Summary
Donkey Kong Bananzalooks like it will be the launch game fans wantedMario Kart Worldto be. It’s fitting for Nintendo to go back to Donkey Kong to highlight a big game arounda console’s launch, becauseDonkey Kong’sarrival in arcades helped pave the way for the NES. Credit could go to Mario, too, but Donkey Kong got top billing even though he was the villain. He made Nintendo what it is today in the video game market.
How has Nintendo treated Donkey Kong on their platforms over the years? Did he have an illustrious career on every console comparable to Mario, or were some platforms lacking in the big ape’s magic? Let’s swing on a vine and determinethe bestDonkey Konggames on every Nintendo consolewhile waiting forDonkey Kong Bananza.
The NES had a few games starring the big ape and his kin, but among them all,Donkey Kongwas still the king. As Mario, or Jump Man in this era, players had to scale platforms and dodge DK’s barrels, fireballs, and other traps.
It may not have been as robust of an experience asSuper Mario Bros.,but like all80s arcade games, the gameplay was simple enough for everyone to figure out, even grandma.
Donkey Kongwas reimagined on the original Game Boy, which is often referred to asDonkey Kong 94by fans. It was the same style of gameplay as the arcade and NES versions, but sent players through more bite-sized levels and mazes.
LikeTetrison the Game Boy, fans could argue that the portable model made the core platforming experience better forDonkey Kongon the go, rather than having to make the trek to an arcade any time they wanted to play.
Donkey Kong Countrywas a big change for DK, casting him as the hero and starring in a platforming game all his own, similar toSuper Mario World. There was a trilogy, but only the first game put DK in a playable role.
The sequel,Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest,is arguably the better game, even though DK is the one who needs rescuing. Diddy Kong was the new main character, along with newbie Dixie Kong, who could glide, which added a lot more fun to the mechanics.
The most notable thing aboutDonkey Kong 64is the DK Rap, but the real shining gem of the N64 era wasDiddy Kong Racing,which holds up better today.
Some could even argue that it does the kart racing circuit better thanMario Kart 64did. Diddy and his friends could drive karts, planes, and boats that added so much more to tracks, something theMario Kartserieswould later lean into.
The portable versions of theDonkey Kong Countrygames are very confusing.There were three versions made for the original Game Boy under theDonkey Kong Landseries title, which changed up a few things like switching enemies, and they each one was a decent enough game.
Donkey Kong Country is more of a direct port for the Game Boy Color that gets enough right to make it worthwhile as a portable game, even though the SNES original is still better.
The GBA alsoreceived conversions of theDonkey Kong Countrygames, but the real hit on the handheld console was the first entry in what would become DK’s portable legacy for the nextcouple of decades.
Mario vs. Donkey Kongput DK back in the role of the villain who took over a toy factory, and Mario had to free little toy versions of himself. It’s a puzzle platformer featuring some of the most inventive challenges on the handheld, which puzzle lovers still adore.
Donkey Kongawasa rhythm-based gamewhere players could tap to the beat of Nintendo songs or weird versions of hits like “Rock Lobster" by the B-52s or “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M.The trilogy was silly but fun, and Nintendo repurposed the accompanying bongo controller for a full-on platformer calledDonkey Kong Jungle Beat,which is the better DK experience.
It could be played with a controller, too, but the inventiveness of gameplay and the boss battles came through better if players embraced the bongos and slapped some sense into DK’s rivals.
Donkey Kong: Jungle Climberwas a sequel toDK: King of Swingon the GBA, which featured similar vine-swinging and climbing gameplay. It was improved in the DS sequel because the game utilized both screens to create a sense of verticality.
It’s a hard game to port and replicate now due to its vertical design, but the experimental nature ofDonkey Kong: Jungle Climberis exactly why more Nintendo fans should check it out.
As great as the portable era ofDonkey Kongwas, the Wii was where things got back on track, asDonkey Kong Country Returnswas a return to solid platforming for the series.
It was just as challenging as the SNES era of games and just as bombastic with its level design.Retro Studios helpedreinventMetroidfor a new era withMetroid Prime,and they certainly put their fingerprint on DK with this game, which was later ported to the 3DS and Switch.
Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Movewasan eShop exclusive gameand part of theMario vs. Donkey Kongseries. Players could guide the toy Marios through mazes while using the touch screen to manipulate tile icons and progress through each puzzle.
It was a short and breezy little puzzle game that didn’t reinvent the series, but it made good use of the 3DS’ technology to help keep the DK name alive.
