I just downloaded the original Donkey Kong for the Wii last night. I had never really thought about it before, but I've never actually played the original Donkey Kong up until now. Of course, I've been familiar enough with it since I was a small child, but for what ever reason, I had never actually gotten around to playing it. Being a history buff, I decided I had to finally give it a try.
In a lot of ways, it was Donkey Kong that made Nintendo. Of course it was Super Mario Brothers which was responsible for the domination of the NES/ Famicom in the 80s, making Nintendo a household name. But it was Donkey Kong which not only made Nintendo into a presence in the global video game market, but is also responsible for video games as we know them today.
Nintendo games were a big hit in Japanese arcades, but were a bit of a flop when the company tried to expand to the US. Donkey Kong was designed specifically to appeal to US markets, and seems to have been successful at doing so, making Nintendo a contender in the global market.
Donkey Kong was the first multi-level platform game, as well as the first video game to include a backstory and cutscenes. Also, Donkey Kong is responsible for the creation of Mario, named for the cranky landlord who owned Nintendo of America headquarters, who has grown to be nearly as iconic as Mickey Mouse. Without the advent of Mario, there would have been no Super Mario Brothers to lead Nintendo to become "the" name for consul video games after the video game crash of 1983.
In a lot of ways, it was Donkey Kong that made Nintendo. Of course it was Super Mario Brothers which was responsible for the domination of the NES/ Famicom in the 80s, making Nintendo a household name. But it was Donkey Kong which not only made Nintendo into a presence in the global video game market, but is also responsible for video games as we know them today.
Nintendo games were a big hit in Japanese arcades, but were a bit of a flop when the company tried to expand to the US. Donkey Kong was designed specifically to appeal to US markets, and seems to have been successful at doing so, making Nintendo a contender in the global market.
Donkey Kong was the first multi-level platform game, as well as the first video game to include a backstory and cutscenes. Also, Donkey Kong is responsible for the creation of Mario, named for the cranky landlord who owned Nintendo of America headquarters, who has grown to be nearly as iconic as Mickey Mouse. Without the advent of Mario, there would have been no Super Mario Brothers to lead Nintendo to become "the" name for consul video games after the video game crash of 1983.
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My only experience with the game is King of Kong. Look intense.
We did have a Donkey Kong Jr. Machine in the SUB in college, and I got dominated there regularly.
Historically speaking though, you're right. Nintendo is mario, and mario is jump man, and really, Nintendo is who made video games a viable market.
I wonder if Jump Man will ever return to games. Or will that character or name be ever lost to Mario?
Kind of like Plinkett and fake Plinkett.
As in the Red Letter Media Phantom Menace review Plinkett.