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TripleSpeedRunners take on Nintendo trio for charity

by Ben Gilbert { Oct 14th 2009 at 2:00AM }

Harnessing the power of Nintendo franchises for charity, the folks at TripleSpeedRunners will be spending 48 hours this weekend speed-running through games from the Donkey Kong, Star Fox, and Kirby series. Live streaming of the event will be handled on the crew's website, with live commentary and chat available to cheer the players -- or jeer 'em if you're a player hater.

All proceeds from donations during the event will go to DC Outreach, an organization that provides worldwide support to families affected by Dyskeratosis Congenita. Last time TSR got together, it raised $1,140 for the DC charity, but we know with the full support of the Joystiq BioMass behind them we can help them double that. Right, folks?

The speed-runs kick off this Friday at 7PM ET sharp.

Donkey Kong Easter egg cracked 26 years late

by James Ransom-Wiley { Jul 6th 2009 at 10:30PM }

Who knew? You can put a price on obscure video game secrets, after all. Buried in 25,000-odd lines of game code for twenty-six years, an ancient "Easter egg" has been uncovered -- thanks to a modest cash reward -- from the Atari 8-bit port of Donkey Kong. Hint: You're looking at it (pictured above). Don't see it? It's the initials: LMD. Yeah, that's it.

Last year, in an unabridged blog post about early-80s programming for Atari, celebrated coder Landon M. Dyer offhandedly remarked, "There's an Easter egg [in the Donkey Kong port], but it's totally not worth it, and I don't remember how to bring it up anyway." Still, game databaser Digital Press thought it worth it enough to offer up a $75 reward for discovering the hidden treasure; or, more accurately, a reward for discovering the process by which the Easter egg is triggered, as it was known that the bonus itself was simply the programmer's initials displayed on the title screen. In turn, the seventy-five bucks was worth it enough to a Mr. Don Hodges to scour the game code and dig up the dusty trail to the Easter egg. There are plenty of eggs left to crack, too, if you're looking for adventure that pays.

Head past the break for the suspenseful reveal. The video's got quite the build-up. Be patient.

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See Punch-Out!!'s super secret boxer in action

by Justin McElroy { May 21st 2009 at 9:30AM }

OK, so you may have already been exposed to this information (in fact, we've been holding off on talking about it to give you a chance to discover it on your own) but there's a super-secret boxer in the new Punch-Out!!. Now that the veil of secrecy has been lifted by pretty much every other site, though, we figure we might as well help you ruin the surprise for yourself if you're in to that sort of thing.

So, take a peek below the jump if you dare, but, seriously, don't get mad at us if it's spoiled for you. Fair warning.

[Via GoNintendo]

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Stride Gum ponying up 40,004 quarters for a Wiebe win

by Ben Gilbert { May 13th 2009 at 11:00PM }

We've known for a good while now that Billy Mitchell's arch enemy, Steve Wiebe (our hero!), would be competing for another Donkey Kong world record at E3. What we didn't know was that Stride Gum would be investing $10,001 in quarters -- and a year's supply of "the world's longest lasting gum" -- if the star of King of Kong can accomplish the task.

The official statement from Stride says, "Reward will be paid provided Wiebe successfully beats Billy Mitchell's current record of 1,050,200 during a single game of Donkey Kong at E3 2009." We'll be there, cheering him on and giving Walter Day high fives in the background. If we see a kill screen, we'll be sure to tell everyone that we possibly can within the immediate vicinity. Would you expect any less?

Joyswag: New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat [update]

by David Hinkle { May 5th 2009 at 4:00PM }

Update: The contest has come to an end. Keep an eye on your email to see if you won!

It's time for another Joyswag giveaway, and this time we're giving away the New Play Control! version of Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. Like rhythm-based games? Like big gorillas? Like leaders of the bunch? Then see how you can enter the giveaway below!

