Donkey Kong 3 (1984-)

• Developer: Nintendo

• Publisher: Nintendo

• Genre: Shoot 'Em Up

• Designer: Shigeru Miyamoto

• Composer: Hirokazu Tanaka

Donkey Kong 3 for the Nintendo Entertainment System was developed and published by Nintendo, releasing in Japan in 1984 and in North America in 1986. It was a home conversion of the 1983 arcade game of the same name, marking the third main entry in the Donkey Kong series. Unlike its predecessors, which focused on platforming and climbing stages, Donkey Kong 3 shifted toward a fixed-screen shooter format. This change in gameplay style made it stand out among other early NES titles. The game was also later re-released on various platforms, including the Famicom Disk System, Game Boy Advance as part of the Classic NES Series, and on digital services such as the Wii Virtual Console.

The story and setup depart from the damsel-rescue formula of the first two games. Instead of Mario, players control Stanley the Bugman, a greenhouse caretaker who must protect his flowers from an onslaught of insects. Donkey Kong, hanging from vines above, shakes loose swarms of bugs while trying to descend into the greenhouse. Stanley’s task is to spray insecticide upward to both push Donkey Kong back to the top of the screen and eliminate the attacking pests. The game ends a round when Donkey Kong is forced to retreat or when all the flowers are destroyed.

Gameplay revolves around positioning, timing, and crowd control. Players must continuously manage incoming threats from multiple directions while keeping pressure on Donkey Kong. Different insect types have unique movement patterns, with some capable of stealing flowers and others directly targeting the player. The insecticide spray has a limited range, requiring the player to move strategically. The soundtrack is sparse but functional, consisting of short looping background tracks and distinctive sound effects for spraying, hitting enemies, and advancing levels. While it lacked the more melodic tunes of later NES titles, the audio worked in tandem with the fast-paced gameplay to maintain tension.

As the follow-up to Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr., Donkey Kong 3’s shift in genre received a mixed reception. Some players appreciated the fresh approach, while others missed the platforming style that had defined the series. Its promotion leaned heavily on the Donkey Kong brand name, but Stanley never achieved the same cultural impact as Mario. The game did not lead directly to a sequel, though Donkey Kong himself would return in later titles such as Donkey Kong Country. Over time, Donkey Kong 3 has developed a small but dedicated fan base, particularly among arcade enthusiasts, and is remembered as one of the more experimental entries in Nintendo’s early catalogue.

Images from MobyGames