Box art

Technical Information

Platform: NES
Versions played: Nintendo Switch Online, NES
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Other versions: Arcade
Release date: Jul/04/1984 (JP); Jun/15/1986 (US)
Genre: Action / Shooter
Where to play now: Nintendo Switch Online

The Botanical Brawl

About the Game

Donkey Kong 3 is the wild child of the Donkey Kong family, and it’s here to shake up your NES experience. Forget about rescuing princesses or swinging on vines; this time, you’re a humble gardener named Stanley, tasked with protecting your greenhouse from an unruly ape with a penchant for pests.

Released in 1984, Donkey Kong 3 deviates from the tried-and-true formula of its predecessors. No more platforming or barrel-hopping; instead, you’re armed with an insect repellent, fending off a bothersome Kong who’s after your precious flowers. You must protect your greenhouse from the unwanted invaders and send Donkey Kong packing. It’s an odd departure from the norm, and the NES version doesn’t quite bloom as brightly as its predecessors.

How Is the Gameplay

In Donkey Kong 3, the gameplay is as bizarre as it sounds. Armed with your trusty bug spray, you’ll shoot streams of insecticide at both Donkey Kong and a horde of flying critters. The gameplay ditches the platforming in favor of an intense and challenging shooter experience. It’s frantic, it’s unusual, and it’s more repetitive than watering plants on a rainy day.

Stanley‘s gardening gig takes place on multiple screens, with our hero scuttling up and down ladders to protect his blossoms. The challenge comes from juggling your efforts between pushing Donkey Kong back up the screen and fending off those pesky bugs. But be warned, the game’s controls can feel more slippery than a banana peel on an oil slick.

What’s Good About the Game

Well, it’s certainly unique. Donkey Kong 3 deserves credit for trying something different within the franchise. It goes to show Nintendo’s boldness in experimenting even with its main franchises, an aspect of its culture that is still present today. The bug-squashing action can be strangely satisfying in short bursts, and there’s a quirky charm in Stanley‘s role as an exterminating gardener.

The NES version does offer some improvements over the arcade original, such as different levels and a scoring system that adds a dash of variety. It’s an acquired taste, but some players may find it oddly appealing.

What Isn’t So Good About the Game

Where do I start? Donkey Kong 3 is a departure from the beloved platforming formula, and not necessarily in a good way. The gameplay can quickly devolve into repetitive madness, as you fend off wave after wave of bugs while desperately trying to push Donkey Kong upward. It’s a relentless, frustrating, and sometimes bewildering experience.

Controls can feel unresponsive, making it challenging to navigate the screen efficiently. The lack of variety in objectives and the absence of any meaningful progression can leave you feeling like you’re stuck in a never-ending horticultural nightmare.

Technical Features

Visually, Donkey Kong 3 is nothing to write home about. The graphics lack the charm and detail of its predecessors, and the screen layout can be confusing. Stanley‘s animation is functional but far from memorable, and the overall visual experience falls short of the NES‘s capabilities.

The music, while not grating, is forgettable. It lacks the catchy tunes of previous Donkey Kong titles and doesn’t do much to elevate the game’s atmosphere. Sound effects are serviceable but won’t be winning any awards.

How Does It Compare

Compared to the earlier Donkey Kong titles, Donkey Kong 3 feels like an oddball cousin at the family reunion. It lacks the timeless appeal and engaging gameplay of its predecessors, making it an outlier in the series.

In the NES library, Donkey Kong 3 is a hard sell. With a host of more captivating and enjoyable titles available, this game struggles to find a place in the hearts of gamers.

Is the Game Worth It

Donkey Kong 3 is a tough nut to crack. If you’re a completionist or a die-hard fan of the series, you might want to give it a whirl just to see the oddity for yourself. But for most players, it’s a game best left to gather dust in the retro archives.

Ultimately, Donkey Kong 3‘s quirky premise and departure from the norm couldn’t save it from feeling like a half-baked banana. You’re better off revisiting the classic Donkey Kong games or exploring other NES treasures.

Tips and Tricks

– Bug Management: Prioritize dealing with the swarms of bugs before focusing on Donkey Kong. Clearing the insects creates brief moments of respite and better aiming opportunities.

– Stay on the Move: Don’t get cornered by the bugs, and use the vertical space in the greenhouse to your advantage.

– Environmental Awareness: Pay attention to the stage hazards and use them to your advantage. Some stages have flowers that can be sprayed to release helpful items or defeat bugs.

Game Trivia

– Donkey Kong 3 marks a departure from the series’ iconic platforming gameplay, focusing instead on an unusual bug-squashing concept, more akin to a shooter.

– This was the last Donkey Kong game until Donkey Kong Country, released in 1994 for the SNES.

– Stanley‘s origins go back to the Game & Watch title “Green House.” In consoles, however, this is the only time he’s a protagonist. Talk about doing a job so well done that you don’t need to redo it!

Score

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