Nintendo had an immediate hit when it released Donkey Kong in 1981. With a joystick and one button, players would be Jumpman, who later became Mario, as he ran up girders and ladders while avoiding barrels and fireballs to save Pauline from Donkey Kong.
According to the International Arcade Museum, a story circulated that the game was to be called Monkey Kong but printers misread a fax so the game became known as Donkey Kong. Also, "donkey" is allegedly based on the Japanese word for "stupid."
Patrick Gremban (left) jumps the barrels on Donkey Kong. Click here to vote on your favorite classic arcade game.
Photo by Caroline McCarthy/CNET News.com
