Donkey Kong is a hugely important game, practically launching the platformer genre and rescuing Nintendo from financial trouble when it first hit arcades in 1981. We’ve compiled a list of all the main Donkey Kong video games Nintendo has released. We left out a few simpler titles – a math game and some handheld devices – because they aren’t really the same as full video games. That leaves us with 29 games, which we’ve ranked based on how enjoyable they are, their influence on the series, and how fans have reacted to them over the years.
29) Donkey Kong Barrel Blast
Released for the Wii in 2007, Donkey Kong Barrel Blast is often considered one of the weaker racing games on the system. Originally planned for the GameCube with DK Bongos, the game was moved to the Wii, but unfortunately, the control scheme wasn’t adapted well for the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, making it less enjoyable. The graphics, while potentially impressive on the GameCube, felt outdated when the game finally launched on the Wii.
28) Donkey Kong Land 2
The second Donkey Kong Land game for Game Boy built on the first one with some improvements. It looked even better on the Super Game Boy, adding extra shading and details when played on a TV. While it’s an enjoyable game, it doesn’t stand out for its creativity. Many of the levels feel too similar to those in Donkey Kong Country 2, making it lack variety. It’s fun to play through once, but it doesn’t offer much incentive to play again.
27) Mini Mario & Friends: Amiibo Challenge
Released in 2016 for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii, Mini Mario & Friends: Amiibo Challenge was a free puzzle-platformer available on the Nintendo eShop. However, to fully experience the game, players needed to own all 11 Amiibo figures. The game used the stylus to solve puzzles and guide tiny characters through levels. Although fun, it wasn’t very challenging and could be finished quickly, which meant it didn’t have much lasting appeal and didn’t attract a large player base.
26) Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars
Released in 2015 for both the Wii U and 3DS, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars is the sixth installment in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. It was notable for being the first Nintendo game to let players continue their progress between two different systems – buying the game on one platform unlocked it on the other. While Tipping Stars boasts appealing visuals and sound, it’s a fairly short game that can be finished in a few hours. Though not a bad game overall, it didn’t make a big impact and has largely been forgotten.
25) DK: King of Swing
Released for the Game Boy Advance in 2005, DK: King of Swing is a puzzle platformer with both a solo story mode and a multiplayer mode for up to four players. What sets this Donkey Kong game apart is its unique way of moving: players rotate around pegs to navigate levels, a departure from other games in the series. Unfortunately, this new approach wasn’t well-received, and the game’s graphics felt outdated compared to other titles available at the time.
24) Donkey Kong 3
Released in arcades in 1983, Donkey Kong 3 marked a departure for the series. Unlike the first two games, it wasn’t a platformer but a shoot ’em up, and it replaced Mario with a new protagonist: an exterminator named Stanley. While it performed reasonably well in Japan, Donkey Kong 3 wasn’t as big of a hit as its predecessors. Some players disliked the change in gameplay style, especially since Donkey Kong was known for its platforming. Despite the button-mashing gameplay, many arcade players fondly remember the experience.
23) Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move
Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move, released for the 3DS in 2013, is the fifth game in a series of puzzle spin-offs. Players download it from the Nintendo eShop and create pathways for small, robotic versions of familiar Nintendo characters, called Minis, by strategically placing blocks on a grid. This installment differs from previous games by focusing purely on puzzle gameplay—there’s no story to follow—which actually makes it more enjoyable. It strikes a good balance between challenge and length, making it one of the strongest titles in the series.
22) Donkey Kong Land III
Although it’s the third Donkey Kong Land game on Game Boy, Donkey Kong Land III is essentially a handheld version of Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble! from the Super Nintendo. While it shares similar worlds and ideas with the Super Nintendo game, Donkey Kong Land III has completely new levels, making it a distinct experience. It’s a really enjoyable game, and the Super Game Boy feature enhances the graphics, which can sometimes appear blurry when you’re moving on the Game Boy.
21) Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber
I still love playing Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber on my DS! It came out in 2007 and really used both screens in a clever way. It’s a sequel to DK: King of Swing on the Game Boy Advance, but it felt like a big step up – the first Donkey Kong game built specifically for the DS. The art style reminds me of the classic Donkey Kong Country games, which is awesome. It’s a really fun puzzle-platformer that’s challenging but keeps you coming back for more. Honestly, I think it’s way better than King of Swing!
20) Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis continued the story from the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong, but this time for the Nintendo DS. It took advantage of the DS’s touchscreen in creative ways and was praised for its clever level design, challenging gameplay, and intuitive controls. A level editor also let players build and share their own stages. Though a bit short, like many games in the series, March of the Minis remains an enjoyable experience.
19) Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Originally released on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, Mario vs. Donkey Kong kicked off its own series of games. It’s a puzzle-platformer with gameplay similar to the earlier Donkey Kong game for Game Boy. Players take control of Mario, solving puzzles and overcoming obstacles to find a key and rescue Mini-Marios from Donkey Kong. This game was special for both the Donkey Kong and Mario series because it brought the characters back to their roots. A remastered version with updated graphics was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2024, staying true to the original game’s spirit.
18) Donkey Konga
Building on the success of games like Donkey Kong, Donkey Konga arrived on the Nintendo GameCube in 2004. This rhythm game came out when the genre was incredibly popular, and it was unique because it could be played with special DK Bongos controllers. However, you could also use a standard GameCube controller if you didn’t have the bongos. The game included a lot of well-known songs and a simple story: Donkey and Diddy Kong discover bongos on the beach and are encouraged to practice, which created a lively and perhaps annoying experience for parents everywhere.
17) Donkey Konga 3: Tabe-houdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku
The third Donkey Konga game is unique because it was only released in Japan as Donkey Konga 3: Tabe-houdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku. Interestingly, it came out in Japan before the second game was available in the United States, making it both a sequel and a predecessor in the series. Like the other Donkey Konga games, it has the same gameplay, but features 57 exclusive songs not found in any other version. The soundtrack includes 35 familiar tracks, plus 21 songs originally from classic Nintendo Famicom games.
16) Donkey Konga 2
Similar to the original, Donkey Konga 2 is a sequel that relies on the DK Bongos for gameplay. It includes 30 new songs, improved visuals, and a wider range of characters from the Donkey Kong series, alongside both new and returning minigames. The North American release received a Teen rating due to some lyrical content considered inappropriate for younger audiences. While other regions had more family-friendly versions of the songs, this quirk actually helped Donkey Konga 2 become a fan favorite and is often considered the best game in the series in the United States.
15) Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
Building on the success of the DK Bongos, Nintendo launched Donkey Kong Jungle Beat for the GameCube in 2004. The game features Donkey Kong battling evil kings to take control of the jungle, navigating through side-scrolling levels. Unlike typical platformers, it lets players perform combos, ride animals, swing from vines, and do much more. Some players found the game a little too easy, and controlling the game with the bongos wasn’t always intuitive. However, it’s still a fun experience, especially since you can also play with a standard controller.
14) Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, released for the Nintendo DSi in 2009, is the third game in this series. It’s a puzzle-platformer where you guide Mini-Marios through levels to safety – similar to the classic game Lemmings. This game continues the story from March of the Minis and offers the new feature of a level editor. Players control Princess Peach, Donkey Kong, or Toad to rescue Pauline from Donkey Kong.
13) Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!
Released for the Nintendo DS in 2010, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! is the fourth game in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. It plays much like previous installments, retaining the same story and gameplay that critics enjoyed. The game also features a level editor, allowing players to create and share custom levels – a feature that had become a series tradition by this point. Completing the main game unlocks Plus Mode, which offers a greater challenge and additional levels to play.
12) Diddy Kong Racing
I still remember when Diddy Kong Racing came out on the Nintendo 64 back in 1997! It was so cool because it started a whole new series of Donkey Kong racing games. The game had five different worlds, each with four tracks to race on, and you could drive a car, a hovercraft, or even fly a plane! It was all about Diddy Kong and his friends taking on the villainous Wizpig. Everyone loved it when it first came out, and it really added to Nintendo’s collection of fun racing games. Some people thought the tracks got a little samey after a while, but it still sold almost 5 million copies during the N64’s lifetime – it was a huge success!
11) Donkey Kong Country Returns
Released in 2010 for the Wii, Donkey Kong Country Returns is a platforming adventure that isn’t a remake, but a brand new game. The story begins when mischievous, tiki-inspired creatures invade Donkey Kong Island, hypnotize the local animals, and steal Donkey and Diddy Kong’s banana hoard. This forces the Kongs to embark on a jungle quest to reclaim their treasure and fight back. The game was a huge hit, selling over 6.5 million copies, and received lots of positive feedback for its beautiful graphics, fun gameplay, and clever level design. However, some players found the motion controls a bit challenging.
10) Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble!
