Quick Answer
Donkey Kong was almost a Popeye game! Nintendo couldn't secure the rights to Popeye, so famously, they invented entirely new characters instead. This led to the birth of Mario and Donkey Kong. It's rather amazing to think that without this licensing hiccup, two of gaming's most beloved characters might never have existed.
In a hurry? TL;DR
- 1Donkey Kong was originally intended as a Popeye the Sailor Man game.
- 2Nintendo failed to secure Popeye character rights, forcing original character creation.
- 3Shigeru Miyamoto adapted the Popeye game mechanics for new characters.
- 4Jumpman (later Mario) replaced Popeye, Pauline replaced Olive Oyl, and Donkey Kong replaced Bluto.
- 5This pivot led to the creation of Mario, one of gaming's most successful franchises.
- 6Donkey Kong's design pioneered narrative cutscenes in video games.
Why It Matters
It's fascinating that the iconic Donkey Kong character, and by extension Mario, came into existence purely because Nintendo couldn't get the rights to use Popeye.
Donkey Kong, the 1981 arcade sensation that propelled Nintendo to global dominance, was originally designed as a licensed Popeye the Sailor Man game. After Nintendo failed to secure the rights to the characters from King Features Syndicate, creator Shigeru Miyamoto was forced to invent a brand new cast.
The Quick Answer
The world’s most famous gorilla only exists because of a failed licensing deal. Shigeru Miyamoto originally mapped out the game’s mechanics for Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Bluto, later swapping them for Jumpman (Mario), Pauline, and Donkey Kong when the deal collapsed.
- Year Released: 1981
- Original Lead: Popeye
- Replacement: Jumpman (later Mario)
- Original Villain: Bluto
- Replacement: Donkey Kong
- Original Damsel: Olive Oyl
- Replacement: Pauline
Why It Matters
This pivot represents one of the most significant sliding doors moments in entertainment history. Had Nintendo secured the Popeye licence, the world might never have met Mario, the best-selling video game franchise of all time.
The Invention of the Modern Platformer
In the early 1980s, Nintendo of America was struggling with a surplus of unsold Radar Scope arcade cabinets. To save the company, Miyamoto was tasked with creating a conversion kit. He wanted to use Popeye, a character with massive international appeal, to ensure the game’s success.
The triangle of characters was already mapped out. Popeye was the hero, Olive Oyl was the captive, and the hulking Bluto was the antagonist throwing obstacles. When the legal team reported that the rights were unavailable, Miyamoto was stuck with a completed gameplay loop but no faces to put on it.
From Spinach to Barrels
Miyamoto shifted the archetype but kept the geometry. Bluto became a large, slightly goofy gorilla inspired by King Kong and Beauty and the Beast. Popeye became a carpenter in overalls named Jumpman, and Olive Oyl became Pauline.
The change allowed Miyamoto to do something radical for the era: tell a story. Unlike Space Invaders or Pac-Man, Donkey Kong featured cutscenes. According to research by gaming historian Chris Kohler in Power-Up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life, this was the first time a video game used a narrative arc to drive the action, a direct carryover from the storyboard-heavy Popeye concept.
Supporting Evidence and Industry Impact
The impact of this pivot changed the industry’s financial model. In contrast to other developers who spent millions on existing IPs, Nintendo proved that original characters could be more profitable than licensed ones.
According to records from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, the game was so successful that it eventually sparked a massive legal battle with Universal City Studios. Universal sued Nintendo, claiming Donkey Kong infringed on the King Kong trademark. Nintendo won the case when their lawyer, John Kirby, proved that Universal had previously argued King Kong was in the public domain. As a reward, Nintendo later named the character Kirby after him.
Real-World Implications
The Popeye failure established the Nintendo blueprint: gameplay first, character second. This philosophy persists today in titles like Splatoon or Pikmin, where mechanics are polished to perfection before the aesthetic is even considered.
Ironically, after Donkey Kong became a global phenomenon, the owners of Popeye noticed the success and finally granted Nintendo the license. Nintendo released a Popeye arcade game in 1982, but it never matched the cultural footprint of the ape that replaced him.
Was Mario always a plumber?
No, in his debut in Donkey Kong, he was a carpenter. He was changed to a plumber for the 1983 game Mario Bros. because much of the action took place underground in sewers.
Why was Donkey Kong the villain?
Miyamoto didn't want him to be truly evil. He viewed the gorilla as a pet that escaped and was acting out because of a misunderstanding, much like the original Bluto character was often portrayed as a rival rather than a monster.
Did Nintendo ever make a Popeye game?
Yes, Nintendo released a dedicated Popeye arcade game in 1982 using the official license, but by then, Mario had already become their primary focus.
Key Takeaways
- Donkey Kong was born from a rejected licensing deal for Popeye.
- Mario, the world’s most famous mascot, was a secondary replacement for a cartoon sailor.
- The game pioneered video game storytelling by using a three-act structure.
- The legal victory over Universal regarding the name ensured Nintendo's independence.
- Miyamoto’s pivot led to the creation of an IP worth billions more than the one he originally wanted.
Nintendo transitioned from a company trying to borrow fame to a company that manufactured it. The spinach-eating sailor stayed in the comics, while a carpenter and a stubborn ape built an empire.
