Donkey Kong 3 (Arcade) - Gaming Historian

After two successful arcade games in the Donkey Kong series, Nintendo decided to change up the formula by releasing Donkey Kong 3, a game much different than it's predecessors. Gaming Historian takes a look at this mostly forgotten game.
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[@PatriciaCross]

DK3 was actually my favorite of the trilogy. I played the heck out of it in the arcade at Playland in Vancouver as a kid,

[@jamesanthony8438]

Same here (except in Texas). Never cared for the other Donkey Kong games, and hated all of the Mario ones. Sucks that Stanley got dumped on by Nintendo. =/

[@nfglegos]

Me too, I like all of the donkey kong games. But donkey kong 3 is easily the best one.

[@dennismcdonald2607]

@patriciacross I played the same machine as well growing up in Vancouver! I actually completed the game on that machine at Playland and felt like a champ!

[@PatriciaCross]

@@dennismcdonald2607 that's awesome. Small world.

[@bradeng7158]

Is that the place downtown that smells like pee?

[@EvilApple567]

"It's not like Mario to be equipped with a spray gun" Yeah, we'd probably see Luigi using a vacuum before that happened. What a ridiculous thought...

[@CricetoFunni]

EvilApple567 lol

[@juman9523]

And F.l.u.d.d. is kinda like a spray gun

[@knack3381]

and his dance moves too... he starred in a DDR game...

[@titanforest2641]

i dont mean to be offtopic but does anybody know a tool to log back into an instagram account?? I stupidly forgot my password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me.

[@vincentethan9528]

@Titan Forest instablaster :)

[@AgentM3tallion]

Couldn't agree more. I'm lucky enough to own this arcade cabinet, and it's still one of my absolute favorites.

[@j.bproductions2261]

I remembered this video since I was a kid back in the mid 2010s and I watched cartoon Donkey Kong in 1980s based on the game of arcade by Nintendo Donkey Kong 1981 along with two Donkey Kong games, but most of these games had cameos in Donkey Kong Country series from the original arcade series. They had a ports of Donkey Kong games like Game Boy in 1994 before Country and many more.

[@stephenbianchi7141]

Finally, someone else who likes DK3. Wish I could own all 3 cabinets and have em lined up.

[@thetruebause3122]

Stephen Bianchi You're not alone. My cousin had it and I had really wanted it.

[@thetruebause3122]

No need to be sorry. I don't think either of us is trying to say it's some kind of phenom.

[@opinionsarelikeus7274]

I always liked DK3, and I have fond memories of playing it in the arcades. Sure I didn't like it as much as DK1 or JR, but that's how I felt about a lot of arcades sequels back then.

[@connormclernon26]

Stephen Bianchi I know a place that has one.

[@sonicking91784]

All 3 arcade versions are available on Switch. The NES Donkey Kong and Jr. are also available on the NES app on Switch with 3 being added tomorrow.

[@9393andersson]

We need Stanley the bugman in Super Smash bros

[@Bladeslingersgamepreserve]

He is.....as a trophy in Melee......

[@tamby_teeze]

Yes

[@redaknight]

Simon Andersson yes please

[@70smebbin]

hell yeah i wanna shoot bug spray up everyones butt

[@thegreygoblin5165]

He's in S.Ultimate as a spirt

[@DevilFish69]

I think the reason Mario wasn't in this was because they wanted to give him his own series of games staring with Mario Bros.

[@jimefigueroa2574]

That's right!

[@hlhrted4965]

Yeah mario dies at the end of the American version of DKjr, and at the beginning of that same version, Donkey Kong is braught out by two mario characters, which symbolizes to me that they created a new similar character and planned for one to die while the next moves on to bigger and better things

[@hlhrted4965]

But actually, i think it is jumpman in DKjr, and not mario, as mario is created originally for Mario bros, which came out the year after. And the only reason people refer to jumpan as mario is because jumpman was the inspiration for mario

[@hlhrted4965]

And which is confirmed, in my opinion, by this removal of jumpman for a replacement of standley. I think Miyamoto planned to end with DKjr, but sith the influx of games coming out, and the success of the first two, Nintendo demanded another sequel. Its clear to me that there was no heart in this game. they just kind of shit it out because their higher ups said to do so

[@retrofan4963]

@@hlhrted4965 Nintendo actually officially confirm that Jumpman is Mario himself. Jumpman and Mr. Video are just prototype names for Mario. It wouldn't make sense if Jumpman is a totally different character since when Nintendo created the Mario Bros Arcade game, they just use the Mario character from the DK series and make him a star of his own game. They made it very clear that's the case, and future Mario titles heavily reference that Mario did go through the events of the DK Arcade series(Super Mario Odyssey being a prime example of course). Also, when the DK Jr Arcade game came out, Jumpman's name changes to Mario. The beginning of the Arcade version starts out as "Get the key from Mario".

