As an NES game released early in it's life, and an arcade game to the icon Donkey Kong game, Donkey Kong Jr. cements itself as one of the first sequels in video games. While I would attest to the idea that sequels in video games are usually better than the original, you wouldn't know that playing this game.

Donkey Kong Jr. sets itself up as a inversion of the previous game, with Donkey Kong being held captive instead, and it's up to his son to save him. The game is a traditional get from A to B platformer that has you go thru 4 different levels then cycles you back. In every way Donkey Kong Jr. hits the same beats as the first one, but it just doesn't impress.

From the way each level is designed to only having one proper way to go up, to just how bland the levels actually are, it just feels like Donkey Kong Jr. is just riding the coat tails of it's predecessor. The first two levels look nearly the same at a glance, and the 3rd level is just devoid of anything interesting. With the only really interesting level being the final one which you do save your dad. The sounds are far more irritating as climbing vines not only takes longer, but is far more constant compared to Mario's walking in the previous game. Vine climbing itself also has a fair share of problems with the way the mechanics seem simple, but are more difficult to control once you use them more. This all kinda leans into the game just not feeling as good as it's predecessor's easier control scheme and level design.

I honestly was shocked just how much I didn't like this game the more I played it. Each loop just made me think that it was done better in the previous game. Donkey Kong Jr. certainly gets some points for at least trying something different, but that same reason is why the game doesn't feel nearly as good as the original.

I prefer the movement in this game to the original Donkey Kong, it's just a lot faster, and I think the way they expanded upon the climbing mechanics from the first was greatly appreciated. The 2nd level and 4th are probably the most intriguing in that respect, and I especially like the twist on DK's last level in this game. Sort of ironic, but I feel due to the fact it's much smoother to control, you kind of lose some of the charm and tension of the original because of that fact, and in general I just find it way easier than it's predecessor in both handling and level design.. but that's not exactly a bad thing.
It still has some of the weirdness of the first but you kind of just get used to it after dying like twice.