Cranky's Theme
| "Cranky's Theme" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| "Cranky's Theme" in Donkey Kong Country | |||
 Image from Nintendo Music | |||
| Composed by: David Wise | |||
| First appearance | Donkey Kong Country (1994) | ||
| Latest appearance | Tetris 99 (45th Maximus Cup) (2025) | ||
| |||
- “Did you notice in DKC that my tune sounded like the title tune? How dare they! I'm worth two different tunes at least!”
- —Cranky Kong, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
"Cranky's Theme"[1][2] (known as "CRANKY KONG PAGE" in Japanese soundtracks) is a musical theme composed by David Wise for Donkey Kong Country, where it plays in Cranky's Cabin and when the player is inside DK's Tree House in Jungle Hijinxs. It is an arrangement of "Title BGM" from the Nintendo Entertainment System version of Donkey Kong that develops into an original melody for the second half of the theme. This theme is often used as a leitmotif for Cranky Kong in subsequent games in the Donkey Kong franchise.
History[edit]
Donkey Kong Country series[edit]
Donkey Kong Country[edit]
Donkey Kong Country marks the first appearance of "Cranky's Theme". It is also included in the official albums DK Jamz, Super Donkey Kong Game Music CD Jungle Fantasy, Super Donkey Kong Original Sound Version, and Donkey Kong Country Trilogy.
In the Game Boy Color remake of Donkey Kong Country, a chiptune arrangement of "Cranky's Theme" plays in Cranky's Cabin, just like in the original game. Unlike the original theme, however, it does not play inside DK's Tree House in Jungle Hijinxs, as the title theme from Donkey Kong Land plays instead.
In the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country, an arrangement of "Cranky's Theme" plays in Cranky's Cabin and during Cranky Kong's dialogue following every boss fight prior to King K. Rool. Unlike the original theme, however, it does not play inside DK's Tree House in Jungle Hijinxs, as the game's arrangement of "Bonus Room Blitz" plays instead.
 Cranky's Theme - The arrangement heard in the Game Boy Color remake of Donkey Kong Country | File info 0:30 |
| Cranky's Theme - The arrangement heard in the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country | File info 0:30 |
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest[edit]
In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, an arrangement of "Cranky's Theme" arranged by David Wise plays in the Monkey Museum. It is titled "Cranky's Conga (Cranky's Theme)" in the Nintendo Music app and The Original Donkey Kong Country 2 Soundtrack album. It is also included in the official albums Super Donkey Kong 2: Dixie & Diddy Original Sound Version and Donkey Kong Country Trilogy.
In the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 2, an arrangement of "Cranky's Conga (Cranky's Theme)" plays for the same purpose as in the original game. It is simply titled "Cranky's Conga" in the game's sound test.
| Cranky's Conga (Cranky's Theme) - The arrangement heard in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest | File info 0:30 |
| Cranky's Conga - The arrangement heard in the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 2 | File info 0:30 |
Donkey Kong Country Returns[edit]
In Donkey Kong Country Returns, the Nintendo 3DS port, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, and the Nintendo Switch port, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, an arrangement of "Cranky's Theme" plays in Cranky Kong's Shop. It is titled 「クランキーコングの店」 (Kurankī Kongu no Mise, "Cranky Kong's Shop") in the official Donkey Kong Returns Original Sound Track album.
| クランキーコングの店 - The arrangement heard in Donkey Kong Country Returns | File info 0:29 |
DK series[edit]
DK: King of Swing[edit]
In DK: King of Swing, an arrangement of "Cranky's Theme" arranged by Takashi Kouga plays in Cranky's Lectures.
| Cranky's Lectures - The arrangement heard in DK: King of Swing | File info 0:30 |
DK: Jungle Climber[edit]
In DK: Jungle Climber, an arrangement of "Cranky's Theme" plays during cutscenes involving Cranky Kong.
| Cranky's Theme - The arrangement heard in DK: Jungle Climber | File info 0:28 |
Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast[edit]
|
It has been requested that more audio and/or video files related to this section be uploaded. Specifics: Cranky's Flight School arrangement Please upload music, sound effects, voice clips, or any videos for this section. See the help page for help getting started. |
Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast features two arrangements of "Cranky's Theme" arranged by Takashi Kouga.
A very elongated arrangement of "Cranky's Theme" plays in Cosmic Highway. This arrangement is in the key of D-flat major and is played on the synthesizer with frantic backing accompaniment.
A faithful arrangement of "Cranky's Theme" plays in Cranky's Flight School.
| Cosmic Highway - The arrangement heard in Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast | File info 0:26 |
Nintendo Land[edit]
|
|
It has been requested that more audio and/or video files related to this section be uploaded. Specifics: Staff credits arrangement Please upload music, sound effects, voice clips, or any videos for this section. See the help page for help getting started. |
Nintendo Land features three arrangements of "Cranky's Theme" arranged by Ryo Nagamatsu.
Two different arrangements of the second half of "Cranky's Theme" plays in all courses of Donkey Kong's Crash Course.