Leave a comment telling us what your favorite game featuring Donkey Kong is
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec)
Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day
This entry period ends at 3:59 pm ET onTuesday, May 11
At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive the "New Play Control!" version of Donkey Kong Jungle Beat ($30)
For a list of complete rules, click here

Joystiq Interview: Gary Vincent, co-founder of the American Classic Arcade Museum

by Xav de Matos { Apr 30th 2009 at 8:00PM }

After spending some quality time perusing the classic arcade collection amassed by the FunSpot and the American Classic Arcade Museum, we had a chance to speak with one of the museum's founders, Gary Vincent.

An employee at FunSpot since the '80s, Gary was instrumental in creating an environment where classic arcade machines were preserved for future generations. Sitting next to the mini-golf course that helped to launch FunSpot in the early 1950s, we discussed the origins of the museum, how technology has both helped and hurt the arcade scene and the process of bringing a classic back to life.

Gallery: FunSpot / American Classic Arcade Museum

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Steve Wiebe sets Donkey Kong Jr. world record

by Griffin McElroy { Apr 27th 2009 at 7:15PM }

Steve Wiebe, the lovable protagonist from the documentary The King of Kong, recently became too impatient to wait until E3 to crush a classic gaming high score. Twin Galaxies, the unofficial scorekeepers of global gaming records recently announced that Wiebe had set a new high score of 1,139,800 for Donkey Kong Jr., surpassing the previous record of 1,033,000 set by Ike Hall. Meanwhile, our high score on Donkey Kong Jr. Math goes untouched, as it has remained for nearly two decades. Bring it on, teacher man.

Ask Joystiq Nintendo: Donkey Kong Generation Gap Edition

by JC Fletcher { Apr 16th 2009 at 8:00PM }

This week in Ask Joystiq Nintendo, unfortunately, is all about stuff that just isn't going to happen. The DS might have gotten a browser update with the DSi, but the update wasn't in the area people really wanted.

In the process of discussing your questions (which you can send to us by email at asknintendo AT joystiq DOT com!), we also reveal that I am a fossil.

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'Super Monkey Kong' renders Donkey Kong in LEDs

by JC Fletcher { Apr 16th 2009 at 7:00AM }

The Meggy Jr. is a build-it-yourself handheld console with a striking 8x8 LED display, programmed using the open-source Arduino platform. Somehow, clever game designers have managed to shoehorn playable, fun video games into that astoundingly low-resolution display (which, to use TV terms, would be "8p").

Programmer Steven Read has now created "the world's first LED Donkey Kong video game" for the device. The graphics are, naturally, scaled down, and each level now spans multiple screens, but Super Monkey Kong retains the essence of Donkey Kong -- climbing girders and avoiding barrels and fireballs. It even adds a bit of complexity. At the top of the level, you have to jump up and headbutt "Monkey Kong" in the LED beanbag five times to win. Unfortunately, like the NES version, this one lacks the cement factory level.

See Super Monkey Kong for yourself at Read's site.

[Via GameSetWatch]

Steve Wiebe to go for Donkey Kong hi-score at E3

by Jason Dobson { Apr 2nd 2009 at 8:45AM }

Amidst the lights, glitz and elbows to the face at this year's E3 will be Steve Wiebe, who will use the spectacle as the backdrop for his latest attempt to reclaim his Donkey Kong arcade scoring title.

Wiebe will take joystick in hand June 2nd at the show, marking his fourth attempt to break the record since he was outscored by fellow quarter jockey Billy Mitchell at the end of manufactured biopic, King of Kong. The undertaking will be nationally televised by G4 as audiences crowd in front of their sets, pining for a chance to catch a glimpse of Wiebe's sweaty palms and maybe, just maybe, the classic's infamous 'kill screen.'

VC Friday: Apes and bikes

by Chris Greenhough { Jan 9th 2009 at 11:49AM }

Gaming's favorite ape returns to the PAL Virtual Console to cause havoc for arch-enemy ~~Mario~~ Stanley, but don't get too excited: despite being an early Miyamoto game, the 22-year-old Donkey Kong 3 has not aged gracefully. It's also a bit of an oddity in the series, in that it plays more like a shooter than the traditional run-and-jump Donkey Kong fare, so we ... guess it holds some value as a curio.

