Donkey Kong II (1983, Game & Watch)

Format: Game & Watch
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: March 7, 1983
Playtime: 3 minutes (played on easy (game A); unlocked Donkey Kong with all four keys and then played until I ran out of lives)

Donkey Kong II for the Game & Watch is based off of the Donkey Kong Jr. arcade game (but is not a port of it). After reviewing the first Donkey Kong Jr. Game & Watch game, this one is really refreshing. This new game is an amalgamation of three levels from the arcade game: the vines, Mario's hideout, and chains stages.

The game starts on the bottom screen as you must jump and hit the key (which makes it reappear on the top screen) and avoid snappers (small moving enemies). You climb up the vines on the right side of the screen. At this point you have to work your way up while avoiding electricity from above and below you. Once you work your way up to the top screen you have to avoid more snappers and hit the key a second time. It will land on one of the remaining locks. From there you have to climb up to it while avoid birds to unlock it. Unlike most games of this era, you actually have to work your way back down to the bottom to get the next key instead of respawning there.

This game is far easier than the Donkey Kong Jr. Game & Watch game and honestly is much more fun. It has more variety by having the different areas and while they are challenging enough, the game is never overwhelming. The animation is fluid enough for a Game & Watch game and the graphics are pretty decent. Out of the three Donkey Kong Game & Watch games I have played so far, this one is by far the best. If you're looking to play it you can track down an original. It is also included in Game & Watch Gallery 3 for Game Boy Color along with a remake.