It's on like Donkey Kong: A brief history (infographic)

The basic origin of the phrase "It's on like Donkey Kong" is clear enough: the 1981 video game, in which said large ape somewhat inexplicably terrorizes a construction site. What's less clear, though, is how that ape went from mindlessly slinging 8-bit barrels at Mario to an icon for getting...

By Jef Otte

July 26, 2011

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

The basic origin of the phrase "It's on like Donkey Kong" is clear enough: the 1981 video game, in which said large ape somewhat inexplicably terrorizes a construction site. What's less clear, though, is how that ape went from mindlessly slinging 8-bit barrels at Mario to an icon for getting it on everywhere, hero of a rallying cry and symbol of interpersonal challenges that inevitably end with one man victorious and the other taken down to China Town. We don't have nearly enough to do with our time, so we set about the task of figuring it out -- and the answer, it seems, involves a surprising amount of Ice Cube.

Follow us on Twitter!

Like us on Facebook!

Jef Otte

A message from Culture Editor Kristen Fiore: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s vibrant culture and arts scenes.

Support Today