Then there's Enduro Racer, a game in which it is possible to win races by driving in an almost entirely straight line. It would be fair to say Nintendo emerged triumphant in the 8-bit motocross wars.

Donkey Kong 3 -- NES -- 500 Wii Points
Enduro Racer -- Master System -- 500 Wii Points

Gallery: Donkey Kong 3

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Watch how Jungle Beat (Play on Wii) plays on Wii

by David Hinkle { Dec 11th 2008 at 4:39PM }

Click image for more comparison pics

Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat (Play on Wii) released today in Japan. As such, first footage of the game has hit the internet. We hear you like that sort of thing? Well, after watching the stage above, we're excited for the game. We've had our fair share of qualms with Play on Wii, that's for sure, but Jungle Beat looks so fun. We'll keep an eye out for other videos showing off the new game, so you keep an eye here for those as they make their way onto the intertron. Because we can't resize the embeddable player, you'll have to head past the break for the video.

Oh, and it should be noted that the game apparently released with a reversible cover, providing Japanese consumers with a chance to improve on that fugly boxart Nintendo went with. You may also check that out past the break.

Gallery: Play On Wii: Donkey Kong Jungle Beat comparison

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Burger King offering free Wii toys in exchange for money, good health

by Chris Greenhough { Dec 4th 2008 at 9:10PM }

It's that time again, everybody: time to sheepishly visit Burger King every day and buy a Kids' Meal for Nintendo freebies, all while trying to shut out thoughts of how disappointed your father would be to see you like this. Shame, shame.

The fast food chain is giving away a bunch of different toys based on the Wii and its games, and all it wants in return is cash and a willingness to clog up your own arteries. We like the "Chain Chomp Launcher" the best, though the "Float and Go Boo" and "Light-Up Luma" are also nice. Plus, we can always keep telling ourselves we'll sell all this on eBay in the future for a small fortune. Yes, that'll do: it's an investment in our future. Pictures and details of all ten follow the break.

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New and (graphically) improved Donkey Kong Jungle Beat

by Alisha Karabinus { Nov 29th 2008 at 2:00PM }

You may or may not like the changes that are coming for the Play on Wii release of Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, but we're willing to bet that you'll like at least one thing -- the game's updated look. While the changes aren't particularly obvious at a glance, when they're side-by-side with the originals, you can easily see the refinements and additions, which is why we've got a few comparisons here, just for you. You can even see some of the refinements in the tiny image above, like the scales, but if you want the full effect, you're going to want to step into our gallery below.

Gallery: Play On Wii: Donkey Kong Jungle Beat comparison

[New images via Dengeki; old via GameSpot]

Top 5: Say What?

by Kaes Delgrego { Nov 24th 2008 at 11:00AM }

Ahh, the quote. Whether used to end an essay or defame a political opponent, the quote is a very versatile tool. Particularly in the era of blogging, every word that escapes a well-known figure's mouth has the potential to be immediately flung back at them. It's quite scary to look back on conversations I've had and consider the possibility of quotes of mine being used to define my character as a whole.

In fact, judgement of character based on a quote can even usurp the validity of the quote itself. Conventional wisdom asserts that singer Lauryn Hill once made a statement to the effect of "I'd rather have my children starve than have a white person buy my album." While this is simply not true, the false statement has been cited by those who would define Hill as a racist. Even Eminem supported the fallacy in a song whose title I won't mention.

Being over a century old, Nintendo is bound to have a few interesting quotes attributed to them. Coupled with a philosophy that is undoubtedly unique and perhaps offbeat, the Big N is not lacking in the department of ear-catching statements. Two weeks ago, I made a Top 5 in which I tried to downplay any tension between Nintendo and its fans. This week, I'm providing cheap ammunition. Enjoy.

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The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.