Bubbler the Octopus

Bubbler the Octopus is a large red octopus and one of the best racers on Timber's Island. During the events of Diddy Kong Racing Bubbler was brainwashed by the evil alien Wizpig into becoming one of his lieutenants and entrusted with a portion of Wizpig'a amulet. Bubbler would only allow someone to race him if they managed to beat all the challenges on his area, Sherbet Island. Once challenged to a race Bubbler would play dirty, he would drop aquatic mines in an attempt to sink his opponent. Eventually Bubbler was defeated, this defeat allowed Bubbler to fight off Wizpig's control long enough to allow his opponent to participate in the Silver Coin challenges.

After beating the Silver Coin challenges the player is given the chance to have a rematch against Bubbler. This race is much more difficult as now Bubbler moves faster and drops destructive exploding bubbles. Once again Bubbler is defeated and this time he breaks free of Wizpig's control permanently. As thanks for freeing him Bubbler gives his opponent the piece of Wizpig's amulet he was guarding. Bubbler oddly does not appear in the cinematic ending of Diddy Kong Racing, he is the only character in the game not to appear there.

Bubbler may also have been set to make a reappearance in the cancelled game Donkey Kong Racing; as Taj the Genie, a character from Diddy Kong Racing was going to appear in it. It is unknown if Bubbler was going to appear in Diddy Kong Racing's cancelled Game Boy Advance sequel, Diddy Kong Pilot. Bubbler is also a boss in Diddy Kong Racing DS, where his voice sounds more menacing, although he is relatively unchanged from the 64 version.