History of Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong has had a substantial history since his debut as the main antagonist in Donkey Kong. Like Mario and all other characters, his appearances are not limited to the core series, appearing in many spin-offs, literature, and animation.
Background[edit]
In Yoshi's Island DS, Baby DK is one of the seven star children. He is one of the babies kidnapped by Kamek and his Toady army and taken to Bowser's Castle on Yoshi's Island. However, he is found by Yoshi and Baby Mario, where he helps them save Baby Peach from a Ukiki. After saving her, Baby DK decides to join Yoshi and the babies in their quest to rescue Baby Luigi from Kamek.
Donkey Kong franchise[edit]
Donkey Kong arcade series[edit]
Donkey Kong[edit]
Donkey Kong is the main antagonist of his namesake game. He was the pet of Mario,[1][2] but he escapes and angrily carries Mario's girlfriend, Lady, to the top of a construction site. As Mario tries to get to him, Donkey Kong throws barrels in the first stage. Donkey Kong is eventually chased to the top of the construction site, where Mario causes the girders supporting him to collapse, sending him plummeting to the ground. Later games, starting with Donkey Kong Country, establish the identity of Donkey Kong in his first arcade appearances as actually being Cranky Kong, with the title of "Donkey Kong" being later passed down to his grandson.
Donkey Kong Jr.[edit]
Donkey Kong appears in Donkey Kong Jr. He is trapped by Mario as a punishment for kidnapping Pauline and stands guard next to his cage with a whip, and sends various enemies like Snapjaws and Nitpickers to prevent his son, Donkey Kong Jr., from freeing him. In the end, Donkey Kong Jr. defeats Mario and frees Donkey Kong.
Donkey Kong 3[edit]
Donkey Kong is the main antagonist of Donkey Kong 3. He goes on a rampage inside a greenhouse, where a local exterminator named Stanley is called in to defeat him. Donkey Kong uses a system of ropes to lower himself to the greenhouse floor. When he reaches the floor, Donkey Kong can destroy the rest of the greenhouse and the game ends. If Stanley sprays Donkey Kong with insecticide three times, he runs away. In the final stage, Donkey Kong gets his head stuck in a beehive while running away. In the arcade version, upon getting his head stuck in a beehive, he tries to get the beehive off, but the beehive breaks in half, revealing his sting-swollen face.
Donkey Kong (Game Boy)[edit]
In the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong kidnaps Pauline again. However, instead of it ending at 100m, he instead manages to quickly retake Pauline and force Mario to pursue him for the rest of the game. His son Donkey Kong Jr. also aids his father in preventing Mario from rescuing her. Donkey Kong's mainly attacks by throwing a variety of objects at Mario, although there are sometimes stage hazards Donkey Kong can utilize, such as pressing a switch to make bridges appear and disappear. Donkey Kong is eventually cornered at the Tower, where he falls off upon defeat; however, he is then enlarged by several Super Mushrooms. At this point, only barrels can damage Donkey Kong. After he calls for help, Donkey Kong is assisted by Donkey Kong Jr. The final credits photograph shows Pauline, Mario, Donkey Kong, and Donkey Kong Jr. at Rocky-Valley, indicating that they had become friends.
Donkey Kong Game & Watch series[edit]
Donkey Kong[edit]
Donkey Kong is the main antagonist in the game Donkey Kong. Similarly to the original, Donkey Kong tries to prevent Mario from releasing Pauline by throwing barrels at him. Donkey Kong falls down when the four wires supporting his platform are loosened.
Donkey Kong Jr. / Donkey Kong II[edit]
Donkey Kong appears in Donkey Kong Jr. He is trapped in a cage, from which Donkey Kong Jr. can free him by obtaining four keys. Donkey Kong retains this exact role in the sequel, Donkey Kong II.