A brief arrangement of "Cranky's Theme" is incorporated in the theme that plays during the staff credits approximately 1 minute and 25 seconds in, which is a medley arrangement of several themes from the attractions' source games.
| Donkey Kong's Crash Course - Courses 1 & 3 - The arrangement heard in Nintendo Land | File info 0:30 |
| Donkey Kong's Crash Course - Courses 2 & 4 - The arrangement heard in Nintendo Land | File info 0:30 |
Tetris 99[edit]
In Tetris 99, the Donkey Kong Country Returns arrangement of "Cranky's Theme" plays in the winning results screen while the Donkey Kong Country Returns HD theme is in use.
Gallery[edit]
Image for "Cranky's Conga (Cranky's Theme)" from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest on Nintendo Music
List of Super Mario appearances[edit]
Games[edit]
| Work | System | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong Country | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | 1994 | Original | "Cranky's Theme"[2] | David Wise |
| Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | 1995 | Arrangement | "Cranky's Conga (Cranky's Theme)"[3] | David Wise |
| Donkey Kong Country | Game Boy Color | 2000 | Arrangement | ||
| Donkey Kong Country | Game Boy Advance | 2003 | Arrangement | "Cranky's Theme"[4] | |
| Donkey Kong Country 2 | Game Boy Advance | 2004 | Arrangement | "Cranky's Conga"[5] | |
| DK: King of Swing | Game Boy Advance | 2005 | Arrangement | Takashi Kouga | |
| Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast | Wii | 2007 | Arrangement | Takashi Kouga | |
| DK: Jungle Climber | Nintendo DS | 2007 | Arrangement | ||
| Donkey Kong Country Returns | Wii | 2010 | Arrangement | 「クランキーコングの店」 (Kurankī Kongu no Mise)[6] | |
| Nintendo Land | Wii U | 2012 | Arrangement | Ryo Nagamatsu | |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D | Nintendo 3DS | 2013 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country Returns) | 「クランキーコングの店」 (Kurankī Kongu no Mise)[6] | |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns HD | Nintendo Switch | 2025 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country Returns) | 「クランキーコングの店」 (Kurankī Kongu no Mise)[6] | |
| Tetris 99 | Nintendo Switch | 2025[a] | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country Returns) |
- ^ Added in the 45th Maximus Cup on February 13, 2025
Albums[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK Jamz | 1994 | Original | "Cranky's Theme" | David Wise |
| Super Donkey Kong Game Music CD Jungle Fantasy | 1995 | Original | "CRANKY KONG PAGE" | David Wise |
| Super Donkey Kong Original Sound Version | 1995 | Original | "CRONKY KONG PAGE"[sic] | David Wise |
| The Original Donkey Kong Country 2 Soundtrack | 1995 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest) | "Cranky's Conga (Cranky's Theme)" | David Wise |
| Super Donkey Kong 2: Dixie & Diddy Original Sound Version | 1996 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest) | 「クランキーの小屋」 (Kurankī no Koya) | David Wise |
| Donkey Kong Country Trilogy | 1996 | Original | "Cranky's Theme" | David Wise |
| Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest) | "Cranky's Conga" | |||
| Donkey Kong Returns Original Sound Track | 2011 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country Returns) | 「クランキーコングの店」 (Kurankī Kongu no Mise) |
Other media[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Music | 2024 | Original | "Cranky's Theme" | David Wise |
| 2024[a] | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest) | "Cranky's Conga (Cranky's Theme)" |
- ^ Added on November 4, 2024
Names in other languages[edit]
"Cranky's Theme"[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Note(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | CRANKY KONG PAGE | - | [1] | |
| French | Cranky's Theme | - | [7] | |
| German | Crankys Thema | Cranky's Theme | [8] | |
| Italian | Tema di Cranky | Cranky's Theme | [9] | |
| Spanish | Tema de Cranky | Cranky's Theme | [10] |
"Cranky's Conga (Cranky's Theme)"[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Note(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | クランキーの小屋 Kurankī no Koya |
Cranky's Cabin | [1] | |
| French | Cranky's Conga | - | [11] | |
| German | Crankys Conga | Cranky's Conga | [12] | |
| Italian | Cranky Conga | - | [13] | |
| Spanish | Cranky's Conga | - | [14] |
"Cranky Kong's Shop"[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Note(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | クランキーコングの店 Kurankī Kongu no Mise |
Cranky Kong's Shop | [6] |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Nintendo Music
- ^ a b DK Jamz
- ^ The Original Donkey Kong Country 2 Soundtrack
- ^ Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance) sound test
- ^ Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance) sound test
- ^ a b c d Donkey Kong Returns Original Sound Track
- ^ Sound Player (2003). Donkey Kong Country. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (French).
- ^ Song-Player (2003). Donkey Kong Country. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German).
- ^ Juke Box (2003). Donkey Kong Country. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Italian).
- ^ Juke Box (2003). Donkey Kong Country. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Spanish).
- ^ Musique (2004). Donkey Kong Country 2. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (French).
- ^ Jukebox (2004). Donkey Kong Country 2. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German).
- ^ Jukebox (2004). Donkey Kong Country 2. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Italian).
- ^ Reproductor (2004). Donkey Kong Country 2. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Spanish).
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