# List of Donkey Kong video games

Donkey Kong is a video game franchise created by Shigeru Miyamoto and published by Nintendo. Games in the franchise have been developed by a variety of developers including Nintendo, Rare, Paon and Retro Studios. While the first games were arcade releases, most Donkey Kong games have been released for Nintendo consoles and handhelds since the third generation.
It debuted in 1981 with the arcade game Donkey Kong, which was a sales success that brought Nintendo into the North American market, with the original arcade games being ported into versions on third-party home consoles and developed by several companies. The Donkey Kong franchise has sold a total of 82 million copies as of 2022.
Most of the games in the franchise are platform games, although the series also includes spin-offs other genres such as racing and rhythm games. The franchise is centered on the anthropomorphic gorilla Donkey Kong and his clan of other apes and monkeys. Many of the Donkey Kong games use supporting characters throughout gameplay, allowing the player to control different members of the family. The success of the series is commonly attributed to its technical innovation and entertaining platforming sequences.

## Arcade video games

| Title | Details |
| Donkey Kong Original release date(s): JP: 1981NA: July 1981 | Release years by system: 1981 – Arcade, Atari 2600 1982 – Intellivision, ColecoVision, Tabletop miniarcade 1983 – Famicom, Commodore 64, Apple II, IBM PC, TI-99/4A, Atari 8-bit 1986 – Nintendo Entertainment System, Amstrad CPC 1988 – Atari 7800, Famicom Disk System 1999 – Nintendo 64 (within Donkey Kong 64) 2001 – GameCube (within Animal Crossing) 2002 – Nintendo e-Reader 2004 – Game Boy Advance 2006 – Wii Virtual Console 2013 - Wii U Virtual Console, Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console |
| Donkey Kong Original release date(s): JP: 1981NA: July 1981 | Notes: The arcade version was developed by Nintendo. Shigeru Miyamoto created it to replace the failed arcade game Radar Scope and to keep Nintendo afloat as a company. Donkey Kong was a huge success and sold thousands of cabinets. The game introduced both Jumpman (now known as Mario) and Donkey Kong, two of Nintendo's most successful characters. It was re-released in a number of home console versions, most of which were not developed by Nintendo, but instead by other third party developers. Most of the home console versions cut at least one of the four levels originally seen in the arcade version. Coleco manufactured the tabletop miniarcade version. |
| Donkey Kong Jr. Original release date(s): NA/JP: July 1982EU: Late 1982 | Release years by system: 1982 – Arcade 1983 – Famicom, Intellivision, Atari 2600, ColecoVision, Tabletop miniarcade 1984 – Atari 8-bit 1986 – Nintendo Entertainment System 1988 – Atari 7800 2001 – GameCube (within Animal Crossing) 2002 – Nintendo e-Reader 2006 – Wii Virtual Console 2012 - Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console 2013 - Wii U Virtual Console |
| Donkey Kong Jr. Original release date(s): NA/JP: July 1982EU: Late 1982 | Notes: The arcade version was developed by Nintendo. Donkey Kong Junior is the sequel to the first Donkey Kong arcade game. Jumpman's name was changed to Mario in this title. Mario also became the antagonist in Junior rather than retain his role as the protagonist from the first game. The game was re-released in a number of home console versions similar to the extent of the original Donkey Kong by third-party developers. Coleco and Nintendo manufactured the tabletop miniarcade version. |
| Donkey Kong 3 Original release date(s): NA: 1983 | Release years by system: 1983 – Arcade 1984 – Famicom 1986 – Nintendo Entertainment System 2001 – GameCube (within Animal Crossing) 2003 – Nintendo e-Reader 2008 – Wii Virtual Console |
| Donkey Kong 3 Original release date(s): NA: 1983 | Notes: The arcade version was developed by Nintendo. Instead of Mario, the player controls Stanley, who has to shoot Donkey Kong from below with pesticide in order to drive him away from his garden. The game is a shooting game instead of a platform game like the previous Donkey Kong games. |
| Donkey Kong: Jungle Fever Original release date(s): JP: 2005 | Release years by system: 2005 – Arcade |
| Donkey Kong: Jungle Fever Original release date(s): JP: 2005 | Notes: Capcom developed the game. |
| Donkey Kong: Banana Kingdom Original release date(s): JP: 2006 | Release years by system: 2006 – Arcade |
| Donkey Kong: Banana Kingdom Original release date(s): JP: 2006 | Notes: Capcom developed the game. Sequel to Donkey Kong: Jungle Fever. |

