Donkey Kong

33 Games like Donkey Kong that you should try

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Donkey Kong is hard to replace: few games combine precision platforming and single-player focus in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 3 gameplay attributes and found 33 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Pinkman, Castlevania: Dracula X and Mega Man X lead the list, with Pinkman reaching a 92/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Donkey Kong special.

iRank72/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Tags

Solo

Year 1981Dev Nintendo

Quick answer

The closest game to Donkey Kong is Pinkman — scoring 92/100 on our similarity scale. Castlevania: Dracula X and Mega Man X follow close behind.

#1Pinkman92 #2Castlevania: Dracula X92 #3Mega Man X92 #4Earthworm Jim92 #5Super Mario Run92

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Games like Donkey Kong

33 similar games found

92

iRank98

Pinkman

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DMeleeCasual

Steam👍 98%· 696

Year 2017Dev Viridino StudiosPlaytime ~3hOn PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, vibe casual and melee combat

#2Castlevania: Dracula X

92

iRank90

Castlevania: Dracula X

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DDarkHorror

IGDB90· 1

Year 1995Dev Konami · St. GIGA

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting

92

iRank85

Mega Man X

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DSci-Fi

IGDB85· 1

Year 1993Dev CapcomOn iOS

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Its own twist: shooter, adventure storytelling and setting scifi

#4Earthworm Jim

92

iRank76

Earthworm Jim

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DSci-Fi

IGDB76· 2

Year 1994Dev Shiny Entertainment · Tec Toy

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Its own twist: shooter and setting scifi

#5Super Mario Run

92

iRank70

Super Mario Run

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2D

IGDB70· 9

Year 2016Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Android · iOS

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling

#6Jetpack Joyride

92

iRank67

Jetpack Joyride

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DSci-Fi

IGDB67· 2

Year 2011Dev Halfbrick Studios · BeatshapersOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Where it differs: brings setting scifi

#7Kirby's Adventure

92

iRank60

Kirby's Adventure

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DMeleeFantasy

IGDB60· 1

Year 1993Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Stands apart with melee combat and fantasy world

#8Metroid II: Return of Samus

92

iRank60

Metroid II: Return of Samus

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DSci-Fi

IGDB60· 1

Year 1991Dev Nintendo R&D1 · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Stands apart with shooter, adventure storytelling and setting scifi

#9Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia

92

iRank58

Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DMeleeStealthHistorical

Steam👍 59%· 1.3KIGDB56· 10OC59· 33

Year 2016Dev Climax Studios · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, melee combat and stealth mechanics

#10A.R.E.S.: Extinction Agenda

92

iRank56

A.R.E.S.: Extinction Agenda

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DMeleeRangedSci-Fi

Steam👍 69%· 911RAWG👍 26%· 42MC68

Year 2011Dev Extend StudioPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Stands apart with melee combat, ranged combat and setting scifi

#11Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

92

iRank55

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DFantasy

IGDB55· 1

Year 1990Dev Sega Enterprises, Ltd. · Tec Toy

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Where it differs: brings fantasy world

#12Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

92

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2D

Year 1994Dev Nintendo R&D1 · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d.

#13Out of This World

92

Out of This World

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DSci-Fi

Year 1991Dev Delphine Software · U.S. Gold

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling and setting scifi

92

Kid Icarus

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DRangedFantasy

Year 1986Dev Nintendo R&D1 · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, adventure storytelling and ranged combat

92

Mega Man X3

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DSci-FiCyberpunk

Year 1995Dev Capcom

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Stands apart with shooter, adventure storytelling and setting scifi

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Donkey Kong?: The closest game to Donkey Kong is Pinkman, scoring 92/100 on our similarity scale. They share 3 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Donkey Kong?: The three closest games to Donkey Kong are: 1. Pinkman (92/100, 3 shared attributes) 2. Castlevania: Dracula X (92/100, 3 shared attributes) 3. Mega Man X (92/100, 3 shared attributes). All share Donkey Kong's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 33 candidates across 3 dimensions.
Is Castlevania: Dracula X similar to Donkey Kong?: Yes, very much so — Castlevania: Dracula X scores 92/100 similarity to Donkey Kong. They share 3 attributes, including precision platforming and single-player focus. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Platformer games are similar to Donkey Kong?: The best Platformer games similar to Donkey Kong are Pinkman, Castlevania: Dracula X, Mega Man X and Earthworm Jim. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Donkey Kong attributes like precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d.
How is similarity to Donkey Kong calculated?: We compare Donkey Kong against every game in our catalog using 3 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Donkey Kong experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.