Donkey Kong or DK Arcade releases?

[tep392]

I've been trying to research how many different releases of Donkey Kong Arcade or DK Arcade were made. I have two versions now. The first is a Mattel shell with DK Arcade end label and a single sheet for manual. The second copy I have is CIB with gatefold box, overlays, instruction booklet and a cart with full label. These are both by Electronite. There was also an earlier Intelligentvision release, correct? I've also seen references to D1K. Is that the same as DK Arcade? Where the sounds changed at some point? I'm starting to confuse myself trying to figure this out.

 

So how many releases were there and what are the differences? I'm thinking it would be cool to have each version.

 

Thanks!

[Intymike]

1. Intelligentvision "Donkey Kong"

2. Elektronite "DK Arcade" plastic bag

3. Elektronite "DK Arcade" gatefold box

[fdr4prez]

4. Elektronite D2K

5. D2K Special Edition

 

And you can't forget the original Coleco release.

[tep392]

So there are only three releases then, excluding D2K. Looks like I just need to find the Intelligentvision version to have a complete set. I suppose I would need the ROM as well but I don't know if it's still being sold and I don't have a flash cart to use it with. I have the original Coleco version but haven't tried it yet. I actually liked the 2600 version when I was a kid, so I might not think this one is too bad.

Thanks for the help!

[mr_me]

Intelligentvision DK can be downloaded from their website. http://intellivision.us/roms/Donkey%20Kong.zip

 

Is there any difference between the two Electonite DK Arcade games other than the cartridge and packaging?

[tep392]

I haven't compared the two Electronite versions and can't at the moment because I moved my Inty into storage. I'm relocating and had to declutter while the house is on the market. But looking at the manuals, they appear to have all the same features like Japan/US modes, 30Hz mode, "help" and "grunt" sample options.

[Intymike]

The Elektronite releases have no differences.

The Intelligentvision version differs a bit. I think it hasn't the Japan mode and the voice samples.

[+BBWW]

I have an extra Intelligentvision copy of Donkey Kong. I was hoping to trade it for an Intelligentvision version of Minehunter...but most people have both it the have Mine Hunter.

[+intvsteve]

I thought there was something different between the loose cart and boxed DK Arcade … something about whether the girl says "Help" or something… or perhaps whether it defaults to Japanese or U.S. level orders. I honestly can't recall off the top of my head now, though.

[Carl Mueller Jr]

D1K is sometimes used to refer to Elektronite's release of DK Arcade. The game has been significantly improved over the original Intelligentvision version. It has much better controls, near perfect implementation of the fireball AI, voices, the 30 Hz refresh rate code, and US and Japanese modes of play.

[Carl Mueller Jr]

I should also mention that D1K is a bit smoother (frame rate), and that a few bugs have been removed, most notably the black screen of death. I think there is also a corrected version of DK Arcade (Intelligentvision) that fixes some bugs as well, but I don't know if all bugs were addressed are not (just the black screen?).

[Games For Your Intellivision]

I should also mention that D1K is a bit smoother (frame rate), and that a few bugs have been removed, most notably the black screen of death. I think there is also a corrected version of DK Arcade (Intelligentvision) that fixes some bugs as well, but I don't know if all bugs were addressed are not (just the black screen?).

 

Also, don't forget that the loose cartridge Elektronite version does NOT have voice default to 'ON', but the CIB version does.

 

So, the 'best' version to have is the CIB version in the LTO shell.

 

It is currently selling in limited numbers by Naberhood Games for $45 US plus shipping.

[tep392]

 

It is currently selling in limited numbers by Naberhood Games for $45 US plus shipping.

This is were I just bought it from and seemed like a great deal. I'm super impressed with the look and feel of the entire package. Very high quality stuff.

[+Lathe26]

Don't forget D3K. This one finally explains why we have the characters Mario, Toni, and Bruno but there is no Luigi. Here, a cut-scene was added where Mario, Bruno, and Toni play the parts of Mr Red, Mr Blue, and Mr Brown who go all Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs on Mr Green.