Donkey Kong 3[edit]
Donkey Kong is the main antagonist in Donkey Kong 3. Donkey Kong sends bees to attack Stanley in a greenhouse, with both of them trying to send the bees to each other's side using a Sprayer filled with insect repellent. If the bees reach Donkey Kong's side, he is stung by them and loses a point. Donkey Kong is taken control of by the second player in the VS mode instead.
Donkey Kong Circus[edit]
Donkey Kong appears in Donkey Kong Circus. He is being watched by Mario juggling pineapples while balancing on a barrel. When Donkey Kong makes a mistake, Mario laughs at his performance.
Donkey Kong Hockey[edit]
Donkey Kong is an opponent in single-player mode and the second player's character in Donkey Kong Hockey. In both cases, the gameplay involves both Donkey Kong and Mario competing in field hockey.
Donkey Kong Country series[edit]
Years after the events of Donkey Kong 3, Donkey Kong relocated to Donkey Kong Island, where he grew old and was renamed to Cranky Kong. His grandson, also named Donkey Kong, forges lasting friendships with many of the other Kongs, including Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, Funky Kong, and his girlfriend, Candy Kong.
Donkey Kong Country[edit]
The events of Donkey Kong Country begin with Donkey Kong assigning Diddy Kong to guard his banana hoard at night.[3][4] Later, the Kremling Krew overpowered Diddy and stole Donkey Kong's entire hoard. The next morning, Cranky Kong wakes up Donkey Kong and shows him that his entire banana hoard is missing. Donkey Kong, upset, begins a journey to retrieve the banana hoard.[5] Donkey Kong rescued Diddy just after starting his journey, by opening a DK Barrel in Jungle Hijinxs. Together, the two characters adventure through six worlds, receiving assistance from a few Kongs as well as Animal Friends in certain levels. The final level, Gang-Plank Galleon, involves a boss fight King K. Rool, and defeating him allows Donkey Kong and Diddy to reclaim their entire banana hoard from him.
In gameplay, Donkey Kong can defeat Krushas and Klumps by jumping on them whilst Diddy cannot. Donkey Kong is less agile than Diddy, and one of his attacks is rolling into enemies, to which Diddy's equivalent is cartwheeling. Donkey Kong can perform a Hand Slap, sometimes revealing an item, depending on where he performs the move at. Donkey Kong carries a barrel above him instead of holding it out in front like Diddy.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest[edit]
Donkey Kong is a non-playable character in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. The events begin with Donkey Kong relaxing on the beach.[6] Cranky Kong shows up, arguing that Donkey Kong should not take a rest because he is a video game hero, to which Donkey Kong asks Cranky to leave after some discussion and naps on the beach.[7] He is later ambushed by Kremlings, tied up, and carried up into The Flying Krock.[8] K. Rool writes a note demanding the banana hoard as a ransom for Donkey Kong's return.[9][10] Diddy and his girlfriend, Dixie Kong, refuse to oblige and go on a journey to rescue Donkey Kong, mentioning he would "go crazy" if he lost his banana hoard again. Donkey Kong is discovered much later on, tied up in Stronghold Showdown but is shortly carried up into The Flying Krock while Diddy and Dixie are in the middle of celebrating. The two make to make their way up to K. Rool Duel for a final showdown. In their first visit, Diddy and Dixie witness in shock as Kaptain K. Rool angrily beats Donkey Kong with his blunderbuss. Donkey Kong falls into view in parts of the battle when K. Rool is knocked down, still attempting to break free from his ropes and providing a DK Barrel. At the end of the battle, before K. Rool wakes up and attempts to harm Diddy and Dixie once more, Donkey Kong manages to break free from his ropes and lands a powerful punch, sending K. Rool out of his own airship into his own swamp. Donkey Kong is seen in the 102% ending with Diddy and Dixie, watching as Crocodile Isle sinks underwater. In the remake, Donkey Kong does not appear in Stronghold Showdown, featuring a boss fight against Kerozene instead.