## Home console games

| Title | Details |
| Donkey Kong Jr. Math Original release date(s): JP: December 12, 1983NA: October 1985PAL: 1986 | Release years by system: 1983 – Nintendo Entertainment System 2001 – GameCube (within Animal Crossing) 2007 – Wii Virtual Console |
| Donkey Kong Jr. Math Original release date(s): JP: December 12, 1983NA: October 1985PAL: 1986 | Notes: Nintendo developed the title. The game has two modes: one is a two-player mode in which the objective is to add numbers up to what Donkey Kong is holding, and the other is a single-player mode in which the player must solve algebraic equations. |
| Donkey Kong Country Original release date(s): UK: November 18, 1994NA: November 21, 1994EU: November 24, 1994JP: November 26, 1994 | Release years by system: 1994 – Super Nintendo Entertainment System 2000 – Game Boy Color 2003 – Game Boy Advance 2006 – Wii Virtual Console |
| Donkey Kong Country Original release date(s): UK: November 18, 1994NA: November 21, 1994EU: November 24, 1994JP: November 26, 1994 | Notes: The game is the first in the series developed by Rare. It sold over eight million cartridges. |
| Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest Original release date(s): JP: November 21, 1995NA: December 1995PAL: December 14, 1995 | Release years by system: 1995 – Super Nintendo Entertainment System 2004 – Game Boy Advance 2007 – Wii Virtual Console |
| Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest Original release date(s): JP: November 21, 1995NA: December 1995PAL: December 14, 1995 | Notes: Rare developed the game. It features Diddy Kong and his girlfriend Dixie Kong instead of Donkey Kong. |
| Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Original release date(s): NA: November 18, 1996JP: November 23, 1996PAL: December 13, 1996 | Release years by system: 1996 – Super Nintendo Entertainment System 2005 – Game Boy Advance 2007 – Wii Virtual Console |
| Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Original release date(s): NA: November 18, 1996JP: November 23, 1996PAL: December 13, 1996 | Notes: The game was developed by Rare. It features Dixie Kong and her cousin Kiddy Kong instead of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. Sales were lower due to the release of the Nintendo 64 system two months before the game's release. |
| Diddy Kong Racing Original release date(s): JP: November 21, 1997PAL: November 21, 1997NA: November 24, 1997 | Release years by system: 1997 – Nintendo 64 2007 – Nintendo DS |
| Diddy Kong Racing Original release date(s): JP: November 21, 1997PAL: November 21, 1997NA: November 24, 1997 | Notes: Rare developed the title. Rare inserted two playable characters from their other games that were still in development: Banjo and Conker. It was later re-released for the Nintendo DS as Diddy Kong Racing DS with extra content. |
| Donkey Kong 64 Original release date(s): NA: November 22, 1999PAL: December 3, 1999JP: December 10, 1999 | Release years by system: 1999 – Nintendo 64 |
| Donkey Kong 64 Original release date(s): NA: November 22, 1999PAL: December 3, 1999JP: December 10, 1999 | Notes: The game was developed by Rare. Donkey Kong 64 is an adventure game in the vein of Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie. |
| Donkey Konga Original release date(s): JP: December 12, 2003NA: September 27, 2004PAL: October 15, 2004 | Release years by system: 2003 – GameCube |
| Donkey Konga Original release date(s): JP: December 12, 2003NA: September 27, 2004PAL: October 15, 2004 | Notes: The title was developed jointly by Namco and Nintendo. Copies of the game came packaged with the DK Bongos peripheral. It is a rhythm game in the vein of the Dance Dance Revolution series. |
| Donkey Konga 2 Original release date(s): JP: July 1, 2004NA: May 9, 2005PAL: June 3, 2005 | Release years by system: 2004 – GameCube |
| Donkey Konga 2 Original release date(s): JP: July 1, 2004NA: May 9, 2005PAL: June 3, 2005 | Notes: Namco developed the title. Copies of the game came packaged with the DK Bongos peripheral. It plays similar to its predecessor, but features a different track list. |
| Donkey Kong Jungle Beat Original release date(s): JP: December 16, 2004PAL: February 4, 2005NA: March 14, 2005 | Release years by system: 2004 – GameCube 2009 – Wii |
| Donkey Kong Jungle Beat Original release date(s): JP: December 16, 2004PAL: February 4, 2005NA: March 14, 2005 | Notes: The game was developed by Nintendo EAD. Players can control the game with a GameCube controller or the DK Bongos peripheral. Some copies of the game came packaged with the conga peripheral. It was later re-released for the Wii with New Play Control! and widescreen support. |
| Donkey Konga 3: Tabe-houdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku Original release date(s): JP: March 17, 2005 | Release years by system: 2005 – GameCube |
| Donkey Konga 3: Tabe-houdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku Original release date(s): JP: March 17, 2005 | Notes: Namco developed the game. Played with the DK Bongos peripheral. It was released exclusively in Japan. |
| Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Original release date(s): JP: June 28, 2007NA: October 8, 2007EU: February 25, 2008 | Release years by system: 2007 – Wii |
| Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Original release date(s): JP: June 28, 2007NA: October 8, 2007EU: February 25, 2008 | Notes: The title was developed by Paon. It is a kart-style racing game. The game was originally developed for GameCube and then moved to Wii. |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns Original release date(s): NA: November 21, 2010AU: December 2, 2010EU: December 3, 2010JP: December 9, 2010 | Release years by system: 2010 – Wii 2013 – Nintendo 3DS 2025 – Nintendo Switch |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns Original release date(s): NA: November 21, 2010AU: December 2, 2010EU: December 3, 2010JP: December 9, 2010 | Notes: The title was developed by Retro Studios. It was re-released on Nintendo 3DS as Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. Based on the Donkey Kong Country games that were released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. |
| Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Original release date(s): JP: February 13, 2014NA: February 21, 2014EU: February 21, 2014AU: February 22, 2014 | Release years by system: 2014 – Wii U 2018 – Nintendo Switch |
| Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Original release date(s): JP: February 13, 2014NA: February 21, 2014EU: February 21, 2014AU: February 22, 2014 | Notes: The title was developed by Retro Studios. Sequel to Donkey Kong Country Returns. |

