Cranky Kong

"Whisking off maidens and throwing barrels around the place seven days a week, I was. That’s how I got where I am today, you know. Hard work."

- Cranky Kong

Cranky Kong is Donkey Kong's fourth-wall breaking and constantly complaining and rambling father. Cranky is the original Donkey Kong.

A Baby
Main article: Baby Donkey Kong In Yoshi's Island DS, Cranky Kong helped Baby Mario and Baby Peach free Baby Luigi from Kamek. Unlike Baby Bowser and Baby Wario, he does not abandon Baby Mario and Baby Peach in favor of another group. Together, the babies managed to free the babies of the world and Baby Luigi. Please note that it is debated whether this is actually Cranky Kong.

The Main Ape
Main article: Donkey Kong According to the Donkey Kong Country series, Cranky Kong is likely the original Donkey Kong from the arcade games. (although Nintendo, who now owns the Donkey Kong rights, supports this fact very rarely, choosing to say that it's always been the current Donkey Kong). During his youthful prime, Cranky Kong kidnapped Pauline, was kidnapped by Mario, and even battled Stanley the Bugman in a greenhouse.



Missin' the Old Days
Apparently after his defeat by Stanley the Bugman Cranky migrated to Donkey Kong Island; here he grew old and bitter.

Cranky's first appearance as Cranky was in Donkey Kong Country. Here Cranky lives in a slightly rundown shack known as "Cranky's Cabin". From here, Cranky gives advice on the game's various items and locations to his son Donkey Kong and his friend Diddy Kong.

Almost a Villain
Though Cranky is not actually in Donkey Kong Country's Game Boy sequel, Donkey Kong Land he is the one that sets off the events of the game. Cranky, slightly jealous of Donkey and Diddy's success over the evil King K. Rool tricks them into making a bet with him; if Donkey and Diddy can reclaim Donkey's banana hoard from King K. Rool again, this time on an eight-bit system, he will admit that they are adequate gaming heroes. In the end Cranky ends up eating his words when Donkey and Diddy once again defeat K. Rool and the Kremling Krew.

Monkey Museum Curator
In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest Cranky sets up his "Monkey Museum" on Crocodile Isle. Once again Cranky will give out information, this time for a price. In this game Cranky also scatters several DK Coins throughout the game's various. Once Kaptain K. Rool is defeated Cranky will tally Diddy and Dixie Kong's "hero status" by how many DK Coins they have collected. Donkey Kong Country 2 also introduced Cranky's wife and Donkey Kong's mother, Wrinkly Kong.

An Orphaned Ostrich
In the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 2 Cranky's role remains relatively the same as in the original game. Although a new sidequest involving Cranky was added to the game; it seems with the "fabulous fortune" he made in Donkey Kong Country Cranky bought a racing ostrich he names Expresso. After bulking up Expresso using feathers the Kongs can race Expresso for Cranky and try to get trophies for the grouchy old Kong in exchange for rewards.

An Enemy Again
In Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! Cranky's are more or less cameos. In Swanky's Sideshow Cranky Kong acts as Dixie and Kiddy Kong's opponent in various ball throwing mini-games. Cranky also appears at the end of Donkey Kong Country 3 to criticize Dixie and Kiddy's victory over KAOS and Baron K. Roolenstein. If players manage to get the game's "best" ending Cranky will do a few water-skiing tricks before holding up a sign which says "THE END" in runny ink.

Training
In the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 3 Cranky runs several dojos, aptly named Cranky's Dojo to prepare for his "First" game, Cranky Kong Country. In Cranky's Dojo players can gain the ability to play as a shield wielding Cranky during a Bristles dodging mini-game. Cranky's Dojo mini-game must be beaten at least once to gain a Banana Bird.

The Mad Scientist
Cranky's next appearance would be in Donkey Kong 64. Here Cranky has seemingly taken up science as a hobby; Cranky's Lab can be found in every area of Donkey Kong 64 except Hideout Helm. At Cranky's Lab the Kongs can pay for several potions that can give them new powers and abilities. Also if the Kongs manage to collect fifteen Banana Medals Cranky will allow them to play Jetpac, an early Rare game. The Kongs must beat the Jetpac game in order to obtain the Rareware Coin. Cranky also acts as the Kongs coach during their boxing match against King Krusha K. Rool.

More Training
In DK: King of Swing Cranky Kong, along with ghost of his wife, Wrinkly teaches Donkey Kong (and thus the player) how to use the games unique controls. Cranky, along with Candy Kong, is the only Kong who is not playable in DK: King of Swing's Jungle Jam mode.

Even More Training
Cranky once again appears in Donkey Kong Jungle Climber. He teaches DK and Diddy how to play the game, and also appears in various levels to teach them moves. Cranky has a very strangely active and good-tempered role in this game, as he follows DK and Diddy and Xananab through the various islands. He also tells the characters what they can do with the various Banana Coins, DK Coins, and Oil Barrels he finds throughout the levels once they are collected.