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble![edit]
The events of Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! begin with Donkey Kong and Diddy going to explore the Northern Kremisphere.[11] After a few days, neither of the Kongs returned, worrying Dixie, so she goes on an adventure to find them with her toddler cousin, Kiddy Kong.[12] Late into their journey, Dixie and Kiddy discover Baron K. Roolenstein to be responsible and defeat both K. Rool and his robot invention, KAOS, whom Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are freed from. Donkey Kong is impressed at Dixie and Kiddy for rescuing them.[13]
Donkey Kong Country Returns (3D / HD)[edit]
Donkey Kong is a playable character and the main protagonist of Donkey Kong Country Returns, its Nintendo 3DS port, and its Nintendo Switch port. The story similarly centers around the theft of the banana hoard, only this time by the Tiki Tak Tribe. In the opening cutscene, Donkey Kong leaves his treehouse only to notice the bananas being carted away by the animals the tribe hypnotized. He shouts at them, but Krazy Kalimba stops him and pushes Donkey Kong back into the house to hypnotize him. This does not affect Donkey Kong for unknown reasons, prompting Donkey Kong to stand up and smile at the futile second attempt. The first level, Jungle Hijinxs begins directly after this cutscene. Donkey Kong beats up Kalimba and punches him out of tree house. Donkey Kong sets off across Donkey Kong Island to stop the Tiki Tak Tribe and reclaim the bananas, with help from Diddy Kong.
Donkey Kong's moveset has been modified compared to Donkey Kong Country. His Barrel Roll moves a fixed distance. The Ground Pound is retained, but no longer requires the player to hold 
. Instead, holding allows Donkey Kong to crouch, and while crouching he can blow air at objects and enemies. On top of grabbing, Donkey Kong can cling to green surfaces and climb along them. Diddy Kong can ride on Donkey Kong's back, which is mandatory in single player mode but optional in multiplayer. While Diddy Kong is on Donkey Kong's back, Donkey Kong's Barrel Roll is upgraded into the infinitely long Kong Roll and Diddy Kong can use his Barrel Jet to allow both of them to hover briefly.
In Tiki Tong Terror of the Volcano, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong defeat Tiki Tong, who explodes and blasts them out of Tiki Tong Tower and up to the moon. Donkey Kong has Diddy Kong boost them into the moon with the Barrel Jet so that he can punch the moon back down into Tiki Tong Tower. The moon knocks the tower out and causes the volcano to erupt countless bananas. Diddy Kong uses the Barrel Jet to lower Donkey Kong safely to the ground, where they celebrate. The game has two alternate endings for if one of the Kongs is not present for the final hit of the battle. If Diddy Kong is not present, Donkey Kong punches the moon without Diddy Kong's help, and Diddy Kong flies in to carry him to the ground. If Donkey Kong is not present, Diddy Kong accidentally brings the moon down onto Tiki Tong Tower but knocks himself out in the process. When Diddy Kong falls back to the island, Donkey Kong catches him safely. Either way, the rest of the cutscene plays out normally.
Donkey Kong's tie is used as a screen wipe when entering and exiting levels.
This game introduces Super Kong, a white version of Donkey Kong who can complete levels for the player should they be defeated too many times.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze[edit]
Donkey Kong is a playable character and the main protagonist of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and its port. He was given an updated appearance in the game, sporting lighter brown fur with more details and added texture and a differently shaped nose. Donkey Kong is controlled almost identically as in Donkey Kong Country Returns. The events begin with the celebration of Donkey Kong's birthday being, all while the Snowmads make their way to conquer Donkey Kong Island. Just as Donkey Kong is about to blow out his candle, a cold wind comes in and blows it out. Donkey Kong and the other three Kongs, Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky, go outside the treehouse to investigate, only for the ice dragon to blow them away to the Lost Mangroves. The four Kongs journey through a chain of islands before eventually returning to Donkey Kong Island, which they reclaim from the Snowmads after defeating Lord Fredrik in a boss fight. Donkey Kong blows a horn to melt away all the snow on the island.
