Donkey Kong Jr. Math

Donkey Kong Jr. Math
European box art
Developer(s)	Nintendo R&D2
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Platform(s)	Nintendo Entertainment System, Virtual Console
Release date(s)	NES JP December 12, 1983 NA October 18, 1985 EU 1986 Virtual Console JP March 27, 2007 PAL April 20, 2007 NA September 3, 2007
Genre(s)	Edutainment, platforming
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer
Rating(s)	ACB: G CERO: A ESRB: E PEGI: 3+

Donkey Kong Jr. Math, known in Japan as Donkey Kong Jr. no Sansū Asobi (ドンキーコングJR.の算数遊び, Donkī Kongu Junia no Sansū Asobi^?, lit. "Donkey Kong Jr.'s Calculation Game"), is a Nintendo edutainment video game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), wherein players must solve math problems in order to win. It was released in 1983 for the Family Computer in Japan and then for the Nintendo Entertainment System two years later in North America and PAL regions. It is the only game in the "Education Series" of NES games in North America. Donkey Kong, Jr. Math was made available in the video game Animal Crossing, along with several other NES titles. It has also been released on the Wii Virtual Console in Europe, Australia, Japan, and North America.

Since its release, Donkey Kong Jr. Math has received very negative reception; Nintendo spokesman Tom Sarris commented that it was not well-received, resulting in Nintendo ceasing development of educational games for the time. It was noted as one of the worst launch video games ever made by publications such as Electronic Gaming Monthly and 1UP.com. It has also received criticism from several publications including IGN, who called it one of the worst Virtual Console games. The game was the worst-selling game in the NES' launch library in the US.

Development and release

Donkey Kong Jr. Math was developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It was first released in Japan on December 12, 1983. It was released as a launch title for the NES in North America on October 18, 1985, and was also released in Europe on 1986.^[1] It is the only entry in the "Education Series" of NES games released in North America.^[2] The game has been released on other platforms, including the video game Animal Crossing, which featured several NES games.^[3] In 2007, it was released for the Wii's Virtual Console on March 27, April 20, and September 3 in Japan, PAL regions, and North America respectively.^[4]

Gameplay

The game features one and two player modes, both of which are single screen. In the first mode, the objective is to enter math answers in order to receive points. These questions include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

In the two player mode, two players control two characters as they race to create a math formula to reach the number shown by Donkey Kong, incorporating platform gameplay. The mechanics are similar to Donkey Kong Junior; players climb vines to reach higher areas in order to collect numbers scattered around the area.^[5] In order to complete mathematics problems, players must collect at least three things: the first number, the symbol necessary to reach the number shown by Donkey Kong, and the second number. When the game features a high number, such as 66, players must collect multiple numbers and mathematics symbols in order to reach this. For example, players could choose a nine, a multiplication symbol, and a seven, followed by an addition symbol and a three to reach the number 66. The two player game have two different levels, Calculate A and Calculate B. Calculate B is more challanging, not only the goal is a negative number, but giving players the set number.

Reception

Gameplay of the two-player mode. This game's graphics and gameplay are similar to Donkey Kong Jr.'s.

Since its release for the NES, Donkey Kong Jr. Math has been received negatively. It was the worst-selling launch title for the NES.^[6] Nintendo spokesman Tom Sarris said that it "wasn't a big hit", adding that no one was very enthusiastic about the title. He felt that if it was more well-received, it would have led to more educational titles.^[7] Author Andy Slaven criticized the premise, deriding Nintendo for combining a well-liked license with math, which is generally disliked by children.^[8] Inside Higher Ed's David Epstein did not find it to be a fun game,^[6] while 1UP.com's Bob Mackey called it the worst NES launch title, criticizing it for its lack of value. He commented that Donkey Kong Jr. moves as well as an infant would in real life.^[9] Allgame's Skyler Miller, however, called it a creative use of Donkey Kong Jr.'s graphics and gameplay.^[5]

