![Donkey Kong [Player's Choice]](/covers/game-boy/98829.webp)
Donkey Kong [Player's Choice]
Game Boy · 1994
About this game
Released in the arcades in 1981, Donkey Kong was not only Nintendo's first real smash hit for the company but marked the introduction of two of their most popular mascots: Mario (originally "Jumpman") and Donkey Kong.
Donkey Kong is a platform-action game that has Mario scale four different industrial-themed levels (construction zone, cement factory, an elevator-themed level, and removing rivets from girders) in an attempt to save the damsel in distress, Pauline, from the big ape before the timer runs out.
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Once the rivets are removed from the final level, Donkey Kong falls, and the two lovers are reunited.
From there, the levels start over at a higher difficulty.
Along the way, Mario must dodge a constant stream of barrels, "living" fireballs, and spring-weights.
Although not as powerful as in other future games, Mario can find a hammer which allows him to destroy the barrels and fireballs for a limited amount of time.
Additionally, Mario can also find Pauline's hat, purse, and umbrella for additional bonus points.
Donkey Kong is also notable for being one of the first complete narratives in video game form, told through simplistic cut scenes that advance the story.
It should also be noted that in many conversions of the original coin-op game for early 1980's consoles and computer systems, Donkey Kong only used two or three of the original levels, with the cement factory most often omitted.
About Game Boy
The original Game Boy (1989) proved that handheld gaming didn't need cutting-edge graphics to succeed — its monochrome screen and legendary battery life, combined with Tetris as a pack-in, made it a cultural phenomenon. Game Boy cartridges are famously durable, so this remains one of the more accessible retro platforms to collect, though translucent color variants and complete-in-box copies with the original brick-sized manual add real value for condition-focused collectors.
Gamevaro tracks Donkey Kong [Player's Choice] for Game Boy with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Donkey Kong [Player's Choice] to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This GB release dates back to 1994.
Market values by condition
PAL
NTSC-U
NTSC-J
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-13 | Sealed / New | NTSC-U | €173.77 |
| 2026-08-13 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €15.50 |
| 2026-08-13 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €243.99 |
| 2026-08-13 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-J | €36.82 |
| 2026-08-13 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-U | €18.67 |
| 2026-08-13 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €30.29 |
| 2026-08-13 | Loose / Item only | PAL | €38.74 |
| 2026-08-13 | Item + Box | NTSC-U | €48.96 |
| 2026-08-13 | Boxed (CIB) | NTSC-U | €61.98 |
| 2026-08-12 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €30.30 |
| 2026-08-12 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €244.10 |
| 2026-08-12 | Boxed (CIB) | NTSC-U | €62.01 |
| 2026-08-12 | Sealed / New | NTSC-U | €173.85 |
| 2026-08-12 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €15.50 |
| 2026-08-12 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-U | €18.67 |
| 2026-08-10 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €15.51 |
| 2026-08-10 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €30.32 |
| 2026-08-10 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-U | €18.68 |
| 2026-08-10 | Boxed (CIB) | NTSC-U | €62.04 |
| 2026-08-10 | Sealed / New | NTSC-U | €173.92 |
| 2026-08-10 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €244.20 |
| 2026-08-09 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-U | €18.68 |
| 2026-08-09 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €30.32 |
| 2026-08-09 | Sealed / New | NTSC-U | €173.92 |
| 2026-08-09 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €244.20 |
| 2026-08-09 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €15.51 |
| 2026-08-09 | Boxed (CIB) | NTSC-U | €62.04 |
| 2026-08-08 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €244.20 |
| 2026-08-08 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €15.51 |
| 2026-08-08 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €30.32 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Only a handful of market sales have been tracked for Donkey Kong [Player's Choice], suggesting it doesn't trade hands very often — a sign of relative scarcity compared to more common Game Boy titles.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Donkey Kong [Player's Choice] worth?
Donkey Kong [Player's Choice] for Game Boy is currently worth €38.74 loose. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Donkey Kong [Player's Choice] rare?
Donkey Kong [Player's Choice] has only a handful of tracked market sales, suggesting relative scarcity compared to more common Game Boy titles.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Donkey Kong [Player's Choice]?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. These are tracked as separate market values because the price gap between them can be significant, especially for older releases.
Is Donkey Kong [Player's Choice] worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of Donkey Kong [Player's Choice] is currently worth €38.74 loose, versus €18.67 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
Also on other platforms
![Donkey Kong [5 Screw]](/covers/nes/89045.webp)
![Donkey Kong [Silver Box]](/covers/nes/162308.webp)
![Donkey Kong [Arcade Classics Series]](/covers/nes/177290.webp)
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