Donkey Kong
Nintendo Wii U · 1981
About this game
Released in the arcades in 1981, Donkey Kong was not only Nintendo's first real smash hit for the company but marked the introduction of two of their most popular mascots: Mario (originally "Jumpman") and Donkey Kong.
Donkey Kong is a platform-action game that has Mario scale four different industrial-themed levels (construction zone, cement factory, an elevator-themed level, and removing rivets from girders) in an attempt to save the damsel in distress, Pauline, from the big ape before the timer runs out.
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Once the rivets are removed from the final level, Donkey Kong falls, and the two lovers are reunited.
From there, the levels start over at a higher difficulty.
Along the way, Mario must dodge a constant stream of barrels, "living" fireballs, and spring-weights.
Although not as powerful as in other future games, Mario can find a hammer which allows him to destroy the barrels and fireballs for a limited amount of time.
Additionally, Mario can also find Pauline's hat, purse, and umbrella for additional bonus points.
Donkey Kong is also notable for being one of the first complete narratives in video game form, told through simplistic cut scenes that advance the story.
It should also be noted that in many conversions of the original coin-op game for early 1980's consoles and computer systems, Donkey Kong only used two or three of the original levels, with the cement factory most often omitted.
About Nintendo Wii U
The Wii U (2012) was commercially Nintendo's least successful home console, hampered by market confusion over whether the GamePad tablet controller was a new device or a Wii accessory. Its low sales mean smaller overall print runs across the board, and several first-party and indie darlings have already become noticeably pricier than their commercial performance would suggest, since there are simply fewer copies in circulation.
Gamevaro tracks Donkey Kong for Nintendo Wii U with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Donkey Kong to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This WIU release dates back to 1981.
Market values by condition
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-13 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-U | €12.12 |
| 2026-07-13 | Boxed (CIB) | NTSC-U | €10.48 |
| 2026-07-13 | Sealed / New | NTSC-U | €26.22 |
| 2026-07-12 | Loose / Item only | PAL | €15.86 |
| 2026-07-12 | Boxed (CIB) | PAL | €11.84 |
| 2026-07-12 | Sealed / New | PAL | €32.30 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Only a handful of market sales have been tracked for Donkey Kong, suggesting it doesn't trade hands very often — a sign of relative scarcity compared to more common Nintendo Wii U titles.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Donkey Kong worth?
Donkey Kong for Nintendo Wii U is currently worth €15.86 loose, €11.84 complete in box, and €32.30 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Donkey Kong rare?
Donkey Kong has only a handful of tracked market sales, suggesting relative scarcity compared to more common Nintendo Wii U titles.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Donkey Kong?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. For Donkey Kong, loose is €15.86 and CIB is €11.84 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.
Is Donkey Kong worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of Donkey Kong is currently worth €15.86 loose, versus €12.12 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
Also on other platforms
![Donkey Kong [5 Screw]](/covers/nes/89045.webp)
![Donkey Kong [Player's Choice]](/covers/game-boy/98829.webp)
![Donkey Kong [Arcade Classics Series]](https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_cover_big/co9ck5.jpg)
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