Retro Donkey Kong Game Collection
17 total gamesFrom jego arcade origins as a barrel-throwing antagonist to jego celebrated status as a tie-wearing platforming hero, the Donkey Kong series is a legendary Nintendo franchise known for its inventive level design and challenging gameplay.
About the Donkey Kong Game Series
The Donkey Kong series is one of Nintendo's most iconic and long-standing video game franchises, tracing its roots back to the golden age of arcades. The original 'Donkey Kong' game, released in 1981, was a monumental success that not only introduced the titular ape as an antagonist but also marked the first-ever appearance of the hero who would become Mario. These early games were single-screen platforming challenges that required precise timing and quick reflexes, establishing a foundation of challenging gameplay that would become a hallmark of the series.
The franchise was famously reinvented in 1994 with the release of 'Donkey Kong Country' on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). Developed by Rare, this title transformed Donkey Kong from a villain into a swashbuckling hero, complete with his signature red tie. The game was revolutionary for its use of pre-rendered 3D graphics, which created a stunningly detailed and vibrant world. This new era of Donkey Kong focused on side-scrolling platforming adventures, where DK and his sidekick Diddy Kong would run, jump, roll, and ride animal buddies through a variety of creatively themed levels to protect their banana hoard from the villainous Kremlings.
Following the immense success of the 'Country' series, the Donkey Kong franchise has continued to evolve and expand into numerous genres. This includes innovative rhythm games like 'Donkey Konga', unique action-puzzle titles such as 'Mario vs. Donkey Kong', and 3D platformers like 'Donkey Kong 64'. Despite this diversity, the core of the franchise has always returned to its platforming roots, with modern installments like 'Donkey Kong Country Returns' and 'Tropical Freeze' receiving critical acclaim for their brilliant level design, beautiful visuals, and demanding but fair difficulty.
Today, Donkey Kong is a beloved and universally recognized character in the Nintendo pantheon, appearing in countless spin-off titles, including the Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart series. The franchise's legacy is defined by its willingness to innovate, from pioneering a genre in the arcades to pushing graphical boundaries on home consoles. The games are celebrated for their memorable soundtracks, diverse cast of Kong family characters, and a perfect blend of accessible mechanics with a high skill ceiling, ensuring that the adventures of Donkey Kong remain a timeless and cherished part of video game history.
All Donkey Kong Retro Games
17 games available
Donkey Kong Classics
Experience two of arcade's golden-age defining titles on one cartridge with Donkey Kong Classics, a Nintendo Entertainment System compilation featuring the original Donkey Kong and its sequel, Donkey Kong Jr.
Donkey Kong Country
Embark on a thrilling platforming adventure with Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as they reclaim their stolen banana hoard from the mischievous King K. Rool in the groundbreaking Super Nintendo classic, Donkey Kong Country.
Donkey Kong
As Mario, you must ascend a series of construction sites, jumping over barrels and avoiding obstacles thrown by Donkey Kong, to rescue the damsel Pauline from his grasp.
Donkey Kong 3
As Stanley the Bugman, you must defend a greenhouse full of flowers from Donkey Kong and his encroaching insect army by spraying them upwards with your bug gun, aiming to defeat the ape and clear the stage.
Donkey Kong 64
Embark on an epic 3D platforming adventure across Kong Island as you switch between five Kong characters, each with unique abilities, to rescue your friends and stop King K. Rool's latest nefarious scheme, utilizing a vast arsenal of moves, items, and musical instruments to collect hundreds of collectibles and explore expansive, vibrant environments.
Diddy Kong Racing
You'll race through vibrant worlds using karts, hovercrafts, and planes to collect balloons, beat rivals, and ultimately defeat the evil Wizpig in this adventure-filled N64 racer.
Donkey Kong
You ascend a series of precarious construction site levels, jumping over Donkey Kong's rolling barrels and avoiding fireballs, as you attempt to reach the kidnapped Pauline at the top.
Donkey Kong Land
In Donkey Kong Land, you guide Donkey Kong or Diddy Kong through diverse environments, using running, jumping, and rolling to defeat Kremling enemies and collect bananas, while also utilizing animal buddies for unique traversal and combat abilities.
Donkey Kong Land 2
In Donkey Kong Land 2, you guide Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong through varied environments, using their distinct abilities to defeat Kremling enemies, collect items, and find hidden secrets to stop K. Rool's latest scheme.
Donkey Kong Land III
In Donkey Kong Land III, you'll guide Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong through varied environments to stop the Kremlings from stealing treasure, utilizing their jumping, rolling, and barrel-throwing skills while exploring a world map and relying on animal buddies.
Donkey Kong Country
You guide Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong through jungle and industrial worlds to reclaim their stolen banana hoard, using running, jumping, and rolling attacks, while also recruiting animal friends and switching between characters to overcome platforming challenges and defeat King K. Rool's Kremlings.
Donkey Kong Country
In Donkey Kong Country, you guide Donkey Kong or Diddy Kong through jungle and cave levels to retrieve stolen bananas, using running, jumping, and rolling attacks, often with the aid of animal buddies.
Diddy Kong Racing DS
In Diddy Kong Racing DS, you race against rivals across various environments using cars, hovercrafts, or planes to defeat the space pirate Tricky, progressing through an adventure map by winning races and challenges.
Donkey Kong Jr.
In Donkey Kong Jr., you control the ape's son as you climb vines and ropes, dodge enemies and falling objects, and collect keys to rescue your father, Donkey Kong Sr., from Mario's captivity.
Donkey Kong Jr. Math
In Donkey Kong Jr. Math, you guide Donkey Kong Jr. up climbing vines and platforms to rescue his father, Donkey Kong, by solving numerical equations through collecting and arranging number and symbol blocks.
DK: King of Swing
In DK: King of Swing, you'll have Donkey Kong grab and swing his way upwards through distinct vertical stages, using timed button presses to navigate obstacles and defeat enemies.
Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber
In Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber, you guide Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong by tapping and dragging the stylus to make them swing from vines, grab onto surfaces, and navigate treacherous vertical environments to recover stolen bananas and defeat enemies.