Why Did Donkey Kong Get Its Name? The Truth Behind the Myth.
How a Carefully Chosen Name Helped Nintendo Dominate the Gaming Industry.
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In this Five Whys article, we'll explore how a long-standing myth led many to believe Donkey Kong was a translation mistake. But was it really? The truth behind the name is far more intentional—and surprising—than you might think.
When you think of Nintendo, you think of character-driven games with pleasing characters such as Mario, Link and Pikachu. However, the name that started it all was Donkey Kong, also the name of the game he appeared in.
Donkey Kong was the first game to tell a story using cutscenes and also defined the platform game genre. Yet, whilst it is widely accepted as a character now, it is a strange name for a Gorilla, at least the Donkey part is.
Let's find out more in this edition of the Five Whys!
Why #1: Why was the game named Donkey Kong?
In 1981, Shigeru Miyamoto wanted an English name that would convey the character of a stubborn, foolish ape. Using a Japanese-English dictionary, he chose 'donkey' for its association with stubbornness. Miyamoto combined it with 'Kong'—a name already linked with gorillas thanks to King Kong. While the name may have sounded strange to English speakers, it was a deliberate choice, not due to a mistranslation or a communication error between Japan and America, as some myths suggest. This carefully chosen name would become one of gaming's most memorable.
Why #2: Why did Miyamoto want a "stupid ape" as his character?
Miyamoto envisioned an antagonist who wasn't villainous but rather entertainingly dim-witted and stubborn. He wanted players to feel amused rather than threatened by the character. A bumbling, mighty ape who caused trouble through foolishness rather than malice perfectly fit this vision. This was a deliberate departure from the menacing enemies common in arcade games of the time.
Why #3: Why did Miyamoto want a comical antagonist instead of a traditional villain?
The early 1980s arcade scene was dominated by aliens, spaceships, and abstract threats. Miyamoto believed that by creating a character-driven game with personality and humour, he could forge a stronger connection with players. Miyamoto later explained, "Rather than just making games you beat, I wanted to make games that make you smile." He wanted to transform the arcade experience from a purely skill-based challenge into something more like an interactive cartoon, complete with memorable characters and situational comedy. However, this shift wasn't just about making games feel different—it was about making them more appealing to a broader audience, including people who weren't already hardcore arcade players.
Why #4: Why did Miyamoto believe character-driven games were important?
Miyamoto understood that people connect with stories and characters more deeply than abstract gameplay alone. Through his background in industrial design and his love of storytelling, he recognised that games could be more than reflex challenges—they could be experiences. To achieve this, Miyamoto drew inspiration from familiar narratives: King Kong (a mighty beast in a climbing-based scenario), Popeye (a love triangle where the hero must rescue a damsel from a brutish rival), and Beauty and the Beast (a misunderstood creature at the heart of the story). By blending these elements, he crafted a game that felt intuitive and engaging to a broader audience, making arcade gaming more accessible and emotionally resonant.
Why #5: Why was broadening gaming's appeal crucial?
Nintendo was facing a critical juncture in 1981. Their previous arcade attempt, Radar Scope, had failed in the American market, leaving them with warehouses full of unsold cabinets. The company desperately needed a breakthrough hit to appeal to a broader audience. Miyamoto's fresh approach to game design – emphasising character, humour, and accessibility – aligned perfectly with Nintendo's need to differentiate itself in the competitive arcade market.
In Summary...
Donkey Kong wasn't a mistranslation as many rumours on the Internet suggest; it was a deliberate choice. Miyamoto combined 'donkey' to signify stubbornness with 'Kong' to evoke a mighty ape, crafting a name that fit his vision of a comical yet strong character. More than just a name, Donkey Kong marked a turning point for Nintendo, proving that character-driven, story-based games could redefine the industry. This success laid the foundation for Nintendo's dominance throughout the 1980s and 1990s, creating iconic franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Pokémon.
By prioritising engaging characters and immersive worlds, Nintendo didn't just shape gaming—they became the standard by which all others were measured.
And to think, it all started with a carefully and thoughtfully named character.
Thank you for reading and stay curious. Please remember to like, subscribe and comment to stay up to date with my latest articles.
Matt