Mini-Necky

Revision as of 22:57, September 11, 2022 by LinkTheLefty (talk | contribs) (→‎Names in other languages: Only used in one game it seems, probably to make it seem like a pirate off-shoot.)
Mini-Necky
Artwork of a Mini-Necky from DK: King of Swing
Artwork of a Mini-Necky from DK: King of Swing
First appearance Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Latest appearance DK: Jungle Climber (2007)
Variant of Necky
Notable members
Not to be confused with Necky.

Template:Quote2 Mini-Neckys[1][2] (alternately pluralized as Mini-Neckies)[3] are a smaller variant of Neckys and recurring enemies in the Donkey Kong franchise. They first appear in Donkey Kong Country, but have since appeared in more games than Neckys.

History

Donkey Kong Country

 
A Mini-Necky spits a coconut in the Kongs' direction in the Game Boy Advance remake

In Donkey Kong Country, Mini-Neckys (also referred to as Necky Jnr's on one occasion)[4] attack Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong by spitting out coconuts, which move horizontally in the Kongs' direction. Some Mini-Neckys move up and down while spitting out coconuts. The Kongs can defeat a Mini-Necky in the same way as a Necky: either by jumping on them or by hitting them with a barrel. However, if the barrel hits one of Mini-Necky's coconuts, it breaks. Mini-Neckys appear in four levels: Vulture Culture, Ice Age Alley, Trick Track Trek, and Elevator Antics.

In the Game Boy Color version, Mini-Neckys appear in two more levels: Winky's Walkway and Necky Nutmare, which respectively make up their first and last level appearances. Mini-Neckys and their larger counterpart, Necky, are the main enemies in Vulture Culture and Necky Nutmare.

In the Game Boy Advance version, Donkey Kong can obtain the photograph of Mini-Necky by performing a Hand Slap in the center of the boss level, Necky's Nuts.

Donkey Kong Land

Mini-Neckys make another appearance in Donkey Kong Land where they have the same role as in Donkey Kong Country. They also appear in four levels: Deck Trek, Landslide Leap, Kong Krazy, and Fast Barrel Blast.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

 
Two Mini-Neckys swoop at the Kongs in Mudhole Marsh, a level in Donkey Kong Country 2

Mini-Neckys also appear as enemies in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. Aside from Zingers, Mini-Neckys are the only enemies that return from Donkey Kong Country. To correspond to the game's pirate theme, Mini-Neckys wear red polka-dotted bandannas on their heads. They appear slightly larger than in Donkey Kong Country.

Unlike Zingers, Mini-Neckys act different than in Donkey Kong Country. When a Mini-Necky notices Diddy and Dixie Kong, it swoops down, attempting to hit them. They also have a deeper voice than in the previous game.

The game also features a large Mini-Necky boss, Krow, who is later fought as Kreepy Krow. The latter's identically titled boss level features several ghostly Mini-Neckys which swoop at the Kongs individually; only one of them is normal, and the Kongs must jump on that one to make a barrel appear. The Kongs can throw the barrel at Kreepy Krow to attack him.

During the ending's Cast of Characters, a Mini-Necky appears under the Lazy Landlubbers category.

Mini-Neckys appear in many levels, more than in Donkey Kong Country:

Donkey Kong Land 2

In Donkey Kong Land 2, they are named Neckys,[5][6] and retain their behavior from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. They only appear in two levels, Kannon's Klaim and Mudhole Marsh. Krow and his undead alias, Kreepy Krow, also return as bosses. Neckys also appear in the game's Kreepy Krow battle with the same role as before. Because of the Game Boy color's monochromatic palette, regular Neckys cannot be distinguished from their ghostly variant.

During the ending, a Necky appears in "The Baddies" category.

DK: King of Swing / DK: Jungle Climber

Mini-Neckys reappear in DK: King of Swing and its sequel, DK: Jungle Climber. Their feathers were changed from black to blue in both. In these games, Mini-Neckys attack by spitting coconuts at Donkey Kong or charging at him, as in Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Country 2, respectively. In DK: King of Swing, Mini-Neckys first appear in Necky's Canyon while in DK: Jungle Climber, they first appear in Cliffy Peak.

Donkey Kong Barrel Blast

Mini-Neckys appear as blue balloon items in Donkey Kong Barrel Blast. When used by a racer, the Mini-Necky homes in on the nearest opponent behind the racer and rams into them. This results in the opponent losing ten bananas. If a Kremling uses a Mini-Necky, the opponent also loses a Wild Move.

Gallery

Artwork

Sprites

Screenshots

Miscellaneous

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ミニネッキー[?]
Mini Nekkī
Mini-Necky
ゾッキー[?]
Zokkī
Zocky (Super Donkey Kong 2: Dixie & Diddy)
Spanish Mini-Necky[?] -

Trivia

  • In the original version of Donkey Kong Country, there are unused frames of a perched Mini-Necky throwing a coconut, similar to the perched Neckys.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Jump on the different colored Mini-Neckys to gain the necessary objects to fight the ghost of Krow." - Kong Kollege, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
  2. ^ Folsom, Jessica, and Steve Thomason (2003). Donkey Kong Country Player's Guide. Page 15. "Mini-Neckys are just as weak as their larger cousins, but they’re more of a nuisance. All Mini-Neckys toss stones horizontally at oncoming foes. They’ll toss them either in a single straight line or at three different heights, making them a headache to get by."
  3. ^ Hodgson, David S. J. Donkey Kong Country Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Page 66. "Now release the barrel, following it across the path as it takes out two Mini-Neckies and their nuts."
  4. ^ Nintendo Magazine System (UK) #26, Special page 22.
  5. ^ Template:Media link
  6. ^ Nintendo Magazine System (AU) Issue #49, page 53.
  7. ^ DKC Atlas Forums