Congo Bongo borrowed much of its core concept from Donkey Kong — chasing a giant ape across increasingly treacherous levels while avoiding obstacles and enemies — but added both graphic sophistication and a level of charm that made it stand on its own. The hunter protagonist's motivation is merely spite (Bongo lights his tent on fire in the game's intro), rather than rescuing a damsel, and his quest for revenge requires dodging monkeys, rhinos, snakes and other unfriendly animals along the way. Congo Bongo's key innovation was its 3D isometric levels, not unlike Zaxxon before it, which added a new dimension (literally) to the levels and required a new way of thinking to avoid the various hazards in your path.