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Before diving into the implications of beating the kill screen, it's crucial to understand the fundamental gameplay mechanics of Donkey Kong. Entirely different versions of the game exist, but the standard competitive version, known as "US Set 1," features various levels that escalate in difficulty. Players, guiding Jumpman (who would become Mario), navigate through barrels, springs, and rivets to rescue Pauline from the clutches of Donkey Kong.
The gameplay consists of multiple distinct levels, but by the time players reach level 5, they encounter a limit. After numerous screens filled with obstacles and barrels, they inevitably arrive at the kill screen on level 22. On this screen, Jumpman dies almost instantaneously — an event that puzzled and frustrated gamers for decades.