 

This version was not well received by fans, not because of the violence, but because the screams was unused audio hidden in the ROM of the arcade game Mario Brothers which is several games releases after the arcade game Donkey Kong which meant is was too far of a departure from the original game.

[+save2600]

Don't forget D3K. This one finally explains why we have the characters Mario, Toni, and Bruno but there is no Luigi. Here, a cut-scene was added where Mario, Bruno, and Toni play the parts of Mr Red, Mr Blue, and Mr Brown who go all Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs on Mr Green.

 

This version was not well received by fans, not because of the violence, but because the screams was unused audio hidden in the ROM of the arcade game Mario Brothers which is several games releases after the arcade game Donkey Kong which meant is was too far of a departure from the original game.

 

 

WTF?!

[Carl Mueller Jr]

I just remembered yet another difference: in D1K (as opposed to the Intelligentvision release), you can point-scab on the rivet screen. Basically, when there are four flames already on the board, get close to DK and jump over either one of his feet to rack up points. This is also the behavior in the arcade, except that it does not require you to have any particular number of flames on the board. I made the change because I didn't want people to be able to point-scab without there being any risk.

[tep392]

I just remembered yet another difference: in D1K (as opposed to the Intelligentvision release), you can point-scab on the rivet screen. Basically, when there are four flames already on the board, get close to DK and jump over either one of his feet to rack up points. This is also the behavior in the arcade, except that it does not require you to have any particular number of flames on the board. I made the change because I didn't want people to be able to point-scab without there being any risk.

This was one of the first things I tried when I got it

[pimpmaul69]

I just remembered yet another difference: in D1K (as opposed to the Intelligentvision release), you can point-scab on the rivet screen. Basically, when there are four flames already on the board, get close to DK and jump over either one of his feet to rack up points. This is also the behavior in the arcade, except that it does not require you to have any particular number of flames on the board. I made the change because I didn't want people to be able to point-scab without there being any risk.

i tried this first chance i had but didnt know about the four flames. I was bummed out because it didnt work. I will have to go back and try this method now.

[m-crew]

i tried this first chance i had but didnt know about the four flames. I was bummed out because it didnt work. I will have to go back and try this method now.

I didn't either , thanks for sharing that.

[+save2600]

-edit-

 

Anyone else notice title screen glitches on the Elektronite D2K Arcade and DK Arcade releases with certain consoles? Appears on one of my systems and this particular console is of the variety that does NOT have the controller side buttons indents in the storage compartment and its serial number is 1339629. Title screen displays garbage too on Ms. Pac-Man, but... after playing a game (or fiddling with options in Ms. Pac) then allowing the game to return to the title screen, the glitches are gone and everything looks as they should! D2K Arcade Special Edition displays just fine though. Weird!

 

[Carl Mueller Jr]

I have never heard or seen such a glitch on the title screen. What hardware are you using? It looks pretty obvious that there is some synchronization problem and the game is attempting to update the color stack and GRAM outside of the VBLANK period.

　

Also, if you REALLY want an exhaustive list of changes, I thought of one more:

　

In Elektronite's D1K, you can also control the barrels -- Steve Wiebe style. What that means is that for example, the barrel is rolling to the left down one of the girders. If you push left on the disc it increases the chance that the barrel will take the nearest ladder in an attempt to cross your path. Previously, the check was actually more intelligent and didn't actually test the direction the player was pushing in. (And, yes, you can do this while you're jumping or climbing, and the check will pick up what you're doing with the disc.) But, if you're Steve Wiebe good, you might make use of this.

　

So, in conclusion Elektronite's D1K is actually way superior and closer to the arcade than the original release by Intelligentvision. I'm certainly not placing any blame on Intelligentvision, by the way. It was a very nice release for the time, but working on D2K and continually trying to improve the accuracy (getting things closer to the arcade), D1K benefited from this research and implementation.

　

And since D1K is now on sale for $45, it is definitely worth the money. And for those of you "sitting on the fence", the arcade levels are much easier than the D2K levels, so if you're not a great Donkey Kong player, then D1K is all you'll ever need.

　

Carl