Barrel Blasting
Cranky appears in Donkey Kong Barrel Blast as a secret character, unlocked by playing Candy's Challenges, Challenge 24, and winning. He has oddly high stats, and is a rival to King K. Rool. This is his first North American playable appearance, although he was playable in the Japan-only Donkey Konga 3.

Other Appearances


Cranky also appears in the Donkey Konga series, though he is only playable in the series' third installment, Donkey Konga 3. Cranky makes a small cameo in the background of one of Donkey Kong's stages in the game Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Appearances in Other Media
Pre-Cranky Donkey Kong also appeared in a few episodes of the Saturday Supercade and Captain N: The Game Master. Whether this was Cranky or simply the current Donkey Kong is unknown.



Cranky was also a main character on the Donkey Kong Country television series. Here Cranky was as grouchy and bitter as he was in the games, he was also Donkey Kong's father. However, he's far less arrogant then in the video games. On the show, instead of living in a cabin on the ground like in the games, Cranky instead lives in a cabin on a tree-top village, similar to ones seen in the area Vine Valley from the Donkey Kong Country game. On the show, Cranky was also seen to be adept at potion-making and magic, a trait later carried on into the games.

Cranky got his own action figure in the late 90's due to the popularity of the DKC TV show.

Original Identity Controversy
It has been disputed by fans whether or not Cranky Kong is truly the original Donkey Kong, and if he is DK's father or grandfather. The original versions of the Donkey Kong Country series indicated that Cranky is DK's grandfather, and that he was the star of the first Donkey Kong game. Donkey Kong 64 on the other hand, made by the same company, indicated that Cranky Kong was Donkey Kong's father. Later on, in the Mario Vs. Donkey Kong series, it stated that Donkey Kong has always been the main character. To add to this confusion, Donkey Kong's Super Mario Baseball bio claimed that Cranky Kong is an ancestor of his, and was the one who kidnapped Pauline. The remake of Donkey Kong Country 3 stated that Cranky Kong's first starring-game would be a game called Cranky Kong Country, though he may have meant the first game he would be playable in, as the original Donkey Kong was never playable.

Quotes
The various quotes of Cranky Kong.

{{scroll box|content= Quotes

In Donkey Kong Country

 * I can't believe it. You trampled all over Gnawty. Give me that giant banana. I will take care of it for you. Come on, get going. You can't rest yet.


 * You sure showed that stupid bird who's boss. Good, that's another banana back. Now go down to Vine Valley and find the others.


 * Well, you told him to buzz off. You looked in trouble for a while. Come on, hand it over. I will take that banana for you. Make sure you wrap up warm. I have got a feeling you'll need to.


 * Are my old eyes playing tricks? I'm sure I have seen that beaver before. Where could it have been? Grab the banana and give it to me. Head down the mountain to the factory.


 * Oh dear! Call that tin can a boss? Surely K.ROOL can come up with better than that, maybe a bucket or perhaps a really nasty fridge! Come on, you are nearly there now. Just Chimp Caverns to go.


 * It's just like the old days, reusing the boss, changing it's color and pretending it is completely new. That's it, only K.ROOL left to beat. Come on, let's go and kick his scaly butt!

In the Cartoon

 * DONKEY KONG!!!


 * What am I doing in this contraption? I've got an air-heard airline pilot and a couple of knuckleheads guarding the Crystal Coconut.


 * Cranky: He thought we're talking about him and not the X-Ray machine and now he's trying to weasel his way into the history book by killing all of us with his good deeds. Fat chance. Diddy: How do we make him stop? Cranky: With the cherry soda! Right there on the shelf next to the Super-Sonic Vitapunch pack. Donkey: Cherry soda? Cranky: He thinks he has a fatal disease? Donkey: Yeah. Cranky: All we have to do is convince him that this cherry soda is some new miracle drug that will cure him. Diddy: Cherry soda's a miracle drug? Cranky: Of course not! But he'll think so and stop trying to destroy Congo Bongo by being a hero. Besides, I've been trying to unload that stuff for ages.


 * I'll smackify the both of ya unless you knock off the Science-Fictional nonsense.


 * K. Rool: It isn't over until it's over! Cranky: At least this conversation's over.


 * Cranky: "Who built the ancient and mysterious temple of Inka-Dinka Doo?" Now why do you knuckleheads suppose it's called mysterious? Donkey: We don't know? Cranky: Exactly! It's a mystery! No one knows who built it! The end!


 * Bluster: The Barrel Copter! Mommy'll be livid! Cranky: Tell her to take a number. I was livid first.


 * Cranky: The tickle tonic's starting to freeze! Funky: Then let's tickle-sickle him! Cranky: I think you may want to stick a thermometer in you ear. I think the same thing is happening to your head.

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 * Cranky: Business? You've got no business to go into business! You'll lose your shirt! Donkey: That's OK. I don't wear a shirt. Cranky: Then you'll lose your tie.