• Nintendo Donkey Kong Handheld

Game & Watch Video Gamesis a major force in video game history and a crucial part of that is their creation of the Game & Watch series of handheld game toys. Based approximately on LCD calculator technology, each handheld contained one or two LCD screens pre-printed with images of characters and obstacles. Characters were moved by the controls, which included the first use of a D-Pad in the 1982 Donkey Kong games. These game toys were among the first handheld game systems and led Nintendo to develop the. Called Game & Watch due to their dual function with an inbuilt digital clock, the first of these devices was released in 1980. They are in high demand as collector’s items with unopened, excellent quality models fetching upwards of $1000. Game & Watch Video Games SeriesThere were 59 Game & Watch games released for sale and one that was only available as a competition prize.

Popular cartoon characters were featured in some of the games, such as Snoopy, Popeye and Mickey Mouse. The popularity of some of the games, such as Donkey Kong led to sequel versions and spin-offs being published, including the first Mario games.

Game & Watch Video Game QualityAs is common with collectable items, fakes and reproductions are an issue. The popularity of the Game & Watch toys has resulted in several nostalgia-based reissues, some of which have been later sold as “genuine” older models.

If collecting is not your goal however, these reproductions offer a inexpensive way to experience a piece of gaming history. Game & Watch Video Game AvailabilityDue to the fact that Game & Watch toys are no longer manufactured or sold except as specialist replicas or reissues, availability is intermittent. Genuine copies are hard to locate and may surface for purchase only rarely. Game & Watch Video Game Technical SpecsThe technical specifications of the Game & Watch toys varies, but commonly they posses simple button-based controls, are powered by button cell watch batteries and employ a simple series of sound for character movement, enemy attacks, and victory or defeat. Screens vary, as the early models had a single screen, while Donkey Kong and others used a folding clamshell design that later resurfaced in the. Later models also had colour LCD screens and required a light to shine onto the screen to be playable. These models sometimes resemble small arcade boxes and are difficult to play in bright light, as it washes out the screen visibility.

Panaroma games use a small folding screen with a mirror to duplicate the function of the CLCD boxes in a smaller space, and can be played even in bright light. Super colour games use tinted LCDs to attain a limited colour palette.

.: June 15, 2011. WW: June 16, 2011,Mode(s)Donkey Kong is a 1994 platform game developed by for the handheld video game system, which also contains puzzle elements. Donkey Kong is loosely based on the and its sequel The game was known under the working title Donkey Kong '94 before the release.Like in the original arcade and version, the player takes control of and must rescue from (who are both given updated character designs for this game). Makes a guest appearance in the game on some levels, helping his father hinder Mario's progress.This was the first Game Boy title designed with enhanced features when played on the. It features gameplay elements from Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr.,. The border used in the game was based on the actual arcade cabinet of the original.Donkey Kong begins with the four levels found in the original arcade game, in which Mario must reach the top of the level and save Pauline. After these four initial stages are completed, the usual arcade ending begins, but after a few notes of the 'victory theme' Donkey Kong revives, grabs Pauline again, and takes off with her, with Mario giving chase.

The player is then presented with 97 additional stages spanning nine worlds, for a total of 101 stages with the very last one a fight against a mutated, larger Donkey Kong.The subsequent levels follow a completely different game mechanic in which the player must guide through each level to locate a key. He must pick it up and carry it to a locked door elsewhere in the stage.

Every fourth level is a 'battle level' in which the player must either try to reach Pauline, like in the original levels, or defeat Donkey Kong by using his own barrels against him. After the fourth level is cleared, a short is shown depicting a player's abilities that may be needed for the upcoming levels, or to introduce new kinds of traps. At this point, players are allowed to save their progress, including their time for each level or for the total set. Extra lives can be earned via mini-games, unlocked by collecting three special items in each level, or at the end of each set based on the total unused time from that set.The game features various gameplay enhancements from the original game. Mario is able to survive falling from certain distances, though will lose a life if he falls further. Mario will also lose a life if he hits an enemy or obstacle, though some instances allow Mario to withstand the hit, such as being hit while carrying an item. Similar to, he is able to pick up and throw items or certain enemies, which he will need to use to carry the key over to the door.

