From the game box: You are Mario and that big old gorilla, Donkey Kong, has run off with your girlfriend. It's up to you to struggle up those ladders and to balance on those beams to rescue your lady fair. She's held captive at the very top. But Donkey Kong is not ready to give her up so easily. He's tossing barrels and fireballs at you at every turn. It's up to you to outmaneuver that wily ape. Good luck, your lady awaits.