Okay, so Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble! is the third game in the awesome Donkey Kong Country series. I remember playing this one on my Super Nintendo back in ’96! It’s a direct sequel to Diddy Kong’s Quest, and this time you play as Dixie and Kiddy Kong. Basically, Donkey and Diddy get kidnapped by King K. Rool (again!), and it’s up to Dixie and Kiddy to rescue them. The game looks pretty much like the first two, which was cool, and honestly, it’s just a really fun Donkey Kong game. If I had to nitpick, it didn’t really change anything major for the series, but it’s a small thing when the game is so good overall.
9) Donkey Kong
The original Donkey Kong game for Game Boy, released in 1994, greatly expanded upon the classic arcade version with a wealth of new content. Players initially replay the familiar four levels from the arcade game, but the adventure doesn’t stop there. The game then unlocks 97 extra stages spread across nine different worlds. It was also the first Game Boy title to utilize the Super Game Boy’s enhanced features, and it served as a key inspiration for the later game, Mario vs. Donkey Kong.
8) Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Released in 2014 for the Wii U and Nintendo Switch, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is the fifth game in the Donkey Kong Country series. It continues the story from 2010’s Donkey Kong Country Returns, using similar graphics and gameplay. In this adventure, Donkey Kong and his family journey across five islands to protect Donkey Kong Island from the Snowmads. The game was highly praised for its fantastic level design, music, and overall fun, although it’s known for being quite challenging.
7) Donkey Kong
The original Donkey Kong was a groundbreaking game that completely changed how video games were created. It was one of the first to include recognizable characters, short animated scenes, and a storyline. This game was crucial in saving Nintendo from going out of business, and it’s still incredibly popular today. Interestingly, this was also the debut of Mario, who was initially called Jumpman. While Donkey Kong started as the bad guy, that would later change. Overall, Donkey Kong is one of the most important video games ever made, essentially creating the platforming genre we know and love.
6) Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest
Released in 1995 for the Super Nintendo, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest is the second game in the popular Donkey Kong Country series. Like the first game, it used impressive pre-rendered 3D graphics that made it stand out. Players control Diddy and Dixie Kong on a quest to rescue Donkey Kong from the villainous King K. Rool. The game features 52 levels across eight different worlds and was a critical and commercial success. It remains one of the best-selling games for the Super Nintendo and has been re-released on multiple consoles since its original launch.
5) Donkey Kong 64
The Nintendo 64 brought 3D gaming to life, and Donkey Kong 64 was the first game in the series to take advantage of this new technology. In this platforming adventure, players control Donkey Kong as he tries to save his family from King K. Rool. The game involves solving puzzles and completing minigames, and players can choose to play as five different Kong characters, each with unique abilities. Donkey Kong 64 also included a multiplayer mode and was a huge hit for Nintendo.
4) Donkey Kong Jr.
The first Donkey Kong was groundbreaking, but Donkey Kong Jr. was a major step forward. It cleverly switched things up by making Mario the bad guy – Donkey Kong Jr. had to save his dad from the famous plumber! This was a fresh idea for video games at the time, and it also gave Donkey Kong a family. Beyond the story, Donkey Kong Jr. had new gameplay features and a completely different way to play, making it stand out from other games in the Donkey Kong series.
3) Donkey Kong Land
Donkey Kong Land is a unique game – it’s a condensed remake of Donkey Kong Country for the Game Boy, featuring new levels and bosses. This makes it feel both familiar and fresh, and it’s considered the best Donkey Kong game on handheld systems. Players control Donkey and Diddy Kong through 30 side-scrolling levels as they try to reclaim their stolen bananas from King K. Rool. The game was very popular and has been re-released on various consoles since its original launch.
2) Donkey Kong Bananza
The latest game in the Donkey Kong series is Donkey Kong Bananza, released in 2025 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Players control Donkey Kong and Pauline as they journey through an underground world to find the Banandium Root, located at the planet’s core. The game features open, sandbox-style levels with plenty of opportunities for exploration, environmental destruction, and player-versus-environment challenges. As you play, you can also improve Donkey Kong’s skills. Donkey Kong Bananza was a huge success, selling approximately 3.5 million copies in just two months.
1) Donkey Kong Country
Even after more than 30 years, Donkey Kong Country remains the best game in the series. It successfully reimagined Donkey Kong as the hero, moving away from his previous role as a villain. The game was also groundbreaking for its time, being one of the first to use pre-rendered 3D graphics on home consoles. Beyond being a technical marvel, Donkey Kong Country is genuinely enjoyable thanks to its cleverly designed levels, precise controls, and imaginative gameplay. It’s the best-selling Donkey Kong game, having sold over 9.3 million copies, and it launched a whole franchise.
What are your favorite and least favorite Donkey Kong games? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-12-26 18:22