## Portable and handheld games

| Title | Details |
| Donkey Kong (Game & Watch) Original release date(s): NA: June 3, 1982 | Release years by system: 1982 – Game & Watch 1998 – Game Boy Color 2002 – Game Boy Advance 2009 – Nintendo DS |
| Donkey Kong (Game & Watch) Original release date(s): NA: June 3, 1982 | Notes: The handheld was developed by Nintendo. Like the arcade Donkey Kong, Mario must climb a building while avoiding barrels; however, beating the game is different from the arcade version. The player must trigger a lever on the upper screen, activating a hook, which Mario must then jump and catch. If the player succeeds, a peg will be removed and Mario will return to the starting point, but if the player does not, Mario will fall to the ground and lose a life. Removing all available pegs in this manner will cause Donkey Kong's platform to collapse, and he will fall to the ground. Donkey Kong was released in a dual-screen format. This Game & Watch version was later re-released in Game & Watch compilation games for the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance. It was included as one of the games in Game & Watch Collection, a Club Nintendo exclusive release for Nintendo DS. |
| Donkey Kong Jr. (Game & Watch) Original release date(s): NA: October 26, 1982 | Release years by system: 1982 – Game & Watch 1998 – Game Boy Color 2002 – Game Boy Advance 2010 – DSiWare |
| Donkey Kong Jr. (Game & Watch) Original release date(s): NA: October 26, 1982 | Notes: The handheld was developed by Nintendo. Donkey Kong Junior was released in a widescreen format. This Game & Watch version of Donkey Kong Junior was later re-released in Game & Watch compilation games for the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance and as DSiWare download in 2010. |
| Donkey Kong II Original release date(s): NA: March 7, 1983 | Release years by system: 1982 – Game & Watch |
| Donkey Kong II Original release date(s): NA: March 7, 1983 | Notes: The handheld was developed by Nintendo. Donkey Kong II, a Game & Watch sequel to Donkey Kong Junior, was released in a wide-screen format in 1983. |
| Donkey Kong Circus Original release date(s): NA: March 2, 1984 | Release years by system: 1984 – Game & Watch |
| Donkey Kong Circus Original release date(s): NA: March 2, 1984 | Notes: The handheld was developed by Nintendo. Donkey Kong Circus was an original title developed for the Game and Watch series. |
| Donkey Kong 3 (Game & Watch) Original release date(s): NA: August 20, 1984 | Release years by system: 1984 – Game & Watch 2002 – Game Boy Advance |
| Donkey Kong 3 (Game & Watch) Original release date(s): NA: August 20, 1984 | Notes: The handheld was developed by Nintendo. A version of this game was included in Game & Watch Gallery 4 for the Game Boy Advance. |
| Donkey Kong Hockey Original release date(s): NA: November 13, 1984 | Release years by system: 1984 – Game & Watch |
| Donkey Kong Hockey Original release date(s): NA: November 13, 1984 | Notes: The handheld was developed by Nintendo. Donkey Kong Hockey was an original title developed for the Game and Watch series. It was developed by Nintendo R&D1 and released in 1984 as part of the Game & Watch Micro Vs. series. The game features one LCD display screen and two attached control pads. The hockey features Donkey Kong as one of the players and Mario as the other. |
| Donkey Kong (Game Boy) Original release date(s): JP: June 14, 1994NA: July 22, 1994PAL: September 24, 1994 | Release years by system: 1994 – Game Boy 2011 – Nintendo 3DS 2025 – Nintendo Switch |
