King Kong is a platform game programmed by Karl T. Olinger for the Atari 2600 and published by Tigervision in 1982. Based on the licensed King Kong character, the game is a clone of the first level of Donkey Kong. It was Tigervision’s first cartridge release. Tiger Electronic Toys produced a handheld version, licensed to Tandy, the same year.
Gameplay
The objective is to rescue the girl by climbing ladders to the top of the screen while jumping over holes and autonomous bombs. Magic bombs are worth five times the points of regular bombs when jumped over. As in Donkey Kong, each level has a bonus that counts down. If it reaches zero, a life is lost.
There are settings for 1 or 2 players alternating turns, slow or fast bombs, and whether magic bombs exist.
Reception
Ed Driscoll reviewed King Kong in The Space Gamer No. 58. Driscoll commented that “overall, it’s a fun-to-play game, with some good graphics. Not bad for a first cartridge!”
Electronic Games said that the game “presents a crude imitation of Donkey Kong’s first scenario and replaces the barrels and flame creatures with what look like old-fashioned toilets, some of which have lit fuses”. In a 4 out of 10 review, Arcade Express considered King Kong “a poor rendition of the giant ape” and said that it was somewhat easier to play than other climbing games.
References
External links
- King Kong can be played for free in the browser at the Internet Archive
Gamer24h Editor's Take
King Kong has made quite a name for itself in the gaming world, captivating us with its distinctive atmosphere and compelling gameplay dynamics. Thanks to Tigervision's meticulous craftsmanship and Tigervision's strong presentation, the high production quality is evident in every moment of the game. Masterfully blending Platform mechanics with modern standards, the game's fluid gameplay makes hours fly by unnoticed. All in all, the Gamer24h team stands firmly behind our rating. This is a unique journey you won't want to miss.