Your Sinclair


Donkey Kong

Author: Gwyn Hughes
Publisher: Ocean
Machine: Spectrum 48K

 
Published in Your Sinclair #14

Donkey Kong

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 Mario shelters on ladders, which is risky because a barrel could roll clown 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.

Gwyn Hughes

Other Spectrum 48K Game Reviews By Gwyn Hughes


  • Brian Clough's Football Fortunes Front Cover
    Brian Clough's Football Fortunes
  • Xeno Front Cover
    Xeno
  • Dark Empire Front Cover
    Dark Empire
  • Red Scorpion Front Cover
    Red Scorpion
  • Elevator Action Front Cover
    Elevator Action
  • Orbix The Terrorball Front Cover
    Orbix The Terrorball
  • Kirel Front Cover
    Kirel
  • Deactivators Front Cover
    Deactivators
  • The Young Ones Front Cover
    The Young Ones
  • Colossus Chess 4 Front Cover
    Colossus Chess 4