| Donkey Kong (Game Boy) Original release date(s): JP: June 14, 1994NA: July 22, 1994PAL: September 24, 1994 | Notes: It was developed by Nintendo. The game is based on the original Donkey Kong; it features the first four arcade levels, but from there, features ninety-six more levels and becomes a hybrid between Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Super Mario Bros. 2. The game was later re-released for Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console download. On March 7 2025, the game was re-released as part of Nintendo Switch Online's Game Boy application. |
| Donkey Kong (Nelsonic Game Watch) Original release date(s): NA: 1994 | Release years by system: 1994 – Nelsonic Game Watch |
| Donkey Kong (Nelsonic Game Watch) Original release date(s): NA: 1994 | Notes: Like the arcade Donkey Kong, Mario must climb a building while avoiding barrels. |
| Donkey Kong Land Original release date(s): NA: June 26, 1995JP: July 27, 1995PAL: August 24, 1995 | Release years by system: 1995 – Game Boy |
| Donkey Kong Land Original release date(s): NA: June 26, 1995JP: July 27, 1995PAL: August 24, 1995 | Notes: Rare developed the game. Donkey Kong Land is a platform game in the vein of Donkey Kong Country. The graphics are enhanced if played via the Super Game Boy. |
| Donkey Kong Land 2 Original release date(s): NA: September 23, 1996JP: November 23, 1996PAL: November 28, 1996 | Release years by system: 1996 – Game Boy |
| Donkey Kong Land 2 Original release date(s): NA: September 23, 1996JP: November 23, 1996PAL: November 28, 1996 | Notes: The title was developed by Rare. It is extensively based on Donkey Kong Country 2, but due to the limitations of the Game Boy system, it is missing several features and has radically different level designs. The graphics are enhanced if the player plays via the Super Game Boy. |
| Donkey Kong Land III Original release date(s): NA: October 27, 1997PAL: October 30, 1997JP: January 28, 2000 | Release years by system: 1997 – Game Boy |
| Donkey Kong Land III Original release date(s): NA: October 27, 1997PAL: October 30, 1997JP: January 28, 2000 | Notes: Rare developed the game. The game is extensively based on Donkey Kong Country 3, but lacks the exploration aspects seen in the home console game. The graphics are enhanced if the player plays via the Super Game Boy. An enhanced version for the Game Boy Color, titled Donkey Kong GB - Dinky Kong and Dixie Kong was released exclusively for Japan on January 28, 2000, over two years after the US and EU releases. |
| DK: King of Swing Original release date(s): PAL: February 4, 2005JP: May 19, 2005NA: September 19, 2005 | Release years by system: 2005 – Game Boy Advance |
| DK: King of Swing Original release date(s): PAL: February 4, 2005JP: May 19, 2005NA: September 19, 2005 | Notes: Paon developed the title. The character uses pegs to swing to the end of levels instead of using traditional platforming methods. |
| Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber Original release date(s): JP: August 9, 2007NA: September 10, 2007EU: October 12, 2007AU: November 1, 2007 | Release years by system: 2007 – Nintendo DS |
| Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber Original release date(s): JP: August 9, 2007NA: September 10, 2007EU: October 12, 2007AU: November 1, 2007 | Notes: The game was developed by Paon. It is the sequel to DK King of Swing. |