In a promotional video for the Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Banana Mania Contest, Nintendo hires Donkey Kong to help promote the event.[14]
Donkey Kong Land series[edit]
Donkey Kong Land[edit]
Donkey Kong is a playable character in Donkey Kong Land. Taking place after the events of Donkey Kong Country, Cranky believes that the Super Famicom/Super Nintendo Entertainment System's graphical capabilities were the reason for Donkey Kong and Diddy's successful journey,[15] so he bets with Donkey Kong and Diddy that they cannot finish an adventure on an 8-bit handheld.[15] The Kongs accept the bet, so Cranky arranges for the Kremling Krew to steal the banana hoard again. Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong travel through four worlds, culminating in a final boss fight against K. Rool in K. Rool's Kingdom, and complete their journey.
Donkey Kong Land 2[edit]
Donkey Kong's role in Donkey Kong Land 2 is the same as in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest's.[16]
Donkey Kong Land III[edit]
Donkey Kong does not appear in Donkey Kong Land III, but both he and Diddy are responsible for the game's events by joining a contest to find the Lost World,[17] which Dixie and Kiddy decide to enter as well.[18]
Donkey Kong 64[edit]
- “He's the leader of the bunch, you know him well
He's finally back to kick some tail” - —DK Rap
Donkey Kong is a playable character and the main protagonist of Donkey Kong 64. While exercising, Donkey Kong is informed by Squawks that all of his Golden Bananas were stolen and his four friends are kidnapped: Diddy Kong, Lanky Kong, Tiny Kong, and Chunky Kong. Soon after his journey begins, Donkey Kong meets K. Lumsy, who happily creates a big enough tremor to open access to Jungle Japes when Donkey Kong agrees to try and rescue K. Lumsy. Donkey Kong discovers Diddy Kong in Jungle Japes and frees him. Various characters assist Donkey Kong and the four Kongs on their journey, including Funky Kong, Cranky Kong, Candy Kong, Snide, and the duo Troff and Scoff. The journey culminates with the five Kongs engaging in a boss fight against K. Rool, set within a boxing arena.
In gameplay, Donkey Kong is both slow and strong. He is the strongest Kong, next to Chunky Kong. During his adventure, Donkey Kong learns a few unique abilities at Cranky's Lab: Strong Kong, Baboon Blast, and Gorilla Grab. Strong Kong allows him to be invincible, which is necessary for safely crossing stage hazards like lava or quicksand. Baboon Blast allows Donkey Kong to partake in a challenge involving him firing from a series of Barrel Cannons. Lastly, Gorilla Grab allows him to pull levers. The Coconut Shooter is Donkey Kong's personal weapon, given to him by Funky Kong, and it allows him to shoot out coconuts. His personal instrument is the bongos, given to him by Candy Kong. Donkey Kong's corresponding in-game color is yellow, making him the only character who can collect yellow bananas, Banana Bunch Coins, and blueprints. In Monkey Smash mode, aside from his default look, Donkey Kong also has three alternate costumes, including tan fur with a purple tie, orange fur with a yellow tie, and dark blue fur with a light blue tie.
Donkey Konga series[edit]
The events of Donkey Konga begin with Donkey Kong discovering a magical set of bongos on a beach. He and Diddy Kong set out to become famous musicians, visiting several locales and performing popular songs through cooperative performances and musical face-offs. The events of Donkey Konga 2 are similar, but Donkey Kong and Diddy go on another tour with Dixie Kong.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong series[edit]
Mario vs. Donkey Kong[edit]
Donkey Kong is the main antagonist of Mario vs. Donkey Kong and its remake. He is first seen in the opening scene, channel surfing until stumbling upon a commercial for the new Mini-Mario toy. Donkey Kong rushes to buy them at the local toy store only to find that they are sold out. Donkey Kong improvises by breaking into the Mario Toy Company's production line and stealing the Mini-Marios for himself using a large sack. When Mario takes notice of this, he is forced to chase Donkey Kong across several worlds to retrieve the stolen toys.
