is an
arcade game released by
Nintendo in 1981. It is an early example of the
platform game genre, as 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 but then changed to "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 Video Arcade Games, and is one of the most popular arcade games of all time.