Episode Details

TCW Podcast Episode 227 - Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong, a game and character that stands as one of the foundational elements of video game history, has a popular narrative with some inaccuracies that need correction. Thanks to the efforts of Kate Willaert and Norman Caruso, we can better understand the influences and origins of Donkey Kong. Nintendo’s use of hardware from another game, Radar Scope, imposed technical limitations that prevented them from securing the desired Popeye license. Donkey Kong drew inspiration from games like Crazy Climber and Space Panic, and its four stages even incorporate elements of the Eastern storytelling structure known as Kishōtenketsu. Join us as we delve into the fascinating origins of Donkey Kong like never before!

Futurama - Quarters! A Million Allowances Worth of Quarters!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbPWti2CoRg

"Critical Kate" Willaert: https://www.acriticalhit.com/

Norman Caruso "The Gaming Historian": https://thegaminghistorian.com/

In The Year 2525 - Zager & Evans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb7poHQuMWg

Wikipedia (Donkey Kong - 1981 Video Game): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_Kong_(1981_video_game)

Space Firebird (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0MSz55Ct-0

Radar Scope (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kbliYx51ok

Galaxian (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0OTi8hLYpg

How the Famicom was Born: https://glitterberri.com/developer-interviews/how-the-famicom-was-born/

Shmuplations - Shigeru Miyamoto – 2000 Developer Interview: https://shmuplations.com/miyamoto2000/

Shmuplations - Donkey Kong - A Record of Struggle: https://shmuplations.com/donkeykong/

Popeye The Sailor Man - A Dream Walking: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2rt7c6

Crazy Climber (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZxndttbLIY

Space Panic (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLd1xABCsaQ

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