Donkey Kong: The Barrel-Throwing Titan of Nintendo

Before the era of the Super Mario Bros., there was a different hero taking center stage in the world of Nintendo: Donkey Kong. This barrel-throwing ape has come a long way since his first appearance, evolving from an antagonist to a protagonist with his own unique gaming adventures. Join us as we take a look at Donkey Kong's background and his most notable appearances in the Mario franchise.

Donkey Kong was created by Shigeru Miyamoto and first appeared in the 1981 arcade game of the same name. Originally, he was portrayed as the antagonist, kidnapping Mario's (then known as Jumpman) girlfriend, Pauline. As Mario's first adversary, Donkey Kong's role was to throw barrels at Mario and impede his progress, along with other obstacles in his way. Over the years, the character has evolved from a villain into a heroic figure, eventually headlining his own series of games.

Warp Pipe Weekly

A weekly recap of all things Nintendo

SUBSCRIBE

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. You can opt out at any time.

Follow us on social media!

Sign up for the Warp Pipe Weekly Newsleter

Get all of your Nintendo News

SUBSCRIBE

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. You can opt out at any time.

Notable Appearances

With a better understanding of Donkey Kong's background, let's take a look at some of his most significant appearances in the Mario franchise and beyond:

Donkey Kong (1981): The original arcade game that started it all. As the antagonist, Donkey Kong kidnapped Pauline and climbed to the top of a construction site, forcing Mario to traverse various obstacles to rescue her. This game marked the first appearance of both Donkey Kong and Mario, launching them into the gaming world.

Donkey Kong Jr. (1982): In this sequel, the roles were reversed as Donkey Kong was captured by Mario. Players took on the role of Donkey Kong's son, Donkey Kong Jr., in a quest to rescue his father from captivity. This game further solidified Donkey Kong's place in Nintendo's history.

Mario Kart series: Donkey Kong has been a staple in the Mario Kart series since the release of Super Mario Kart for the SNES in 1992. As a heavyweight racer, Donkey Kong brings a unique style and strategy to the racing world, making him a popular choice for players.

Super Smash Bros. series: Donkey Kong has been a fighter in the popular crossover fighting game series since the original Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64. With powerful moves and a unique fighting style, Donkey Kong is a formidable opponent in the Smash Bros. arena.

Donkey Kong Country series: In 1994, Donkey Kong Country was released for the SNES, marking the beginning of a new era for the character. As the protagonist, Donkey Kong teamed up with his sidekick, Diddy Kong, to reclaim his stolen banana hoard from the villainous King K. Rool. The game was a massive success and spawned several sequels, spin-offs, and a television series.

Mario Party series: Donkey Kong has appeared as a playable character in several Mario Party games, bringing his unique abilities and charm to the party atmosphere. In some of the more recent games, Donkey Kong takes on a different role, hosting special events and minigames throughout the board.

From antagonist to protagonist, Donkey Kong has had a fascinating journey within the world of Nintendo. His transition from an enemy of Mario to a hero in his own right has endeared him to fans around the globe. As Nintendo continues to innovate and create new gaming experiences, we eagerly anticipate the next chapter in Donkey Kong's storied legacy.