Play Donkey Kong Online

Ah, Donkey Kong – the game that basically invented platforming back in '81. You play as Mario (though they called him Jumpman back then), scrambling up ladders and dodging barrels to rescue Pauline from that giant ape. The first time you see Donkey Kong hurl a barrel down those girders, it's pure panic.

The levels feel like a weird construction site nightmare – elevators that try to crush you, fireballs that come alive, and those bouncing spring things that always seem to catch you off guard. Grabbing the hammer power-up makes you feel unstoppable for about 10 seconds... until it disappears and you're back to running for your life.

Fun fact: most home console versions back then cut out entire levels (poor cement factory never stood a chance). But even with just a few stages, watching that little pixelated cutscene of DK falling always felt satisfying... right before everything gets harder and the madness starts over.