History VideoGame / DonkeyKong94

''VideoGame/MarioVsDonkeyKong'' for UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance [[WhatCouldHaveBeen was originally planned]] as an UpdatedRerelease of this game; the working title was ''Donkey Kong Plus'', and it was to feature UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube connectivity and a LevelEditor.

* BookEnds: The first level is a single screen remake of 25m. The last level before the end boss is essentially 25m again, but properly scaled for Mario's abilities.

* LikeFatherLikeSon: Though Donkey Kong Jr. isn't as good at antagonizing Mario

** Donkey Kong takes three hits with barrels to defeat.
*** [[spoiler:Except in the final battle, where it's six hits.]]

* SequenceBreaking: The game has one instance of this in Forest Level 3. Instead of climbing up to activate a lever to gain access to the exit door, simply run to the left and use the summonable ladder to block the lock from closing, grab the key next to you and run off. Not a great effect, but still useful.

** The game opens with the four levels from the original arcade game, leading players to believe that it's just an ordinary port. Until one beats the fourth level and the arcade ending is subverted. Then [[UnexpectedGameplayChange everything changes.]]

** And like the arcade game, Donkey Kong falls to his demise after beating the last of the original four stages, only to get back up and kidnap Pauline again.

** For example, if you get too close to Donkey Kong in the levels he appear in, Donkey Kong will grab Mario by the head and shake him several times before chucking his body away like a ragdoll.

* MetronomicManMashing: Donkey Kong himself does a one-sided version of this to Mario if you're foolish enough to touch him.

** Mario also has a rolling maneuver if he's moving diagonally, which prevents him from being stunned like he normally would if he falls far enough. If he completely inverts during the fall, he will die though.

* SquashedFlat: One of the many ways Mario can die. In fact, there's three ways this can happen; being crushed by a Crusher block, by being pushed into a wall by a Sir Shovalot, or being crushed by [[spoiler:Giant Donkey Kong's fists]].

** DownInTheDumps: A few City stages.

** OneTimeDungeon: Every stage is this and thus cannot be revisited once beaten.

* CreepyChangingPainting: The huge head in Donkey Kong's likeness that sits atop the changes from a grumpy frown to a SlasherSmile before the FinalBoss.

* BossRemix: The final boss theme is basically an extension of the jingle that played in the original arcade version when Donkey Kong climbed the ladder; it's played in this game when a boss level is selected

* ThatsNoMoon: That huge head in Donkey Kong's likeness that sits atop the Tower? [[spoiler:It's not part of the Tower. [[AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever It's Donkey Kong himself.]]]]

* NostalgiaLevel: In addition to the first four levels, the game contains stages designed to resemble the levels from ''Donkey Kong Junior'' - [[spoiler:In fact, Stage 9-4 is basically ''Donkey Kong Junior'''s final stage - except the keys are locking Junior in the cage. As you might guess, it's the last stage where he appears.]]

[[quoteright:301:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Donkey_Kong_94_main_illustration_9527.PNG]]

* ThatsNoMoon: That huge head in Donkey Kong's likeness that sits atop the Tower? [[spoiler:It's not part of the tower. [[AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever It's Donkey Kong himself.]]]]

''Donkey Kong '94'' ( Or GAME BOY Donkey Kong, as the title screen says) is one name for a PuzzlePlatformer released on Nintendo's UsefulNotes/GameBoy handheld in 1994. The game is essentially an UpdatedRerelease of the original 1981 arcade game. The exact same ExcusePlot is used here--Donkey Kong has kidnapped [[DamselInDistress Pauline]], and [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]] must chase him down.

The game even opens with the same four levels of the original. But after the fourth level is beaten, the arcade ending begins, and is [[YourPrincessIsInAnotherCastle immediately subverted]] when DK comes to and takes Pauline back. What follows is 97 levels of {{lock and key puzzle}}s spread across 9 worlds.[[note]]The arcade stages are considered world zero.[[/note]]

Every four levels, you face off against DK himself. The last stage of each world is a barrel fight.

''VideoGame/MarioVsDonkeyKong'' for the UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance [[WhatCouldHaveBeen was originally planned]] as an UpdatedRerelease of this game; the working title was ''Donkey Kong Plus'' and it was to include a level editor.

It was also the first game to have UsefulNotes/SuperGameBoy enhancements: Color support, some enhanced audio, and a custom border designed to look like a Donkey Kong arcade cabinet.

* {{Acrofatic}}: While high jumps are expected from Mario, his acrobatic prowess in this game is something you have to see to believe. His gymnastics here may have been the inspiration for his abilities in {{Super Mario 64}}.

