Wrinkly Kong

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Wrinkly Kong
Artwork of Wrinkly Kong from DK: Jungle Climber.
Wrinkly Kong as a ghost in DK: Jungle Climber.
Species Kong/Ghost (as of Donkey Kong 64)
First appearance Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995)
Latest appearance Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (spirit cameo) (2018)
Latest portrayal Miho Yamada (2007)
“Why, if it isn't Donkey -- or is it Funky? No -- Diddy!”
Wrinkly Kong, Donkey Kong Land III

Wrinkly Kong (also known as Mrs. Kong[1]) is a character in the Donkey Kong franchise who is the wife of Cranky Kong and an ally of the Kongs. Her first appearance is in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest as an elderly ape. Starting in Donkey Kong 64, Wrinkly is deceased and appears as a ghost. In most of her appearances, Wrinkly either provides information or saves the player's game progress.

History[edit]

Donkey Kong Country series[edit]

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

Artwork from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

In her debut appearance, Wrinkly runs a school named the Kong Kollege, where she can save Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong's game for two Banana Coins in Western releases and one Banana Coin in Japanese releases. Like Cranky's Monkey Museum, Wrinkly provides hints that range from either no cost to a few Banana Coins. In various moments, Wrinkly alludes that the Kong Kollege is specifically a school for the Kremlings, including Kaptain K. Rool, whom she asks the Kongs to ask if he has done his homework.

In the Game Boy Advance version, Diddy and Dixie can request homework from Wrinkly, where their assignment is to entirely fill a Scrapbook with all 40 photographs. Wrinkly gives a Hero Coin to them for every page they fill. Wrinkly no longer saves the player's progress, as this is done from the world map's Start Button menu.

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble![edit]

Wrinkly also appears in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!. Some time after the events of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, Wrinkly retired from teaching at Kong Kollege and moved to the Northern Kremisphere inside a Wrinkly's Save Cave. Like Kong Kollege, Wrinkly's Save Cave has a crucial role of saving the player's game progress, although it is free of charge. She no longer provides level hints, and she cares for the Banana Birds rescued from various secret caves. Whenever the Kongs enter her Save Cave, Wrinkly is performing one of four activities, either exercising, sitting on her couch either asleep or awake, or playing the Nintendo 64.

In the Game Boy Advance version, Wrinkly's role has been lessened. She only runs a single sanctuary, named Wrinkly's Retreat, from the main Northern Kremisphere map. There her only purpose is taking care of the Banana Birds rescued by Dixie and Kiddy Kong. As with Donkey Kong Country 2's Game Boy Advance remake, Wrinkly no longer saves the player's progress, which is instead done from the world map's Start Button menu.

Donkey Kong Land series[edit]

In the Donkey Kong Land series, Wrinkly's role is consistent with her appearances in each game's corresponding Donkey Kong Country counterpart. In Donkey Kong Land 2, she offers to save the player's game for two Banana Coins, just as in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, but she no longer offers any gameplay advice. In Donkey Kong Land III, Wrinkly retains her role of saving the Kongs' progress in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, though a big difference is she no longer cares for the Banana Birds, as they do not make a reappearance. Additionally, Wrinkly does not perform various activities and is always sitting awake on her couch. One of Wrinkly's lines has a misspelling of Kremling: "Keep an eye out for those Kremlins!".

Club Nintendo[edit]

Wrinkly is briefly seen in the ending of the Club Nintendo comic, "Donkey Kong in: Banana Day 24", quarreling with Cranky. It is strongly implied that the reason is because Cranky kissed a random girl out of enthusiasm that Earth was saved.

Donkey Kong 64[edit]

“My body may have passed away since DKC3, but I'm here in spirit to help you defeat those naughty crocodiles.”
Wrinkly Kong, Donkey Kong 64
Wrinkly Kong's Artwork, from Donkey Kong 64.
Wrinkly Kong as a ghost in Donkey Kong 64

In Donkey Kong 64, Wrinkly is revealed to have died some time after the events of Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! and appears as a ghost. In every level's lobby, the active Kong can talk to Wrinkly from one of the five color-coded Wrinkly Doors. If the Kong steps in front of a Wrinkly Door of their color, a ghostly sound effect plays and Wrinkly comes out from the door. She gives a hint to that Kong on how they can obtain a Golden Banana. When talking to Wrinkly, a slower and major key version of Cranky's Lab plays. Her appearance as a ghost in this game would later continue into her future appearances.

Wrinkly is the game's only supporting character with an optional role and one that does not cost anything. She is also the only Kong in the game who does not appear during the end credits.

DK series[edit]

DK: King of Swing[edit]

Artwork of Wrinkly Kong from DK: King of Swing

In DK: King of Swing, during the starting tutorial level Cranky's Lectures, Wrinkly assists Cranky in teaching the basic controls to Donkey Kong. She demonstrates to him how to climb Peg Boards and how to charge an attack. Wrinkly is also unlockable in the Jungle Jam mode, her her first playable appearance in general, and she can be unlocked by obtaining every Crystal Coconut. In Jungle Jam, Wrinkly has a high jumping ability, tied with Dixie Kong's, though she has intermediate attack.

