Review · Puzzle · Game Boy · Nintendo Switch · Nintendo 3DS
Donkey Kong
Reviewed: 16 May 2026
Game Boy · Nintendo Switch · Nintendo 3DS · Wii U · Wii · Atari 2600 · Game Boy Advance · Atari 8-bit · Atari 7800 · Apple II · NES · Atari XEGS · Commodore / Amiga
Nintendo · 1981
Ludograph rating
Growth (BDS)
51
Risk (RIS)
3
Daily limit
120min
Age guidance
7+
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.70 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.03 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.75 | |
Donkey Kong is a classic arcade platformer that significantly develops cognitive skills such as problem-solving, spatial awareness, strategic thinking, critical thinking, memory, and adaptive challenge. Its core gameplay requires players to quickly assess situations, plan movements, and react to dynamic obstacles. It also hones hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and reaction time.
Design risks
| R1 | Compulsion-loop pressure | 0.00 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.00 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.11 | |
The game presents minimal risks. While competitive high-score chasing might lead to some social comparison, the game lacks modern manipulative design mechanics, monetization pressures, or significant content risks. Its simple, direct gameplay avoids features that could lead to excessive engagement or spending.
Content (not in risk score)
| R4.1 | Violence Level | 0.33 | |
| R4.2 | Sexual Content | 0.00 | |
| R4.3 | Language | 0.00 | |
| R4.4 | Substance References | 0.00 | |
| R4.5 | Fear / Horror | 0.00 | |
Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.
Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria
- DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
- GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
- ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.
These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.