Page 37 - Old School Gamer Magazine Issue #43 FREE Edition

INTELLIVISION
COLECOVISION
This version was released by Coleco in 1983 and programmed by Frank Johnson. It has three screens (vines, platforms, and chains) that are fairly good representations
of their arcade counterparts. The graphics, however, could be better. Donkey Kong is rendered in one color and looks nothing like a gorilla, while Mario looks nothing like himself, but he does at least wear a hat. The Snapjaws do resemble their arcade counterparts and come in two colors, and the Nitpickers also look fairly good. The fruits are present, so that element
of gameplay does exist on this version. The music, while present, is constantly interrupted by sound effects, making it a bit annoying. None of the arcade’s animations were included on this port. This was the only version of the game until 2018 when...
...A homebrew version of DK Jr. was published by Intellivision Revolution and programmed by “FranticPanda.” This version takes the game to the next level on the system by creating a far more arcade-accurate version. It has
all four screens as well as all of
the animations, and it does a far better job in the sound and music department. The title screen is beautiful, and there’s a menu with multiple options for the player to customize the game. It’s hard to believe that this is the same game on the same system, as this is a far superior version.
Released in 1983 by Coleco, this port includes three of the four screens (vines, platforms, and chains) from the arcade. Graphically, this version is well done with each level being reproduced well, though having some color differences from the arcade. All the enemies are here and, though they are rendered
in only one color, they are nicely animated. Jr. is rendered in two colors and is wearing his diaper, while Kong and Mario are rendered in multiple colors and look great. None of the end-level animations were included in this version.
The gameplay is all here, with
the fruit being available to use against enemies. The music and sound effects are also well done. ColecoVision owners really had a nice version of this game to play at home back then! Coleco Adam also saw its own release of this game, which had all the arcade screens as well as the animations. An updated and improved homebrew version
is currently in development for the ColecoVision that will make this game even more arcade accurate. It’s something to look forward to!
NES
The Nintendo port for this title
was first released in 1983 in
Japan for the Famicom and then
in 1986 for the NES. It was also re-released under the title Donkey Kong Classics in 1988. The NES port was programmed by H. Hoshino, Shigeru Miyamoto, Yoshio Sakamoto, and Kenji Nishizawa.
This version is visually very similar to the 7800 port and includes all four game screens. It differs in
the sound department, where it excels! The music and sound effects are arcade-perfect, thanks to the better sound chip in the system. The gameplay is arcade accurate
as well, with smooth controls. The chain screen animation is here as well, but it is a partial scene, like the one on the 7800. Overall, this
is an excellent port that should be no surprise to anyone, given it’s the system the game was made for!
CONCLUSION
Donkey Kong Jr. is another classic of its era and one that still has
a presence today, as noted by homebrew developers either making new versions for retro systems or
by hacking existing ports to make them more arcade accurate. It also has a presence on more modern systems like the Wii U Virtual Console and the Nintendo Switch. As for the character of Donkey Kong Jr., well, he was featured in
a cartoon show! He also appeared in Super Mario Kart for the SNES, Mario Tennis on the Virtual Boy, and Mario Tennis on the Nintendo 64, among others. So, if you haven’t met the son of Kong yet, there are plenty of ways you can meet him and join in the fun!
NOVEMBER 2024 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMER.COM
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