DK: Jungle Climber[edit]

Wrinkly makes a minor appearance in the opening cutscene for DK: Jungle Climber, having gone on vacation to Sun Sun Island with the other Kongs. She appears alongside Cranky, admiring the scenery, and carries a white umbrella. Despite only having one minor appearance, Wrinkly has official artwork for the game, similarly to Candy Kong in DK: King of Swing. She is unvoiced in this game.

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast[edit]

In Donkey Kong Barrel Blast, Wrinkly is an unlockable playable character. She is unlocked by completing Candy's Challenge #26: Let Wrinkly Kong Win!, which is level 4 in difficulty. As the name implies, Wrinkly must come in first in order to complete the challenge. Wrinkly's rival is Kopter, and she has average boost and speed and maxed out agility. Like all other playable characters, Wrinkly has the ability to perform Wild Moves.

Wrinkly is the only playable Kong who does not appear on the game's title screen.

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

In the Super Smash Bros. series, Wrinkly only appears in the form of a few different items. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Wrinkly appears as both a trophy and a sticker. Her trophy heavily resembles her DK: Jungle Climber artwork, and ironically, Wrinkly's trophy incorrectly mentions her latest game appearance as Donkey Kong 64 instead of DK: Jungle Climber, though in the Japanese version, trophy incorrectly lists Wrinkly's debut appearance as Donkey Kong Country 2 for the Game Boy Advance. Wrinkly's sticker, which recycles her DK: King of Swing artwork, can only be used by Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, and equipping it raises resistance against battering attacks by four. In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Wrinkly returns as a trophy, which is featured in the "Donkey Kong and his friends" trophy box. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Wrinkly Kong appears as a spirit.

General information[edit]

Physical appearance[edit]

Back when she was alive, Wrinkly Kong was an old ape with a similar build to her husband Cranky Kong. She is covered in brown fur, has grey hair on her head and she also wears glasses. In her debut in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, she wore a green blanket. In Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, she wears a white and purple gymnastics outfit that has dark gray fur armbands, and also wears white and purple sneakers and a white and purple headband. In the GBA remake of Donkey Kong Country 3, she only wears a white coat and does not wear any shoes.

Ever since she became a ghost in Donkey Kong 64, Wrinkly still retained a similar appearance as in Donkey Kong Country 2, except she is now white and translucent, has a wispy tail where her legs used to be, and wears a nightgown. In her current appearance introduced in DK: King of Swing, she is no longer translucent and has gray fur, though her skin is rather white. Her glasses are much smaller and are oval shaped, compared to her previous semicircular ones, and her hair is covered by a white nightcap.

Profiles and statistics[edit]

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble![edit]

  • Player's Guide (page 8): "Wrinkly dumped her schoolmarm duds to take up the fitness craze. When she's not working out to aerobics videos, she's sharpening her reflexes on the Nintendo 64. Stop in for a visit and she'll save your game progress. Wrinkly's abode is also where the freed Banana Birds migrate to roost. Check out the flock whenever you save your game."

Rarewhere: DKC Trilogy Cast List[edit]

"APPEARS IN: DKC 2, 3

The younger Kongs often wonder how Wrinkly can put up with the endless grouching of her husband Cranky at all, let alone come away from it with her own kind, good-natured outlook still intact. Wrinkly was still teaching at Kong Kollege when Diddy and Dixie set out to rescue the kidnapped DK, but since then she's retired and moved away from all the Kremlings and screaming kids to a network of caves that run through the surrounding islands. These days she spends her time reading, exercising, feeding the banana birds and, when she thinks nobody's around, even playing the occasional video game."

Donkey Kong 64[edit]

  • Instruction booklet bio from Professor Cranky Kong (page 9): "She may not be quite the same as you remember her from past adventures, but my good-natured wife will again be around to help you if you get stuck... which I’m sure you will."
  • Player's Guide (page 6): "Wrinkly Kong isn’t about to let a little thing like death keep her from helping her hairy kinfolk in their biggest adventure yet. The matriarch of the Kong family returns in ghostly form to give hints to the youngsters. Clearly, she enjoys tormenting them with half-truths and incomplete directions, but most of the time she coddles the kids with helpful suggestions. You can be sure to find Wrinkly’s sage advice behind any of the doors that show a picture of her face."
  • Prima Games guide (page 14): "Wrinkly has come back in spirit form to help the Kong family defeat K. Rool. She can't fight the lizard's minions but she can provide tips and hints. In the lobby of each level are five Wrinkly doors. Approach one and Wrinkly will come out to bestow her knowledge."
  • German website: "After the last great adventure of the Kongs, Wrinkly, who was advanced in years, left us, much to the sadness of all involved. Nevertheless, she returns from the realm of the spirits to provide her friends and relatives with all kinds of important information and useful tips. In the lobby of each level there are five doors, each with a frame of a different color. If a Kong approaches one of these doors, Wrinkly appears and gives him a hint to uncover especially well-kept secrets. Wrinkly loves her friends and relatives so much that she even crosses the threshold of mortality in order to support them in the battle against the evil empire of the Kremlings."

