Donkey BAS

If you’ve ever wondered what Bill Gates was doing before becoming a household name, Donkey BAS holds the answer: programming a game about avoiding pixelated donkeys on a highway. Released in 1981 as a BASIC demo, this so-called “game” is more of a tech showcase than an actual challenge. You drive a car, a donkey blocks your path, and you try not to crash. That’s it. No story, no upgrades, not even a hint of donkey revenge. Yet there’s a strange historical charm to it—it’s like peeking into the awkward baby photos of PC gaming. Clunky? Absolutely. Important? Weirdly, yes.