Donkey Kong Classics was a game for the NES combining Mario’s first two arcade games, Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr. Remember, Mario and the Koopalings may not even exist now if Donkey Kong hadn’t been such a success. Some of you may have played this game in Donkey Kong 64, but if you haven’t, this is a great
game to be able to play so you can knock out DK one more time!

Surprise! This game is ALSO rated on my scale of zero to four stars, and I will also compare the DK and DK
Jr. games as I go along in the categories.

Graphics: DK: * DK Jr.: *1/2

For NES games, they’re still below-average, but remember that they weren’t touched from their original
version, which is what makes everything look so bad. Winner? DK Jr.

Sound: DK: *1/2 DK Jr.: *

The music in DK, if you can call it that, is a kind of drumroll-type of sound. In DK Jr., the first level has
almost okay music. But DK has that excellent music before you choose the game and when you start a level
over after losing a life. Winner? DK.

Difficulty: DK: *** DK Jr.: ***1/2

Donkey Kong is pretty tough, but I can’t exactly say it’s impossible. The level with jacks in it is the hardest. By the way, the real version of Donkey Kong has another level in it, with it being the second level, so this isn’t the full version of Donkey Kong. If you want it, go buy DK64. Donkey Kong Jr. is much harder, with tougher jumps and more strategy involved (climb with two hands or one). Winner? DK Jr.

Characters: DK: *1/2 DK Jr.: **

Peach’s inspiration came from Donkey Kong, but besides DK, Mario, and Pauline, who else? Barrels? Jacks? Fireballs? Donkey Kong Jr. has Donkey Kong Jr., Mario, and Donkey Kong, plus some Snapjaws, Nitpickers, and Sparks. (These are the inspiration for Super Mario Bros. 2’s Sparks.) Mario is the badguy here! That may surprise you, but it’s the truth! He may never be the true badguy in a game again, but if you want to kill him, play Super Smash Bros. Winner? DK Jr.

Gameplay: DK: **1/2 DK Jr.: ***1/2

The gameplay is basically straightforward in both: climb up ladders or vines to the top. DK Jr. adds some
challenges like pushing up some keys to locks or jumping off a Springboard. Also, DK Jr. has the decision-making of climbing with both hands to go faster, or one to be safer. I like the extra challenges in Donkey Kong Junior. Winner? DK Jr.

Controls: DK: **** DK Jr.: ****

The controls are awesome! Of course, there’s not much you need to do to make these controls worthwhile. Hit A to jump and the control pad to go places, up, down, left, or right. What else am I supposed to say about
these controls? Winner? Both.

Level 1: DK: **** DK Jr.: ***1/2

Level 1 of both games defines the game itself. Having to climb the ladders and vines makes this a huge level for both. In DK, the Hammer is a wild-card type of thing, you lose time but may get some more points.
Same with the fruit in DK Junior. Winner? Barely DK.

Level 2: DK: no stars DK Jr.: ****

This level is left out of Donkey Kong Classics. In Donkey Kong The Second, this best level combines a
Springboard, a moving platform, a whole bunch of vine-climbing, a whole bunch of Nitpickers, and a
scramble to make it to the finish line. Much better in my opinion. Winner? Definitely DK Jr.

Level 3: DK: *1/2 DK Jr.: ***

This is my least favorite level of Donkey Kong the Original. The jumps are tough to make across those
elevators, and then that second fireball is always in the way when I’m trying to get upstairs. Then those
jacks are nearly impossible to time, while in Donkey Kong The Second, this level contains a whole bunch of
Sparks and jumping over them while climbing poles or posts. It can be tricky. Winner? DK Jr.

Level 4: DK: **** DK Jr.: **1/2

The final level is probably the most *fun* in Donkey Kong. You must undo all the bolts by running or jumping over them. It’s a *fun* level, if you can call it that. DK Jr. has a more boring final level of pushing the keys straight up while avoiding several enemies. It doesn’t give much excitement compared to the preceding ones. Winner: DK.

Replayability: DK: no stars DK Jr.: no stars

None. Well, except if you keep the game on. The game doesn’t save your scores. That takes away the fun.
That also makes the DK64 version of Donkey Kong The First the best version you can play. Winner? None.

Fun Factor!: DK: **1/2 DK Jr.: **

Donkey Kong just barely gives a little more *fun*, if you can call it that. Winner: DK.

OVERALL: *1/2

This is a border-line game. It offers some games to play, but not much in terms of music, graphics, depth,
fun, or replayability. Basically, this fits the original arcade version to a tee. If you want Donkey Kong to play, buy Donkey Kong 64. It will give you a much better version of this game, and a good game in itself. If you want Donkey Kong Jr. to play, then buy this game, because I don’t know another game to play this in. Overall, it comes up short of being a must-have Mario classic. Want a classic? Then buy Super Mario 1 through 3.

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