Donkey Kong

''This article is about the character Donkey Kong. Also see the arcade game Donkey Kong (disambiguation)''

"Smacking the ball a mile is great. Now let me show you what I mean!"

- Donkey Kong



Donkey Kong (usually shortened to DK) is an ape character created by Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo. His first appearance was in the arcade game named after him, Donkey Kong. This game was also the first appearance of Nintendo's world-famous mascot, Mario (then called Jumpman).

DK is voiced by Takashi Nagasako in most Mario games.

Life as a Baby


Main article: Baby Donkey Kong In Yoshi's Island DS, who might be Donkey or Cranky Kong as a baby joins Baby Mario and Baby Peach on a quest to save kidnapped babies from their school. The infant gave Yoshi many special abilities, including the ability to climb vines, perform a shoulder charge, throw explosive eggs, and do a super ground-pound.

Monkey Love


Donkey Kongs first appearance (un-chronologically) was in the Arcade game of the same name, where he was the main villain. In the game Donkey Kong made off with Mario's girlfriend Pauline, and carried her to the top of a high construction site. He was pursued by Mario, and attacked him by throwing Barrels and creating living Fireballs. He was eventually pursued to the top of the construction site, where Mario caused the bars supporting him to crash, sending him to the ground.

Donkey Kong tried to kidnap Pauline yet again in the Gameboy game Donkey Kong '94, this time accompanied by his son Donkey Kong Jr.. Donkey Kong's tactics in this game remained virtually the same, he attacked mainly by throwing a variety of objects at the hero.

It is still speculated exactly WHY Donkey Kong tried to kidnap Pauline: while some sources say that he took her in revenge against Mario (who had abused him) others (perhaps trying to show Mario in a more favorable light) say that Donkey Kong fell in love with the damsel-in-distress.

Captive Kong


Donkey Kong took the role of damsel-in-distress during Donkey Kong Jr.. In this game, Mario actually kidnapped Donkey Kong (perhaps to keep him from from kidnapping Pauline) and atood guard next to his cage with a whip. In the end Donkey Kong Jr. arrived and defeated Mario to free Donkey Kong.

Battle for the Greenhouse


In Donkey Kong 3 Donkey Kong was a main villain once again, although this time he did not fight Mario (who had gone on to star in his own series, and would not meet with Donkey Kong again until much later). In this game, Donkey Kong has gone on a rampage inside a greenhouse and a local exterminator called Stanley the Bugman was called in to defeat him (along with other bugs destroying plants in the greenhouse). Donkey Kong would use a system of ropes to lower himself to the greenhouse floor. When he reaches the floor, the game ends and Donkey Kong is able to destroy the rest of the greenhouse. After Stanlet sprays Donkey Kong with insectide three times to keep him off the greenhouse floor, he runs away.

A Brief Disappearance
Because Donkey Kong 3 was notably less popular, Donkey Kong, (along with some other characters from the Arcade games) were not seen for a while. Donkey Kong did appear as a sort of host for the game Donkey Kong Jr. Math, where he gave the player math signs so that they would know which operation to perform. He also appeared in some re-makes and made small cameos, but had no large roles.

A New Enemy


DK finally returned to stardom in a big way when he was made the main character of Donkey Kong Country. In this game he was given a single piece of clothing-a tie-and an entirely new personality. He was portrayed as the hero instead of the villain, creating much controversy among fans.

In this game, Donkey Kong lives on Donkey Kong Island along with a group of other Kongs. He has his own house and a huge collection of Bananas. However, the other main race of Donkey Kong Isle, the vile Kremlings (led by King K. Rool) are less friendly and often at odds with the Kongs. Because of this Donkey Kong has to freqently keep a close eye on his Banana Horde. One night, Donkey Kong allows his friend Diddy Kong to guard his horde, but the smaller Kong is attacked by the Kremlings and stuffed in a Barrel. The villains then steal every one of DK's Bananas and sneak away with them.

The next day Donkey Kong finds his Bananas and his friend missing, and angrily busts open the Barrel that Diddy is imprisoned in. The duo then go on an adventure to defeat the Kremlings and regain his Banana's. After journeying through many different regions of Donkey Kong Island and defeating and defeating many of the Kremling Krews members, the two heroes confront King K. Rool himself and fight a long battle with him, finnaly defeating him and getting back his Bananas.

