Mario vs Donkey Kong - The Thrilla with a Gorilla | The Completionist

Mario vs Donkey Kong! The fight of the 80s! These two characters we're not always the go-kart driving friends we know today. Mario and Donkey Kong go way back to their earliest roots, and their success fed each other's individual franchise. And with Mario vs Donkey Kong on the Game Boy Advance, they made a few changes to the formula. No longer stealing Pauline, DK is stealing Mini Mario toys. Filled with puzzle platformer levels, this game is the perfect travel game.
Let me know what you thought of my Mario vs Donkey Kong review!
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Watch more game reviews like my Mario vs Donkey Kong review on my channel below! | The Completionist
/ thatonevideogamer
#Mario #DonkeyKong #Nintendo

[@ThatOneVideoGamer]

I've played a few good portable games recently, but what are your favorite games to play on the go?

[@fiend-off-the-grid]

probably that one YuYu Hakusho: Spirit Detective game for GBA

[@CeHee123]

New Super Mario Bros Ds. The multiplayer modes were great.

[@chironthecuddley6144]

Super Robot Wars: Original Generation 2. It's basically like Fire Emblem with mechs.

[@salemthecat]

Bastion

[@dashing_diamond]

Buncha Switch games

[@beebomcgroober9316]

Just so you know the "Let's get ready to rumble!" guy owns the copyright and is known to be extremely litigious.

[@Quinten_exe]

I was hoping he wouldn't go there when the scene first came up. I can only hope nothing will come from it now.

[@MSoave]

I made a similar comment, hopefully he sees them.

[@nintendork9207]

Yeah, oh boy. Poor Jirard's prolly gonna lose any revenue from this one... whoops. Let's hope Buffer's guys don't find this.

[@Serpens6]

Ah geez, why did he summon him!?! Why Girard!?!

[@EyezOnMe]

My first thought watching this too. Can't wait to catch the edited re-upload.

[@TheLonelyGoomba]

I've never heard anyone compare this to Super Meat Boy. I mean, this is a slow puzzle based game. Meat Boy is a fast reflex based game.

[@julianx2rl]

But you have to lose at both a bunch of times before you learn the right pattern to win.

[@stellardafellar]

Most underrated childhood series.

[@jaygooese4242]

Same here

[@Lucas-nb8kv]

The Mini-Land Mayhem game on the DS shaped my childhood 😆

[@sasparillagreg-9292]

Lucas I remember stealing it from my neighbors so I could play it more What I returned it

[@thetacog]

The first time I ever pulled an all-nighter was when I was playing that game. My brother and cousin had fallen asleep, the tv was still on but I wasn't paying it any attention. I was just sitting on the floor with my DSi playing for hours and hours.

[@acidhydra101]

That level editor was great!

[@Glory2Snowstar]

Same here, dude! The level editor was where I spent most of my days! Heck, I made so many levels that I unlocked Toad. I think I unlocked Peach, too. It blew my young mind, I never even knew they were unlockable!

[@CaseyLabAnimations]

I remember having it, and I remembered the Mini-Marios, but I remembered nothing about the gameplay. Thanks, The Completionist, this brings back some memories

[@alessandrobozzi7085]

I hear there's a lot of lawsuits regarding the "let's get ready to rumble" sentence. I'd suggest reuploading the video and replace "rumble" with an actual earthquake rumble effect. That should do the trick.

[@gamingawesomeness222]

If it's not that dingleberry suing, it'll be someone like Viacom instead.

[@SoulCastleFilms]

This was my 1st ever video game. I still remember all the sounds and voice clips, and how frustrated I would get as I progressed through the levels. Now I have a Wii, a PS3, a PS4, and a Nintendo Switch. And even though I haven't played my Game Boy Advance in years, I still have it because of the memories that came with it. Thanks, Nintendo.

[@shadowrider9735]

Whilst the character models do look ugly, I love their animations, especially Mario's when he's picking stuff up or jumping in or out of a handstand. It's so smooth and slick.

[@CBirthwright]

Be careful, brother. Michael Buffer owns the copyright or trademark (I don't know laws!) to that phrase. #DontGetSued

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

???

[@CBirthwright]

@@ChiefMedicPururu Michael Buffer is VERY well known for suing entities over using "Let's Get Ready To Rumble" as he trademarked it YEARS ago. I legitimately don't want our Dragon Rider to get sued for it.

[@omariwalker1006]

Boy, this takes me back! I loved this on my original GBA. I think I'm going to cry...

[@reignnyjoseph8531]

There are GBA EMULATORS online AND GAMEBOY ADVANCES, still on sale.

[@horsebox5138]

Same man

[@TheBitBlock]

This game is amazing, they need to do a sequel to this version of Mario vs. DK specifically.

