Released in the arcades in 1981, Donkey Kong was not only Nintendo's first real smash hit for the company but marked the introduction of two of their most popular mascots: Mario (originally "Jumpman") and Donkey Kong. In this platform-action game, Mario must scale four different industrial-themed levels - construction zone, cement factory, elevator-themed level, and removing rivets from girders - in an attempt to save Pauline from the big ape before time runs out.
As Mario navigates through the levels, he must dodge a constant stream of barrels, "living" fireballs, and spring-weights. He can find a hammer that allows him to destroy these obstacles for a limited amount of time, while also collecting Pauline's hat, purse, and umbrella for additional bonus points.
Donkey Kong is also notable for being one of the first complete narratives in video game form, told through simplistic cut scenes that advance the story. The game was released on the Intellivision console in 1982 and has since become a classic in the world of retro gaming.