Not long after Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong and Cranky Kong make a bet. Cranky does not think that Donkey and Diddy Kong would have been able to defeat K. Rool and win back the Banana Horde if they had to do it on an 8-bit system (Donkey Kong Country was released for the SNES, a 32-bit system. It should be noted that the premise of this is questionable, since videogame characters are not supposed to know about systems and the fact that they are inside a videogame, though Cranky Kong does this often) DK decides to try this, so Cranky calls King K. Rool and asks him to return to the island and steal the Bananas again. K. Rool complies, and this sets off the events of Donkey Kong Land, (which was released for the 8-Bit GameBoy system). After traversing even more regions of DK Island, Donkey and Diddy once again defeat King K. Rool, win back there Bananas, and win Cranky Kong's bet.

A Monkey in Distress


Despite the fact that his name would feature prominently in the next few Donkey Kong games, Donkey Kong himself was given fairly small roles. In Donkey Kong Country 2 Donkey Kong is kidnapped by a vengeful King K. Rool (now going by the alias of "Kaptain K. Rool") and the Kremling Krew. Donkey Kong is locked in a cage (not unlike his predicament in Donkey Kong Jr.) and held captive in Crocodile Isle, the current home of the Kremlings. This game actually stars Donkey Kong's sidekick Diddy Kong and his friend Dixie Kong as they travel through Crocodile Isle to save Donkey Kong (it should be noted that Cranky Kong, Wrinkly Kong, Swanky Kong, and Funky Kong also travel to Crocodile Isle to aid the rescue of Donkey Kong, but they feature less prominitely). At the end of the game, Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong defeat Kaptain K. Rool and free Donkey Kong, allowing him to deliver the final blow to the main villain. Crocodile Isle sinks to the bottom of the ocean, and the Kongs happily return to Donkey Kong Island.

Later, Kaptain K. Rool was somehow able to kidnap Donkey Kong once again (thus setting the events of Donkey Kong Land 2 in motion. Diddy and Dikie Kong (once again accompanied by a variety of other Kongs) return to the recently re-submerged Crocodile Isle to rescue him. This time Kaptain K. Rool sends Donkey Kong away to fight Kerozene while he tries to defeat Diddy and Dixie. He fails in the long run, and Crocdile Isle is finally sunk for good. The Kong's travel back to Donkey Kong Island, thinking that K. Rool has been defeated for good...

A Whole New World
After a short period of peace, both Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are kidnapped by the new leader of the Kremling Krew, the mysterious KAOS, and taken to the Kremlings current hideout, the Northern Kremisphere. Dixie Kong sets out to the Northern Kremisphere to save the duo (again, a variety of different Kongs follow her) and she is soon joined by Kiddy Kong. This sets the events of Donkey Kong Country 3 into motion. Together, the two kongs journey through all of the Northern Kremisphre, eventually finding and defeating KAOS. Upon defeat however, the two Kong's learn that KAOS was actually a mere puppet, being controlled behind the scenes by King K. Rool (now having took the name of Baron K. Roolenstein). Even more abominable, KAOS was actually being powered by the brain power of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong themselves. Yet another battle begins, and finally Baron K. Rollenstein is defeated and Donkey and Diddy Kong are freed.

During the events of Donkey Kong Land 3 (which takes place shortly after Donkey Kong Country 3), a contest to find the Lost World of the Northern Kremisphere begins. Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are quick to enter the competition, but they do not ask Dixie Kong to go with them. Becoming angry, Dixie Kong decides to travel to the Northern Kremisphere herself and enter the contest. When an enraged Dike Kong (accompanied once again by Kiddy Kong) reaches the Northern Kremisphere, they find that the Kremlings have invaded and that Baron K. Roolenstein has seemingly re-built KAOS. While Dixie and Kiddy Kong defeat the Kremling Krew, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are nowhere to be found. It can be assumed that they were searching other parts of the Northern Kremisphere, looking for the Lost World. Thus, Donkey Kong was actually only mentioned in this game, never seen.

Back in The Spotlight


Donkey Kong finally gets his starring role back in Donkey Kong 64, his first true 3D outing. This game also sees the return of Diddy. Both are playable characters, along with three new Kongs; Lanky Kong, Tiny Kong (Dixie's younger sister) and Chunky Kong (Kiddy's older brother). In this game, K. Rool (returning to his old title of 'King' K. Rool from Donkey Kong Country) attacks Donkey Kong Island with a huge battleship, shaped in likeness of K. Rool himself. However, due to incompetent pilots, the ship crashes into Donkey Kong Island, allowing passage between both places. K. Rool's henchmen steals DK's Golden Bananas, and imprisons the other four Kongs as a distraction to power up the battleship's Blast-O-Matic that was going to destroy DK Island. Squawks informs DK of the disaster, and he sets out immediately to save the other Kongs and retrieve his Golden Bananas.

