Play Donkey Kong Reverse Online

Game Overview

Donkey Kong Reverse takes the original arcade classic and flips it on its head—literally. Instead of climbing up to rescue Pauline, you start at the top and work your way down, which sounds simple until you realize how much muscle memory you’ve built for the normal version. Those barrels? They roll upward now. Ladders feel weirdly unfamiliar when you’re descending them under pressure.

It’s the same Donkey Kong you remember, just backwards, and somehow that tiny change makes everything feel new again. The first time I played, I kept instinctively jumping the wrong way or misjudging gaps because my brain refused to adjust. After a few levels, though, it clicks—and suddenly you’re seeing the old stages in a completely different light. Perfect for when you’ve mastered the original and need a fresh challenge.

Fair warning: Your high score bragging rights might take a hit at first.