Franchise file / Shigeru Miyamoto
Donkey Kong
The ape who started it all
Nintendo's arcade villain turned platforming star, created by Shigeru Miyamoto in 1981. Donkey Kong went from barrel-throwing rival to the hero of Rare's and Retro Studios' jungle adventures.
- 1981
- First game
- 2
- Series
- Shigeru Miyamoto
- Creator
One world. Many eras.
Choose your chapter
Arcade origins. The original cabinet cast Donkey Kong as the villain. Donkey Kong Junior flipped the roles and Donkey Kong 3 closed the first run.
Start with Donkey KongYour next late night
The essentials
Chapters
Series (2)
Hard, slick jungle platformingDonkey Kong CountryRare's 1994 SNES platformer and the line it started, later revived by Retro Studios. Expect tight side-scrolling, mine carts, barrel cannons and a stiff challenge under the bright jungle dressing.
The platformer that set the rulesSuper MarioNintendo's mainline Mario platformers, created by Shigeru Miyamoto. Run, jump and stomp, with each generation reinventing how a platformer should move and feel.
A legacy worth revisiting
From arcade villain to jungle king.
Donkey Kong began as the barrel-throwing obstacle in Nintendo's 1981 arcade hit. Rare reinvented him in 1994 with Donkey Kong Country, and Retro Studios revived that line in 2010. Between them came bongo rhythm games, racers and puzzlers.
- 1981 to 1984
- Arcade origins
- 1994 to 1999
- The Rare years
- 2003 to 2014
- New hands
Scenes that stay with you
Inside the world
Select a frame to expand it.
