Step back into the arcades of the early 80s with one of the most legendary games of the decade. Donkey Kong was more than just a hit, it was a turning point in video game history. This was the debut of Jumpman, who later became Mario, and it introduced platforming mechanics that would define a generation of gameplay.
You had to climb girders, dodge barrels, and time every move perfectly to rescue Pauline from the clutches of the big ape. The game was challenging, addictive, and completely fresh when it arrived in arcades in the summer of 1981. It quickly made its way onto consoles like the ColecoVision, Atari 2600, and NES, with each version offering a slightly different experience.
Whether you played it standing shoulder to shoulder in a smoky arcade or on a home console with friends, Donkey Kong was one of those games that left a lasting impression.
Did you first play Donkey Kong in the arcade or at home? Which port was your favorite? How far could you get before rage quitting?
Donkey Kong (1981)
80s fact: Donkey Kong was one of the first games to have a storyline told through cutscenes, setting the stage for narrative-driven games in the years that followed.
You had to climb girders, dodge barrels, and time every move perfectly to rescue Pauline from the clutches of the big ape. The game was challenging, addictive, and completely fresh when it arrived in arcades in the summer of 1981. It quickly made its way onto consoles like the ColecoVision, Atari 2600, and NES, with each version offering a slightly different experience.
Whether you played it standing shoulder to shoulder in a smoky arcade or on a home console with friends, Donkey Kong was one of those games that left a lasting impression.
Did you first play Donkey Kong in the arcade or at home? Which port was your favorite? How far could you get before rage quitting?

