Professor Chops

"Who is that pig anyway? And why's he wearing glasses?"

- Cranky Kong

Professor Chops is a recurring ally in the Donkey Kong Country series, starting with Donkey Kong Country Returns. Professor Chops is a stout, anthropomorphic pig who wears large, round glasses. His main role is providing information to the Kongs throughout their adventure.

Donkey Kong Country Returns / Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
In Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, he is known as the tutorial pig. As his name suggests, the tutorial pig teaches the game controls to Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, and also how to utilize some mechanics, such as climbing vines or using Rocket Barrels.

One of the tutorial pig's main roles is marking the checkpoint when the Kongs pass it. If the Kongs lose a life after passing a checkpoint, their Red Balloon floats them back to that checkpoint. Also, if the Kongs lose eight lives in the same level, the tutorial pig pops up, either from the start or at checkpoint (depending on the Kong's progress) and allows them to use the Super Guide feature.

The tutorial pig also appears during the Time Attack mode, where he holds a green flag at the start of the level. When the Kongs hit the Slot Machine Barrel at the end, the tutorial pig emerges from it holding a checkered flag.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Professor Chops returns in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and its Nintendo Switch port with almost all roles fulfilled in the previous game, including gameplay tutor, checkpoint marker, and Time Attack marshal. However, he does not offer the Super Guide feature, which was omitted from the game. His checkpoint also received a redesign.

Several duplicates of Professor Chops appear in a hidden area of Mangrove Cove, tossing Banana Bunches at the Kongs, who must collect them all in order to obtain a Puzzle Piece. This is the only instance within the actual game to reveal that Professor Chops may be part of a group of anthropomorphic pigs akin to him. Several pieces of concept artwork unlockable as extras further show that the factories inside Juicy Jungle were originally intended to be inhabited and operated by pigs like Professor Chops, and one artwork even depicts a -like town populated by such pigs.

A figurine of Professor Chops can be dispensed at random by the Capsule Toy Machine after the player beats all levels in Secret Seclusion.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
A Professor Chops trophy appears in both Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. It can be unlocked by purchasing it in the Trophy Shop. The trophy lists him as "Tutorial Pig", taken from his initial name, but makes note of his more recent name in the description.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Professor Chops also appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a Novice-class support spirit which, when used, occupies one support slot and increases the fighter's stamina in battle. In World of Light, the spirit is located at the south of the Light Realm, blocking the way to a treasure chest. The spirit's puppet fighter is a white Donkey Kong fought on the Kongo Falls stage; the color of Donkey Kong used for this spirit battle references the Super Kong guide from Donkey Kong Country Returns, which Professor Chops provides in that game.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Super Smash Bros. for Wii U trophy
Blue indicates exclusive to the Wii U version.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

 * Prima Games guide (page 11): "This somewhat husky pig makes a return visit from the previous title as the checkpoint guide and instruction guru. In the beginning and throughout some later levels, Professor Chops will explain and reiterate control maneuvers from basic to complicated. Be sure to heed his advice, as it may be the only way through to the next section of the level. This guy will also grant you checkpoint status once, twice, and, sometimes, three times in a level. Once he waves his flag as you pass, you will return to this point if misfortune occurs and you are defeated."

Play Nintendo

 * Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Trivia Quiz: Professor Chops marks checkpoints, kicks off the level in Time Attack mode, and gives hints to help the Kongs perform certain actions, like climbing vines.