Donkey Kong Name Confusion

[SoulBlazer]

I was checking out some older articles today on Snopes.com, the best place on the web to check for urban legends, when I came across this one dealing with how the game Donkey Kong got it's name:

 

http://www.snopes.com/business/misxlate/donkeykong.asp

 

I never realized there was a issue with the name!

 

Even as a kid playing the game, I just assumed that it was called 'Donkey Kong' cause Donkey ment stupid or stubborn, and well, it was clear the ape was both of that. And Kong of course made a reference to King Kong.

 

Years later, I read that same thing in Stephen Kent's very good 'Ultimate History of Video Games' and was glad to know that I had been right all these years.

 

It never occured to me, nor did I really known, that other stories and rumors about where the name came from were out there. Very interesting.

[CARTRIDGE STEALER]

I assumed it came from some toy that was made years ago where a donkey kicked barrels and they some how incorperated that to king kong.

[SoulBlazer]

I assumed it came from some toy that was made years ago where a donkey kicked barrels and they some how incorperated that to king kong.

 

That would be a fun toy.

 

No doubt about it, though, Donkey Kong is probaly one of the best known game names.