[@diggsj0536]

i know this is old but based

[@Fes_M]

If there were mini-Jirard windup toys out there i'd BUY AN ARMY OF EM cause I need them in my life 🙏🏻

[@Piggynatorgaming]

I would get one.

[@SubsonicNoise]

Fes_Mare I‘d just steal all of them from the factory and keep them in a series of puzzle-based rooms

[@HandmadeGoose97]

I didn't even know a single thing about the first game but the 2nd game M V DK March or the minis was the absolute best!

[@miguelrosales6099]

Easily the greatest childhood game for me of all time

[@jamess.9743]

I still play this on my GBA SP. best played on short play through. Trains and buses

[@shawnheatherly]

Cool to see this holds up, this was a series that I just completely missed as a kid.

[@projp9057]

OH, I REMEMBER THIS GAME :D

[@Dadam1515]

I got this game on Christmas in 2004 when I was 9 years old and I absolutely loved it. It was a huge part of my childhood and it's still my favorite game in the Mario vs. DK series easily. That title screen music always hits me in the feels with nostalgia

[@techmark3665]

This game is such an underrated classic Thanks so much for covering this

[@BartmanBegins]

This is by far one of my favorite GBA games, so I'm pleased to see an episode about it.

[@Egei]

I made it about 75% through this game on a "completionist" run I was trying years ago, before I put it down. This video has inspired me to go back and finish it up on my old GBA!😄

[@AirahsELL]

Can Jirard complete more bite-sized games? Stuff like this is an absolute joy to watch.

[@aidanfrye4144]

At 1:15 Jirard calls DK the senator because his super smash brothers white skin makes him look like a politician.

[@christopherkilbridge8927]

This game was one of my favorites as a kid even though I didn’t know how to play

[@KDPhilosophy]

I remember being really obsessed with this game and playing it under the covers past bedtime as a youngin. I literally kept playing after I went to sleep and DREAMED the solution of a level. That's dedication!

[@nickporter9264]

I remember having Minis March Again preloaded on my DSi growing up. I had loads of fun playing it, especially while traveling on vacation.

[@squeethemog213]

I forgot this game existed but I'm glad you covered it. Bringing it into a new light. Well done.

[@chrizbie]

I love the sincerity in your channel, it doesn't matter if it's a modern AAA game or a GBA game you always give it the respect it deserves and it makes me really appreciate the time you put into these videos ✌️👍

[@loganfruchtman953]

The 1981 game is not today’s Donkey Kong. It’s actually Cranky Kong who is the grandfather of DK

[@codyeric4]

Ok I ain’t even watch the whole only the “ready to rumble” intro & I love it 😭😭😭

[@Ox2163]

Mario vs DK was my first game when I was a kid and I’m thankful for it because it made me the gamer I am today. Respect ✊🏽

[@dblackATGB]

man Jirard you shouldn't have done that Michael Buffer legit has a copyright on that catchphrase

[@danielturner1891]

At what point are we allowed to call bullcrap on a copyright?

[@dblackATGB]

@@danielturner1891 actually, everyone calls bullcrap on copyrights

[@valentinherrera607]

I remember finishing this game about 7 times, back in the day i didn't have too many videogames so that led me to replay this game but that didn't mean i got bored playing it, i actually enjoyed it so much!

[@hadsbros]

Wow, I thought this vid came out years ago and it just popped up on my stream, but "Aw, Heck Yeah!". So glad you completed this masterpiece, it truly deserves it! Along with it's predecessor, this series is fantastically awesome and really do hope that a "true" sequel can see the light of day sometime very soon!

[@UTAGaming]

My first game ever! Got it with the GBA SP with the M on the top. Hated Mario for 6 years because of World 5. Gave it another try on the DS with New Sup... and finally fell in love with him again. This game was just to much for me when I was 5. Looking back it is just so much fun!!!

[@LycanLink]

Bro, Jirard, I love your videos, and your reviews are the only ones I care about, because you're a completionist like me. That being said, please remember that "satisfying" has four syllables in it. You keep saying it as "sass-fying," and it makes me worry about your health. Love you, bro. Stay awesome. Huge plays.

[@mick16wtf]

Absolutely love this game, second game I ever got and just so good. Graphics haven't aged that well but music, sound effects and the levels it was pretty good at it all. Glad you made this video :D

[@zidanetribal1406]

6:06 “There are 6 worlds that are made up of 6 different levels.” Me quoting John Mulaney: “No there’s not. There’s more.”

[@JaceAce22]

These are NOT graphics and models from Donkey Kong Country. These are original pre-rendered 3D sprites. They're very low res, but zoom out a bit, the presentation is pretty clean and sleek.

