Donkey Kong Junior 6-8-88

 

This is a late WIP of Donkey Kong Junior that was found on a hard drive.  While the graphics are almost exactly the same, the gameplay and music are still being worked on.  The music is much slower and, if it can be believed, far worse than the final version.  The movement of all the objects in this version is also very choppy making some levels (such as the springboard) much more difficult than they should be.  There's also a strange white object on the first level which is also seen in other prototypes being developed by ITDC which doesn't appear to do anything if touched.  This might be some sort of trademark from the developer.


Differences
The music on the title screen is different much Much slower.  The tune appears to be roughly the same though.
The demo only shows the first screen but lasts a few seconds longer.  The demos for the second and third screen are missing.  The demo is also slightly different.
The title screen option selections are laid out differently.  Instead of selecting the difficulty and number of players by highlighting it with the cursor there are four options that are selected by moving the icon next to it.  These options are laid out similarly to the NES version with choices for One/Two Players and Game A/B.  Game A seems to be similar to Standard difficulty while B seems to be either Advanced or Expert difficulty.
The font for the HUD is different.  The letters are larger as well
There is an odd object to the right of the vines on the first screen. This object also appears in prototypes for other games that ITDC developed such as Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong.  If touched it makes a brief sound and then disappears.  This might be some sort of developer trademark.
The graphics have some glitches
During the demo the number of men shown in reserve is 0 instead of 1
The title screen logo is completely different and is made out of girders similar to Donkey Kongs logo.  The Jr. part of the logo is also different with the J being flat on the bottom and the R being much skinnier.  The period is also overlaid on the end of the R in a different manner.
The copyrights on the title screen are different
All the music during the game is different and slower.  Generally more rough and unrefined sounding.
The movement for the graphics isn't as smooth and is a bit choppier.  This makes precision jumping more difficult.
Junior jumps slower
Most sound effects are different
The white dots on the ends of the vines on the springboard and chain screens are missing
The vine at the top of the springboard stage is invisible but is still actually there and can be climbed
Donkey Kong and Junior are a slightly lighter shade of brown
You can gab the moving ropes on the springboard screen even when they're not extended
The electrical switch on the hideout screen is yellow and red instead of red and blue
The collision detection seems a bit off and Junior can sometimes pass through enemies without being hit
Junior is situated a little more to the right when catching Donkey Kong after completing the chain screen

 


Very different title screen

 

What IS that white thing?

 

You can still grab the invisible vine

 

Yellow and red switch

 

Junior is just a bit more to the right

Final version for comparison

 

Return to Donkey Kong Junior