Donkey Kong
The 1983 NES port of Nintendo's seminal 1981 arcade game that introduced Mario (as Jumpman) and Donkey Kong. Players ascend construction sites to rescue Pauline from the giant ape across four iconic stages: 25m, 50m, 75m, and 100m.
Platform
nes
Year
1983
Genre
Platformer
Developer
Nintendo R&D1
Controls
About This Game
Marked the birth of platform gaming with its precise jumping mechanics and multi-screen stages. The NES version was the first home console adaptation to include all four arcade levels, though with simplified graphics and missing the pie factory stage.
Established core Nintendo lore - Mario's profession as a carpenter (later plumber), his rivalry with DK, and the damsel-in-distress trope that would define early Nintendo narratives.
The NES version sold over 3 million copies and helped establish the console's dominance in North America. The game's 117-point scoring system became a benchmark for arcade-to-home conversions.
Related Games
Super Mario Bros
nes1985
Platformer
Series: Super Mario
Super Mario Bros. is a platform game developed and published by Nintendo. The successor to the 1983 arcade game Mario Bros. and the first in the Super Mario series, it was released in 1985 for the Famicom in Japan. Players control Mario, or his brother Luigi in the multiplayer mode, as they travel the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser.
Super Mario Bros 2
nes1986
Platformer
Series: Super Mario
The true sequel to the original Super Mario Bros introduces new power-ups, enhanced physics, and a dynamic weather system. Mario and Luigi return with new abilities to save Princess Peach from Bowser's airship fleet across eight chaotic worlds.
Super Mario Bros. 3
nes1988
Platformer
Series: Super Mario
Super Mario Bros. 3 is a platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the NES. Released in 1988 in Japan and 1990 internationally, it introduced revolutionary features like the world map, diverse power-ups including the Tanooki Suit, and advanced scrolling mechanics. Often considered one of the greatest video games of all time, it set new standards for platforming gameplay and creative level design.
Kirby's Adventure
nes1993
Platformer
Series: Kirby
The 1993 NES platformer that introduced Kirby's iconic copy abilities. Players guide the pink hero through seven dreamy worlds to restore the shattered Star Rod and save Dream Land from Nightmare's dark influence.