A Musical Adventure
During the events of Donkey Konga, Donkey Konga 2 and Donkey Konga 3, Donkey, Diddy and Dixie have found a special bongo set. Seeing an opportunity, they use the drums to become musical stars, earning them plenty of money to buy bananas with.

The Quest For Crests


In Donkey Kong Jungle Beat Donkey Kong travels to a new land. There, he defeats a bunch of new enemies, including the deadly Ghastly King. He leaves the new world and returns to Donkey Kong Island with hundreds of bananas, and a few rare trinkets called Crests.

Fighting Again


Mario and Donkey Kong duel again in Mario vs. Donkey Kong, it was almost identically similar to the original, though it had better graphics and the newer Donkey Kong. While watching T.V. one day, Donkey Kong sees a commercial for a new toy, the Mini-Mario Toy. He instantly falls in love with the little toys, and is determined to get one. But when he gets to the store, they're sold out. In a fit of rage, Donkey Kong steals a whole sack full of the toys from the Mario Toy Company. However, little does he know that Mario, the old foe of the Kong Family, is equally determined to get them back. Donkey Kong sets many traps for Mario, but in the end he is caught and forced to give the toys back (but out of pity, Mario lets him keep one of them).

In the sequel, Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, he now works in the Mario Toy Company. Donkey Kong then kidnaps Pauline, the V.I.P. guest, when she chooses Mario's Mini-Mario toy over his Mini-DK toy. It is likely that he made the Mini-Donkey Kong toys, and perhaps he created the monkey-like enemies that appear in the game.

The Festival Ruined
Donkey Kong had more work to do during DK: King of Swing. It was time for the annual Jungle Jam, a festival for the Kongs. However King. K. Rool returns and steals all of the medals needed to have the festival. Donkey and Diddy go after him to get there tokens back. In the end, they defeat K. Rool, and the festival is celebrated.

The Future
Donkey Kong is scheduled to appear in DK Bongo Blast, DK: King of Swing DS, Mario Party 8, Mario Strikers Charged, and Itadaki Street DS.

Speculation
Donkey Kong's exact role in the Marioverse is somewhat sketchy. His original appearance portrayed him as a villainous (or maybe simply stupid) ape with unequaled strength. In these games, Donkey Kong was naked (like most real-life gorillas.

However, with the release of Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong was given a new personality, a new home, and a single piece of clothing (a tie with the letters DK printed on them). Donkey Kong Country also saw the appearance of Cranky Kong, who claimed to be the original Donkey Kong from the old Arcade games. It was confirmed that the tie wearing DK was a different character from the original DK in Donkey Kong's Mario Superstar Baseball bio, where it makes a reference to "his ancestor (the original Donkey Kong)....". Thus, it is widely believed now that Cranky Kong is an older version of Mario age-old nemesis, while the current Donkey Kong (who inherited his ancestors name) is the older version of Donkey Kong Jr.. This argument still goes on today.

Powers and Abilities
Unlike most characters, who have some kind of special power, DK relies mainly on his brute strength to get his way through. In the original Donkey Kong he had a seemingly unlimited supply of Barrels, and could throw them easily. This carried on to the Donkey Kong Country games, where he can pick up and throw Barrels with ease. Also in Donkey Kong Country, he can destroy certain enemies that Diddy Kong cannot hurt with a single jump. In Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat, his strength is shown yet again, it makes him so strong that when he Claps, a sound-wave is produced. This is his main attack throughout the game.

Other Appearances
Donkey Kong appears in various Mario sub-series. He was playable in all of the the Mario Kart games except Super Mario Kart (this game instead had Donkey Kong Jr. as a playable character). In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Donkey Kong is partners with Diddy Kong. His special item is the Giant Banana and his kart is the DK Jumbo. He also gets his own course, DK Mountain. In Mario Kart DS he has two of his own karts: the Rambi Rider and the Wildlife. He was also playable in Mario Kart Super Circuit, and Mario Kart Arcade GP. It is presumed he will be playable in Mario Kart Arcade GP 2. In all of these games he was a heavyweight driver.

He is also playable in all of the golf, tennis and other sports titles. He is usually portrayed as a slow but powerful character.

He was playable in all of the Mario Party games, up until Mario Party 5, here he leaves and starts hosting his own space. He is basically the opposite of Bowser, since when a character lands on his space, something good happens.

