The original Donkey Kong arcade game, released in 1981, was a pioneering platformer designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and produced by Nintendo. The game's home console version for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) came out in 1983 in Japan and 1986 in North America, introducing the game to a wider audience. There are several differences between the arcade and NES versions, which can be categorized into gameplay, graphics, levels, and other notable changes. 1. Gameplay Differences: - Controls: The NES version recreated the arcade controls as closely as possible using the NES controller. However, some players note a slight difference in precision and responsiveness, likely due to the transition from arcade to home console. - Difficulty: The NES version is often considered to have a slightly lower difficulty level compared to the arcade version. This is due to differences in game mechanics and the behavior of enemies, which some players perceive as less aggressive in the NES version. - Physics: There are subtle differences in game physics and Mario's movement. The way Mario jumps and the momentum he carries can feel slightly different, affecting the game's precision platforming. - Hitboxes: Some players have reported that hitboxes – the invisible areas that register collisions – can feel different between the two versions, which could influence the difficulty. 2. Graphics: - Resolution and Aspect Ratio: The aspect ratio of the arcade version is different from the NES version. The arcade cabinet had a vertical (portrait) orientation, while the NES displayed the game in a horizontal (landscape) aspect ratio. This change required the levels to be designed slightly differently. - Detail: The arcade graphics are slightly more detailed than the NES, with the NES version naturally being pared back due to the console's graphical limitations. 3. Levels: - Missing Level: The most notable change is that the NES version is missing the "Pie Factory" level (also known as the "cement factory" level) that was present in the arcade version. The NES version cycles through three levels instead of four before increasing in difficulty and repeating. - Level Layouts: While the remaining stages are faithful in their objectives and basic layout, there are differences in the level design due to the aspect ratio change and hardware limitations. 4. Notable Changes: - Sounds and Music: Due to differences in the audio hardware between the arcade machine and the NES console, there are variances in sound effects and music quality. The NES music may sound slightly different, given the system's distinct sound chip. - Scoring and Bonuses: There can be slight differences in the way scores and bonuses are calculated and awarded between versions. - Start Screen: The starting screen is different, with the NES version often having a straightforward start option, while the arcade version would have more elaborate demo play screens and attract mode features. - Saving: The NES version allows for pausing and continuing gameplay, which was not an option in the original arcade version. Overall, while the NES version of Donkey Kong was an impressive port for its time and allowed many to experience the game at home, various technical limitations and design decisions led to a slightly different experience than the original arcade classic. Despite these differences, the core gameplay mechanics and the game's charm remained, making the NES version a success in its own right.