Nintendo and the Origin of Donkey Kong

Introduction to Nintendo Characters

• Mario: Most recognized video game character, title character for Nintendo.
• Donkey Kong: Pivotal role in establishing Nintendo's video game market.

The Arcade Market

• Late 70s and early 80s: Arcade games were highly popular.
• Space Invaders was so popular it caused a coin shortage in Japan.
• Japanese companies, including Nintendo, capitalized on the arcade market.

Nintendo's Early Struggles

• Nintendo founded as a card gaming company on September 23, 1889.
• Initial foray into video games with "Radarscope" was unsuccessful in North America.
• Hiroshi Yamauchi: President of Nintendo, needed a breakthrough in the US market.

Emergence of Shigeru Miyamoto

• Shigeru Miyamoto: Key figure in Nintendo's history, creator of Mario, Zelda, and Donkey Kong.
• Tasked with creating a new arcade game for the American audience.
• Created a narrative for the game, a new concept for arcade games at the time.

Creation of Donkey Kong

• Story: A carpenter mistreats his pet gorilla, the gorilla kidnaps the carpenter's girlfriend.
• Character Inspirations: Popeye, King Kong.
• Naming: "Donkey" for stubborn, "Kong" for gorilla.
• Named the carpenter "Jumpman", later renamed "Mario" after warehouse landlord Mario Segale.

Donkey Kong's Success

• Initial skepticism from Nintendo's US distributors due to past failure of "Radarscope".
• Successful arcade test in Seattle.
• Conversion of unsold Radarscope machines into Donkey Kong machines.
• Over 67,000 Donkey Kong cabinets sold, saving Nintendo from bankruptcy.

Donkey Kong Legacy

• Follow-up games: Donkey Kong Jr., Donkey Kong 3.
• Rare: Developed "Donkey Kong Country", evolving the character design.

Theories on Donkey Kong's Character

• The original Donkey Kong is said to be Cranky Kong in later games.
• The current Donkey Kong is theorized to be Donkey Kong Jr.
• Donkey Kong 64 references support this theory.

Conclusion

• Donkey Kong, created by Shigeru Miyamoto, was crucial in Nintendo's success.
• Inspired by popular culture, it became a foundational character for Nintendo.
• Continues to be a significant presence in Nintendo's portfolio.