.png)
_1.jpg)
 (Unl).png)
_1.png)
.png)
Character
Donkey Kong
An iconic gorilla character created by Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo, debuting as the antagonist in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong.
Action
Sports
Driving
Platformer
Puzzle
About
Donkey Kong originally appeared as a captive gorilla who escapes and kidnaps a lady named Pauline, prompting Jumpman (later Mario) to rescue her. In the 1982 sequel, Donkey Kong Junior, he is captured by Mario and must be rescued by his son. Over the years, the character evolved, with the original 1981 character later established in series lore as Cranky Kong, while his grandson took over the primary Donkey Kong mantle.
Designed by Shigeru Miyamoto, the character served as Nintendo's breakthrough into the North American market. Following the success of the 1981 arcade release Donkey Kong, the character starred in a rapid succession of ports and sequels. The franchise expanded to home systems with releases like Donkey Kong [Coleco] (1982) and international versions like Donkey Kong [Canadian] (1982).
The character's reach extended through home adaptations of Donkey Kong Junior [Coleco] (1980) and inspired early independent software efforts, including the unofficial Super Donkey Kong [Homebrew] (1982). These early iterations established the character as a cultural icon, paving the way for future multi-genre franchises. Over the subsequent decades, the character transitioned into a heroic lead, anchoring critically acclaimed side-scrolling series, kart racers, and crossover fighting games. This enduring legacy cemented the character's status as one of the most recognizable and influential figures in interactive entertainment history.
Connections
Explore
Tap a bar to narrow the games below. Tap to switch to that page.
Platforms (25)
By decade (5)
Genres (6)
Developers (9)
Publishers (6)
Settings (1)
Mechanics (4)
Perspectives (3)
Games featuring Donkey Kong (57)
Include special editions
.png)
_1.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
 (Unl).png)
_1.png)
