What Mario Game is Donkey Kong In?
Donkey Kong is a beloved character in the Mario franchise, but his origins date back to 1981, long before he became a part of the Mario universe. The first game to feature Donkey Kong was not a Mario game, but rather a standalone arcade classic. Let’s take a journey through the history of Donkey Kong and explore which Mario games he has appeared in.
The Origins of Donkey Kong
In 1981, Shigeru Miyamoto created Donkey Kong, an arcade game that starred Jumpman, later known as Mario. The game’s story revolves around Jumpman’s quest to rescue a damsel in distress named Pauline from the clutches of Donkey Kong. This game marked the beginning of the Donkey Kong franchise, which has since become a beloved part of the Mario universe.
Donkey Kong in Mario Kart
Donkey Kong has made appearances in the Mario Kart series, which is a spin-off of the Mario franchise. Every Mario Kart game has featured a version of Donkey Kong as a playable character. In Super Mario Kart, Donkey Kong Junior was a playable character, while in Mario Kart 64, the modern Donkey Kong made his debut. He has remained a playable character in every Mario Kart game since, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Donkey Kong in Mario Party
Donkey Kong has also appeared in the Mario Party series, which is a spin-off of the Mario franchise. He is playable in all of the Mario Party games up until Mario Party 5. In Mario Party, Donkey Kong is known for his space, which is often a boon for players who land on it.
Donkey Kong’s Absence in Mario Party 5
After Mario Party 5, Donkey Kong is no longer a playable character in the Mario Party series. Instead, players can find him as a non-playable character in the game’s Story Mode.
Donkey Kong’s Appearances in Other Mario Games
Donkey Kong has also appeared in other Mario games, including Mario vs. Donkey Kong, a platformer that stars Mario and Donkey Kong in a battle for control of the Mushroom Kingdom. Donkey Kong has also made appearances in Mario Sports and Mario RPG games.
Donkey Kong’s Connection to Mario
Donkey Kong is often seen as a rival to Mario, but their connection runs deeper than that. Mario & Donkey Kong both originate from 1981’s Arcade Classic Donkey Kong, in which Mario must save his girlfriend Pauline from Donkey Kong. This game marked the beginning of the Mario franchise and set the stage for the rivalry between Mario and Donkey Kong that would continue for decades to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Donkey Kong has appeared in various Mario games, including the Mario Kart and Mario Party series. While he may not be a playable character in every Mario game, he remains a beloved part of the Mario universe and a rival to Mario.