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Donkey Kong [Model HVC-DK]

Nintendo Famicom cart. published 41 years ago by Nintendo Co., Ltd.

Listed in MAME

Donkey Kong [Model HVC-DK] screenshot

ドンキーコング © 1983 Nintendo.
(Donkey Kong)

Here is the Famicom port of Nintendo's arcade classic Donkey Kong. Do we still need to introduce the universally beloved barrel-throwing gorilla? Donkey Kong, a large and angry ape, has kidnapped Pauline and climbed to the top of a tall and perilous construction site, where he keeps her prisoner. Without hesitation, her boyfriend Mario, a little mustached carpenter with red overalls, a blue shirt and a hat, flies to her rescue. The little man is the gorilla's original caretaker and he is also ready to teach the large ape a good lesson that he will not soon forget... The player must guide Mario through three different stages and eventually rescue Pauline. But the task won't be easy and Kong will do anything to protect and uphold what now belongs to him. In the first screen, Mario must run up a series of metallic girders while avoiding barrels that the ape throws down at him. The first barrel also ignites an oil drum located at the bottom of the screen, which in turn generates fireballs that go chase after Mario. Although the carpenter can only jump, avoid enemies or climb up ladders, he nevertheless has a way to defend himself - hammers are sometimes available and can be used as improvised weapons for a short amount of time, and crush anything that dares cross their path. The second screen features elevators, evil bouncing springs and wandering fireballs, as well as two bonus items - Pauline's umbrella and purse that the player can collect for extra points. Finally, the third screen is made out of four large platforms hold in places by eight yellow rivets. Mario must run or jump over all eight rivets to make them disappear, forcing the large construction to collapse and then trapping the giant gorilla, thus rescuing Pauline from her predicament.

Goodies for Donkey Kong [Model HVC-DK]
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TECHNICAL

Cartridge ID: HVC-DK

TRIVIA

Donkey Kong for Famicom was released on July 15, 1983 in Japan for 4,500 Yen. It was one of the three launch titles of the Famicom (with Popeye and Donkey Kong Jr.).

This port of Donkey Kong has a few differences with the original arcade game. First of all, the short introduction sequence was completely removed - in the original game, Donkey Kong climbs the construction site with Pauline under his arm and heavily stromps his feet as he reaches the top, causing the metallic girders to collapse and form the first screen. The 25-meter scale displayed between screens along with the question 'How High Can You Get?' was also omitted - in the arcade game, each screen represents 25m of the construction site, from 25m to 100m; the music from this scale display remains intact. Most importantly, the 50m stage (the conveyor belt/cement screen also known as the 'Pie Factory' stage) was completely omitted (probably scrapped because of space limitations within the ROM). Surprisingly, the Famicom port features sound effects not found on the original arcade game (such as Mario's footsteps) and a new opening music (credited to Yukio Kaneoka).

Export releases:
[US] "Donkey Kong [Model NES-DK-USA]"
[EU] "Donkey Kong [Model NES-DK-EEC]"

Re-releases:
[JP] "Donkey Kong [Model FMC-DKD]" (Disk version)

STAFF

Executive Producer: Hiroshi Yamauchi
Producer: Masayuki Uemura
Concept Design: Shigeru Miyamoto
Program: Toshihiko Nakago
Sound: Yukio Kaneoka, Hirokazu Tanaka

PORTS

CONSOLES:
Nintendo Wii [Virtual Console] japan (dec.2, 2006) [Model FAAJ]
Nintendo Wii [Virtual Console] korea (apr.26, 2008) [Model FAAK]
Nintendo Wii U [Virtual Console] japan (jul.15, 2013) [Model FAFJ]

HANDHELDS:
japan Nintendo GBA (feb.14, 2004) "Donkey Kong [Famicom Mini] [Model AGB-FDKJ-JPN]"
Nintendo 3DS [Virtual Console] japan (jul.28, 2012) "Donkey Kong [Limited Time Original Edition]" : Enhanced version.
Nintendo 3DS [Virtual Console] japan (oct.17, 2012) [Model TBJJ]

SOURCES

See Goodies section.
Game's ROM.
Game's description by Laurent Kermel; http://www.videogameden.com