Donkey Kong Jr.

Donkey Kong Jr. (sometimes shortened to DK Jr.) was Donkey Kong's son. Contrary to popular belief, Donkey Kong Jr. is not the younger version of Donkey Kong (this was confirmed with Baby Donkey Kong's appearance in Yoshi's Island 2), and Cranky Kong is not his father. Interestingly, Donkey Kong Jr. is the star of the second Mario game ever. In arcade game Donkey Kong Jr., Donkey Kong Jr. must save his dad, who has been imprisoned in a cage by Mario, who was tired of him constantly kidnapping Pauline. Donkey Kong Jr.'s quest was to swing across vines to find the keys and save his dad. However, Mario sent enemies out to attack DK Jr. The young ape could drop fruit on the enemies to defeat them. At the end of the game, DK Jr. saved his dad from Mario's cage.

Donkey Kong Jr. appeared as a playable character in Super Mario Kart. He is a heavyweight and as such has similar attributes to Bowser. His weapon of choice is the Banana, which he would litter the racetracks with. (His adult form would appear in Mario Kart 64).

Donkey Kong Jr. is also a playable character in Mario Tennis. Additionally, his adult form is also a playable character. (Similarly, Mario appears in his current state and as Baby Mario.)

Donkey Kong Junior has his own series of educational games for the NES and PC. He occasionally makes appearances in other games such as Donkey Kong '94 and the Game & Watch Gallery series. However, DK Jr. appears to have been replaced by Diddy and Dixie Kong. He has now been reduced to making minor cameos in games like Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and the Game Boy Advance remake of Super Mario Bros. 3.