[@Memelord2020]

This game is getting a remake on February 16, 2024

[@rmzing]

YOU NAILED THAT ANNOUNCER BIT! I bet you would have been a boxing ring announcer in another life.

[@derekm.melendez8100]

My first game on the GBA was Mario vs Donkey Kong. Still brings a special charm in my childhood.

[@devonwilliams5738]

What about the E-reader levels?

[@storm10117]

Bro you did it! I'm so happy! I played this game numerous times as a kid and I loved it so much. It made me happy that you actually completed it. Also one time I had a dream that you drove my bus and had Majora's Mask with you. I mean the actual mask, not the game. It terrified me.

[@VE11551]

The finish on my Thecompletionist marathon. Over 20 episodes watched. Much love ❤️

[@apkhbmbgamlkbh1531]

This game was one of my favorite when I was very young. I played it recently again for a bit and I have to say it's still very good!

[@luxa_vivi08]

Jirard didn’t saw bulbausar in the direct of Pokémon now he can,t say he hates it

[@sarin3]

It's excellent to take on a new game and to see that you have an episode on it! Excelsior!

[@jarerarebear1765]

These two icons are rivals in a meta sense too. I've always viewed the Donkey Kong Country series as in house competition for the Super Mario Bros series, granted, it's definitely been one-sided in Mario's favor for the past 20 years, but I'll always view DK as a plucky underdog rising to the challenge of standing up to Mario.

[@hughcubtm2367]

Yo I randomly got the DS version of this game and loved it, played the living hell out of it

[@prodbyANT]

Bro I'd be careful with the "let's get ready to rumble" thing I heard Michael Buffer loves suing people over it.

[@MSoave]

Yup he had a trademark on it.

[@rompevuevitos222]

@@MSoave You can trademark quotes? since when? i mean, if people could then a lot of words could become unusable all out of the sudden, imagine how stupid it would be to not be able to say "take a hike" or "i went to the 24/7" because someone trademarked them

[@Jonkree]

@@rompevuevitos222 it's his signature catchphrase. The late Totalbiscuit has a trademark on "WTF is....?"

[@rompevuevitos222]

@@Jonkree I don't see it holding on in court tho

[@fawfulthegreat64]

Such a fun nostalgic game! We need another game in this style, I'm so tired of it being all about leading the Minis around with the touch screen. I wanna run, jump, climb and throw as Mario again.

[@platinumfactor]

So many video game rivalries. 1. Mario vs Sonic 2. Mario vs Wario 3. Mario vs Luigi 4. Mario vs Link 5. Mario vs Bowser 6. Mario vs Donkey Kong

[@ZipplyZane]

The game still looks amazing if you play it with the Game Boy Player, where the sprites are smoothed out. I just watched a speed run race (European Speedrunning Association) and marveled at how good it looked. Pre-rendered models always look better that way, at their original resolution with smooth scaling. They are reducing a smooth image to pixels, so they need to be smoother at higher resolutions. It's the same for the Donkey Kong Country series or Super Mario RPG. Pre-rendered games look bad when the pixels are chunky. Either play on a small screen or get that CRT-style blur.

[@niespeludo]

Nice tpo see you covering this series. Donkey Kong 64 is incredibly influential to gaming as we know it now. Many of the developers from that game ended up working in Mario 64 (and it shows!).

[@pastapastajfollower2919]

Am I the only one who thought it was dumb that Nintendo didn’t really bother to make the Mini Mario’s an actual toy to tie into the game?

[@sagacious03]

Glad to see you back! Thanks for uploading!

[@keddchups]

Thank you for making this video! This game is seriously underrated!

[@Yamartim]

Sick that's one of the best lil' hidden gems on the gba, it deserves attention

[@Glory2Snowstar]

Thanks for the review, Jirard! I think you’ll definitely love the sequels to this. The level editor in Mini-Land Mayhem! kept child me entertained for hours!

[@VillyVespertine]

Coming back here before the new one gets announced soon.

[@xenghuong]

This was one of the games I always wanted to play as a kid. Remember having a bunch of the McDonalds happy meal toys of this game.

[@TubbyJ420]

Oh right on, this game was fun. I played it a lot on my 3DS thanks to the Ambassador Program.

[@GamePrime99]

The first Mario vs. Donkey Kong was so good, it's a shame the rest of the series never lived up to the first.

[@Noir915]

im calling shenanigans, the graphics are adorable and i love them

[@thegreatjay1245]

Play Tiny Defense 1 and 2 Tiny Defense is a mobile tower defense game that doesn't get the love it deserves.

[@mechashadow]

This was my introduction to the Mario and Donkey Kong feud. I do need to go back to Donkey Kong 94 tho’

[@ruggero3988]

Such nostalgic game. I consider myself pretty young and this was my first GBA game (in bundle with that supercool red M gba) I used to play it every morning after breakfast, waiting to go to elementary school. I lost the cartridge and never completed it 100% (not that I could have ever possibly done it at that age) Oh well, thank you for bringing back such good memories.