Donkey Kong is fought as the boss at the end of each world, with his tactics changing between battles. Most of Donkey Kong's boss fights often make use of Color Switches to toggle various colored platforms or obstacles in the arena, and most of his attacks involve creating earthquakes to drop debris, throwing barrels, or sending Bob-ombs that can explode on Mario.
After clearing Twilight City, Donkey Kong checks his sack only to find that it's empty. He is laughed at by Mario, the Mini-Mario toys and the three Toads in the original version, which enrages Donkey Kong and causes him to kidnap the Toads and take them up an unfinished building. This leads into the first final battle, vs. Donkey Kong. In the remake, as Mario and his allies do not laugh at him, Donkey Kong instead kidnaps the Toads out of frustration as he could not find the Mini-Mario toys he stole.
After another defeat, Donkey Kong falls off the building and lands on a truck with several Mini-Marios. Donkey Kong steals the Mini-Marios again, forcing Mario to give chase a second time. He is then fought in harder boss fights at the end of each plus world. After clearing Twilight City Plus, Donkey Kong finds that his bag is seemingly empty again, only to see six Mini-Marios drop from it. He takes them up another building, forcing Mario to give chase and battle against him in vs. Donkey Kong Plus. In this battle, Donkey Kong pilots a giant robot mech in one last attempt to stop Mario.
After Donkey Kong is defeated in the second final battle, he starts crying in the original version, while he is shown sulking instead in the remake. Mario then gives Donkey Kong a Mini-Mario, ending the conflict.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis[edit]
Donkey Kong appears in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis. Several of his voice clips originate from Donkey Kong 64, Mario Power Tennis, and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. Donkey Kong is an employee of the Mario Toy Company[19] and appears at the opening of Super Mini Mario World, when he sees Pauline, Mario's VIP guest, and becomes infatuated with her. When Pauline chooses Mario's Mini Mario over Donkey Kong's Mini Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong angrily kidnaps Pauline. Donkey Kong is the boss fought at the end of the first eight floors, the final boss fought on the Roof, and the hidden boss fought in B1 and B2 in DK's Hideout. Donkey Kong appears dejected in the ending movie before he is shown appreciation by Pauline kissing the Mini Donkey Kong he gave her.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again![edit]
Donkey Kong appears in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!. He is waiting in a line to buy a ticket for the opening of Super Mini Mario World. Donkey Kong becomes furious when he is faced with the tickets being sold out, so Donkey Kong breaks in while taking Pauline with him. Donkey Kong is chased by Mini Marios through all the theme park's floors. Later, when Pauline is rescued, Donkey Kong turns off the lights and kidnaps Pauline again by escaping through a nearby window. After four more floors are cleared, Mario walks into a room to see Donkey Kong, Pauline, and all the Toads smiling. Pauline reveals that it was all a test for the Mini Marios, who all passed with flying colors, much to Mario's surprise.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem![edit]
Donkey Kong appears in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!. He arrives at the newly-opened Mini-Land to get a Mini Pauline. Donkey Kong is infuriated at being the 101st customer, since only 100 Mini Paulines were produced, so Donkey Kong kidnaps the real Pauline, forcing Mario and the Mini Marios to rescue her. After Donkey Kong is defeated in Final Ferris Wheel, a brief reunion occurs between Mario and Pauline before Donkey Kong comes to kidnap her again. After defeating him for a second time in Plus Mode, Donkey Kong appears to confront Mario, but Mario finally gives him the Mini Pauline he wanted. The trio then rides the Ferris wheel together.
Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move[edit]
Donkey Kong is one of the organizers of the carnival in Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move. He sometimes appears with Pauline to congratulate the player.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars[edit]
In the intro of Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars, Donkey Kong is shown kidnapping Pauline, which causes Mario and the Mini Marios to chase him. In the end, the kidnapping was revealed to be a plan to lure Mario to a surprise party hosted by Donkey Kong, Pauline and a few Toads.
