Key Takeaways
- The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, is installing the world's largest Donkey Kong arcade game as part of its 90,000 square-foot expansion.
- The giant Donkey Kong arcade game stands at an impressive 20 feet tall, making it approximately 370% larger than the original version.
- The Strong National Museum of Play is the world's only collections-based museum dedicated to the history and exploration of play, and it is also home to the World Video Game Hall of Fame.
- Donkey Kong is a significant milestone in the history of video games and continues to capture the attention of audiences worldwide, with a recent appearance in the successful Super Mario Bros. Movie.
- The upcoming installation at the Strong National Museum of Play provides a unique opportunity for a new generation of gamers to experience a piece of gaming history.
The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, has revealed plans to install the world’s largest Donkey Kong arcade game as part of its 90,000 square-foot expansion.
The museum has collaborated with Nintendo of America to develop this unique installation, which is set to open to the public on June 30, 2023.
Jon-Paul Dyson, the museum’s Vice President for Exhibits, referred to Donkey Kong as a “true titan in the video game world,” making it the perfect addition to this ambitious project.
The expansion will be dedicated to the history of video games and will provide a larger space for the World Video Game Hall of Fame, which has featured Donkey Kong since 2017.
Towering Arcade Game Details
The giant Donkey Kong arcade game stands at an impressive 20 feet (around 6 meters) tall, making it approximately 370% larger than the original version.
Constructed from an aluminum frame and medium-density fiberboard (MDF), the machine maintains an authentic gaming experience by utilizing a motherboard from an original Donkey Kong cabinet.
Players will stand at a pedestal beneath the towering screen and use a standard-sized control panel that replicates the original joystick and buttons.
This attention to detail ensures that gamers will have an experience as close to the original as possible.
The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, has revealed plans to install the world’s largest Donkey Kong arcade game as part of its 90,000 square-foot expansion.
About the Strong National Museum of Play
Established in 1982, the Strong National Museum of Play is the world’s only collections-based museum dedicated to the history and exploration of play.
Apart from the World Video Game Hall of Fame, the museum is also home to the National Toy Hall of Fame, immersive comic book and television show exhibitions, and a carousel ride.
The World Video Game Hall of Fame will announce this year’s inductee on May 4.
Finalists for the honor include popular titles such as Age of Empires, Angry Birds, Barbie Fashion Designer, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Computer Space, FIFA International Soccer, GoldenEye 007, The Last of Us, NBA 2K, Quake, Wii Sports, and Wizardry.
Donkey Kong’s Continued Popularity
The character Donkey Kong continues to capture the attention of audiences worldwide, with a recent appearance in the successful Super Mario Bros. Movie, voiced by Seth Rogen.
Given the film’s strong box office performance, there is speculation that a Donkey Kong spin-off movie could be in the works.
Donkey Kong: A Look Back
The Donkey Kong arcade game, first released in 1981, was a significant milestone in the history of video games.
Created by Shigeru Miyamoto, it marked the debut of two iconic characters: Donkey Kong, the giant ape, and Mario, the Italian plumber.
The game’s unique platforming and storytelling elements set the stage for a new era in gaming, leading to numerous sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations.
With the upcoming installation at the Strong National Museum of Play, a new generation of gamers will have the opportunity to experience a piece of gaming history.
