Donkey Kong vs New Super Mario Bros.
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Donkey Kong drops you into a timeless side‑scroll adventure where Mario must climb ladders, dodge rolling barrels, and outsmart the iconic ape. The game blends simple puzzle elements with fast‑paced action, delivering a nostalgic experience that still feels fresh today. Originally released in the mid‑90s, this title retains its retro charm while offering smooth controls and crisp pixel art, making it perfect for both longtime fans and newcomers seeking a quick, engaging challenge.
New Super Mario Bros. brings the beloved side‑scrolling Mario experience to a modern handheld, combining tight controls with vibrant 2D graphics. Players dash, jump, and collect coins across dozens of inventive worlds filled with secrets and challenges. The game supports both solo play and cooperative multiplayer, letting friends team up to tackle levels together while discovering hidden paths and power‑up combos. Its timeless design appeals to newcomers and longtime fans alike.
- Simple yet addictive gameplay
- Iconic retro visuals and sound
- Easy to pick up for all ages
- High replay value with hidden bonuses
- Tight, responsive controls that feel classic yet fresh.
- Rich variety of power‑ups and level designs.
- Engaging multiplayer modes for up to four players.
- High replay value with secret exits and collectibles.
- Limited modern features
- No online multiplayer
- Short overall campaign length
- Limited online features; focus is on local play.
- Graphics, while charming, may feel dated compared to modern 3D titles.
- No built‑in level editor for user‑generated content.
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataNew Super Mario Bros. is the higher-rated, feature-rich choice with multiplayer support, while Donkey Kong offers a budget-friendly retro arcade experience with save states. The main trade-off is paying $59.99 for extensive multiplayer worlds versus $19.99 for a shorter, single-player arcade campaign.
Key differences
- •Price: Donkey Kong costs $19.99, whereas New Super Mario Bros. is priced at $59.99.
- •Multiplayer: New Super Mario Bros. supports up to 4 players locally (co-op and competitive), while Donkey Kong is strictly single-player.
- •Content Scale: New Super Mario Bros. features over 80 levels across eight worlds, while Donkey Kong features a short overall campaign length with multi-level stages and unique boss encounters.
- •Quality Score: New Super Mario Bros. holds a higher critic score of 95/100 compared to Donkey Kong's 90/100.
Gameplay & fun factor
New Super Mario Bros. features responsive controls, power-ups like the Fire Flower, and over 80 levels. Donkey Kong offers timed puzzle sections, hazardous barrels, and boss encounters.
Platform availability
Not specified in the provided facts for either game.
Price & value
Donkey Kong costs $19.99 (one-time), making it significantly cheaper than New Super Mario Bros. at $59.99 (one-time).
Multiplayer / co-op
New Super Mario Bros. supports local multiplayer for up to four players, whereas Donkey Kong is single player only.
Content & replayability
New Super Mario Bros. has 80+ levels, secret exits, and alternate routes, while Donkey Kong has hidden bonus stages and local high-score tracking despite a short campaign.
Difficulty & accessibility
Donkey Kong includes dynamic difficulty scaling that adapts to player performance and save states to resume progress, suiting all ages.
Graphics & performance
Donkey Kong features authentic 8-bit sound and chiptune music; New Super Mario Bros. has charming graphics with a dynamic camera.
Choose Donkey Kong if…
Shoppers wanting a budget-friendly, single-player arcade retro experience with save states.
Choose New Super Mario Bros. if…
Players seeking extensive level content, higher critic scores, and local multiplayer capabilities.
Common questions
Which game supports multiplayer?
New Super Mario Bros. supports local multiplayer for up to four players in cooperative or competitive challenges, while Donkey Kong is single player.
How much do these games cost?
Donkey Kong has an MSRP of $19.99, while New Super Mario Bros. has an MSRP of $59.99.
Which game has a higher critic score?
New Super Mario Bros. has a critic score of 95/100, and Donkey Kong has a critic score of 90/100.