30 Years is Young for a Gorilla- Donkey Kong turns 30
3DS Buzz said:
Donkey Kong is considered by many to be the source of Nintendo’s success. Honour this (not so) gentle giant as he turns 30 years young!
Alright, so 30 is about average for a Gorilla’s lifespan, but either way, Donkey Kong has reached a major milestone this year. Arcade Game Examiner has a lovely history of the way that Donkey Kong and the games in which he stars has been shaping the entire video game industry since it nearly single-handedly saved Nintendo three decades ago. The original arcade version of Donkey Kong released in the states in July 1981, beginning with a test audience to gauge it’s success. The arcade machines were released in college hot spots in Seattle (close to Nintendo of America’s warehouse location at the time) and based on the game’s massive success, went on to be released nationwide that October. For more info on Donkey Kong’s long and impressive history, check out Patrick Scott Patterson’s article at examiner.com.
Still illin’ for classic Donkey Kong? Check out the documentary King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, which covers the history of high-scores, specifically one man’s journey to toppling Kong master Billy Mitchell. Want to try your own hand at a top score? Donkey Kong is now available for download on the 3DS via the eShop.
Editor's Note: Before anyone says that Mario is 25-26, since the Donkey Kong arcade game is 30 years old and Mario first appeared in the Donkey Kong arcade game, this also makes Mario 30 years old. What's 25-26 is the Super Mario Bros. Series.
Big birthday greetings to DK and Jumpman... er, Mario! (EDIT: Haha, Zero and I were thinking the same thing) I'm just a little older than the big ape (or gorilla? I always forget), so my age is catching up with me as well.
I did watch King of Kong, it was an interesting look at the seriousness of the competitive arcade scene. Those guys are gaming nerds on a whole 'nother level.
That examiner article was a good little read, giving a short history of the DK arcade's birth, and Nintendo's obvious influence/ impact on the growth of the video game industry over time.
Examiner said:
More coverage to celebrate Donkey Kong's 30th birthday will come along during this week, including a detailed look at Nintendo's pre-Donkey Kong video games, the competitive nature of the game and more.
I WISH Nintendo made the original Donkey Kong available somewhere. Only Rare has, in Donkey Kong 64. Must be some weird licensing issue with their arcade games? Otherwise, it's just baffling how there are no Nintendo games on VC Arcade.
@Guillaume Slide the key across the ice and catch it on the other side?
