Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong is a platform-action game where the player controls Mario, who must rescue Pauline from the titular ape. The objective involves navigating through four distinct industrial environments, each presenting obstacles like barrels, fireballs, and spring-weights to avoid. Successfully completing the final stage, which involves removing rivets, causes Donkey Kong to fall and ends the cycle temporarily before the game repeats at a challenging increased difficulty.

Mario has access to a temporary power-up in the form of a hammer, which can destroy certain hazards. Collecting items left behind by Pauline, such as her hat or purse, awards bonus points. The game is recognized for incorporating simple cut scenes to convey a narrative, a notable feature for its time.

Originally an arcade release, this title served as the debut for both Mario and Donkey Kong. Many early home computer and console ports did not include all four of the original levels, with the cement factory stage frequently being left out.