launch this attack. The default side-special move, Cape, will flip a fighter around, making it easy to send a foe who's trying to grab the edge of the stage to their doom! : Donkey Kong Classics (09/1988) : Super Mario Bros. (10/1985) Mario's Super Jump Punch takes you high into the air, and if you catch an opponent with it, they'll go up with you. Try to hit them at the very start of the move to do the most damage. His default side special, Cape, can flip fighters around. If you're really crafty, you can even use it to keep someone from getting back on the stage! Arcade: Donkey Kong (1981 (JP)) : Super Mario Bros. (05/1987)
Hammer	Item			Once you grab this hammer, you can't help but keep swinging and swinging. Who needs special moves when you've got a hammer? And forget your second jump—use that time to deliver a second lump! Oh, but the hammerhead isn't attached very well, so watch out if it pops off or something... : Donkey Kong Classics (09/1988) : Mario vs. Donkey Kong (05/2004) This is something you just can't stop swinging. At all. You'll do a lot of damage with it, but...you won't be able to jump in mid-air or use special moves, so if you fall off the stage, good luck getting back on! Oh, and if the head pops off, you'll be left waving the handle around. If that happens... man, you are going to look ridiculous. : Donkey Kong (10/1986) : Mario vs. Donkey Kong (11/2004)
Pauline	Series Related			Waaay back in 1981, a new action game using barrels and girders hit arcades. That game was Donkey Kong, in which Mario had to rescue Pauline from the title character. Maybe she wanted to look less like Princess Peach—she changed her look in the Game Boy version. : Donkey Kong Classics (09/1988) : Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis (09/2006) One fine day in 1981, the world was introduced to a new action-packed arcade game – Donkey Kong! But back then, the girl Mario was trying to rescue from Donkey Kong wasn't Peach – it was Pauline. Also, did you know that in Japan, Pauline was originally just called "Lady"? : Donkey Kong (1981 (JP)) : Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis (03/2007)

Stickers

No.	Image	Name	Effect	Characters
113		Pauline & Donkey Kong	AttackArm+018 Attack +18	DK Diddy

Spirits

Primary spirit

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Slots	Base	Max	Base	Max	Base	Max	Ability
137		Donkey Kong & Lady		★★★★	3	4047	10119	2386	5967	1432	3580	Strong Throw

Support spirit

No.	Image	Name	Class	Cost	Ability	Series
79		Pauline	★★★★	2	Healing Shield	Super Mario Series

Fighter spirits

No.	Image	Alternate Artwork	Name
1			Mario
134			Donkey Kong

Masterpiece

The NES version of the game appears as an unlockable Masterpiece in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and a default masterpiece Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. In Brawl, it can be played for 30 seconds and starts at 75m. It must be unlocked by having the game turned on for 10 hours. In Smash Wii U, it can be played for 120 seconds and is available from the start. After the timer elapsed in the Wii U version, the player was given the opportunity to purchase the game as a Virtual Console title from the Nintendo eShop before its closure on March 27, 2023.

Misc.

Some platforms in Mario's and Donkey Kong's Target Smash! levels in Super Smash Bros. Melee resemble the platforms in this game. Mario's down taunt in Brawl, SSB4 and Ultimate is based on his death animation from this game.