Donkey Kong (Game Boy)

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Donkey Kong is a platforming game developed by Nintendo for the Game Boy handheld video game system, which also contains puzzle elements. Donkey Kong is loosely based upon the 1981 arcade game of the same name, and its sequel Donkey Kong Jr. The game is also known as Game Boy Donkey Kong (as seen in the title screen), and also Donkey Kong '94 (the promotional title before release) to differentiate it from the 1981 arcade game. Like in the original arcade and NES version, the player takes control of Mario and must rescue Pauline from Donkey Kong (who are both given updated character designs for this game). Donkey Kong Jr. also appears in the game and serves as a hindrance to Mario's progress.

Gameplay

Donkey Kong begins with the four levels found in the original arcade game, but with enhanced graphics and play mechanics (for instance, falling off a girder is no longer instantly fatal, and Mario can let go of the Hammer prematurely to jump if necessary). Like in the original, the player's goal in these stages is to reach Pauline, who is in top of the structure. The level pattern follows that of the Japanese arcade release (Girders - Conveyor Belts - Elevators - Rivets).

After these four initial stages are completed, the usual arcade ending begins, but after a few notes of the "victory theme" Donkey Kong revives, grabs Pauline again, and takes off with her, with Mario giving chase. The player is then presented with 97 additional stages spanning nine worlds, for a total of 101 stages.

The subsequent levels follow a completely different game mechanic in which the player must guide Mario through each level to locate a key. He must pick it up and carry it to the end to unlock the door to the next stage. On every fourth level, the player must confront Donkey Kong himself and reach Pauline, like in the original levels. After the fourth level is cleared, a short cutscene is shown depicting a player's abilities that may be needed for the upcoming levels, or to introduce new kinds of traps. At this point, the player is allowed to save their progress, including their clear time for each level or for the total set.

At the final level of each world, the player must fight back at Donkey Kong and find a way to throw his barrels back at him. It usually takes three barrels to defeat Donkey Kong and proceed to the next world.

There are also bonus rounds that are accessible only by recovering each of Pauline's accessories (a hat, a purse and a parasol) on each of the regular levels. During these bonus rounds, the player can gain additional lives by playing either a slot machine or a roulette wheel. (Which one the player will get is determined at random each time.)

Miscellaneous

• Was the first game to feature enhancements when played on the Super Game Boy

• In addition to featuring all four stages from the original arcade, two levels from the Donkey Kong Jr. arcade game were also remade. Level 2-4 and Level 9-4 in this game are remakes of Level 1 and Level 4 from Donkey Kong Jr.

• Level 9-5 is a longer, but more accurate, reproduction of the first level from the original Donkey Kong.

• A sequel to this game called Mario vs. Donkey Kong was released in 2004 for Game Boy Advance.

• Nintendo once planned a Game Boy Advance remake of this game titled Donkey Kong Plus. In addition to featuring enhanced graphics and backgrounds, the proposed remake also featured a level designer accessible through the Nintendo GameCube. The game was scrapped in favor of Mario vs. Donkey Kong.

External links

• [Donkey Kong] at MobyGames
• [Speed run video] at Speed Demos Archive

 

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