Donkey Kong Jr. Math had a poor reception from IGN. IGN's Lucas M. Thomas found its controls poor and its execution to be bland and flawed.^[2] IGN AU's Cam Shea said it was "too expensive if it was free".^[10] He also included it on his list of the worst Virtual Console games, finding it difficult to imagine any reason why anyone would want to buy it.^[11] GameSpot's Frank Provo found that it became boring quickly; he also criticized the mathematics problems, stating that they would either be too easy for young children or too boring for older ones.^[12] Eurogamer's Dan Whitehead commented that it gave him an "ironic smile" as a reminder of the NES era, though he could not justify paying five dollars for it.^[13]

Donkey Kong Jr. Math has received criticism for its qualities as an educational game. Elizabeth Sweedyk, associate computer science professor at Harvey Mudd College, called Donkey Kong Jr. Math a realistic educational video game, criticizing such games as "not fun."^[6] 1UP.com's Kevin Gifford called it a game that children would never want to play.^[14] Fellow 1UP.com writer Jeremy Parish commented that the game shouldn't be judged on being an educational game, citing quality educational titles as The Oregon Trail and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?. However, he noted that it should be judged for being a boring game.^[15] Ars Technica's Frank Caron compared it to other educational games, calling it "no Brain Age" and preferring to play Math Blaster instead.^[16] Educational video game developer Traci Lawson wondered whether the word game Bookworm would have been as well-received by players when they were children; she felt that they would be intimidated by it, comparing this to how she felt when she played Donkey Kong Jr. Math.^[17]

References

1. ^ "Donkey Kong Jr. Math Release Information for NES". GameFAQs. http://www.gamefaqs.com/nes/587235-donkey-kong-jr-math/data. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Lucas M. Thomas (2007-09-06). "Donkey Kong Jr. Math Review - Wii Review at IGN". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/articles/818/818013p1.html. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
3. ^ "Donkey Kong Jr. Math (GameCube Download) - Game Boy Advance - GameSpy". GameSpy. http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/donkey-kong-jr-math-n-port/. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
4. ^ "Donkey Kong Jr. Math Release Information for Wii". GameFAQs. http://www.gamefaqs.com/wii/938470-donkey-kong-jr-math/data. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Alan, Brett (2010-10-03). "Donkey Kong Jr. Math - Overview". Allgame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22152. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
6. ^ ^{a b c} David Epstein (2005-10-26). "News: Joystick Nation - Inside Higher Ed". Inside Higher Ed. http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2005/10/26/games?no_mobile_redirect=true. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
7. ^ Young Nintendo Fans Want Fun, Not Lessons. Los Angeles Times. 1990. p. 102. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5ekcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9lgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3557,1113164. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
8. ^ Slaven, Andy (2004). Video Game Bible, 1985-2002. Trafford Publishing. p. 102. http://books.google.com/books?id=PnPRd6QwvbQC. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
9. ^ Bob Mackey. "The Most Explosively Awful Console Launch Titles from 1UP.com". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3167419. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
10. ^ Shea, Cam (2007-04-23). "Virtual Console AU Buyer's Guide - Part 4 - Wii Feature at IGN". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/articles/782/782613p1.html. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
11. ^ Shea, Cam (2008-08-07). "The Worst Games on Virtual Console: Part 1 - Wii Feature at IGN". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/articles/897/897106p1.html. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
12. ^ Provo, Frank (2007-09-03). "Donkey Kong Jr. Math Review for Wii". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/wii/puzzle/donkeykongjrmath/review.html. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
13. ^ Dan Whitehead (2007-06-02). "Virtual Console Roundup Wii Review - Page 3". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vcroundup010607_wii?page=3. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
14. ^ "Wrecking Crew (Famicom Mini 14) Review for from 1UP.com". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3128754. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
15. ^ Jeremy Parish (2007-11-19). "Retro Roundup: 1st Anniversary Edition - Sonic, Zonk, Wrecking Crew: News from 1UP.com". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/news/retro-roundup-1119. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
16. ^ Caron, Frank (2007-09-03). "Virtual Console Monday (9-03-07): a labor day foursome". Ars Technica. http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2007/09/virtual-console-monday-9-03-07-a-labor-day-foursome.ars. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
17. ^ Daniel Johnson (2009-08-25). "News - Analysis: The Fun Of Language Development with Bookworm Adventures". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/24839/Analysis_The_Fun_Of_Language_Development_with_Bookworm_Adventures.php. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 

External links

• Donkey Kong Jr. Math at MobyGames