[@Jmac1493]

I played this game growing up and I've seen many of his videos before. So going into it, I figured he would like it.

[@Swaglordfawful]

I loved this game so fucking much when I had a GBA SP. it literally was my childhood and I would play it all the time, it’s challenges kept me busy for hours on end and many years later, I hombrew my Wii and got the GBA rom JUST so I could play MvsDK Again. Definitely a game worth playing at anytime.

[@Dorian_Scott]

This game is really overlooked

[@gonzalezmichael89]

Was hoping you get to say Mills Lane line "Let's get it on!" when a match starts wearing that ref outfit

[@SUPERPIXELPLANET]

"Senator Donkey Kong" Such a good call-back xD

[@davidarmando8131]

This was the first game my parents gave to me when I was a kid. It has an special place in my heart ❤️

[@militantpacifist4087]

I wish Nintendo made a Mario vs Donkey Kong for the Switch.

[@Alan-qp2nm]

Watching this video made me remember my old times playing this game in my grandma’s house. Thanks

[@randomguy7766]

For a GBA game, the graphics are blowing me away! And the move set is really extensive and smooth.

[@TheCreepypro]

you've mentioned this game before and I still haven't played it I'm glad you brought up again with this video cause I am definitely going to check it out now favorite portable game has to be Metroid Fusion cause it is so much fun for me to play

[@MonadoJoJo]

I had never seen the first in the series before! I've see the latest 2 or 3 installments, but never this one. Man they are different!

[@stanstanstan2597]

Jirard: Says that Donkey Kong fought Mario (not specifying Cranky Kong) Me and my lore inconsistency OCD: well yes, but also no.

[@reaperproductions7058]

Hey maybe due to the popularity of the superhero genre today, that could provide a good opportunity to complete the Infamous games. I feel like that you would like Second Son the best, and I think the games are not too hard to complete, atleast from my experience

[@Mex_Luigi]

finally I have proof that this game even exists. as a child I'd only ever heard of the series from the 2nd entry, and given I couldn't even find the first one with a google search, I was sure it was named something else or didn't exist

[@robloxking2578]

1:29 LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!! XD Cue the song! ; )

[@d3-penguin954]

This game is criminally underrated. I remember getting suck at mystic forest until I started cheating lol...Thankfully this game hasn’t been completely forgotten

[@cjbattlechaser4987]

1:29 Haha you just got sued by Michael Buffer 🤣

[@Yungillegalbean]

I genuinely don’t think the game looks ugly. But overall I loved this review. Love your work Jirard.

[@abrahammendoza1409]

I really can't wait for him to complete the sequel to this game with the toys

[@danc6167]

Played the gameboy game for hours upon hours when I was a kid and loved it. Didn't know they made a sequel

[@angrydeion]

Holy crap I've just realized u haven't done one for majoras mask...........please XD????? Love your stuff man. Keep up the amazing work

[@scarffoxandfriends9401]

I'm just upset that after this they removed the actual platforming aspect of these games. It's only the minis now, i want them to go back to the series being a platforming puzzle game and not just a puzzle game.

[@mediawatcher9225]

I loved this game so much as a kid! Played it nonstop!

[@kanvarmurray2207]

This game was my childhood, loved playing it everywhere

[@user-DullardBones]

Mr. Kong's back from Washington, to lay a Washing-TON of pain on you!

[@scanchannel3259]

the completionst should play the game that came before this game which is donkey kong on the gameboy or as most people call it donkey kong 94

[@AC32896]

Ah, memories. This game, DKC2 GBA, Tetris: Worlds, and M&L Superstar Saga were probably the games I played the most back in the day.

[@AC32896]

I think I got Mario vs. Donkey Kong and DKC2 for Christmas, and it was one of my favorites.

[@sergiorangel9078]

What an amazing game I spent months completing all the levels, with perfect runs with the gameboy upside down, I don't know why but I did it, and nobody believe it

[@spaceace9103]

I grew up with the DS games but I really wish the rest of the series was like this in surprised Nintendo never made any windup toy plushes (at least to my knowledge)

[@Mcdude02]

I really enjoyed this episode, not usually a fan of the live action skits and I'd rather just see the actual game content

[@adamwestwood710]

it's not the same Donkey Kong. this Donkey Kong is the grandson of Cranky Kong who is the original Donkey Kong.

[@HitnRunTony]

My little sister loved playing these games and continued playing them through the 3DS

[@quietone2674]

I thought this was the 3DS version when I clicked, where you play *as* the toys and build the levels by dropping in girders and stuff. Still looks fun.