Donald Land
A 1988 McDonaldland platformer for the Family Computer.
Donald Land is a 1988 platform game for the Family Computer, developed by Data East with the McDonald's Corporation and based on the McDonaldland franchise. Unlike the often-compared M.C. Kids, this game is a straightforward platformer with no puzzle elements. The player controls Ronald McDonald (called Donald McDonald in Japan), who must restore peace to McDonaldland after his companions are kidnapped and animals turn feral. Brainwashed friends occasionally attack, and Ronald defends himself with apple bombs thrown in a precise arc. Taking damage reduces his "Life" meter. Players can collect up to 100 hamburger icons per level to earn a bonus life and reset the counter. Mini-games offer rewards from the McDonald's menu. Heart icons scattered through levels replenish Ronald's health, and he can survive five hits before dying. From the second stage, levels demand precise platform jumps over bottomless pits, which instantly cost a life. Items become harder to reach. An indestructible enemy resembling Little Red Riding Hood appears in the second level. Bosses include a giant mechanical dragon, a bone dragon, and a disembodied head.
Characters include Ronald, who on the demo and ending screens blows soap bubbles; Mayor McCheese, a cheeseburger-like mayor who wishes Ronald luck; Birdie the Early Bird, a breakfast-themed character rescued from a native tribe; Fry Guys, French fry box characters held by a skeletal snake; Grimace, locked in a cell by an evil red cyclops; Captain Crook, who stole Filet-O-Fish sandwiches and is cloned into an evil version while the real one is caged; Officer Big Mac, a Big Mac police chief saved from bomb-throwing ghosts; Hamburglar, a hamburger thief who is taken away upon arrival, replaced by an evil version; Professor, who thanks Ronald in the credits; Uncle O'Grimacey, Grimace's uncle, also in the credits; and Gumon, the final boss, a violent clown with scary shadows, original to the game.
- Release Year
- 1988
- Developer
- Data East
- Publisher
- Data East (in association with McDonald's Corporation)
- Platform
- Family Computer
- Genre
- Platform video game
- Based On
- McDonaldland franchise
Lore & Background
The game centers on Ronald McDonald (often known in Japan as Donald McDonald). Most of Ronald's companions have been kidnapped and all the animals have turned feral. His brainwashed companions will occasionally attack. Ronald can defend himself using apple bombs, thrown in a carefully calculated parabola. Being hit by an enemy causes damage, which decreases Ronald's 'Life' meter. During various parts of a stage, players have the opportunity to collect up to 100 hamburger icons throughout the game, resulting in gaining a bonus life. It is also possible to play a mini-game challenge to earn commodities that the player orders from McDonald's.
Reader's Guide
Donald Land is notable as a McDonald's-licensed video game released exclusively in Japan for the Family Computer. Unlike the puzzle-oriented M.C. Kids, Donald Land is a straightforward platformer. The game features a variety of characters from the McDonaldland franchise, including Mayor McCheese, Birdie the Early Bird, Fry Guys, Grimace, Captain Crook, Officer Big Mac, Hamburglar, Professor, and Uncle. It also introduces an original final boss named Gumon, a violent clown with scary shadows for his background, who does not appear in any other McDonald's merchandise. The game's bosses include a giant mechanical dragon, a bone dragon, and a disembodied head. The game's significance lies in its status as a rare crossover between a major fast-food brand and a Japanese video game developer, and its inclusion of original characters like Gumon.
Did You Know?
- The game's protagonist is Ronald McDonald, often known in Japan as Donald McDonald.
- The final boss, Gumon, is an original character that does not appear in any other McDonald's merchandise.
- Ronald can replenish his life bar by finding heart icons; the maximum number of hits he can withstand before dying is five.
- An enemy resembling Little Red Riding Hood appears in the second level and cannot be destroyed by the player's apple bombs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Donald Land?
Donald Land is a 1988 advertising video game built around the McDonaldland universe. It was produced by Data East in partnership with McDonald's Corporation and released exclusively for the Family Computer.
Who do you play as in Donald Land?
You take on the role of Ronald McDonald, who is referred to as Donald McDonald in the Japanese version. His job is to fight through levels, throw apple bombs at hostile enemies, and rescue his kidnapped McDonaldland friends.
How is Donald Land different from M.C. Kids?
While both are McDonaldland-themed Famicom titles, Donald Land is a pure side-scrolling platformer with no puzzle mechanics. M.C. Kids, by contrast, mixes platforming with brain-teaser challenges.
What is the story of Donald Land?
The McDonaldland characters have been kidnapped and the animals have gone feral, plunging the kingdom into chaos. Ronald must battle brainwashed former allies and restore order across the land.
What platform was Donald Land released on?
Donald Land was published exclusively for the Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom) in 1988. It has not been re-released on any other hardware.
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