He was going to appear in the now-canceled Diddy Kong Pilot and Donkey Kong Racing. He is now going to appear playable in DK Bongo Blast.

Super Smash Bros. Games


Donkey Kong has been playable in both of the Super Smash Brothers games, and will possibly be playable in the third. In Super Smash Bros. he is a default character. In one-player mode, the player must fight a giant Donkey Kong. This is the only fight where the player is given two partners to help him, instead of one. Giant DK can stand about 350 damage before being knocked off the stage.

DK was also a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Once again, he was a default character. In the new one-player mode Adventure the player must first fight two mini-DK's, and then fight another huge Donkey Kong at Jungle Japes.

Donkey Kong is always one of the strongest characters in the game. When he picks up a character, he also has the power to carry them a short distance, something no other characters can do.

Super Smash Bros. Special Attacks

 * B - Giant Punch
 * B → - Headbutt (SSBM only)
 * B ↑ - Spinning Kong
 * B ↓ - Hand Slap

Classic
''While he now prefers the laid-back jungle lifestyle to construction site mischief, DK is often forced back into action by the Kremling Krew. The great ape is quite fast despite his burly physique, and he keeps his strength up with a steady diet of his favorite food: bananas. His one extravagance (and only piece of clothing) is a monogrammed necktie.''

Adventure
''Donkey Kong is a huge target in a fight, so he hates crowds. When he's in the fray, his Giant Punch deals serious damage to multiple opponents. The big ape's Headbutt hits so hard that it temporarily buries opponent's in the ground. DK is a lot faster than he looks, and he's lethal in the hands of a master.''

All-Star
''Being the strongest simian around, DK has the upper hand once he grabs an opponent. He can even lift his foe up and make him or her an unwilling traveling companion; if DK grabs you, shake your Control Stick as fast as you can to break his grip. His Spinning Kong covers more lateral distance than vertical, so use it quickly to recover.''

Physical Appearance


DK has some muscular pecs, a slim stomach, and humongous triceps and biceps; all surrounded in chocolate brown fur. The fur on his head gives off the appearance of a human hairstyle. He wears a single item of clothing, a red necktie with the 'DK' logo printed on it in yellow.

Appearances in Other Media
Donkey Kong, along with Mario and Pauline appeared in several episodes of the Saturday Supercade. Here Donkey Kong was a gorilla who had escaped from the circus and was now traveling the across country, with Mario and Pauline on his tail. Donkey Kong Jr. was also featured in a few of Saturday supercade's episodes. On the show DK Jr., along with his pal Bones traveled across the globe searching for Donkey Kong.

Donkey Kong made occasional appearances on Captain N: The Game Master. Here he was, more or less, a giant, bestial, monster. Often times on the show DK was manipulated by Mother Brain and her minions to do evil. Donkey Kong also appeared in the Captain N comics.

DK was also one of the main characters on the Donkey Kong Country animated series. Here he was the future ruler of Kongo Bongo Island and the guardian of the Crystal Coconut, often times Donkey Kong and his pals would need to defend the Crystal Coconut from the Kremling Krew and Kaptain Skurvy and his minions. On this show Donkey Kong was, like in recent games, somewhat of a slacker who loved bananas above all else.

Mario Hoops 3-on-3 info

 * Baller Name: Dunky Monkey
 * Type: Powerful
 * Special Shot: Konga Dunk
 * Letter to Tap: M

Mario Superstar Baseball Bio
"A gorilla known for raw power, DK lives a carefree jungle life... unless someone messes with his bananas, in which case he just loses it. His ancestor, Cranky Kong (the original Donkey Kong) wore no necktie. His talents lead in beating on primate foes and kart-racing. Fear his Banana Ball.

Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Information

 * Partner: Diddy Kong
 * Class: Heavy
 * Personal Kart: DK Jumbo
 * Special Item: Giant Banana

Trivia

 * When Donkey Kong does his Mega Strike in Mario Strikers Charged, he shoots himself into the air like a rocket. Once he's suspended in midair next to the ball, he widens his armspan, his eyes go blank, and electricity forms in his hands. Once the transformation is complete, he will clasp hands together with immense force, sending the ball down the field, at the goalie, with terrifying speed.
 * Super Mario Strikers is the first game in which Donkey Kong has worn something other than a tie since Donkey Kong Jr.
 * Donkey Kong's number in Super Mario Strikers is 55.
 * DK appears in Nintendo Monopoly. He replaces Marvin Gardens, and costs $280.
 * In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga a skeleton monkey named Bink bears an uncanny resemblance to Donkey Kong