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat[edit]
Donkey Kong is the main protagonist and playable character of Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. He travels the Banana Kingdom to take down the possessed Dread Kong who ruled it, and then does the same for the other sixteen kingdoms nearby. Eventually, he fight and defeats the evil Cactus King, freeing the other Kongs of his curse and presumably allowing them to resume their duties.
DK series[edit]
DK: King of Swing[edit]
Donkey Kong is a playable character and the main protagonist of DK: King of Swing. He goes on a journey to recover the medals for the Jungle Jam that King K. Rool had stolen. After recovering the medals, the Kongs defeat K. Rool, and the festival is celebrated.
DK: Jungle Climber[edit]
Donkey Kong is a playable character and the main protagonist of DK: Jungle Climber. He and some other Kongs are resting on the beach when Diddy notices a giant banana. Donkey Kong, Diddy, and Cranky go up to the top and find a Banana Ship. Donkey Kong fights this spaceship and finds Xananab. They find that K. Rool and the Kremlings have escaped with his five Crystal Bananas, and he needs them back. Donkey Kong and friends agree, and the four travel through the islands, going through wormholes and other lands, such as Glass Labyrinth, Toybox, and Veggie Patch. At the end of each island, Donkey Kong fights one of K. Rool's assistant Kremlings and eventually defeats the third Kremling. K. Rool then flees to the King Kruizer IV. Donkey Kong chases him and eventually reaches K. Rool's spaceship. There, he defeats the fourth Kremling as K. Rool goes through a wormhole. Donkey Kong follows, and the group lands on Xananab's home planet. There, they fight K. Rool, which is no easy task. Eventually, the DK Crew once again wins, and Donkey Kong, Diddy, and Cranky get to eat as many bananas as they desire.
Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast[edit]
This section needs Donkey Kong franchise improvement. Specifically:
- Expand section to include information about his character in the game.
Donkey Kong is a playable character in Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast. He and the Kongs compete against the Kremlings in the Jungle Grand Prix, where racers use jet-powered bongos. Donkey Kong has all-around stats, each of them being 3 out of 5. His main rival is Kritter. Donkey Kong has an alternate form, Ultra Barrel DK, whose stats are all maxed out at 5 out of 5, and he is unlocked by completing all of Candy's Challenges.
Donkey Kong Bananza[edit]
This section needs Donkey Kong franchise improvement. Specifically:
- Condense or remove more of this game's plot description
Donkey Kong is the main protagonist of Donkey Kong Bananza, using a revamped design which incorporates elements from his original design by Shigeru Miyamoto. This design features more expressive faces, and also wears pants and suspenders. Despite his similar design in previous titles such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Mario Kart World, his appearance during development of this title provided the foundations for his other appearances.[20] In this game, Donkey Kong is able to completely destroy the terrain around him by using various moves such as punching, tearing off chunks of materials and riding them. He is additionally able to temporarily transform into five different Bananza forms (Kong, Zebra, Ostrich, Elephant, and Snake), which grant him special abilities.
During the game's events, DK sets off to Ingot Isle to look for Banandium, joining the Prospector Monkeys in mining them. He gets caught up into Void Kong's plans to use his company, Void Company, to steal the Banandium Gems and use the Pay-Dirt Piledriver to dig a hole into the Underground World. This causes Ingot Isle to sink underground. While in the wreck of Baboomtown, DK finds and befriends a strange, sentient rock called Odd Rock, who can using her magic singing to aid him. Descending into the Underground World and landing in the Lagoon Layer, DK learns that Odd Rock was actually a young human girl, Pauline. Afterwards, the two learn of the Planet Core, where those who reach it can have their wish come true. Pauline wanting to find a way home and DK wanting bananas, they decide to go together. It is revealed Void Kong was the one to transform Pauline into a rock. The due then dives deeper underground as they race against Void Company to the Planet Core.
Along the journey, the pair traverses through various layers consisting of different biomes, and meeting the people who live in the Underground World, including the Fractones. They also learn they must make their wishes upon an entity known as the Banandium Root. DK also fights Voi