Donkey Kong Junior (1988). Play online

Summary

Donkey Kong Jr. arrived on the Atari 7800 as a faithful home‑console rendition of its arcade predecessor. The port preserves the original’s four distinct stages, letting players swing on vines, climb ropes and jump over hazards while navigating a scrolling playfield. Enemies such as Snapjaws, Nitpickers and roaming Sparks challenge reflexes, and dropping fruit provides a strategic way to clear obstacles. Miyamoto and Yokoi’s original design shines through the 7800’s 16‑bit graphics and sound, which earned an Arkie Award for Best Audio‑Visual Effects. Critics highlighted how the console version mirrors the arcade’s control feel, and the title still fuels competitive high‑score runs. Its appearance in early video‑game tournaments and a lasting pop‑culture footprint underscore its lasting appeal.

Storyline

In Donkey Kong Jr., the story picks up right after Mario defeats Donkey Kong and locks him in a cage deep in a forest. Seeking revenge for the kidnapping of his lady friend, Mario drags the captured ape to his hidden base using a helicopter and secures the cage with chains and keys. Donkey Kong’s son, Donkey Kong Jr., spots the transport and vows to rescue his father. Each time he gets close, Mario pushes him farther away, forcing the youngster to keep trying.

Along the way, Jr. battles a variety of enemies but manages to slip past them and reach the chained cage. He frees his father by removing the keys, causing Mario to tumble to the ground. With Donkey Kong liberated, the two kongs sprint away together. Mario gives chase but retreats after Donkey Kong knocks him back, ending the pursuit.