<P> Donkey Kong ( Japanese : ドンキー コング , Hepburn : Donkī Kongu ) is an arcade game released by Nintendo in 1981 . An early example of the platform game genre , the gameplay focuses on maneuvering the main character across a series of platforms while dodging and jumping over obstacles . In the game , Mario ( originally named Mr. Video and then Jumpman ) must rescue a damsel in distress named Pauline ( originally named Lady ) , from a giant ape named Donkey Kong . The hero and ape later became two of Nintendo 's most popular and recognizable characters . Donkey Kong is one of the most important titles from the golden age of arcade video games , and is one of the most popular arcade games of all time . </P>
<P> Donkey Kong ( Japanese : ドンキー コング , Hepburn : Donkī Kongu ) is an arcade game released by Nintendo in 1981 . An early example of the platform game genre , the gameplay focuses on maneuvering the main character across a series of platforms while dodging and jumping over obstacles . In the game , Mario ( originally named Mr. Video and then Jumpman ) must rescue a damsel in distress named Pauline ( originally named Lady ) , from a giant ape named Donkey Kong . The hero and ape later became two of Nintendo 's most popular and recognizable characters . Donkey Kong is one of the most important titles from the golden age of arcade video games , and is one of the most popular arcade games of all time . </P>
when did the original donkey kong come out
when did the original donkey kong come out
1981
1981