Mini Donkey Kong

Mini Donkey Kongs, also called monkey robots and shortened to Mini DKs, are Donkey Kong toys that the Mario Toy Company sells, regularly appearing since Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis. The company created Mini Donkey Kongs, as well as other character-based toys, due to the success of their first toy line. Mini Donkey Kongs are based on the character Donkey Kong, who appears as the main antagonist in most of the games in the series.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
In their debut game, Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, Mini Donkey Kongs play a notable role in the story of the game. After the success of the Mini Mario toy line in the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong, the Mario Toy Company released three more mini toys. These include Mini Toad, Mini Peach, and Mini Donkey Kong. At the grand opening of Super Mini Mario World, Mario and Donkey Kong both offer Pauline toy versions of themselves. When Pauline picks Mario's Mini Mario over Donkey Kong's Mini Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong kidnaps Pauline. Mario travels to the roof of Super Mini Mario Land, eventually defeating Donkey Kong once again and saving Pauline. When Donkey Kong enters the room Pauline was kept in depressed, she takes a Mini Donkey Kong and kisses it. While absent from the main campaign, Mini Donkey Kongs are playable in the Construction Zone, but only in Special Kit 3 (which can be unlocked by beating all 8 mini-games). There are also Fire Mini Donkey Kongs that appear when a normal Mini Donkey Kong collects a Fire Flower.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
Mini Donkey Kongs return in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!. They are unlocked by defeating Donkey Kong in Floor 4+ and then beating rooftop levels 7, 8 and 9, which feature the toys instead of Mini Marios. The player can then choose to play with Mini Donkey Kongs in the option menu's Showroom and use Mini Donkey Kongs in the Construction Zone. They will replace the Mini Marios unless it is in a key, DK or Rooftop level. Additionally, if the player sets their character to "Minis", it will appear if there are 4 or more minis in a selected level.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini Land Mayhem!
Mini Donkey Kong is seen again in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini Land Mayhem!. It is first seen in Sandstorm Steps in the fourth level. Like the other minis that are not Mini Marios, it must be freed from a capsule that must be touched by another mini. It becomes available for use in the Construction Zone after beating Donkey Kong in the same world for Multi Door levels only. They can be unlocked for use in other levels after creating 99 levels. In plus mode, Mini Donkey Kongs appear in levels other than the fourth of a world, where it still keeps the same function. Regardless, they must reach the goal with other minis in the right order to beat the level.

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move
Mini Donkey Kongs also appear in Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move. In this game, he is unlocked when Giant Jungle in the Main Game is unlocked and accessed. The player can then choose to play as him in the level select screen.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars
Mini Donkey Kongs reappear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars. In the Main Game, they don't appear until Orbiting Observatory. They have also been redesigned, now having visible eyes and standing upright when walking. In the Workshop, they are already available and not required to be unlocked via the Workshop Store.

Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge
Mini Donkey Kong returns in Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge, keeping his design as he appeared in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars. In the game, Mini Donkey Kong has an unique ability, being able to run up steep slopes and getting access to higher areas that other minis cannot reach by not having this ability.