* AdaptationExpansion: Remember, "94" is a designation mostly used by fans. The additional 99 levels, not to mention the plot elements that come along with them, were slapped onto what was from its title just a game boy version of an arcade classic.
* ArtEvolution: Donkey Kong is given his trademarked red tie in this game which was carried over to ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'' (although technically it's still the future Cranky Kong in this game), while Pauline now sports her current [[AdaptationDyeJob brunette look]].
* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: Perhaps as an {{Homage}} to the original ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong'' / ''Film/KingKong'' trademark infringement lawsuit, the final boss [[spoiler: is Donkey Kong grown to giant size attacking Mario]].

* CallForward: Mario, DK, Junior and Pauline all end up in the Mushroom Kingdom, where the events of the first ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros'' takes place.

* DamnYouMuscleMemory: Although the button layout is what a veteran of {{Mario}} games is used to, the game engine is similar to the original ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong'', so Mario's movement is different (particularly relating to stopping from a run) than in the ''Super Mario Bros.'' games. He also lacks the ability to [[NotTheFallThatKillsYou safely land from falls of any height]], although he can fall further safely than he could in the original game.
* DefeatMeansFriendship: [[spoiler:After Mario finally defeats DK at the tower, judging by the photo shown in the ending.]]
* DifficultySpike: The game really starts to get hard around the iceberg level.

** And like the original game, Donkey Kong falls to his demise after beating the last of the original four stages, only to get back up and kidnap Pauline again.

* DropTheWashtub: In most of the boss battles, DK pounds the ground and causes debris to fall from the sky, including tires, barbells, 16t weights, and washtubs. Like with barrels, doing a handstand will protect you from getting crushed by any of them.

* ItsAllUpstairsFromHere: You only go up in the last tower.
* LikeFatherLikeSon: Though Jr. isn't as good at antagonizing Mario

** For example, if you get too close to DK in the levels he appear in, DK will grab Mario and slam him like a ragdoll several times before chucking his body away.
* MeaninglessLives: Almost every level has a OneUp floating around somewhere. In addition to this, every four levels you get one extra life for every hundred points made in those levels (usually at least five), and then there's the bonus games at the end of each level if you collect all of Pauline's accessories. To top it all off, the game saves your progress every four levels, and since levels are quite short, it's usually not a huge loss to get a game over.

* NostalgiaLevel: In addition to the first four levels, the game contains stages designed to resemble the levels from ''Donkey Kong Jr'' - [[spoiler: In fact, stage 9-4 is basically ''Donkey Kong Jr'''s final stage - except the keys are locking Junior in the cage. As you might guess, it's the last stage where he appears.]]

* PoisonMushroom: Donkey Kong and Jr will throw these at you on rare occasions. [[spoiler: In fact, these mushrooms are a power up to DK himself.]]

*** [[spoiler: Except in the final battle, where it's six hits.]]

* SquashedFlat: One of the many ways Mario can die. In fact, there's three ways this can happen; being crushed by a Thwomp Block, by being pushed into a wall by a Sir Shovalot, or being crushed by [[spoiler: Giant Donkey Kong's fists]].

* StealthSequel: Depending on your viewpoint, as this ''is'' a retelling of Mario's first adventure, and in the ending sequence, it appears that World 1-1 from the original ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros'' was on the other side of that tower. Not only that, but it seems Pauline introduces Mario to his first Super Mushroom.

* TacticalSuicideBoss: It made sense in the original game, when Mario could only barely clear them, to constantly throw barrels at the plumber. But now that he can jump higher and CatchAndReturn them? Not DK's best move. Of course, since he's merely a gorilla, and Mario still goes down instantly if a barrel actually hits him, it's at least justifiable.
* ThatsNoMoon: That huge head in Donkey Kong's likeness that sits atop the tower? [[spoiler:It's not part of the tower. [[AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever It's Donkey Kong himself.]]]]

** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUIcyuLryzw music]] for the Iceberg invokes this.

** BossOnlyLevel: Every 4th level, and all levels in the tower. Also the trope picture.
** BubblyClouds: A few levels of the airplane and one in the tower.
** BuildLikeAnEgyptian: In the desert.
** DeathMountain: The second-to-last location. Also the longest with '''16 levels'''.
** DownInTheDumps: A few levels in the city.
** EternalEngine: At least one level in the airplane.
** GangplankGalleon: The ship region.
** GreenHillZone: Comes after the city.
** GustyGlade: The airplane features a few such levels.
** ItsAllUpstairsFromHere: The tower.
** JungleJapes: The jungle region.
** LethalLavaLand: A few levels in the mountain feature lava.
** LevelsTakeFlight: The whole airplane region.
** TheLostWoods: Come after the city. Also featured in the jungle.
** NostalgiaLevel: The first 4 levels are straight from the arcade.
** OneTimeDungeon: Every level is this and thus cannot be revisited once beaten.
** ShiftingSandLand: Of course the desert.
** SlippySlideyIceWorld: The iceberg region.
** TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon: The tower.

