Question on Donkey Kong game play:

drummindog

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I purchased a refurbished DK machine and I wanted to check in with anyone who might know about the game. My game seems to not always count jumps over barrels. Sometimes it seems to be timing related and also position related. If I am over top of a ladder, it may or may not count a successful jump even if the barrel was not going down the ladder I am over top of. Is this normal? Do I possibly have a programming issue with the PCB?
 
Thanks, I'll ask my contact if he has another to test with and see if he is willing to help. By the way, I was just playing on it to see if I could find a pattern and of course, there seems to be no rhyme or reason, but it just doesn't always score me for a jump here or there over a barrel.
 
I am pretty sure that is part of the normal play of Donkey Kong. It has to do with how an obstacle is calculated as "underneath" you. Supposedly, that is what makes the point pressing on the rivet level work where you jump and then push towards Kong. I read about this on a Donkey Kong website but can't seem to find it now.
 
Thanks, I'll ask my contact if he has another to test with and see if he is willing to help. By the way, I was just playing on it to see if I could find a pattern and of course, there seems to be no rhyme or reason, but it just doesn't always score me for a jump here or there over a barrel.

From what I've seen, it should be a guaranteed point score if you are jumping and have the joystick moved in any direction.

Example - Point Pressing on the Rivet level (next to DK)
 
From what I've seen, it should be a guaranteed point score if you are jumping and have the joystick moved in any direction.

Example - Point Pressing on the Rivet level (next to DK)


It does the same thing in MAME, it's just a problem with the game program. I don't know what causes it, but I think it has something to do with where you jump (timing wise)... but I haven't really looked into it much. Any points I lose from the barrelys and fire not counting, I make up by point pressing... so I guess the bugs works both ways.
 
jumping while pushing a directional increases the number of pixels you receive points for. many times if you jump without moving you wont get any score.

More Reasons why you're not getting your points!!!!
Deep in the code lies a routine that determines what objects you've jumped over so that the game can award you points. This check for objects is done when Jumpman reaches the peak of his jump. At that point the code spans a set area to see what objects are under you. Normally the span will check 5 pixels to the left and 5 pixels to the right to check for objects. But, if you're hold the joystick LEFT or RIGHT when this check is being done, you can increase the span to 19 pixels to LEFT and 19 pixels to the RIGHT. Try it!
 
Thank you all for your overwhelming response to this question. It is good to know you guys are out there and are as passionate about these games as I am.

It sounds like this is a well known glitch. I believe that when it happens I am indeed just sitting still with no hand on the joystick at the times it happens. I'll keep looking at it when possible to see if it presents any further clues or whatnot.

Again, Thank you all. I was hoping that this was just normal so I wouldn't have to take it apart to send the board back to my contact. He's a good guy and I trust his skills and such. I just thought the issue was strange.
 
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