Professor Chops

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

- Cranky Kong

The Tutorial Pig (referred to as Professor Chops in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze) is a common character in Donkey Kong Country Returns, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. He appears as a normal pig wearing large, round glasses.

As his name suggests, the Tutorial Pig gives the Kongs hints on how to perform certain actions, such as climbing vines, when they first encounter the obstacle. His main purpose in the game, however, is to mark the checkpoints in the game (replacing Star Barrels). When the heroes pass the Tutorial Pig at certain points in the level and then lose a life afterwards, their Extra Life Balloon floats them back to the last checkpoint with the pig. Also, if Donkey and Diddy Kong are having trouble on a certain level, the Tutorial Pig can let them use Super Kong, who can then finish off the remaining parts of the level. Additionally, the pig appears during the Time Attack mode, where he is seen starting off the level while holding a green flag. When Donkey and Diddy Kong finish running through the level, the Tutorial Pig celebrates with a checkered flag which stops the timer.

According to a video from the developers of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, his name is now "Professor Chops." Similar pigs also appear in certain stages, tossing bananas to the kongs. It is currently unknown if these other pigs bear the title of "Professor Chops" as well.