Donkey Kong (Nintendo Game Boy, 1994)

I have always loved old video games -- probably because I grew up at the exact time of the NES and video arcade boom during the early 80's -- so it goes without saying that Donkey Kong is a favorite of mine. Recently, I have been trying to expand my collection of classic console games, and I decided to hunt down this "re-imagining" of Donkey Kong.

I say "re-imagining" because it is essentially nothing like the original game. This game is a platform puzzle game, and offers over 100 levels of Mario and Donkey Kong battling it out over Paulina (from the original). It requires platforming skill (as in the original Mario games) along with some mastering of puzzle-solving.

I loved this game enough, that I played it through completely over the two days after it arrived. That doesn't mean that it's easy though, so don't be fooled. The game actually has a perfect balance of challenge, with the early levels being easier and becoming progressively harder as you play through.

I highly recommend this title to anyone with a GameBoy that plays old-style cartridges. It is very hard to find one with an original manual, so be sure to look one up online because there are certain moves that will be helpful to learn early on.

My Score - 9/10

Note: If you pick this title up and end up loving it as much as I do, be sure to grab Mario vs. Donkey Kong for the GameBoy Advance, as it is the "unofficial" sequel, and equally as addicting!

This is arguably one of the greatest games for the gameboy system.

***SPOILER ALERT****

You are fooled at first with the original 4 levels, yes I said 4 levels, just like the arcade. But you may notice you do not die from a short all...hmmm.

After defeating these levels you are thinking that is the end of Kong and it is time to start over, but wait, Kong jumps to his feet and off with Pauline he runs and squeezes his large buns in a tiny door.

Now the real game begins. There are approximately 9 levels with approximately 100 of sometimes simple and sometimes very frustrating stages. Thank goodness extra guys are fairly easy to get you will need them.

If you own a gameboy or thinking about it besides Tetris you must own this even before you buy Super Mario Land. This game is that good.

A golden oldie! A classic!

-The Good
-Decently Challenging
-Interesting Pick-ups
-Simple Controls
-The Bad
-Completely Unpredictable Enemies and Harmful Object
-Slow Jump Response
-Graphics
-The Summary
-You must help Jumpman save his girlfriend, Pauline from Donkey Kong! Jump over barrels, dodge fireballs, climb ladders and save her! Find her purses and umbrellas around the stage to get bonus points.
This game is now available for the Virtual Console on the Wii.

-thepokeson

The Donkey Kong game for Gameboy is a bit different than I thought it would be. I was thinking that it would be just like the old arcade version with the very simple graphics and endless jumping of barrels (which never gets old by the way) but I was in for a surprise. This DK game starts off the first level like the first level of the original, but soon it is apparent that the game is a lot different. The levels get to the point of being about grabbing keys and unlocking doors to get to the next level and (hopefully) catch DK who has kidnapped Peach. The levels are just interactive puzzles where you must use your intellect to devise a plan to capture the key for the next level. After about 4 levels are completed you get to face DK and the various objects he will be throwing at you (usually barrels).

This game is a great thing to have around when you acquire some leisure time. It's no Zelda- so you likely won't feel compelled to complete it all in one sitting, but it will give you hours of fun that fits people of all ages. I would say anyone from 8 to 80 will enjoy this classic for the Gameboy.

My honest advice- buy this bad boy.

Did you like to play the classic Donkey Kong in the arcade growing up? What if Donkey Kong wasn't defeated at the 100m mark? This game answers that for you. In this game, Donkey Kong takes Pauline (your love interest) through various places, trying to thwart Mario from saving her at every turn. The interesting and fun part is that you have to find a key and bring it to the door of every level in order to progress to the next. Overall, it's these challenges, along with many bouts with Donkey Kong, that make this game a lot of fun. I'm definitely going to play this game again and again.