In the 1980s, Nintendo found itself embroiled in a legal battle with Universal over the similarities between Donkey Kong and the iconic ape King Kong. This court case shed light on some of the potential names that Nintendo had considered for their beloved character before settling on Donkey Kong. Some of the more bizarre names included “Kong Dong”, “Funky Kong”, and “Steel Kong”. These names certainly raise eyebrows and make you wonder what could have been if Nintendo had gone in a different direction.
Despite the legal dispute, the presiding judge ultimately ruled in Nintendo’s favor, stating that Donkey Kong and King Kong were two distinct characters with different traits and storylines. The judge described Donkey Kong as a playful and nonsexual character who engages in lighthearted antics like teasing Mario, in contrast to King Kong, who is depicted as a ferocious beast on a destructive rampage. This ruling solidified Donkey Kong’s place in gaming history and paved the way for the successful franchise we know today.
The court documents also revealed a doodle by Shigeru Miyamoto from a 1981 meeting about Donkey Kong. This doodle raises questions about the initial concept for the character, as the sketch does not resemble an ape. It’s interesting to see how the creative process unfolded and how the character of Donkey Kong evolved over time to become the lovable, banana-loving hero we know today.
While names like “Kong Dong” may elicit a chuckle or two, it’s clear that Nintendo made the right choice in settling on Donkey Kong. The character has become an integral part of gaming history and continues to captivate players of all ages. With an all-new HD release of Donkey Kong Country coming to the Nintendo Switch next January, fans can look forward to experiencing the classic game in a fresh, updated format. It’s a reminder of how far Donkey Kong has come from his unconventional name origins, proving that sometimes the craziest ideas can lead to the greatest success.
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