Kruncha

	Kruncha
	; Artwork of a Kruncha from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
First appearance	Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (SNES) (1995)
Latest appearance	Donkey Konga 2 (cameo) (2004)
Variant of	Krusha
Comparable
	Krumple; Kasplat

“Muscle-bound and muscle-headed, Kruncha is impervious to Diddy and Dixie's attacks. They only make him mad!”

—Donkey Kong Country 2 manual, page 29

Krunchas are light blue, muscular members of the Kremling Krew and common enemies in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and Donkey Kong Land 2. They are Krushas wearing pirate gear.^[1] Despite this, they are noticeably shorter and wider than Krushas in their in-game sprites.

History[edit]

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest[edit]

The Kongs encounter three Krunchas in Gangplank Galley, the first level to feature Krunchas

In their debut appearance, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, Krunchas slowly move back and forth while swinging their muscles. Their muscular body protects from Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong's jumping and roll attacks. If the Kongs attempt either attack on a Kruncha, it turns bright red in anger, lets out a roar, and moves around faster. After a while, the Kruncha reverts to its normal state. If a Kong gets hit by a Kruncha, regardless of its status, the player loses that Kong.

Krunchas can be defeated by either an Animal Friend, by throwing an object (such as a crate or barrel) at it, while under the effects of an Invincibility Barrel, or by using a Team-up throw. If the Kruncha is red, it is invulnerable to Team-up throw, and if a Kong is thrown at a red Krusha, that Kong is defeated.

Krunchas have an uncommon, light pink variant that only appears in two levels: Castle Crush and Clapper's Cavern. They are mostly the same as the normal Krunchas except if they are angered, the pink Krunchas move around at a faster speed, and they walk off the edge of the platforms.

In the Game Boy Advance version, the Kongs can also defeat a Kruncha by jumping on it while using Team-up. A photograph of Kruncha can be obtained in Red-Hot Ride, and it appears under the second page of the scrapbook.

In the ending Cast of Characters, a Kruncha appears under the Kremling Kuthroats category.

Level appearances

Donkey Kong Land 2[edit]

In Donkey Kong Land 2, Krunchas act the same as in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, though due to the Game Boy's monochromatic screen, they no longer have color variants.

Level appearances

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

In American English releases of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Kruncha is mentioned in Kludge's trophy.

Official profiles[edit]

Nintendo Power issue 79 trading cards[edit]

Height: 6'2
Weight: 400 lbs.
Turn Ons: Barbells, washboard abs, feeling the burn.
Turn Offs: Yogurt, quiche, people who hog the mirror at the gym.
Favorite Quote: I'll be back.
Favorite Video: Anything with Schwarzenegger in it.
Favorite Song: Macho Man
Tips and Secrets: Kruncha is invulnerable to Diddy's and Dixie's attacks. Hitting him only makes him mad, and if he turns red, a mere touch will make you lose a life. Use barrels or chests to send him packing.