[@felixalonzo2847]

I thought he was about to say Tenaka was arrested and here's his mugshot.

[@blockacheese_]

At my dentist I don't know why We have 3 old arcade machines that I would always play on. They had every game you can think of Pac-Man, Galaga, Some Japanese games and all 3 Donkey Kong games P.S it's still there in 2017 and it's a free-to-play

[@patsfan4life]

TheKidBlessed who is your dentist

[@fuzzydunlop1753]

Man I wish my dentist had something like that, all mine has is a bunch of magazines. :(

[@unorthodoxJ]

Bizarrely same here. Bresslers dentist in Philadelphia had a lot of nice classics inside like Burger Time, Ms. Pac Man, etc. but DK3 was my childhood favorite.

[@TreadTheDonutDuck]

You guys still have them?

[@roguerifter9724]

My childhood dentist had a freeplay game room as well but I haven't lived in that town for decades. That was where I first played the original Donkey Kong trilogy and I'm pretty sure 3 was the first Donkey Kong I played.

[@JoyVisionStudio]

A local supermarket had an arcade cabinet with this. I used to play it the whole time my parents would be food shopping.

[@MegaZeta]

Parents do be food shopping

[@IllmatikRebelTV]

Love the videos. All of them. it's better than watching cable.

[@solamon77]

I really loved Donkey Kong 3! It was my favorite too. My local arcade had a cabinet that I'd play when I was young. I didn't realize how rare they were until you mentioned the sales numbers.

[@NickJonesLovesYou]

The Ice Hockey song at the end is one of my all time favorites

[@SnHoennBitsNintendo]

This guy is the clean AVGN and that I have to say is pretty cool and you my friend have just earned your subscriber badge

[@MattLittleIFIP]

This was my favorite of the entire series and IMO an easier, more fun play as a kid in the arcades. I got OWNED by the original and Jr. versions.

[@gaborap1043]

I remember playing this game on the nes. I played it at someone's house for a couple of weeks and never saw it again. In fact, it had been so long that I thought it may have all been a dream. Especially since every time I'd try to talk to someone about it they wouldn't have a clue about what I was saying. Now I'm sure that I AM NOT CRAZY!

[@GreenLinzerd]

What??! Space Invaders clone? Not innovative? Uh... did Space Invaders (or any other space shooter, ever) have platforming integrated into the game? No? Well then.

[@LeaveTheMark_YT]

Assbags, right?

[@Ghostguy693]

BrownieComicWriter I'm pretty sure it doesn't count if you basically switch between platforms instead of ACTUAL platforming.

[@tysonmartin3099]

Dk is nintendo, space invaders is atari, but i agree

[@gabrieleriva651]

Tyson Martin Space Invaders is Taito, smartass.

[@gilfredyacevedo8129]

I know right? l mean look at Galaga and Galaxian that game was more successful and yet it's simply just ripping off space invaders what makes those exceptions even though Donkey Kong 3 is way more Original and Innovative than those games it's a fresh air to see a shooter with a different theme and also having a mix platforming as wel

[@CobraVegeta]

All of your videos are amazing! thanks! haha I like how you incorporated the theme to Ice Hockey at the end of the video.

[@VOLCANOBAKEMEAT]

Your retrospectives are always a pleasure Norm, I scramble to that play button whenever I see a new one in my sub box! =D Dan.

[@MDTravisYT]

I was at my friend's house the other day and he had a bootleg NES classic called "Entertainment System" and I seen donkey Kong 3. I was like "More bootleg crap" but after seeing this video, I was shocked how this was actually real!

[@greubermeister2]

I always appreciate a new episode, thanks :)

[@aziz_light]

I used to play this at the supermarket growing up. Amazing that they always had two standup arcades by the door that they changed every so often. It's a fun game.

[@ShadowSumac]

One of the my first games on NES. Always was interested why it's so different from the past games. Thanks for the video!

[@deladuff]

great job as always. looking forward to your next one.

[@JoMoVideoShow]

Most everyone says this game was lame but I thought it was fun and different than the other two when I was a kid. Thanks for showing it some love. Man only 5000 released! Glad I got a chance to experience it in the arcade or where ever I played it.

