Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong is a 1981 platformer and arcade game developed by Nintendo, designed largely by Shigeru Miyamoto. Players control a carpenter who would become Mario, climbing girders and ladders to rescue a captured woman from the titular ape, dodging rolling barrels and other hazards across several distinct stages.
The game was an early pioneer of the platform genre, introducing jumping over obstacles as a core mechanic and featuring simple narrative framing that unfolded between its stages, an unusual touch for the era. Its charming characters, escalating difficulty and the occasional power-up hammer that let Mario smash barrels made it a massive arcade hit and a commercial success that helped establish Nintendo in North America.
The game introduced both Donkey Kong and Mario, two of gaming's most enduring icons who each went on to headline major franchises. It remains playable today through numerous official arcade compilations and retro re-releases on modern hardware.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Donkey Kong, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
| Alternative | Price | Steam Deck | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spelunky 2 Indie | € 19,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, PlayStation, Switch |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns HD | € 59,99 | Not on Steam | Switch |
| Nintendo Switch Online (Arcade) | € 19,99 + in-app purchases | Not on Steam | Switch |
| Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | € 59,99 | Not on Steam | Switch |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong | € 49,99 | Not on Steam | Switch |
Spelunky 2 Indie
€ 19,99A beloved indie platformer built on tense, climbing arcade roots.
Spelunky 2 runs on PC, PlayStation, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Xbox.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
€ 59,99A polished modern Donkey Kong platformer for Switch.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD runs on Switch. Not available on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox.
Nintendo Switch Online (Arcade)
€ 19,99 + in-app purchasesA subscription giving access to arcade classics on Switch.
Nintendo Switch Online (Arcade) runs on Switch. Not available on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
€ 59,99Retro Studios' finest 2D platformer, and the high point of the Donkey Kong Country line.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze runs on Switch. Not available on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
€ 49,99A puzzle-platformer remake that returns to the original arcade premise of Mario chasing Donkey Kong.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong runs on Switch. Not available on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox.
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