I know that the Nintendo games console is supposed to be the next big thing, but is that any reason to do an official version of the big Nintendo hit from the Spectrum's early history?
    Donkey Kong was a good arcade game and this is a good conversion, with all the frills, including the 'How high can you get?' dare and Donkey stomping the girders at the start. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that it's better than any of the versions that appeared all those years ago.
    The animation is good and the sound is great too. But so they should be. This game is so simple it could lead to a 16K revival! The plot is unbelievably basic. Mario has to climb the scaffolding to rescue his girlfriend, while Donkey rolls barrels down onto him.
    Most of the time Marlo shelters on ladders, which is risky because a barrel could roll down on him, or vaults the rolling vats. But there are a few hammers to break them up. Beware of the oil drums though. They hit the fire at the bottom then ascend the ladders to singe our hero.
    Okay, I admit, Donkey Kong is still fairly addictive if you're looking for some mindless, nostalgic fun. But at full price! Perhaps Ocean is into time travel but this is too much for a ticket to 1983.

Arcade version screenshot...

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Ratings given by other magazines

5/10      6/10    Crash Review ---

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