[@sumez4369]

Nice twist on the end. DK3 is a severely underrated game, and although it sounds like you're talking it down in the beginning, you proceed to point out that it's actually a very good game. Great job.

[@randallross420]

donkey kong jr is where its at

[@OldSchoolCurt]

Hell yea that's the best one

[@williamgerrellames]

im good at it but not the original :(

[@OldSchoolCurt]

+William G. Ames I suck at the original to

[@fuzzydunlop1753]

Yas!

[@simpsonfanboy]

Very informative episode...I learned a lot. Good job

[@TBoneTony]

Great video of a game that not many people ever really understood. It takes a certain kind of person who is willing to look past its faults to really enjoy DK3. And I guess you are one of them who does that. Great video and great retrospective of the DK series too.

[@Redfoot138]

I played in DK3 around 1985 or so in arcades and had fond memories of it. I picked up a NES in 1987 and saw that there was a version of it available I picked it up. I enjoyed it but it kind of got old fast. Guess that's why they were going for about $10-20 cheaper than the rest of the NES library at the time.

[@hlhrted4965]

Studying up about the game as I plan to do an extensive informational playthrough on it. Very much apreciate this information.

[@ChrisRoth1972]

I kind of remember playing Donkey Kong 3 although it is a bit hazy because I am sure I played the arcade game at Showbiz in the late 80’s. I liked Donkey Kong 3 enough that I had it on my Nintendo NES & now have the Arcade Definitive Version on my Switch! Loved all the research & video you did! Thanks 🙏

[@Justin-Hill-1987]

I really hope that one of the next Gaming Historian videos is about the history of the first two Legend of Zelda games.

[@heypeppepper]

"i know i'll always remember donkey kong 3 and hopefully after watching this video you'll remember donkey kong 3" wtf am i doing with my life

[@danbrown565]

Man that composer went on to big things, Earthbound has a great soundtrack. *Listens to Fourside Theme*

[@littlebighedgehog1588]

Are you still active?

[@BURTTtv]

Great video! Keep up the good work

[@khmergod]

Your videos are very informative. I wished there were more views.

[@viperhc]

Very well done review, thanks for doing it.

[@L33PL4Y]

Loved this game! So glad to see it get some love here. Nobody talks about it.

[@riverdealer]

Donkey Kong Junior was the best sequel game for its time, it was a complete rework. most sequels of the time were nearly identical to the original. I congratulate Nintendo

[@L33PL4Y]

Donkey Kong Junior WAS nearly identical to the original. The only major difference was climbing vines.

[@riverdealer]

I disagree with you. in it's time it was difficult to determine whether it was an original or a sequal by just a quick glance. If you compare "Space Invaders" to "Space Invaders Part II", they look almost identical. The same goes for "Asteroids" and "Asteroids Deluxe" look the same at a quick glance. Even going way back to one of the first arcade games "Gun Fight" and the sequel "Boot Hill" were hard to tell apart at a glance. Wheras "Donkey Kong" and "Donkey Kong Junior" are easily distinguished as different games at a distance. Also another thing is the original "Donkey Kong" is more a horizontal climber with some vertical, while "Donkey Kong Junior" is mostly vertical climbing and some horizontal.

[@ifyb8827]

Jan Chapman dont forget about the ungodly Super Mario Bros. 2 Japan

[@ZombieZifiction]

Yes in my opinion all 3 games are different from each other, which is why I like that 3 is totally different.

[@Mudkipmaster12]

Honestly, I don't care what topics you do, all the videos your turning out are awesome!

[@jamesanthony8438]

"Donkey Kong 3" was my favorite of all of the Donkey Kong games. I miss playing it. Probably should should track down a copy for the NES, sometime. =(

[@fiftyfivedaggers]

I came for the informative entertainment; I instantly subscribed for the awesome use of Phoenix at 4:41

[@hridoygovindadas914]

Donkey Kong 3 was my first exposure to the franchise. I had it as a kid and I love this game

[@trikitiger]

I actually loved DK3 when I was a kid. I always thought that the bug guy was actually just trying to clean DK (with deodorant of some kind) because he was captured (Mind you, I was only 4 years old). It's still an interesting game none-the-less.

[@X_Leonhart]

Great video. I liked this game a lot when I was a kid, even more than the original DK.

[@Fangarius]

Funny when I came across this, since I just purchased DK3 from the Nintendo Switch's Arcade Classics eShop. Still remember seeing it in the arcades back then.

