Donkey Kong 3 (NES) Playthrough - NintendoComplete

A playthrough of Nintendo's 1986 shoot 'em up arcade port for the NES, Donkey Kong 3.
Played to Round 31 before getting a Game Over. The game has no ending, and after introducing the last enemy type on Rd. 15, the game merely continues to loop at progressively higher difficulty levels.
After my video of Donkey Kong 3's Japanese PC-only semi-sequel, it only made sense for me to follow it up with the original Donkey Kong 3. You can see my video of it running on the Sharp X1 here: • Donkey Kong 3: Dai Gya...
I've always loved Donkey Kong 3. It's nothing like Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr.: there isn't a single construction area or Mario in sight this time around. For some odd reason you play as Stanley, who isn't Mario even if he looks him. Stanley is an exterminator, and his garden and greenhouse seem to be under attack by both Donkey Kong and a horde of some huge mutated bugs. In a chance opportunity for would-be hero Stanley, it turns out that Donkey Kong's butt is vulnerable to bug spray attacks, so go, Stanley! Destroy the ozone layer as you blast toxic chemicals in a vain attempt to repel these agricultural horrors! (And buy some war bonds while you're at it!)
It's a fantastic example of Nintendo's (read: Miyamoto's) ability to take a simple idea (in this case, the Galaga-style gameplay of Space Firebird, an older Miyamoto game), sharpen the simple mechanics to a razor sharp edge, and dress it up with an appealing personality. DK3 is extraordinarily simple, but the gentle difficulty curve has it introduce enemies, and with them the need for revised strategies, at just the right pace to keep things interesting... well, until you hit Rd 30 or so. Then it just gets insane.
I'm not sure I get the introduction of Stanley, nor why we have a dude scrambling to save his garden, but it doesn't really matter. Donkey Kong 3 is a great game, and would be no matter what nonsense theme it got dressed up in.
_
No cheats were used during the recording of this video.
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[@Wflash00]

I wish the NES version still had the arcade version "ending" where when the beehive fell on Donkey Kong he fell off the vines and Stanley did the little dance with the victory music playing

[@NintendoComplete]

Even if the total change-up in gameplay resulted in it being far less popular than its predecessors, Donkey Kong 3 is just as much a classic as the first two games were.

[@ElephantMariotheRHDNhater3293]

I have to agree with you. I especially love the game soundtrack

[@bigduke5902]

Not only do I actually love this game, but the fact that it exists as a Donkey Kong sequel was one of the handful of very early games that contributed to my ability to accept new ideas. It sounds silly, but I really do attribute Zelda II, Metroid II, and what we all knew as Super Mario Bros. 2 in part for being an open-minded kid.

[@Wflash00]

Well put

[@OriruBastard]

Nintendo back in a day; "How do we make an exciting game? Oh, I know, let's have this giant gorilla irritate the beehives and have all of the bees attack the player while player sprays loads of bugs spray up to Gorilla's arse!!!"

[@KOOPAS1234]

It would be awesome seeing Stanley in the sequel to the Mario Movie.

[@vgaoct91]

Gotta be one of the most peculiar sequels ever made... Nothing wrong w/that, though.

[@thegoldenorder1240]

Great point. It is alot of fun. Donkey Kong is the wrong name. Maybe Kongs Rescue?

[@susanfit47]

Plot is the same as the arcade version. There are a few programming changes to make it work for a NES such as shortened cutscenes.

[@jessicareeves4060]

Third time called it Donkey Kong 3.

[@therealseanw.stewart2071]

Ah, HERE'S the one I grew up with! ...By way of Animal Crossing, anyway. Good times! Donkey Kong is a stubborn ape!! Teach him a lesson, Stanley! Shoot bug spray up his butt until he flees! Gameplay kinda reminds me of Space Invaders, now that I think about it.

[@NintendoComplete]

The Real Sean W. Stewart I def see that, it's always reminded me of Galaxian and Galaga. The PC game resembles an old shooter even more than this one does

[@JDPetersonFLA]

I love this game

[@bgasman]

Donkey Kong 3 on NES is a good game!

[@ExtremeWreck]

This is cool

[@stevenjosueguagua187]

eEEH.. amigoooo muy buenas y que buenos tus vídeos de juegos completados, exitos ;D

[@MultiVince95]

Brilliant

[@TeLES87]

Stanley for Smash!

[@Wflash00]

At this rate he's more likely than Waluigi (yes I know they ended dlc for Ultimate but still)

[@arthurcostaencarnacao4308]

Cara esse jogo e incrível ❤

[@talleaffe]

Why did Donkey Kong break into Stanley's greenhouse anyway?

[@susanfit47]

Has anyone played this game with the NES Advantage and/or the Ultimate Superstick?

[@dangunheadachron1603]

I play it on my Sharp Twin Famicom with the diecast metal ASCII Stick:)

[@yusakug]

Only Nintendo could make a game where you shoot bug spray up Donkey Kong's crotch.

[@NintendoComplete]

Guess it's a good thing he already had jr

[@yusakug]

Guess we know why he became "Cranky" later in life.

[@ruko9876]

Lol, that's real funny :)

[@patsfan4life]

Very Galaga-esque.... But the sound made me turn my tablet down.....:(

[@segamatthews5023]

Hey I just noticed you didn't technically beat the game besides the game being unbeatable I guess but you can get the high score to Loop and you can get it back to level zero. You should try and get back to level zero I just did. That's when I seen your video wondering if this game would ever end lol

[@krtolebiohazardcs1.681]

For me,best game after mario.

[@fahriakalin5936]

Hey, are you able to get ahold of that unreleased donkey kong 3 by Hudson?

[@NintendoComplete]

Fahri Akalin Yeah I posted it in the card links

[@fahriakalin5936]

NintendoComplete I have your channel on highlighted for notifications but I never received an alert for donkey kong 3!!! Anyway, thank you!! Nintendo Complete is my fav channel!! Thanks for all of the great uploads over the years!!!

[@NintendoComplete]

Fahri Akalin Np, and tyvm! :) I really appreciate it!

[@bb-lr3bj]

I Want To See Miku's Muscle Peak Of Sexiest To This Game Now!

[@CSJ.BJJ1234]

Is this complete game walk through

[@Bloodreign1]

As complete as you can get as the game loops endlessly.

[@raphasonyoficial1610]

Hallo

[@seancouzens9527]

Hated it back then.... still hate it now 💩

[@doyouknowwhoyouredealingwith]

nobody cared back then, still dont care now