Tricky the Triceratops

"Well done, kid!"

- Tricky the Triceratops

Tricky the Triceratops is a large Triceratops and the first boss of Diddy Kong Racing and Diddy Kong Racing DS. He is located in Dino Domain, where he challenges the racer to his own course, Tricky's Course, which takes place on a spiraling mountain. Tricky's body is red with yellow stripes on his back, and his eyes are yellow with red irises and black pupils.

Diddy Kong Racing / Diddy Kong Racing DS
Prior to the events of Diddy Kong Racing, Tricky was brainwashed by Wizpig into becoming one of his servants. He was provided with the first Wizpig Amulet piece to guard.

After winning at each racetrack of Dino Domain, the boss door opens, and the player can race Tricky. In the stage, the spiraling mountain gradually turns left. Red and blue Weapon Balloons are scattered throughout the course, which the racer can use against Tricky. The player must avoid running into Tricky, who squishes them, and in result slows them down. The player wins the race if they cross the finishing line at the very top of the mountain first.

Once Tricky is defeated, he challenges the racer to complete each racetrack's Silver Coin Challenge (or Balloon Touch Challenge in the remake). By completing them, the player can race Tricky again. As with the other boss battles, the rematch is more difficult, as Tricky races twice as fast. The racer is required to make use of the Weapon Balloons to win the rematch.

After losing again, Tricky is somehow liberated from Wizpig's spell, and awards the racer with his piece of the Wizpig Amulet. In the ending cinematic, Tricky is seen dancing with two younger Triceratops, which are yellow and pink respectively. Pipsy is seen riding on the pink Triceratops.

4-koma Gag Battle
Tricky makes a few appearances throughout the 4-koma Gag Battle adaptation of Diddy Kong Racing.

Trivia

 * According to the August 2007 edition of Rare's Scribes, it was originally intended that Prince Tricky from Star Fox Adventures would be same character as this Tricky, back when it was under development as Dinosaur Planet. According to Kevin Bayliss, former character designer at Rare, the two Trickys used the same model, before Dinosaur Planet was rebranded into a Star Fox game, after which the two characters were disconnected from each other.
 * While currently owns the rights to Tricky the Triceratops, Nintendo currently owns the rights to Prince Tricky, who received a Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and a Spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.