** Yet another one after Stage 9-8. [[spoiler: Wait, Stage 9-9? Oh dear...]]

%% * AdaptationExpansion

%% * GiantHandsOfDoom

%% * MakeMyMonsterGrow: The final boss.

%% * OneHitPointWonder: Mario from hitting just about anything.

%% * PuzzlePlatformer

* AdaptationExpansion

* [[spoiler: DefeatMeansFriendship: After Mario finally defeats DK at the tower, judging by the photo shown in the ending.]]

* DisneyVillainDeath: This is what happens to Donkey Kong [[spoiler:before turning giant]].

* GiantHandsOfDoom

* MakeMyMonsterGrow: The final boss.

* NotTheFallThatKillsYou: Mario can die if he falls far enough - unless you can manage to grab a vine in time.
** He also has a rolling maneuver if he's moving diagonally, which prevents him from being stunned like he normally would if he falls far enough. If he completely inverts during the fall, he will die though.
* OneHitPointWonder

* PuzzlePlatformer
* RuleOfThree

**** [[spoiler: Though, those six hits are in 3 waves of 2 hits each. Yay math!]]

* [[StealthSequel Stealth Prequel]]: Depending on your viewpoint, as this ''is'' a retelling of Mario's first adventure, and in the ending sequence, it appears that World 1-1 from the original ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros'' was on the other side of that tower. Not only that, but it seems Pauline introduces Mario to his first Super Mushroom.

* TheManyDeathsOfYou; Unlike the original ''Donkey Kong'' (and most of the other platforming ''Mario'' games), there's a wide range of death animations for the many, ''many'' ways Mario can [[ExpospeakGag purchase the agricultural facility]]. And most of them have their own little ditty; the original death animation and its corresponding music are still in the game, though.
** For example, if you get too close to DK in the levels he appear in, DK will grab Mario and slam him like a ragdoll several times before chucking his body away.
* ThisIsGonnaSuck: The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUIcyuLryzw music]] for the Iceberg invokes this.

* YourPrincessIsInAnotherCastle: The game opens with the four levels from the original arcade game, leading players to believe that it's just an ordinary port. Until one beats the fourth level and the arcade ending is subverted. Then [[UnexpectedGameplayChange everything changes.]]

''Donkey Kong '94'' ( Or GAME BOY Donkey Kong, as the title screen says) is one name for a PuzzlePlatformer released on Nintendo's GameBoy handheld in 1994. The game is essentially an UpdatedRerelease of the original 1981 arcade game. The exact same ExcusePlot is used here -- Donkey Kong has kidnapped [[DamselInDistress Pauline]], and [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]] must chase him down.

''MarioVsDonkeyKong'' for the GameBoyAdvance [[WhatCouldHaveBeen was originally planned]] as an UpdatedRerelease of this game; the working title was ''Donkey Kong Plus'' and it was to include a level editor.

It was also the first game to have SuperGameBoy enhancements: Color support, some enhanced audio, and a custom border designed to look like a Donkey Kong arcade cabinet.

!Donkey Kong '94 provides examples of:

* ThatsNoMoon: That huge head in Donkey Kong's likeness that sits atop the tower? It's not part of the tower. [[spoiler: [[AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever It's Donkey Kong himself.]]]]

* SequelDifficultyDrop: The first four levels are [[NostalgiaLevel the levels of the original game]]. However, Mario starts with all of the upgraded abilities that you get to take advantage of in this game. Even if you don't know how to do his new moves, this includes improved jump height, improved speed on ladders, and the ability to fall much further before dying. Consequently, it's much easier to clear the first four levels than it was in the original game.
** The first four levels have also been made much easier than their original counterparts. A level in the Tower is much closer to the actual 25m, although it's just as easy to get through as the first level with Mario's new moves. The other levels, however, didn't receive the same treatment.

!Donkey Kong 94 provides examples of:

''Donkey Kong '94'' is one name for a PuzzlePlatformer released on Nintendo's GameBoy handheld in 1994. The game is essentially an UpdatedRerelease of the original 1981 arcade game. The exact same ExcusePlot is used here -- Donkey Kong has kidnapped [[DamselInDistress Pauline]], and [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]] must chase him down.

* MeaninglessLives: Almost every level has a OneUp floating around somewhere. In addition to this, every four levels you get one extra life for every hundred points made in those levels (usually at least five), and then there's the bonus games at the end of each level if you collect all of Pauline's things. To top it all off, the game saves your progress every four levels, and since levels are quite short, it's usually not a huge loss to get a game over.

* SquashedFlat: One of the many ways Mario can die. In fact, there's three ways this can happen; being crushed by a Thwomp Block, by being pushed into a wall by a Sir Shovalot, or being crushed by Giant Donkey Kong's fists.