[@dawidMarvel]

This was one of my favourite games! Although I think I played it at Atari 800XL, but might be mistaken. Thanks for this and all the rest of your great videos! 😊👍🤖

[@grimmations9603]

This is one of those games that I still enjoy alot

[@TanookiSuit]

My favorite of the series back then too, and the one I actually did get in 1986 too along with a few other now to be called black box games as it's amazing good fun. The right balance of DK and Galaga(a personal favorite of the era.) I still have the cart and manual 35 years later too.

[@enker26]

Yes, this does expand my knowledge. I never got to play DK3 since shooters were far more popular in the arcades here back then.

[@chuckarin1365]

@andy wylde Are you sure you don't mean Donkey Kong 94 for the Game Boy? that was the next Donkey Kong game after Donkey Kong 3.

[@sc3ku]

Just played this the other day! Arkadia Retrocade in Fayetteville, AR has one in their Nintendo row, with the other DK games, Mario Bros and Dr. Mario. A Famicom Disk System was just sitting on the back counter for open play, turned on to Super Mario Bros 3 (although, it was playing a cartridge). Neat stuff

[@chfgn]

My theory: Miyamoto designed Mario Bros as the followup to Donkey Kong Junior. Someone in management discovered that Donkey Kong wasn't in the new game and worried that it wouldn't sell, so they hedged their bets by shoe-horning the character into an unrelated game already in development: the arcade follow-up to Green House. Based on the way that DK moves up and down at the top of the stage, I'd bet it was originally designed with a giant spider there moving up and down a string. It would be a small matter to replace that big generic spider boss character with DK and leave everything else the same to get a quick turnaround on a third DK game just in case Mario Bros was a flop.

[@Dragonrider1227]

I vote Stanley be playable in Smash Bros. XD

[@magnus87]

Dragonrider1227 Maybe more for Mario Kart. Also Pauline could be playable in a Mario Spin Off

[@rin_reverie]

+magnus87 A DK-themed level pack with Stanley and a few other DK and DKC characters would be cool for MK8.

[@Dragonrider1227]

pexium I could see that actually

[@RasenFemme]

+Dragonrider1227 Nah man, Stanley too OP for Smash. That up-tilt's a killer. And that jab? Forget it.

[@Dragonrider1227]

LOL you may be right

[@busyherzel]

Fun episode, and this is the first time I've heard of DK3. I'm a bit disappointed you didn't mention the Donkey Kong dual-screen Game&Watch, which I still have!

[@havenamenone1]

This game is still one of my favorite.

[@trexistar5987]

0:58 Loved when you showed how retro gamers are, sitting on ground looking up to their TVs, simple fun. I still play like that myself :) Unlike kids these days, having huge headset with racing chair and a 144Hz something triple monitors.. How sad.

[@sonicdoesfrontflips]

Very insightful! I had no idea this game was so strongly hated back then. This has piqued my interest in it since I love great games that are hated for stupid reasons.

[@thetreblerebel]

I love your videos. The young game mag reading kid in me is alive and well watching your videos. Thank you.

[@RebelXD]

Man, this was my SHIT. I spent a lot of money on this game.

[@maiajones9765]

Rebel XD yes it was also grew up playing it

[@billkeithchannel]

I got pretty good at this game. It was the late 80's when it was added to a grocery store next to the Kmart I worked at. So I played the available game after work while waiting for my mom to pick me up. I got super good at the Super Mario Bros. and could complete the game on my first guy when all of a sudden it was gone and replaced with DK3. At first I was so upset. I had seen this game in the past but never gave it any time. Well now I had time and I'm glad I did.

[@icarusprime]

I loved Donkey Kong 3 and remember it very fondly. I bought the Wii Virtual Console release the day it came out. I would love to see Nintendo bring Stanley back in some way.

[@tyblood87]

I loved this game. use to play it all the time as a kid when my mom was playing tennis and the place she went to had a donkey kong 3 cabinet

[@jasonz7788]

Great work Sir thank you

[@greggraffin]

Good review, subbed.

[@stupidnicks]

PHOENIX!!! got goosebumps there...

[@allnamesaretakenful]

I loved Donkey Kong 3. Whenever I found one, I always had to play it even though I sucked at it when I was young.

[@marplatense31]

huh... I didn't really expect an episode on Donkey Kong 3, but whatever, awesome vid dude!

[@AlphasysNl]

Amazing! I never even knew Donkey Kong 3 existed before this episode.