DK: King of Swing[edit]

  • Instruction booklet bio: "Wife of Cranky. Even though she's passed away, she's a gentle Kong who frets about Donkey."
  • Jump: 5
  • Attack: 2

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast[edit]

Wrinkly Kong
Wrinkly Kong's character selection icon from Donkey Kong Barrel Blast.
Rival Kopter Boost 3/5
Speed 3/5 Agility 5/5
How to unlock: Win Candy's Challenge 26: Let Wrinkly Kong win!

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

Trophy
Wrinkly Kong
BrawlTrophy321.png
Appears in:
SNES Donkey Kong Country 2
N64 Donkey Kong 64
How to unlock: Random
The wife of Cranky Kong. Wrinkly first appeared as director of Kong Kollege, where she provided game hints. Did you know King K. Rool was also a student of hers? After her passing, she appeared in Donkey Kong 64 as a ghost, where again... she provided hints.
Sticker
Wrinkly Kong
Wrinkly sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Artwork from: DK: King of Swing
Effects in The Subspace Emissary: Battering Resistance +4
Usable by: Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[edit]

Trophy
Wrinkly Kong
Wrinkly Kong trophy from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Category: Series Related
(Applies only to the Wii U version) Appears in:
SNES Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (11/1995)
N64 Donkey Kong 64 (11/1999)
(Applies only to the Wii U version) Trophy Box: 17: Donkey Kong and His Friends
How to unlock:
Random
Wrinkly Kong first appears in Donkey Kong Country 2, where she manages the Kong Kollege. Even Kaptain K. Rool was one of her students at one time! Sadly, Wrinkly has become a spirit by the time she's seen in Donkey Kong 64. She doesn't let her ghostly form keep her from sharing advice, though. (American English)
Wrinkly has been in the series since Donkey Kong Country 2, where she was the director of Kong Kollege. Even Kaptain K. Rool was one of her students once upon a time! She passed away at some point before Donkey Kong 64, but still shows up now and then as a ghost. Why should she let a little thing like death stop her? (British English)

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirit[edit]

Name Image Series / game Type Class Strength / effects How to obtain Spirit battle
Opponent(s) Battle conditions Stage Song
Wrinkly Kong Artwork of Wrinkly Kong from DK: Jungle Climber. Donkey Kong Series Support (1) Advanced Trade-Off Defense ↑ World of Light (Light Realm); Spirit Board Clear Donkey Kong Hazard: High Gravity; Low Gravity
  • Your jumping power decreases when the enemy's at high damage
  • The enemy is less affected by gravity
  • The enemy starts with damage but is more powerful
Luigi's Mansion The Map Page / Bonus Level

List of appearances[edit]

Title Description Release Date System/Format
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest Non-playable character North America:
November 20, 1995
SNES
Donkey Kong Land 2 Non-playable character North America:
September 1, 1996
Game Boy
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Non-playable character North America:
November 22, 1996
SNES
Donkey Kong Land III Non-playable character North America:
October 1, 1997
Game Boy
Donkey Kong 64 Non-playable character North America:
November 22, 1999
Nintendo 64
Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong & Dixie Kong (port) Non-playable character Japan:
January 28, 2000
Game Boy Color
Donkey Kong Country 2 (remake) Non-playable character Europe:
June 25, 2004
Game Boy Advance
DK: King of Swing Unlockable playable character in Jungle Jam mode Europe:
February 4, 2005
Game Boy Advance
Donkey Kong Country 3 (remake) Non-playable character Europe:
November 4, 2005
Game Boy Advance
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast Unlockable playable character Japan:
June 28, 2007
Wii
DK: Jungle Climber Non-playable character Japan:
August 9, 2007
Nintendo DS
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Cameo as trophy and sticker Japan:
January 31, 2008
Wii
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Cameo as trophy North America:
November 21, 2014
Wii U
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Cameo as spirit Worldwide:
December 7, 2018
Nintendo Switch

Gallery[edit]

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Wrinkly Kong.

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese リンクリーコング
Rinkurī Kongu
Wrinkly Kong

Chinese 瑞珂丽刚[2]
Ruìkēlì Gāng
Wrinkly Kong

Finnish Kurttu Kong (DKC2-3)
Wrinkle Kong
Russian Ринкли Конг
Rinkli Kong
Wrinkly Kong

Spanish Wrinkly Kong
Wrinkly Kong

Trivia[edit]

  • The artwork of Wrinkly Kong for Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest shows her reading a book with various phrases like "Diddy's Kong Quest is the best game in the world.", "Look for more great games from RARE.", and a "Worm Pie" recipe.
  • In the Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! group artwork of the Kongs playing on the Nintendo 64, Wrinkly is seen with a green blanket like in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, yet in the game and her solo artwork, she wears a white and purple gymnastics outfit.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Cranky's words: "Sure beats a visit from Mrs. Kong! How can I help you?" - Donkey Kong Country
  2. ^ From the unreleased iQue prototype of DK: King of Swing