If the key is left alone for a certain amount of time, it will return to its original place. At any point, Mario can flip over onto his hands, which allows him to catch falling barrels, and can also perform higher jumps by timing his jumps from flipping, or by performing a jump while changing direction.The classic mallet item can be thrown upwards and can be used again if Mario catches it, allowing him to bring it to different parts of the stage. There are also several blocks that allow the player to add bridges, ladders and springs anywhere on the screen for a short amount of time. Other abilities Mario can perform include swimming, climbing ropes in a similar fashion to and spinning on wires to reach new heights.Follow-ups During its release, released a promotional game wristwatch based on it. It is based on one of the early levels in the original game. Ten years later, an enhanced version of the Game Boy title for the was planned, titled.

Nintendo Donkey Kong Handheld

In addition to featuring enhanced graphics and backgrounds, the proposed also featured a level designer accessible through the. The game ultimately resurfaced as, a completely new game with similar gameplay.

It was followed by a sequel titled, which featured a level designer. The Game Boy title was re-released as a download for the service on June 15, 2011.Reception ReceptionAggregate scoreAggregatorScore84.83%(9 reviews)Review scoresPublicationScore8.25/109/1089%Since its release, Donkey Kong has received positive reception from critics, holding an average score of 84.93% at. Described it as both a great for the and an excellent game in its own right. They particularly praised the nostalgia value of the arcade game levels, the intellectually challenging puzzles of the new levels, and the overall longevity of the game. Gave it their 'Game of the Month' award, similarly hailing it as an excellent killer app for the Super Game Boy and commenting that it 'brings back all the best aspects of the arcade, while introducing new concepts, making the game even better.' Praised the game as 'challenging and fun' while noting that its 'control is styled after the arcade games, not the Super Mario Bros. So it can be confusing at first'.

The review gave high marks for the games' play control, challenge and theme & fun.Donkey Kong was awarded Best Game Boy Game of 1994 by Electronic Gaming Monthly. Listed it as the eighth best / video game, praising it as the only true followup to the original arcade game. Ranked Donkey Kong 89th on their list of the '100 Greatest Nintendo Games'. 's Ben Reeves called it the sixth best Game Boy game called it a 'criminally overlooked.

Puzzle masterpiece'. Gave the game a four and a half star out of five rating, proclaiming the game as 'graphically sound, brilliantly challenging game that requires careful planning and strategy as well as dexterity for the player to succeed.' The review also applauded Nintendo for not taking the 'easy route by simply cranking out a remake of the original.'

. 'Pak Watch'.

Nintendo Power. No. Volume 58. Handheld Museum. Retrieved 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2010-11-24. ^ Weiss, Brett Alan. Archived from on December 10, 2014.

Retrieved August 5, 2015. ^ 'Review Crew: Donkey Kong'. Sendai Publishing. Nintendo Life. December 15, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2015. Retrieved 2008-04-02.

'Donkey Kong'. September 1994. P. 132. 'Now Playing'.

Nintendo of America Inc. Graphics and Sound: 3.8 / 5, Play Control: 4.1 / 5, Challenge: 4.2/5, Theme and Fun: 4.3/5. 'Electronic Gaming Monthly's Buyer's Guide'. Cite journal requires journal=. 'Nintendo Power - The 20th Anniversary Issue!'

August 2008: 72. Cite journal requires journal=. East, Tom (2009-03-02). February 23, 2009, at the. Retrieved on 2009-03-18. Reeves, Ben (2011-06-24).

Retrieved 2013-12-06.External links. (in Japanese). (in Japanese).

(in English). at.