Donkey Kong

Eurogamer.de (3 out of 5) (60%)

Dennoch war die NES-Version schon damals der Spielhallen-Fassung deutlich unterlegen. Zweifelsohne trotzdem ein Klassiker, der seine minimalistische Aufmachung mit einem forderndem Schwierigkeitsgrad vergessen macht – und nebenbei aufzeigt, wie sehr wir von modernen Games verhätschelt werden.

Eurogamer.net (UK) ( ) (60%)

Annoyingly, Nintendo stripped out the excellent second level out of this surprisingly faithful 1983 port, making this a somewhat less than essential purchase - even for hardcore fans. In fact, Donkey Kong is one of several games you'll come across on the Virtual Console service that will make you wish Nintendo had included a Virtual Arcade alongside the console offerings so that we could play it as nature intended. Make enough noise and we can make it happen.

Wiiloveit (16 out of 30) (53%)

The levels are all fairly simple, but once you’ve been through them, there is little want or need to play through them again. Plus, it’s very easy to die in the game since if you fall from any height, that’s above your own height - you’re finished. Combined with the fact that you can’t jump very far over gaps and whatnot in the first place means that whilst this game will always remain a classic, it just isn’t entertaining anymore.

Gaming Target (5 out of 10) (50%)

There is definitely a lot of nostalgia involved in enjoying Donkey Kong. If you remember playing the game back in the glory days of 8-bit gaming, (wowie, an entire byte of graphics!) then you’ll get a kick out of reliving your youth. Otherwise if you’re looking for thrills and spills… expect to find a lot more of the latter. I’d say the entire game is fun for about 20 minutes, before getting dull. For the $5 price tag, you’re just better off waiting for the original Super Mario Bros. or some other classic Nintendo game to show up on the VC. Either that, or just buy Animal Crossing and find the hidden copy of Donkey Kong. At least when you’re done with DK, you’ll still have Animal Crossing to play, not to mention the free space on your Wii HDD.

GameSpot (4.6 out of 10) (46%)

The structure of the game couldn't be any simpler. You play the game's three stages in order, and if you beat all three, you go back to a harder, faster version of the first one. This repeats until you run out of lives. You have the option to play a two-player mode, but all you do is alternate with another player. The underlying incentive behind the game is to earn a high score, but since this is a no-frills port of the NES game, don't expect online leaderboards or anything like that. It's too bad Nintendo didn't release the arcade version of Donkey Kong instead, though in fairness, they do call it Virtual Console. At any rate, unless downloading Donkey Kong for the NES for 500 Wii Points ($5) seems like a complete no-brainer to you, you'd best give this one a pass and leave it to the history books and the fond childhood memories.

vc-reviews.com ( ) (40%)

This game will need no introduction for many. Playing as Mario you must jump over barrels and climb the scaffolding in order to rescue the princess from big bad Donkey Kong who taunts you from the top. You will need to perfect your timing when jumping the barrels and climbing ladders on your way to the top so you don't get hit. If you pick up a hammer you can take out baddies who are getting in your way. When you reach the top you topple the mischievous gorilla and get the girl. This is classic uncomplicated arcade action as it used to be.

Nintendo Life ( ) (40%)

In short blasts there is no question this game is still very addictive to this day. You can keep coming back to it time and time again to chip away at your previous high score. If you happen to be a nostalgic gamer with rose tinted spectacles firmly in place, or even a huge Nintendo fan who wants to get to grips with the company’s back catalogue – this could be for you.

IGN (4 out of 10) (40%)

The Virtual Console has a lot of potential. It has potential that extends beyond Nintendo's past home consoles. Like Xbox Live Arcade, the Wii's download service should offer classic arcade titles. Nintendo, built on a foundation of arcade hits and only later expanding to the home market, should be encouraged to provide its quarter-collecting catalog alongside the classics from the NES, SNES and N64. The original, true Donkey Kong should be made available. The original Mario Bros., or Sheriff, or even the underwhelming but historically significant Radar Scope. So don't download this version of Donkey Kong. Send a message that you want the real game. The game that saved Nintendo from bankruptcy. The game that kept the company from drowning in thousands of unmarketable arcade cabinets. Give us the real Donkey Kong, Nintendo, not the same old incomplete port.