[@TygerFox]

I love that game too. Too bad that there is not been another one like this. sad times.

[@RasenFemme]

DK3 is easily the most fun of the Donkey Kong arcade series. Platforming has come such a long way since these old games came out that trying to play either DK or DKJr is like pulling teeth. Even on NES, DK3 is buttery smooth and super addictive.

[@GreatLakesDrifta]

Great gameplay. A friend turned me on to it through MAME in the early aughts (over a decade after it came out); never played the actual aracde version and hardly remember seeing it around back in the 80s.

[@adriantheradgamerarchive4928]

you are my favorite youtuber

[@somethingsomething9008]

So this was the super mario 2 and zelda 2 of donkey kong

[@juman9523]

That would be DK Jr, this one is just... Bannanas *Laugh track*

[@66cuda]

I liked this over the first 2 donkey Kongs, I remember playing this in the arcades, one of my favorites, another elevator action and rolling thunder

[@unwelldanny7108]

Albatross is hot...

[@colca0]

when stanley becomes the hit platformer in like 2 years and replaces mario

[@Estragon17]

The bowling alley in our town had this game and I loved it.

[@woodyofp8574]

This reminded me of playing Donkey Kong for the first time when I was alot younger (can't be sure of the age) at a Showbiz Pizza place. I remember the room smelled like pizza and sweat, and I ended up using car-wash tokens to play, but it was cool. I think "it was cool" is a pretty good sum-up-ing. I dunno. This comment serves no purpose to anyone reading, but it's just a weird feeling to remember the look of the game, the sounds (which no home port to my knowledge replicated), and the full atmosphere. It was the first time I'd ever played that sort of game, and I doubt I'll get to play on an original cabinet again. Sure, emulation exists, but it can never get you back into that place in memory.

[@losalfajoresok]

awesome job Ryan, I really like the tone of your videos. Also I really admire the pictures you have in your room, please show us more of them! did you buy them or just print them?

[@cmlegend88]

Thanks for the video!

[@RomanLugina]

I like your reviews!

[@grandgojira8182]

I love all 3 donkey Kong games but I think my favorite if the first one jumping over barrels is super addicting to me

[@solidslicc707]

Donkey Kong 3 is my favorite out of the trilogy, even though I love the original Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong JR. At least I have arcades near me that have Donkey Kong 3 on their machines, they aren't original Donkey Kong Machines that were converted to Donkey Kong 3, they are Ms. Pac Man machines that they added the whole Donkey Kong trilogy, Pac Man, and Galaga to and they are pretty awesome.

[@bryanbelshaw7725]

My favourite DK arcade game. Still love playing it on mame.

[@gd523]

My fav DK game too!

[@thepolacek]

I honestly didn't know there was a donkey kong 3 until about 15 years ago. As a kid, I saw the first two everywhere. I still have never seen this in the arcade. I'll have to check this out on nes.

[@memberberry6177]

Don't forget the Game & Watch Versus system of Donkey Kong 3.. That is awesome! It also features this Bug Guy Stanley.

[@Shredder4]

these videos deserve more views

[@Dorelaxen]

They had this at a little pizza joint/arcade (where all the tables were sit down arcade units) within walking distance when I was a kid. I remember playing it a few times, but quickly moving on to other titles. Still, I liked it.

[@MayMay84infinite]

Love the Ice Hockey music at the end

[@trayahzz537]

thanks for the video!

[@stevenjohnson4506]

donkey kong country was my all time favorite game for SNES

[@AsherTheAngel]

Thanks I wondered what that pump Mr Game n watch uses in smash’s Irvin was.

[@billcarter8951]

Only 5000 sold, my grandma use to have an arcade and this is one of the game i like the most back then the game were no where to be found now, it maybe a rare item to collect if still have it

[@stillgaming]

Why did I never figure this out? It really is Donkey Kong Galaga. Thanks for the awesome vids as always.

[@RamblinRambley]

Why does Donkey Kong 3 get so much hate and dislike? DK 3 was an arcade classic and it still is now in my opinion! I like DK 3! Plus, Mario left the arcade DK games becuase he was going into Super Mario Bros.!

[@maesejesus]

The GB Donkey Kong es FANTASTIC.

[@Chadman03elantra]

Hey it's 2023 and I still play DK3 on the regular on my multicab. It's still my favorite of the series.

[@ProfCoolio]

im glad i finally found someone else who likes this game

[@Danimal77]

I had Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr. on Colecovision. I loved them both.