Donkey Kong Jr. - Gameplay

Gameplay

The player controls DK Jr. and has to rescue Donkey Kong from Mario, who had captured him. Like its predecessor, Donkey Kong, Jr. is an arcade-style platform game. There are a total of four stages, each with a somewhat different theme. DK Jr. can run left and right, jump, and grab vines/chains/ropes to climb higher on the screen. He can slide down faster by holding only one vine, or climb faster by holding two. Enemies include "Snapjaws," which resemble bear traps with eyes, bird-like creatures called "Nitpickers" that Mario releases to thwart DK Jr., and "Sparks" that roam across the wiring in one of Mario's hideouts. These enemies will cost DK Jr. one life if he touches them, but they can be defeated by dropping fruit onto them. At the top of every stage is Mario and Donkey Kong, and when DK Jr. reaches the top, he chases Mario to the next stage. If the player beats the fourth stage, a cut scene is shown of the floor disappearing and the three fall to the ground. DK Jr. catches DK and Mario falls and hits the ground. Once the four stages are completed, the player advances to the next level with increased difficulty and his or her points and lives retained. Up to two players can play the game alternately.

The game is split into four stages.

• The first stage is simple. DK Jr. must climb up vines to get to the top while avoiding Snapjaws.
• In the second stage, DK Jr. must get to the top by jumping on platforms and climbing across chains, while avoiding Nitpickers and the eggs they drop.
• The third stage, referred to as "Mario's Hideout" is much harder. DK Jr. must avoid Sparks sent out by Mario as he climbs the platforms.
• In the last stage, DK Jr. must push several keys up to the locks in the top platform to unlock DK's cage.

Note: In the Japanese version of the game, each level consists of one play through each of the four stages in the above order. However, the American version uses the following progression: Level 1: 1,4 Level 2: 1,2,4 Level 3: 1,3,4 Level 4+: 1,2,3,4

You lose a life if:

• DK Jr. touches Mario or any enemy;
• DK Jr. falls off the bottom of the screen or into water;
• DK Jr. drops off the end of a rope/vine/chain and falls too far;
• The bonus timer reaches zero.

Game ends when all lives are gone.