10. Donkey Kong
In fairness, at least you know what this game actually looks like without playing and there is nothing horrifically hidden beyond a wide-eyed monkey throwing barrels at Mario. But imagine we didn't live in a world of Super Smash Bros., Donkey Kong Country, or Mario Kart, and you had literally no idea what to expect from this game. What horrors were awaiting you when you picked up this game? The ape is practically rabid, and looks infinitely more menacing than any Kong iteration since. It begs the question: why rely on barrels, when he could easily tear you to shreds? And look at Mario: he's not just a plumber saving his damsel in distress. No, he is a surprisingly handsome man locked in combat with the most vicious beast ever seen within the Mushroom Kingdom. His hammer's not just for show either, or for smashing barrels - it's meant for grimmer purposes: to smash in Monster-Kong's skull until there's nothing left but mush and fangs. You'd be forgiven for likening this to an early survival horror, set on a building site. Here's the full cover in all its glory...
