Donkey Kong Jr. Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer
Donkey Kong
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1983 (originally 1981) |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Donkey Kong |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 18 |
Donkey Kong is a platformer released in 1983 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Nintendo. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1981.
It belongs to the NES's earliest wave of games. Other notable NES releases from 1983 include Baseball, Donkey Kong Jr. and Popeye no Eigo Asobi. Among the 191 NES platformers in our database, it ranks #10 by legacy score.
It is part of the Donkey Kong series; on the NES you can also try Donkey Kong Jr., Donkey Kong 3 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 supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you have a friend to play against
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
What playing Donkey Kong is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Donkey Kong cheats & codes
29 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | SXNGOZVG |
|---|---|
| Start With 1 Life | PENKNPLA |
| Start With 9 Lives | PENKNPLE |
Donkey Kong walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Donkey Kong.
If you like Donkey Kong, the Matrix also picks…
Super Mario Bros. Classic
Ice Climber Classic Co-op
Super Mario Bros. 3 Classic
Super Mario Bros. 2 Classic
Donkey Kong 64 Classic
Donkey Kong Country Classic Co-op
Mario Bros. Classic Co-op
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 FAQ
When did Donkey Kong come out on the NES?
Donkey Kong was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1983; the original game dates back to 1981.
Who made Donkey Kong?
It was developed by Nintendo.
Is Donkey Kong multiplayer?
Yes. Donkey Kong supports up to 2 players.
How long does Donkey Kong take to play?
As a platformer, Donkey Kong typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Donkey Kong 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.