## Mario vs. Donkey Kong

| Title | Details |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong Original release date(s): NA: May 24, 2004JP: June 1, 2004EU: November 19, 2004 | Release years by system: 2004 – Game Boy Advance |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong Original release date(s): NA: May 24, 2004JP: June 1, 2004EU: November 19, 2004 | Notes: The game was developed by Nintendo Software Technology. It is a spiritual successor to the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong, which was a hybrid of the arcade game Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Super Mario Bros. 2. A remake was released in 2024 for the Nintendo Switch. |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis Original release date(s): NA: September 25, 2006EU: March 9, 2007JP: April 12, 2007 | Release years by system: 2006 – Nintendo DS |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis Original release date(s): NA: September 25, 2006EU: March 9, 2007JP: April 12, 2007 | Notes: Nintendo Software Technology developed the title. The game is a sequel to Mario vs. Donkey Kong for the Game Boy Advance. It expanded on the previous game by using touch screen controls. |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! Original release date(s): NA: June 8, 2009EU: August 21, 2009JP: October 7, 2009 | Release years by system: 2009 – DSiWare |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! Original release date(s): NA: June 8, 2009EU: August 21, 2009JP: October 7, 2009 | Notes: Nintendo Software Technology developed the title. The game was released exclusively through DSiWare download. The gameplay is similar to that of Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis. |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! Original release date(s): NA: November 14, 2010JP: December 2, 2010EU: February 4, 2011 | Release years by system: 2010 – Nintendo DS |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! Original release date(s): NA: November 14, 2010JP: December 2, 2010EU: February 4, 2011 | Notes: Nintendo Software Technology developed the title. |
| Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move Original release date(s): NA: May 9, 2013EU: May 9, 2013JP: July 24, 2013 | Release years by system: 2013 – Nintendo 3DS eShop |
| Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move Original release date(s): NA: May 9, 2013EU: May 9, 2013JP: July 24, 2013 | Notes: Nintendo Software Technology developed the title. The game was released exclusively through Nintendo eShop download. |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars Original release date(s): NA: March 5, 2015JP: March 19, 2015PAL: March 20, 2015 | Release years by system: 2015 – Nintendo 3DS eShop and Wii U eShop |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars Original release date(s): NA: March 5, 2015JP: March 19, 2015PAL: March 20, 2015 | Notes: Nintendo Software Technology developed the title. The game was released exclusively through Nintendo eShop download. |
| Mini Mario & Friends: Amiibo Challenge Original release date(s): JP: January 29, 2016NA: April 28, 2016PAL: April 29, 2016 | Release years by system: 2016 – Nintendo 3DS eShop and Wii U eShop |
| Mini Mario & Friends: Amiibo Challenge Original release date(s): JP: January 29, 2016NA: April 28, 2016PAL: April 29, 2016 | Notes: Nintendo Software Technology developed the title. The game was released exclusively through Nintendo eShop download. |

