In the early 1980s, Nintendo found itself embroiled in a legal battle with Universal Studios over the creation of Donkey Kong, the iconic video game character. At the heart of the dispute was whether Donkey Kong was too similar to Universal’s King Kong.
Amidst this legal drama, documents have recently surfaced revealing Nintendo’s brainstorming session for naming their new character. Surprisingly, Nintendo considered a range of names before settling on “Donkey Kong,” including whimsical options like “Funny Kong,” “Bill Kong,” and even the eyebrow-raising “Kong Dong.”
The unearthed documents, shared by gaming historian Norman Caruso, shed light on Nintendo’s creative process and the humor that permeated their brainstorming sessions. These names, which could have dramatically altered gaming history, reflect Nintendo’s playful yet experimental approach in those early days. Fortunately, names like “Kong Dong” were quickly dismissed, preserving the legacy of the character we know today.
Amidst the naming chaos, a doodle by legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto surfaced from a 1981 meeting, possibly depicting an early concept for Donkey Kong. This doodle, initially interpreted as a bear, showcases Miyamoto’s early creative musings that eventually solidified into the ape we recognize today.
The legal dispute ultimately concluded with Nintendo emerging victorious, as the court determined that Donkey Kong and King Kong were distinct characters with different characteristics and storylines. Judge Sweet’s comparison emphasized the whimsical and non-threatening nature of Donkey Kong in contrast to King Kong’s more ferocious and tragic portrayal in cinema.
Examining these documents provides a window into the origins of one of gaming’s most enduring characters and the legal challenges Nintendo faced during Donkey Kong’s inception. Despite the humorously bizarre nature of some of the suggested names, Donkey Kong’s legacy remains strong.
Upcoming releases ensure that future generations will encounter this beloved character in modernized iterations, preserving its place in gaming history.