Donkey Kong Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up / Platformer
Donkey Kong 3
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1986 (originally 1984) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Platformer |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Donkey Kong |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 7 |
Developed by Nintendo, Donkey Kong 3 arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986 as a shoot 'em up. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1984. It blends shoot 'em up and platformer elements.
It came out in the NES's second year on the market. Other notable NES releases from 1986 include Arkanoid, Metroid and Dragon Quest.
It is part of the Donkey Kong series; on the NES you can also try Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong Classics. The series also appears on other systems with Donkey Kong 64 (N64) and Donkey Kong Country (SNES). Nintendo also made Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario Bros. 2 for the NES.
Donkey Kong 3 supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Donkey Kong 3 is like
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
Donkey Kong 3 cheats & codes
29 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Start With Infinite Lives | SZNKOPVI |
|---|---|
| Start With 1 Life | PEEGITLA |
| Start With 9 Lives | PEEGITLE |
| Reduce The Time For Pros | ZEKKGYEE |
| Normal Spray More Powerful | ZAOSZAPA |
| Normal Spray Longer | ZLOSLAAA |
Donkey Kong 3 walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Donkey Kong 3.
If you like Donkey Kong 3, the Matrix also picks…
Battle City Classic Co-op
Donkey Kong Jr. Classic
Space Invaders Classic
Jackal Classic Co-op
Ikari Warriors Classic Co-op
Salamander Classic Co-op
Contra Classic
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Donkey Kong 3 FAQ
When did Donkey Kong 3 come out on the NES?
Donkey Kong 3 was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986; the original game dates back to 1984.
Who made Donkey Kong 3?
It was developed by Nintendo.
Is Donkey Kong 3 multiplayer?
Yes. Donkey Kong 3 supports up to 2 players.
How long does Donkey Kong 3 take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Donkey Kong 3 typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Donkey Kong 3 on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.