Introduction Part 1 of 2

It loses something in the translation.

The name "Donkey Kong" loosely translates into Japanese as "Stupid Kong" or "Dumb Kong."

However, Nintendo of America- the manufacturers of the game- are anything but stupid.

As early as October 1981, Donkey Kong had already set a new weekly eearnings record ($288) according to Play Meter, the video arcade industry trade magazine. A half a year later, there's no sign of the big Monkey losing popularity.

The reasoning behind this growing popularity is clear.

Most people will talk about the fantastic animation, with Donkey Kong beating his hairy chest, grabbing the damsel in distress and dragging her to the top of a building. Others might talk about the sound effects, the growling ape, the honky tonk music. These two elements- animation and sound- might force a few quarters out of your pocket and into the machine. But to keep pumping those quarter into Donkey Kong, there must be domething else, a bigger payoff- and there is.


Four games in one.

Donkey Kong actually gives you four games for your quarter (providing your good enough). If you can manage to master an entire screen of play, you are rewarded with a totally new game to play.

Achieving these rewards is no easy task.