Donkey Kong is an iconic video game franchise created by Nintendo, first introduced in 1981 with the classic arcade game where the titular character Donkey Kong faced off against Mario, who was then known as Jumpman. The brand's strengths lie in its rich history and the creation of memorable characters that have become staples in the gaming community. Over the years, Donkey Kong has expanded into a series of games, including the popular "Donkey Kong Country" series, which has further solidified its reputation for challenging gameplay, distinctive graphics, and catchy soundtracks. The level of global brand awareness for Donkey Kong is exceptionally high; it is recognized across generations of gamers and is considered a cornerstone of the platforming genre, contributing significantly to the cultural footprint of Nintendo on a global scale.