## Canceled games

| Title | Details |
| Untitled game Cancellation date: 1984 | Proposed system release: Arcade |
| Untitled game Cancellation date: 1984 | Notes: Sega obtained the license to develop a Donkey Kong game, but it was canceled after Sega's David Rosen and Hayao Nakayama arranged a management buyout from Gulf and Western Industries in 1984. The game featured a playable Donkey Kong as a parking attendant who had to avoid and guide parking cars. |
| Return of Donkey Kong Cancellation date: c. 1987 | Proposed system release: Nintendo Entertainment System |
| Return of Donkey Kong Cancellation date: c. 1987 | Notes: Return of Donkey Kong was advertised in the 1987 Official Nintendo Player's Guide, but was never released, and the advertisement remains the only evidence of its existence. It mentioned that Donkey Kong would have been the playable character. |
| Untitled game Cancellation date: 1993 | Proposed system release: CD-i |
| Untitled game Cancellation date: 1993 | Notes: A CD-i Donkey Kong game was developed by Riedel Software Productions between 1992 and 1993. It was part of a deal that granted Philips the license to use Nintendo characters in CD-i games, which resulted in Hotel Mario (1993) and three The Legend of Zelda games (1993–1994). The Donkey Kong game was canceled. |
| Donkey Kong Coconut Crackers Cancellation date: Released as It's Mr. Pants in 2004 | Proposed system release: Game Boy Advance |
| Donkey Kong Coconut Crackers Cancellation date: Released as It's Mr. Pants in 2004 | Notes: Donkey Kong Coconut Crackers was a Rare-developed puzzle video game that featured the ability to switch between top-down 2D graphics and a 3D isometric layout. It was scheduled to be released on December 7, 2001, but after the Microsoft acquisition, Rare reworked Coconut Crackers to remove Donkey Kong elements and released it as It's Mr. Pants in 2004. |
| Diddy Kong Pilot Cancellation date: Released as Banjo-Pilot in 2005 | Proposed system release: Game Boy Advance |
| Diddy Kong Pilot Cancellation date: Released as Banjo-Pilot in 2005 | Notes: Diddy Kong Pilot was a Rare-developed kart racing game that was intended as a handheld sequel to Diddy Kong Racing. It was scheduled to be released on March 4, 2002, but remained unreleased when Microsoft acquired Rare in September 2002. Diddy Kong Pilot was reworked to remove Donkey Kong elements after the acquisition and released as Banjo-Pilot in 2005. |
| Donkey Kong Racing Cancellation date: August 2002 | Proposed system release: GameCube |
| Donkey Kong Racing Cancellation date: August 2002 | Notes: Donkey Kong Racing was developed by Rare as a console sequel to Diddy Kong Racing. It was a racing game in which players rode on animals rather than vehicles. Following the Microsoft acquisition, Rare attempted to rework Donkey Kong Racing as a Sabreman game for the Xbox and Xbox 360 before canceling it entirely. |
| Freedom Cancellation date: 2016 | Proposed system release: Nintendo Switch |
| Freedom Cancellation date: 2016 | Notes: A Donkey Kong game, codenamed Freedom, was co-developed by Nintendo and Vicarious Visions for six months. It was a 3D platformer that emphasized traversal, with grinding on vines as a core mechanic. The game was canceled in 2016 after Activision Blizzard, Vicarious Visions' parent company, redirected its developers' focus to the Call of Duty franchise. |