Page 21 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #7

16-Bit Age
16-Bit Age

Donkey Kong:

A Decade Later

By Skyler Miller
grabs Pauline and continues his reign
T chase with 96 more levels.

of terror, sending Mario on a brand new
en years ago this month,
Nintendo released the sim-
Each level is a self-contained puzzle
ply titled Donkey Kong for
that requires Mario to find a key and
the Game Boy. At the time,
your way are a variety of obstacles and
it didn't seem like much of a mile- carry it to the locked exit. Standing in ture that offers hours of challenge and
stone, but it has since become the enemies, and every so often, you’ll face enjoyment. In contrast, put it side-by-
gold standard of how to update a off against DK himself. A combination side with Nintendo's more "modern"
classic game without losing the soul of timing, dexterity and strategy in order GBA release of Donkey Kong (part of
of the original. to be successful. Luckily, Mario also the "NES Classics" series), which offers
The main reason Donkey Kong comes armed with some additional nothing more than a bare-bones emula-
works so well is that it's not so abilities over his Jumpman days, in- tion of the inferior NES version. And we
much a remake as an extension of cluding doing handstand jumps, throw- call this progress? The only real draw-
the 1981 arcade game. While the ing objects and performing backflips. back for modern players would be the
update contains all four levels of the You're also able to save your progress game's lack of color, but don't let this
original -- one of the few home ver- at any time. stop you from experiencing one of Nin-
sions to do so, in fact -- the big ape The visuals maintain a nice balance tendo's finest. These days, classic
doesn't stay defeated for long. He between referencing the arcade game compilations and remakes are com-
and subtly updating the graphics to monplace, but few have been able to
place them more in line with Mario's match the overall accomplishment of
modern look (in 1994). Donkey Kong Donkey Kong.
is also notable as being the flagship Nintendo recently released Mario
title for the Super Game Boy, a Super vs. Donkey Kong for the GBA, which
NES peripheral that allows you to play is something of a successor to Donkey
Game Boy games on your television Kong. Donkey Kong itself can be
with a limited color palette and a deco- found for anywhere from about $5 to
rative border. $25 on eBay depending on its condition
Above all, Donkey Kong offers a and whether or not it comes with a box
great bang for your buck. Not only do and instructions.
you get the full arcade game, but you’re
also treated to an entirely new adven-

BITSMACK

Classic Gamer Magazine July 2004 21