Who Came First: Donkey Kong or Bowser?
As a life-long Mario fan and self-proclaimed gaming historians, I‘m here to definitively settle the debate – Donkey Kong first appeared in 1981, paving the way 4 years ahead of Bowser‘s eventual debut.
Donkey Kong Revolutionizes Villain Archetypes
When Nintendo‘s Shigeru Miyamoto created the original Donkey Kong arcade game in 1981, no one could predict the cultural phenomenon it would ignite. The game was a massive hit, selling over 60,000 cabinets in its first year according to VGChartz. Fans loved the unique gameplay which involved jumping over barrels and flames to rescue Pauline from DK‘s cement lair across 4 different challenging levels.
Central to its appeal was the imposing gorilla with a tie donning the game‘s title – bringing a distinct personality and memorable moveset featuring thrown barrels and deadly handstands leaping across girders. Donkey Kong soon emerged as the first prominent villain in Nintendo‘s history – his battles with the protagonist "Jumpman" later christened Mario creating a compelling hero vs rogue dynamic that formed the blueprint for villains to come.
According to reviews in Retro Gamer, DK was praised for playful brand of antagonism – bringing humor and even sympathy for his motive of protecting Pauline to his exchanges with Mario. Game Informer notes his role as original Mario foil helped expand public perception of gaming rivals beyond conventional "big brute" archetypes into more dynamic, emotionally resonant relationships driving gameplay narratives forward.
Legacy & Cultural Impact
Beyond critical reception, Donkey Kong‘s early popularity spawned an entire franchise bearing his namesake spanning genres from platformers to racers to rhythm games. By 2021, the Donkey Kong series has sold over 65 million units according to Nintendo‘s official figures.
He also guest starred in numerous Mario spin-offs cementing his standing alongside Mario, Luigi and friends in the expanded Nintendo universe. TV shows, apparel collaborations and even Universal Studios attractions further showcased his status as an iconic face of Nintendo, on par with parent company mascots Mario and Pikachu.
While no longer Mario‘s chief villain, his role pioneered the concept of an arch-enemy – establishing a formula later built upon by Bowser emerging as the Mushroom Kingdom‘s biggest threat.
Bowser Usurps the Villain Throne
In 1985‘s Nintendo Entertainment System launch title Super Mario Bros, Bowser made his debut and would go on to define the role of central Mario antagonist for decades to come. His visual design towered over Mario as a spike-shelled reptile, setting up an imposing presence further accentuated in gameplay portrayals and boss battles.
While initial NES-era appearances stuck to simply dispatching Bowser with an ax chop to the bridge, later franchise entries built upon his movesets adding flame breath, ramming charges and black magic summons into the mix. In tandem, his motives evolved from random conquests to more specific goals like repeatedly kidnapping Princess Peach – deepening his ties to Mario via the damselling hostage dynamic.
Why Bowser Beat Out DK as Chief Villain
According to long-time Mario producer Shigero Miyamoto, Bowser was designed to be a fitting counterpoint to Mario‘s strengths – his fire and shell attacks opening up gameplay opportunities to generate challenge.
IGN notes Bowser‘s expanded role also arose from necessity – Super Mario Bros unprecedented side-scrolling world demanded bosses, giving Mario‘s enemy roster room for promotion. This allowed Bowser to rise up as the natural #1 bad guy ahead of less developed foes like Koopa Troopas.
Sales figures cement Bowsers takeover too – Super Mario Bros sold over 40 million copies according to official Nintendo records, greatly expanding Mario‘s popularity. This dwarfed arcade-only revenues of the Donkey Kong title, allowing the NES game to define Mario canon for wider audiences with Bowser at the helm. Subsequent Mario games likely owed much success to Bowser‘s prominence as a recurring villain fans loved to hate.
| Character | First Appearance | Est. Console Unit Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong | 1981 | 60,000 (cabinets) |
| Bowser | 1985 | >40,000,000 |
Villainous Legacies Today
In present times, Bowser dominates as Mario‘s eternal enemy – his prominence as lead villain unquestioned across 3D, 2D and multiplayer Mario entries over 30 years and counting. Fan polls like Nintendo Life‘s best boss battles pit Bowser against his own Koopa spawn, with 97% of votes declaring him Mario ultimate foe.
But respect is still due to franchise pioneer Donkey Kong for establishing the initial rival template that enabled Bowser‘s rise. DK characters like the Kremlings continue carrying his mantle in spin-offs, and he stays memorialized via the original Donkey Kong ported over to Nintendo Switch Online and cameo references in titles like Super Smash Bros and Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle.
So while Bowser spearheads Mario opposition now, the first blows traded versus DK deserve honor for setting the table for all Mario villainy going forward. Their combined legacies showcase how sometimes it takes multiple gaming rogues to fully create an enduring icon hero in the platformer powerhouse known as Mario!
